Large Scale Central

Multiple scales.

General Discussion
#1

Once, when I was at my local hobby train shop, I was talking to this fellow about trains. He asked me what scale I worked with and quite frankly, I was stumped. Truth is, I told him, that I work in, N,HO,O,G. He was amazed because he must of thought I had all those scales set up at once. Anyway, it got me thinking about how model railroaders sometimes feel that they may not get all they want out of one particular scale and then they try another and another.

I leap frogged a bit because I became dissatisfied with certain scales, as far as what was available at the time. For example. I once purchased a brand new Dash 9 Aristocraft. I thought wow, I can do allot with this locomotive, but because I could not find the right type of cars to go with it at the time, I became impatient and decided to let it go. I moved onto 0 scale and found the same engine with the cars I wanted, but the prices were so outrageous, it wore a hole in my pocket real quick.

Obviously not everyone is like this or even close to this, but I have settled down allot since then and realized that I can work with multiple scales and still have fun doing it.

Right now, I am working on G scale. All in all, I get great satisfaction from the scope and size of the trains modeled in this scale. However, they can become rather expensive and very costly as far as room is concerned. So, I decided to just have fun and forget the pickiness of working with one or the other scales. Now I just have fun with whatever scale I work with.

Anyone else experience this?

#2

Stacy, many of us are in more then one scale. I am into 1:24th scale with my scratch-building and kit-bashing, but I play with 1:29 and 1:20.3. I also belong to 2 HO clubs, so I also build in HO and HOn30. I used to be in N scale years ago, and I was asked by the one club I belong to, to build an N scale trestle/bridge structure. I have also built some things in 1:48th scale, but not recently.

At the one train show, the one vendor was confused when I bought N gauge code 55 track, HO arch-bar trucks, and commented about the lack of large scale items available at the show. He asked me the same question you were asked, and I told him that I am mostly large scale, but I dabble in some of the other scales too.

#3

G scale and Z scale. Just finished a Z scale layout running on an Aristo flat car, and yes it is DCC.

Greg

#4

Im into G scale and O Gauge clockwork. I always liked that old tin plate look. It was something fun that I didn’t have to worry about scale and details so much.

#5

As usual, you guys are confusing “GAUGE” and “SCALE”.

Here is a good article that will straighten it all out for you.

http://www.thortrains.net/scale1.htm

#6

Joe Zullo said:

As usual, you guys are confusing “GAUGE” and “SCALE”.

Here is a good article that will straighten it all out for you.

http://www.thortrains.net/scale1.htm

not me :wink:

#7

Well being a notable cheapskate, I like to think that I get the most out of my 45mm gauge track.

I have, and run, stuff in the following scales -

1/32nd standard gauge 1.

1/29th

1/22.5

1/20.3

1/19th UK 16mm scale

7/8th scale

I have a good stock of H0, too. SP&S, CPR and SP - all steam outline

At one time I had what may have been the largest collection of H0 Canadian brass in this country - more or less one of each of the larger locos of CPR, GN and GTW - 35 models in all. I also had the ultra-rare Tenshodo ‘Royal train’ set of eight cars and the ‘Royal Hudson’ in blue and stainless steel. Every one of them disappeared after our clubhouse was burgled the night after an open day, and nothing was ever seen again. Strange to relate, only my Canadian stuff was taken - a large collection of US brass models was left untouched.

tac

#8

It takes all kinds.

Almost twenty years ago one of our customers had traded all his LS stuff for an N scale layout (10x4ft) which was really in need of a major redesign and overhaul. So we did, both. It was the first, and most extreme, swap of the kind I knew of.

There are two main “Types” that change scales almost as frequently as their underwear a) they just need to have a go at it to see if they can do it as far as scratch-building is concerned, b) those who can’t decided what they actually want, those are the multiple layout builders who usually get to a certain point, get stuck and then figure they wouldn’t have the problem in a different scale and/or gauge.

