Because we also have modelers who insist that everything they make must be "to scale". They try to made exact replicas of the trains they model. They try to get every last detail in the models with exact sale distances between rivets, etc. One takes a vernier calipers to a real locomotive and measures the width of the rivet heads. then the do some math and arrive at the exact diameter of the rivet head in their scale. Next they try to find existing rivets that are commercially available that match the diameter of the rivet head they seek. Once they find it they can happily rivet the model to their hearts content. Guys like this are called "Fine Scale Modelers". One finds many of them making static plastic model airplanes, tanks and ships happily measuring and doing math and arguing with other FSModelers. Years ago in the USA, starting in the 1930's I believe, we had them in "O" gauge. You see 1.25 inch is not the exact gauge in 1/48 scale of US railroad track. Nosireebob! The gauge of track in the USA is 4 feet 8 1/2 inches. That in 1/48 scale is exactly, (convert that to inches by multiplying 4 feet by 12 = 48 plus 8.5 inches gives you 56.5 inches. Then divide that by 12 =) 1.17708 inches as the true gauge of O scale track. Is your brain starting to hurt yet? What to do?, what to do? We cannot change the O track from 1.25 to 1.17708 inches because then we would have to change all the wheel sets and that would be expensive as all get out especially in the locomotives. Remember this was during the economic depression of the 1930's and people did not have that much money to waste, or any money at that. Comes logic to the rescue. If you cannot raise the bridge, lower the river. So the size of all the train cars and locomotives were changed to match the increase in track gauge. This is 17/64 scale instead of 1/48 scale and was called "Q" scale. So the fine scale modelers of yesteryear scaled up all their model trains or took up golf. Golf was quite satisfying as one could swing one's club at a tree while screaming, wrapping it around the unoffensive large plant and relieving the tension. Or just throw one's clubs in the pond. Now we know why the American male loves to drink hard liquor of 70 to 90 proof. I had some of these Q scale models years ago. but I got rid of all of it when I switched to G gauge or G scale, or... Gee whiz I'm confused.
By the way, O scale came from England where it was 7mm to the foot and used a track gauge of 1.25 inches. In the U.S. it was 1/4" to the foot or 1:48, but the track gauge was not changed. In England they have OO gauge which is 4mm to the foot and in the USA we have HO which is Half O (3.5mm).
But G is much easier to live with. "G" scales range from 1/35 (well, at least in my world) up through 1/32, 1/29, 1/25, 1/24, 1/22.5, 1/20.32 (also called F gauge) and now some larger ones, even.
So how does one reconcile running all these different sizes on one model railroad layout?. Simple. We apply the Three Foot Rule. If the train in question looks good from three feet away then it is in scale.
I shall now partake of some brandy and go to bed, My brain hurts.
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G Gauge, G scale; I’m all confused???
in Digtigs69's Blog
A blog by Digtigs69 in General
Posted
Explaining the scale issue is sooooo much fun!
Because we also have modelers who insist that everything they make must be "to scale". They try to made exact replicas of the trains they model. They try to get every last detail in the models with exact sale distances between rivets, etc. One takes a vernier calipers to a real locomotive and measures the width of the rivet heads. then the do some math and arrive at the exact diameter of the rivet head in their scale. Next they try to find existing rivets that are commercially available that match the diameter of the rivet head they seek. Once they find it they can happily rivet the model to their hearts content. Guys like this are called "Fine Scale Modelers". One finds many of them making static plastic model airplanes, tanks and ships happily measuring and doing math and arguing with other FSModelers. Years ago in the USA, starting in the 1930's I believe, we had them in "O" gauge. You see 1.25 inch is not the exact gauge in 1/48 scale of US railroad track. Nosireebob! The gauge of track in the USA is 4 feet 8 1/2 inches. That in 1/48 scale is exactly, (convert that to inches by multiplying 4 feet by 12 = 48 plus 8.5 inches gives you 56.5 inches. Then divide that by 12 =) 1.17708 inches as the true gauge of O scale track. Is your brain starting to hurt yet? What to do?, what to do? We cannot change the O track from 1.25 to 1.17708 inches because then we would have to change all the wheel sets and that would be expensive as all get out especially in the locomotives. Remember this was during the economic depression of the 1930's and people did not have that much money to waste, or any money at that. Comes logic to the rescue. If you cannot raise the bridge, lower the river. So the size of all the train cars and locomotives were changed to match the increase in track gauge. This is 17/64 scale instead of 1/48 scale and was called "Q" scale. So the fine scale modelers of yesteryear scaled up all their model trains or took up golf. Golf was quite satisfying as one could swing one's club at a tree while screaming, wrapping it around the unoffensive large plant and relieving the tension. Or just throw one's clubs in the pond. Now we know why the American male loves to drink hard liquor of 70 to 90 proof. I had some of these Q scale models years ago. but I got rid of all of it when I switched to G gauge or G scale, or... Gee whiz I'm confused.
By the way, O scale came from England where it was 7mm to the foot and used a track gauge of 1.25 inches. In the U.S. it was 1/4" to the foot or 1:48, but the track gauge was not changed. In England they have OO gauge which is 4mm to the foot and in the USA we have HO which is Half O (3.5mm).
But G is much easier to live with. "G" scales range from 1/35 (well, at least in my world) up through 1/32, 1/29, 1/25, 1/24, 1/22.5, 1/20.32 (also called F gauge) and now some larger ones, even.
So how does one reconcile running all these different sizes on one model railroad layout?. Simple. We apply the Three Foot Rule. If the train in question looks good from three feet away then it is in scale.
I shall now partake of some brandy and go to bed, My brain hurts.
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