Large Scale Central

Warning, Xmas Train at CVS is not G Scale

General Discussion
#1

Warning, Xmas Train at CVS is not G gauge

Heads up fellow cheapsters, if you see this set at your local CVS store and are tempted to add it to your G roster or just for your holiday set up:

Be warned, they may look G, but the are actually WIDER, at almost 50mm gauge. They cannot be re-gauged, as the wheels are not on axles but independently mounted.

I have seen these trucks before on Xmas sets at Big Lots before, and was able to modify the trucks for G but it takes some work.

So be aware if you see these.

#2

Good to know thanks for the heads up.

#3

Vic,

You mean they are not G GAUGE. Heaven only knows what SCALE they are!

#4

Thanks for the heads up! This time of year I’m always checking to see what cheap-o G “scale” trains are available for possible kitbash material. I once saw a nice detailed European themed set but never saw it again so I’m always on the hunt.

#5

Joe thats the funny thing “scale” the cars are closer to 1/32 while the loco is more like a Scientific at 1/24, yet the “gauge” is 50mm.

I learned how to modify these a while ago so i’m not worried but I can easily see someone getting burned not realizing these are not G

#6

Caleb Randolph said:

Thanks for the heads up! This time of year I’m always checking to see what cheap-o G “scale” trains are available for possible kitbash material. I once saw a nice detailed European themed set but never saw it again so I’m always on the hunt.

Caleb,

G is the gauge, 45mm. Scale is what Vic said. Cars look like 1:32 and loco looks like 1:24.

As you must realize, there are five scales that run on G gauge track. 1:32, 1:29, 1:24, 1:22.5 and 1:20.3

#7

Joe Zullo said:

Caleb Randolph said:

Thanks for the heads up! This time of year I’m always checking to see what cheap-o G “scale” trains are available for possible kitbash material. I once saw a nice detailed European themed set but never saw it again so I’m always on the hunt.

Caleb,

G is the gauge, 45mm. Scale is what Vic said. Cars look like 1:32 and loco looks like 1:24.

As you must realize, there are five scales that run on G gauge track. 1:32, 1:29, 1:24, 1:22.5 and 1:20.3

Yeah I know, but I was saying saying “scale” ironically since a lot of companies don’t know the difference between scale and gauge.

#8

OK. I’m glad YOU know the difference.

#9

LOL! Love you guys! Gaugespotting versus scalespotting at the CVS! Y’all gave me a much-needed smile tonight, and you have no idea how much i appreciate it. Thanks!

#10

Don’t forget the commonly used scales of 1:30, 1:19 and 1:13.7 which may also run on 45mm gauge track. Of course being not as common in the USA, they usually get ignored.

Andrew

#11

What you have here is the new beginning to LS. This is the long-sought after “Holy Grail”…correct gauge for 1:29.
1:29 should be 49.53mm…closer to 50 than 45, by a long shot.
All you 1:29 folks need to be buying this stuff and re-gauging your equipment to work on this track.
Be the first one on your block…

#12

Catherine I’m glad you got a chuckle. It’s one thing in this gauge to be able to afford a slew of Accucraft stock but for some of us we have to find our stuff where we can. El Cheepo sets like this can be great source for inexpensive rolling stock but most has to be modified in some form or another. Scientific or New Blight need coupler replacement at the minimum . Most when repainted and weathered blend in seamlessly with more expensive stock.

These cheesers are a horse of a different color though. The gauge is off and the scale is wonky. I bought it as I have worked with them before. Their primary use is that I can modify the trucks to accept LS small dia wheels and use them on my stuff. Most everything thing else that isnt parts bin material goes straight into the recycle bin.

My main concern was people buying this hoping to use it with their regular LS stuff and getting burned. Hence the post.

#13

Might as well put his here, if you DO buy one of these cheesemasters, here’s a quick tutorial to convert it to G gauge wheels, these will work with Bmann small dia wheels

Stock out of the box

Cut off the inner plastic wheel mounts ans cut and ACC glue thick styrene spacer plates .60 or .80 thick, when dry redrill existing wheel hole with 1/8" bit

also cut off the small tabs on top of the bolster area that prevent the truck free turning,

What after looks like:

Little work, but with everything LS getting ridiculously expensive, this is one way to cut back and get some inexpensive trucks for bash fodder

#14

hey! they altered their truck design.
when i bought some of these about five years ago, they still had a metallic rod with two halfaixles.
the ebay seller, from whom i got them, just cut of a bit of one halfaixle and put it on the rod outside of the wheel. as you can see here: http://kormsen.info/trains/

#15

Well I’m not cheap but this beyond cheap. Nice to know tho. Later RJD

#16

Korm, unlike the Scientific EZtec stuff which at least ARE gauge 1to compatable, these make no attempt whatsoever to be an anything near compatible. I got similar trucks years ago on a supremly ugly xmas train sets sold thru a super discount chain. The sets were so ugly the only thing worthy were the trucks once they were converted like this.