G scale

G scale

G scale train model
Scale ratio 1:22.5
Standard(s) originally LGB
Model gauge 45 mm (1.772 in)
Prototype gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
1-29 G-Scale Boxcar by Aristo-Craft on G-Gauge Track
1-32 Scale 2-Bay Offset Hopper by Mainline America

G scale (or G gauge) is a scale for model railways which, because of its size and durability, is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.

LGB

G scale was introduced by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk under the brand name LGB and was intended for indoor and outdoor use. Lehman Patentwerk, founded in 1881, started producing LGB in 1968. The remains of the company were bought by Märklin and production of certain items continues.

The G name comes from the German word groß meaning "big". More recently some people have come to interpret it as standing for garden scale.

'G Scale' versus 'G Gauge'

A railroad gauge is the distance between the railheads. Standard US trains, for example, run on rails spaced 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge apart whereas some narrow-gauge trains (serving mines, etc.) run on rails only 3 ft (914 mm) apart. Although built with standard-sized doors, a narrow-gauge train is in some other respects smaller than its standard-gauge cousin: its cars are generally narrower and shorter, allowing them to navigate often more sharply cornered tracks.

Model trains are built to represent either a real train of standard or narrow gauge. In an HO model, for example, HO track is used to represent real standard gauge and some narrower-gauge track such as N is used to represent real narrow gauge.

G model-railways depart from this and always use the same gauge. Trains are instead built in different sizes depending on whether they are intended to represent standard-gauge or narrow-gauge trains. Because of this it might be more correct to speak of "G Gauge," the consistent aspect being the gauge, 45 mm (1.772 in), and not the scale.

G scale is thus the use of 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track to represent both real standard gauge trains and real narrow-gauge trains, originally those of the European 1000mm gauge, at 1:22.5. Other narrow-gauge trains are modelled at other scales.

The origins of the gauge was called '1 Gauge' or 'Gauge One' which was first used in Europe and England being 1.75 in (44.45 mm). Used to model standard gauge trains in the scale of 1:32. LGB were first to adopt the term 'G Scale' and used the gauge of 45mm to model 1,000mm gauge European trains in 1:22.5 scale. Many modelers are of the notion that the term 'Large Scale' is best to describe the various scales of models that usually run on 45 mm (1.772 in) track.

Below are some typical scales with more specific terms that all run on 45 mm gauge track:

Gauge One scaled at 1:32 used to model standard gauge trains of 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge gauge.

'G' scale 1:22.5 used to model European trains that run on 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge track.

'H' scale (1/2" to the foot) 1:24 used to model 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge or 'Cape gauge'. Incorrectly used for 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge track.

'F' or 'Fine scale' 1:20.32 typically used to model North American narrow gauge trains on 3 ft (914 mm) gauge track.

SE (7/8" to the foot) 1:13.7 used to model trains on 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge track.

Manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada and their scale products

LGB and numerous other manufacturers [Train-Li, PIKO, Peco] produce track made of brass which can remain outside in all weathers – a quick wipe and it is ready for use. Track can also be obtained in less expensive aluminium as well as oxidation-resistant, though more expensive, stainless steel.

See also

External links