Examiner.com
Matt Conrad
" One of the most confusing things for newcomers to model railroading is the difference between "scale" and "gauge." They are often used interchangeably, but this usage is incorrect. The two terms are totally different concepts. Both terms have different meanings outside the realms of models and railroads, as well. This article will be restricted to modeling and railroading as far as that goes. "
Yeah, well, I do find the UK/European habit of using "gauge" to mean "scale" a little, um, odd. Occasionally quite funny. Such as "16 mm narrow gauge" for 2ft narrow gauge on O gauge track (or 3ft narrow gauge of 45mm gauge.) I have to remind myself that the writer intends "16 mm scale", or 1:38. An odd scale, if there ever was one. But they sure do nice work
Cheers, wolf k.
Us Europeans have it right! 16mm means nothing without addition of the gauge - 16mm models can run on any gauge track the user fancies (they might have to scratch build if want narrow or broad gauge. 0 gauge means
7mm to the foot on 32mm gauge so is quite specific, but does really need qualifying, i.e. 0-FS, to be pedantic to nail down track and wheel standards.Cheers Richard
"beamends" wrote
It can get even more confusing - in some branches of modelling, the measurement refers to the height of the average miniature human figure. In those areas 16mm scale would refer to a figure 16mm high.
Whilst in railway modelling terms, O-gauge has different scales in the UK & the USA. Here O-scale is 7mm:1ft (1:43.5) whereas in the USA it pans out around 1/4":1ft (1:48)
John.
... and in continantal Europe 0 (naught) scale may be 1:45.
"John Turner" wrote in news:NtKdnTNQCLt2-T snipped-for-privacy@supernews.com:
Which would be a very unusual scale indeed as figures are usually produced in 6mm, 15mm, 25mm, 28mm and 76mm for the very rich :-)
Hi John, long time no speak.
Might be a tall 15mm figure...
"Chris Wilson" wrote
Hello Chris - where have YOU been hiding? ;-)
John.
"Chris Wilson" wrote
All jibberish to me, but I've got a box full of figures, none of which really match those sizes, except perhaps a couple of American O-scale chappies (around 23mm) who populate my fledgling On30 layout. :-)
John.
MartinS wrote in news:2uipm.21358$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe01.iad:
If it's one I've made :-)
"John Turner" wrote in news:EvKdndVQCf5- snipped-for-privacy@supernews.com:
Work, work and more work ... for the past year it's been a case of "If I'm awake I'm at work" :-(
Oh and a lot of gardening for SWHTBO, I've been told that once I have the decking, new fence, new pond all finished, the hedges trimmed, the fruit trees pruned, the veg beds cleared out, the flower beds mulched I can "go and play trains" grrrrrr
Oops almost forgot, hallway, stairs and landing all have to be decorated as well.
Fair enough.
LOL! My SWMBO does all that, trained at horticultural college. Comes from short welsh stock and has a much better shovel technique than lanky old me.
She does that too. Sometimes without telling me first.
I STILL don't get enough time to play trains, though.
MBQ
Man at B&Q wrote: [...]
You would if you didn't spend so much time on the computer....
Hah!
wolf k.
Is that why you married her?
I hear what you're saying. My problem too.
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