I started with 1:20.3 because of the Bachmann set we bought, but when we got the Marklin engine, it was 1:32, I have a few pass cars and boxcars and flat cars, they are all 1:20.3. We do pull them behind the marklin as we never run the bachmann anymore since the marklin is so much nicer. I am torn, I want to model the 1:20 because the items seem more available, but the next engine i really want, is from USA, their 0-6-0 steam, but they are 1:32 as well. I am not sure, should i model 1:32 because of that or not?
My first and only steam locomotive was the Bachmann narrow gauge Consolidation, so I try to stay with that scale for the rolling stock. Putting a 1:32 box car behind the 1:20.3 locomotive looks very out of place.
I voted 1:24 scale. I’ve been collecting 1:24/1:25 scale autos and trucks, both plastic and diecast, for a long time and have about 90 items so far. However most 1:20 and 1:22 scale narrow gauge locos are way too big for the 1:24 autos. So I’ve started bashing the Bachmann Industrial 2-6-0 using the Big Hauler cab and tender . This yields a loco that looks “right” next to any of the 1:24 scale autos. I also replace the wheels on the rolling stock with B’mann’s small diameter steel wheels . This makes the cars look smaller, because they’re now lower and the smaller wheels just make the car look smaller. I’ve also standardized on Sunset valley code 250 aluminum rail.
This puts all the components of the railroad into the proper proportion to each other. I haven’t been able to find the right combination of loco’s, rolling stock , autos, and track in any other scale that’s as pleasing, to me at least, as what I’ve described above.
Hi guys,
I voted mix. If I like it & I can afford it then I buy it. I bought a USA pipe load flat car a couple of weeks ago & that can run in with Bachmann’s 1:20.3 (allegedly) cars without any problems. I’m a great believer in the ‘if it looks right then it must be right’ school of railroading.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]
I started out doing the 1:22.5 / 1:24 thing, as that’s what was available “in the beginning.” Heck, when I started, we weren’t even too concerned about that–american prototypes were scarce enough. That got me headed down the “narrow gauge” road, and my affection for the East Broad Top Railroad certainly helped as well. Most of my models were built to 1:24, because the math and measuring was easy.
Then, Bachmann started out with their 1:20.3 stuff. I got the Shay, but that wasn’t really what turned the tide for me. That loco was to be rebuilt into a 50 ton Shay, which was a large beast to begin with, and would have scaled out very nicely in 1:22.5. What did it for me was the Bachmann Centennial mogul. I sat that next to my two 1:24 locos, and it simply dwarfed them. I knew right then that I had to “upsize” my railroad. There was just no comparison. This loco–despite its narrow stature–looked narrow gauge.
Fortunately, I didn’t have a lot of rolling stock. Perhaps a dozen cars and four locos, all scratchbuilt or kitbashed. I built a tank car to 1:20.3 to test the waters, and found I really liked the size. It looked “right” sitting on the track. The rails were where they were supposed to be, so from then on out, everything I’ve built has been to 1:20.3. Two of my existing locos were rebuilt to the larger scale (new cabs), one loco was set out on display with a string of token 1:22.5 East Broad Top equipment, and the rest was shipped back east to my dad for service on his railway, which is still done to 1:22.5.
I’ve only been doing the 1:20.3 thing for four years now. My rolling stock collection is slowly building back up to where it was before I “saw the light.” Since I’m scratchbuilding and kitbashing everything, I find I do a lot more research into the prototype before I sit down to build it. For me, that’s much of the fun. I find I don’t worry at all about what the manufacturers are going to do next. If it fits into my grand scheme, I’ll perhaps buy it. Otherwis
I started out with the Bachmann Annie and also picked up some of their rolling stock. I got some 1/24 die-cast vehicles and some 1:22.5 buildings. Then I discovered the AMS 1:20 cars and decided that 1:20 would be my future direction. Since then I’ve acquired the Bachmann 2-8-0 and Shay. I won’t be getting rid of anything but won’t be getting any of those other scales in the future!
Hey guys,
Made my buildings at 1/24 for outdoors. I run various equipment so this puts me somewhere in the middle. As long as it looks OK I’m happy with that. Just having fun running trains. Later eh…Brian.
I said 1:20.3 but I’m not sure exactly, what ever 9/16 works out to the foot. I don’t own the loco yet, but the boxcars I’m building are built to about 9/16 to the foot. I just hope they look good behind the LGB 260 or someone may get them for a birthday or X-mas[:D]
Was that a hint? [:D] Really Matt I thought about getting that mining kit and add cars to it so one BIG kit comes in at same time. Can you see the foam on there mouths? [}:)]
I voted for mix. I ran 1/29 then I saw the Bachmann Climax and had to have it.
As I do not have any buildings on the garden layout only flowers and shrubs, the different scale does not matter as long as the train is all the same scale. I have bridges of course but as long as they of the bigger scale every thing looks okay. I run trains for fun and try not to get too serious about scale.
Cheers IAN
Walt
I to like AMS 1-20 rolling stock, if you are looking for it it is distributed buy Accucraft, also “Rio Grande Southern Railroad Hobbies” carry a great range. (rgsrrhobbies.com)
For me 1-20 is the only scale as my layout has lots of curves and 4% grades.
If I had a large backyard I would consider standard gauge.
Also I like gear driven loco’s. eg Shay.Heisler etc.
Regards
Gary
I voted mix, because my locos are small. LGB/Lehmann Porter, which I think is 1:20 or so, LGB industrial steam locos, Chloe…they’re all small and who knows what scale. Cars, I build to ‘whatever looks right’. Buildings are mostly birdhouses, with the exception of a water tower, tipple, and train-order station, which I scratchbuilt to my own designs. And not to rivet-countin’ standards, either.
I try for the effect, to get the essence of something. And it’s easy enough to do when you model small industrial equipment (four-wheel shorty cars) as I do. And they go so nicely with my small garden railroad that I wouldn’t change scales even if I could.
SandyR
I run mostly LGB which is I think 1:22 to 1:24.However anything goes as long as it looks OK.I do have a 1:1 cat that does’nt fit in with anything.I think it has this sort of Godzilla complex!