Large Scale Central

LGB's goal: Largest train for "G" track as possible?

General Discussion
#1

LGB and the “what scale is it” inquiries end up on a myriad of other frustrating topics. Here’s my estimate as to the “why” LGB has no defined guide for themselves as to a specific scale:

My take is LGB builds specific trains to the largest sizes LGB’s staff thinks the public will think is OK on their “G” gauge track. I think LGB knows the key word in large scale is “LARGE” not the word “scale.”

Years ago, my conversation with Lewis Polk centered on his encouraging 1:29 to be the industry’s large scale guide for size. His interpretation was 1:29 was the largest size that was most visually acceptable by most people who wanted trains larger than “O”. He may have been accurate. MTH’s 1:32 works for the larger locomotives - both diesels and steam. Testimony to that is the Challenger and Big Boy from MTH. In 1:32, those locos are BIG. As to the other rolling stock, 1:32 appears small compared to what “large” scale is (was?) to most consumers. Yet, coming in late in the game, MTH appears to be garnering a following – especially with the BIG locos.

Me? If I had started in 1:32 and built my garden RR accordingly, I would be staying with that specific scale. No, instead, I have mix of Bachman, LGB, and a USA diesel. The rolling stock is also a mish-mash. Meanwhile I can always look at an array of 1:1 scale boxcars on a siding and see some tall and some short. That helps.

Sigh…

Selah,
Wendell

#2

True.
It’s called the “WOW!” factor, if I recall.

If I had wanted to do Standard Gauge outdoors, I would have only done it in 1:32, which almost 16 y…errrrrr…two weeks ago would have meant I needed to wait for product.
I’ve done mainline SG in “0” for years, so I wanted to do something different, hence Narrow Gauge.

You want “WOW!” factor, wait until you get ANY K on your pike.

#3

Wendell,
the size is everything issue does not apply to Lehmann. The Polk’s were after a compatible standard gauge range to complement the existing Lehmann products and still run on gauge 1 track. Wolfgang chose the most common narrow-gauge track in Europe (one metre gauge) and adapted the scale to get 1/22.5 scale, running on 45mm track. Unfortunately, the original iconic loco chosen, was actually 750mm gauge, so in reality the gauge chosen should have been around 32mm (‘O’ gauge, not gauge 1 track). The ‘scale’ debate could be then argued back to 1968.

       For many the scale debate is superfluous.  For those who want to maintain a given scale 'ratio' across all their rolling stock,  then the method chosen by Lehmann is flawed.  For those who follow the Lehmann 'World of LGB' policy of adjusting scale to complement all items in the catalogue, then this system works (for them).  Personally,  I have no problem as I would never mix a narrow-gauge and standard gauge consist at the same time.  Therefore,  scale is a mute point for me.  I do however,  prefer a model to be a model and not a condensed 'toy' devoid of several rows of windows or compressed detail,  as on the LGB White Pass Alco diesel.  To invest so much money in new tooling and then purposely 'butcher' the overall dimensions of the model leaves me bewildered.  If one is going to the trouble of expensive tooling investment, then why not do it right in the first instance?  The complementary system chosen by Lehmann must mix 1/19 scale through to 1/29 scale items.  The problems with doing so are readily apparent.
#4
Curmudgeon said:
You want "WOW!" factor, wait until you get ANY K on your pike.
A K-27 or K-28 is "WOW!" factor. A K-36 or K-37 escalates to "Holy S***! that's big!" ;)

Later,

K