Re: Really Big Scale?

The popular scales are 1-1/2" scale, 1" scale, and 3/4" scale. In the U.S. south and west, 1-1/2" scale trains are built to run on 7-1/2" gauge, while in the northeast U.S., eastern Canada and Europe, 7-1/4" gauge is used. 1" scale mostly uses 4-3/4" gauge, with a few using 5" gauge. 3/4" scale almost always uses 3-1/2" gauge. And just as in the smaller scales, narrow gauges use all sorts of other combinations. A friend built a 3' gauge (prototype) C&S mogul to 1.6" scale to run on 4-3/4" gauge track, and I have seen quite large models of 2' gauge (prototype) plantation locomotives to about 3" scale that run on 7-1/2" gauge track.

The engineer sits to run all three size trains. In 1-1/2" scale, the engineer usually sits on the tender with his feet on small rungs mounted below the locomotive cab. In 3/4" scale, the track is usually elevated a couple feet off the ground, and the engineer sits on a flat car behind the tender, riding either "side-saddle" or with his feet on either side of the riding car on "stirrups" mounted to the car. In 1" it depends on the size of the locomotive.

Google on "Live Steam" and you will find lots of info. Geezer

"J. B. Wood" <wood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:wood-1409060722280001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello, fellow modelers. Does anyone know if there is a standard
scale/gauge associated with those outdoor model railroads that often have
a steam-powered locomotive that can carry one individual who operates the
vehicle from a sitting position? The loco is usually coupled to several
cars each of which can carry several passengers. Thanks for your time and
comment. Sincerely,

John Wood (Code 5550) e-mail: wood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337

Relevant Pages

  • Really Big Scale?
    ... Hello, fellow modelers. ... Does anyone know if there is a standard ... scale/gauge associated with those outdoor model railroads that often have ...
    (rec.models.railroad)
  • Re: Really Big Scale?
    ... J. B. Wood wrote: ... scale/gauge associated with those outdoor model railroads that often have ... cars each of which can carry several passengers. ...
    (rec.models.railroad)