What scales are you modeling?

Garden Railroading
1

The question of scale is always a hot topic issue but this is not really a question. This is more of an informal poll.

Are you folks 1:20.3 or 1:32 scale purists?

Do you run different scales at different times or do you mix and match?

What scale (if any) are your structures, figures and vehicles?

What scale is your favorite train(s)?

Myself, I run a mix of 1:24 with a bit of 1:22.5 narrow gauge steamers and rolling stock. I also run 1:29 late 40’s/early 50’s era diesels with modern freight and 30’s era passenger cars.

My structures are mostly 1:24 kit, kitbashed and scratch built with a few 1:22.5 Piko kits tossed in. My figures are 1:22.5, 1:24 with a few smaller scale ones tossed in (like those USA passengers in a heavywieght car). Vehicles are 1:24 and 1:25 diecast cars and trucks with a few 1:32 trucks (though advertised as a larger scale) mixed in the periphery.

My favorites are my 1:24 trains. I love to doublehead my AristoClassic C-16’s pulling a mixed freight (AristoClassic and USA 1:24 cars) or split them up and pull USA 34’ passenger cars or Aristo Sierra cars in tow. My E-8 with smoothside cars comes in a close second (nothing makes an impression like big trains).

-Brian

2

7/8n18 and 7/8n2 although the gauges are different, the scale’s the same so no problem running together

3

I build and design to 1:20.3

Now that being said I do own an Aristocraft FB and a SD-45 and 5 USA reefers for it to pull. The SD-45 was purchased to push a snowplow for track clearing operations and to be a helper for the FB that is going to be bashed into a rotary snow plow.

The buildings are mainly Smith Pond Junction kits with walls doors and windows resized to be more in line with 1:20.3.

My own figures are in 1:20.3 though I do vary their height depending on what setting they need to be in.

I’ll post a picture later of what happens to Aristo C-16’s if I get ahold of them.

C-16 as received:

As is sits today:

Jack

4

I model and build mostly in 1:20.32. If the model looks acceptable, I’ll also use 1:22.5 especially for the for 16.5 mm gauge section (Gn15 - Large Scale on HO track). My layout is indoors so the weather is not a problem.

5

G stands for G U M M I

I run a mix of mostly 1:22.5, with some 1/20.3 and some 1/24. As long as they look beleiveble together, I dont sweat it.

Seen too many people have fits over “scale” in the smaller guages to let it bother me anymore.

6

However, the “Big Three” tend to place the scale on the box.

At least you know what you’re getting, and what to expect scale-wise.

The problems are if someone has a string of USA or Aristo 1:29 coaches, and puts them behind an engine that has width and height that isn’t, well, whose fault is that?

I remember the LAST TIME I bought a Dell.

They listed in the on-line order various pieces to go with it.

So, I bought a “scanner”.

Didn’t need it for 3 months, hooked it up, no go.

Called Dell.

Past the 30 days.

Fall off a cliff.

Called the scanner folks, first comment was “why did they sell you one of our scanners? We don’t work with ANY XP OS”.

My fault. I was supposed to check compatibility of the products Dell listed with the computer they sold me. Never mind it was listed WITH a computer with XP.

Since then, I want to KNOW what I’m getting.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If it’s 1:29, so be it.

If it’s 1:29.2 in length, okay.

Width and height?

1:27? 1:28?

Not a big deal, especially if the answer is forthcoming.

Someday I gotta market them rubber rulers.

Oh, and for the record:

(ventilators take note)

No mention of any manufacturer or employees or specific product after the “++++++++++” line.

7

TOC,

I’m looking at all the disclaimers lately and wondering if somebody threatened to sue you or throw you out with the dirty laundry???

8

Neither.

It is an anti-foaming agent.

Because I know some moron (specifically un-named) will contact the board moderators saying I’m bashing.

But, they seem to be getting smart, and looking, and seeing nobody is bashing anybody.