In “a” there are several subgroups 1) progressing from small scales (the space is limited) up the ladder as space, time, money increase and the eyesight decreases. 2) “been there done that, no need to do it again”, 3) WOW that is a very neat prototype, lets build a diorama to see how it could work.

All of the above based on my experience with customers, friends and “the general public”. As they say “it takes all kinds!”

#9

tac Foley said:

…
At one time I had what may have been the largest collection of H0 Canadian brass in this country - more or less one of each of the larger locos of CPR, GN and GTW - 35 models in all. I also had the ultra-rare Tenshodo ‘Royal train’ set of eight cars and the ‘Royal Hudson’ in blue and stainless steel. Every one of them disappeared after our clubhouse was burgled the night after an open day, and nothing was ever seen again. Strange to relate, only my Canadian stuff was taken - a large collection of US brass models was left untouched.

tac

I’d call it appeal and recognition. (http://rhb-grischun.ca/phpBB3/images/smilies/3.gif)

#10

I guess so - $45,000-worth of rare model trains would take some people over the edge in lustful desire for ownership.

There was no doubt that they were stolen to order for some rich collector.

Personally, I hope he or she is rotting away quietly somewhere dark and miserable, and that every time they move, a bit falls off.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#11

Nope. Just G here. 1/29.

#12

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

It takes all kinds.

Almost twenty years ago one of our customers had traded all his LS stuff for an N scale layout (10x4ft) which was really in need of a major redesign and overhaul. So we did, both. It was the first, and most extreme, swap of the kind I knew of.

There are two main “Types” that change scales almost as frequently as their underwear a) they just need to have a go at it to see if they can do it as far as scratch-building is concerned, b) those who can’t decided what they actually want, those are the multiple layout builders who usually get to a certain point, get stuck and then figure they wouldn’t have the problem in a different scale and/or gauge.

In “a” there are several subgroups 1) progressing from small scales (the space is limited) up the ladder as space, time, money increase and the eyesight decreases. 2) “been there done that, no need to do it again”, 3) WOW that is a very neat prototype, lets build a diorama to see how it could work.

All of the above based on my experience with customers, friends and “the general public”. As they say “it takes all kinds!”

==============================================================

I guess I would be the fellow that cannot make up his bloody mind. LOL

I agree though with what you stated. I am thinking of scratch building a water tower to go with my now current G PRR railroad. Maybe that will motivate me more to stay with this gauge and build on it.

#13

Stacy,

I didn’t mention any names, but if you feel you fit that category, fine by me. However you have plenty of company in that category, nothing unique about that one.

#14

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

Stacy,

I didn’t mention any names, but if you feel you fit that category, fine by me. However you have plenty of company in that category, nothing unique about that one.

I know you didn’t Han’s. I was merely agreeing with you and that I most decisively fit into that category.

It’s okay.

Right now, I am into G gauge, but perhaps tomorrow, it may be HO. LOL

#15

Joe Zullo said:

As usual, you guys are confusing “GAUGE” and “SCALE”.

Here is a good article that will straighten it all out for you.

http://www.thortrains.net/scale1.htm

Joe, I am not confused. Scale is the ratio of the model to the prototype. Gauge is the distance between the rail-heads. Simple. But in the hobby the terms tend to be incorrectly used interchangeably.

My scale change (from HO to N) was because my mom’s boyfriend wanted to build in that scale, and being a child my desires were pushed aside, even though it was MY layout. Then the change from N to static aircraft (1:48 mostly) was because the N scale monster was too much too fast and all that empty plywood was depressing. Then from static aircraft to large scale because there was no room inside our new house for trains.

#16

Honestly, I make that mistake allot. I mean about “gauge” versus “scale”. I guess allot of folks do.

I like working in multiple scales now, but early on, I detested the whole idea of it. I mean, why waste money on HO stuff when you are working with G or vice versa?

Anyway, the logic of working in multiple scales for me is that I can buy things that interest me and keep me happy and going in the hobby. I know many in here are very much into one scale/gauge or another.

I think that dedication is remarkable and deserving of respect.