29 Collectable Model Trains: Tracks: G gauge still confuses me!
Description
This article is from the Model Trains FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by others.
29 Collectable Model Trains: Tracks: G gauge still confuses me!
G gauge was originally defined by LGB as a GAUGE not a scale and
being 45mm. LGB created the namesalthough the gauge was used
previously as I scale standard gauge and III scale narrow
gauge. LGB modelssmostly European metric gauge (between American
standard and narrow gauges) so should theoretically bescalled II
scale. As time progressed other makers produced trains in the
same gauge for compatibility of track,sbut of different gauge
prototype. Standard gauge, American and European narrow gauge
models have beensproduced for G track. As a result the scale
ratio changes. Models of standard gauge are I scale and
ofsEuropean narrow gauge are III scale. US 36" narrow gauge falls
between established scales at about 1:24 andsso is usually
referred to as "G Scale" in the US although this is not always
accepted. Standards for G are stillsbeing created and remain
largely nonexistent right now.
It is common practice in tinplate to refer to a scale, say O
scale as O gauge. This is incorrect terminology but issthe normal
practice. When someone talks of O gauge in a tinplate context you
can assume it is O scalesmodeled on prototype standard gauge. G
is the exception whereas it is usually modeled on a narrow gauge.
Usually when the word scale is used in Tinplate terminology it is
referring to 'Scale' model railroading. Forsexample O scale
refers to 2 rail exact scale modeling in O (as is predominant in
HO and N). O gauge, on thesother hand, refers to the 'tinplate'
side of the hobby. Again this is not proper terminology, but is
commonspractice.
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