Hi,
My dad was an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad for over 45 years. I want to purchase a model IC diesel locomotive to display in a case for my desk at my office. I have no concept of the physical sizes of the various scale, but would like to have a model that is around 8" to 10" longs and maybe a couple of inches wide and high. Can someone please give me some guidance as to what scale locomotive I need to get close to those dimensions?
Thanks a bunch in advance.
Final scale size will depend on what engine is being scaled, so one must ask what Locomotive is it to be… An SW1500 or a SD90MAC, or something in between?
The generally available scales are: (Assuming you want a model of a “Standard gauge” train)
G = 1:29 or 1:32 are for “standard gauge”. (1:29 is “wrong” but is more common and thus often cheaper!)
O = 1:48
S = 1:64
OO = 1:76
HO = 1:87.1
S and OO are not too common and thus may be hard to find the desired engine in those scales, G and O are a bit more common, but HO will be the most commonly available and have the widest range of models available and probably the cheapest (mainly due to supply and demand theory).
Figure out which engine you might want, then find the length of that engine, and divide by the various scale numbers to see what size the model will be in that scale.
i.e.: if the locomotive is 60-ft long then;
G, 60/32 = 1-ft, 10.5-in.
O, 60/48 = 1-ft, 3-in.
S. 60/64 = 11.25-in.
OO, 60/76 = 9.47-in.
HO, 60/87.1 = 8.26-in.
My bet is that you will have the best chances to get what you want if you search the web for HO scale locomotives… although that will be pretty small, they usually have good detail and look very nice.
Good luck with your quest! [:)]
I would get an HO Athearnblue box IC SD-40. Should be able to to get one on ebay. Several companies make clear acrylic cases with a track base to display it.
Thanks so much for the input…I really appreciate the help.
just go online to search it up in stead of asking some one.
I second the idea of an HO scale model, with this addition. Since you want a display piece, not an operating model, check E-Bay for models with defective drives, or dummy (unpowered) models. They will be less expensive than fully operational units.
Second choice would be DC power. They don’t have modern on-board DCC electronics not needed in a pure display model.
Good luck and good hunting.
Chuck