Hi all,
Just wondering.... Popular gauges for steam locomotive models are 3 1/2, 5, and 7 1/4 inch. Anyone know why?
Obviously 3 1/2 in is about 1:16 scale but the others don't seem to scale easily.
Are the same gauges used on the continent?
Regards, Russell.
In article , Russell Eberhardt writes
Odd Observation; gauges for many railways roughly fit into a sequence that increases by sqrt2 (1.4:1) from the smallest models up to full size.
5" : 3.5" = 1.43'standard gauge' : metre gauge = 1.41
On or about 2003-12-23, Russell Eberhardt illuminated us with:
7 1/4" is pretty close to standard guage at 1:8 scale. This is my personal favourite:
History!
We (GB) use 7 1/4" yet the USA uses 7 1/2" for standard gauge.
5" gauge is very near to 1" to the foot for standard gauge, depending on whose drawings you use !Dave
Of course, but who, what, where, and why? I was hoping that someone might know the history. Who first built models to these gauges?
7" is closer, so why 7 1/4?I don't see how it depends on the drawings. 1" to 1 ft would be
4.708" so why not use 4 3/4" as a close fractional size?Regards, Russell.
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