I guess if someone wants to pop their head up and claim they are a moron and I am “bashing” them, hey, go for it, just post what you send so the entire world will KNOW you are a moron!

I am having fun, tho.

Funny, answers that won’t be given to questions here are now being posted on other forums.

9

I model 1:29:26:24:22.5. There, I think that about covers it.

In all seriousness, mostly 1:29 locos and rolling stock. As for buildings, I’m still not sure what I want to eventually have my layout look like in it’s permanence, so I use mostly birdhouses and bird feeders that represent buildings of sorts. They vary (as my eye guesses from 20 feet away) to about somewhere between 1:24 and 1:32ish???

Mark

10

Mark-

As long as I know what I am dealing with, I know what works.

I find ex-LGB, Bachmann, early USA, and Delton freight play very well together, except:

On Delton, you need to change or remove standard gauge reporting marks, and keep the doors closed, and the floor is MUCH higher, while the edge of the carbody is not!

11

Hi Dave (TOC),

Actually my question has nothing to do with earlier discussions. I am just curious about what my fellow garden (or non garden) railroaders are doing (and I’m sure others might be too). Now quit hijacking my thread [;)]. Are you a pure 1:20.3 guy or do you run some of those lesser scales too? Still looking forward to seeing some of your layout pics.

-Brian

12

Jack,

That loco is really beautiful! Is that a Fletch or your own design? (David Fletcher, if you guys have not seen his work check it out here - http://4largescale.com/fletch/index.htm)

-Brian

13

Bachmann 1:20.3 locomotives and rolling stock. North East Narrow Gauge 1:20.3 rolling stock kits.

14

hehehehehehe.

Take me to Cuba!

I do what fits.

I have 1:20 stuff, don’t mix rolling stock with otehr scales.

I run all 1:20 when I run it.

I have a raft of 1:22.5, MANY manufacturers.

NO 1:29.

No 1:32 anymore that I know of.

I even went to the trouble to locate, obtain, repair, and convert a 1:22.5 K-27 to haul those 1:22.5 cars with:

15

I mix 1/29, 1:22.5 and 1:20.3. I mean hell, you only go around once.

16

Brian,

That would be the 1:20 version of the 2001 Masterclass. I made mine last year. So yes it is a Fletcher design.

Jack

17

In my case I have four engines, each of a different scale. I have a mix of car types and scales. I use the rubber ruler with extreme abandon. If I like the way it looks in the box, I’ll get it and then figure out how best to use it later.

18

Hi Dave (TOC),

Actually my question has nothing to do with earlier discussions. I am just curious about what my fellow garden (or non garden) railroaders are doing (and I’m sure others might be too). Now quit hijacking my thread [;)]. Are you a pure 1:20.3 guy or do you run some of those lesser scales too? Still looking forward to seeing some of your layout pics.

-Brian

HI Brian,

Well I mainly do the Great Northern, and want to pretty much do the period of transition from steam into the streamliner era, guess about late 40’s thru early 60’s, a bit of a mix of that period of time. So at present I have an extensive collection of USA streamliners and F’s and a good bit of the Aristo GN rolling stock and engines , as well as a GN Mallet, ran the wheels off it already, Navin at Aristo is rebuilding them now. So I guess you’d say I mainly do 1/29 as well as some MTH 1/32, I really like the sound systems they have produced and it’s alot of fun to run their DCS equipment, as long as you can figure out how to get continuity of signal (now that’s a whole different topic). Anyway I posted some photos earlier here, if you or anyone else would care to enjoy the tour. And I am Fairly new here to this forum so hope I ain’t stepped on any toes yet, but if I do, Please put on your steel toed shoes, cause I mean no harm…

Byron Custer

19

The majority of my locos are 16mm scale, running on 32mm track. I am in the process of building my first 13.5mm scale model running on Gauge 3 track. I am in the design process of a 25mm scale NG model that will also run on Gauge 3 track.

regards

ralph

20

If it fits on the track I run it, if I was to run scale loco’s they would have to be the real thing as my garden is 1:1