Question about scales

Simon,

The correct scale for you is Gauge 1 or 10mm/3/8" scale. This scale, like a few others in the UK, has an imperial scale of 3/8:ft (1:32) or a metric scale of 10mm:ft (1:30.8). The gauge of the track is

There is a very good association for the scale and they have a web site at

G scale has whatever scale you want it to be. ;-). It normally uses the same track gauge as Gauge 1 (45mm), but the models are usually of narrow gauge prototypes, so the scales can vary depending on the gauge on which the prototype ran. For example, a three foot gauge prototype on 45mm track should be modelled at a scale of 15mm:ft which is a scale of 1:20.5. A metre gauge prototype (3' 3") on 45mm track gives a scale of about 14mm:ft , or 1:22. Since G scale started with European manufacturers modelling metre gauge prototypes, 1:22 was the original scale.

Watch out for North American products which model standard gauge prototypes on 45mm gauge track but at 1:29 scale, and call their product G Scale. You would have thought that the world would have learned from the UK about putting overlarge scale bodies on under gauge track, but the US has to try re-inventing that wheel :-) But if you can put up with the scale of the models being slightly large and the prototypes being from the US, then you might want to look at these models.

Jim.

knock yourself out

:)

Steve

Thanks guys - looks like lots of research is in order...!

Regards, Simon.