G scale

G gauge track has a spacing of 45 mm between the rails, adopted from the pre-existing Gauge 1, but that does not determine the scale to which the models are built because, to maintain a constant track width when real-life counterparts have a variety of railroad gauges, the scale has to vary. The most common full-scale practice uses a spacing of , whereas some narrow-gauge railways (serving mines, etc.) have rails apart or less. Although often built with standard-sized doors, a narrow-gauge train is in most other respects smaller than its standard-gauge counterpart: its cars are generally narrower and shorter, allowing them to navigate more sharply curved and lightly built tracks. Model trains are built to represent a real train of standard or narrow gauge. For example, HO scale (1:87 or 3.5 mm to 1 foot) (and also, although inaccurately, double-O/OO at 4 mm to 1 foot) models all use 16.5 mm gauge track to represent standard gauge trains while a narrower-gauge track such as 9 mm N gauge is used to represent real narrow gauge. G model railways depart from this and always use the same gauge with the trains instead built in different sizes depending on whether they are intended to represent standard-gauge or narrow-gauge trains. Because of this it might be more correct to speak of "G gauge" rather than "G scale" since the consistent aspect is the gauge, , but the term "G scale" (or "scale IIm") is used when 1:22.5 is used. The 45 mm gauge originated from 1 gauge or "gauge one" which was first used in Europe and Britain and used to model standard gauge trains in the scale of 1:32. LGB were first to adopt the term G scale and used the gauge of to model 1,000 mm gauge European trains in 1:22.5 scale. Scales that run on G gauge track • 1 gauge: 1:32 ( inch to the foot). Used to model standard gauge trains of gauge. • 1:29 scale or A scale: 1:29. First used by Aristo-Craft to model standard-gauge prototypes. Incorrect scale/gauge but proportionally similar to other popular brands of the time. • G scale: 1:22.5. Used to model European trains that run on metre gauge track. This scale-gauge combination is called "scale IIm" according to NEM 010. The G comes from the German word meaning "big". • H scale (half inch) -inch-to-the-foot, or 1:24 scale. Used to model gauge or "Cape gauge". Incorrect scale used for 3 ft (914 mm) gauge track. • F scale (fifteen) 15 mm-to-the-foot scale, (1:20.32). Correct scale/gauge typically used to model North American narrow gauge trains on gauge track. • Seven eighths: -inch-to-the-foot scale (1:13.7). Used to model trains on narrow gauge track. • 16 mm scale: 16 mm-to-the-foot (1:19.05). Originally intended for modelling 2-ft gauge prototype railways on 32 mm track (SM32). The models are often re-gauged to also run on 45 mm track. This scale has also been used to model gauge prototype trains. ==Manufacturers==

• Accucraft has five scales: Fn3 at 1:20.3, gauge 1 at 1:32, -inch scale at 1:24. They also build 1:29-scale North American models in live steam and electric under the AML brand, as well as British live steam and electric models in 1:19 scale (also called 16 mm) and Isle of Man live steam and electric models in 1:20.3 scale. The Isle of Man scale uses three-foot gauge track, the same width as the dominant U.S. Colorado narrow gauge. • American Model Builders: 1:24 • Aristo-Craft (REA), which closed in 2013, made two scales: 1:29 and the "Classic" series (generally 1:24 but some models were closer to 1:32 scale). • Aster (C&S Mogul): 1:32, 1:30 for Japanese prototypes and 1:22.5 for European and Japanese narrow gauge. • Bachmann: "Big Haulers" series (1:22.5), "Spectrum" series (1:20.3), streetcars (1:29) • Buddy "L" (Keystone) (modern): 1:22.5 scale (almost identical to Bachmann, except cab is taller); older equipment runs on rails spaced inches, a gauge established before World War II. • Chicago Train Works: 1:32 • Chucks Custom Cars: 1:22.5 • D.A.N.: 1:22.5 • Delton/Caledonia Express: 1:24 (operated from 1983 to 1990 as Delton; until 1993 as Caledonia) • Eastern Railways: 1:32 • GHB: 1:32 • Great Trains/American Standard: 1:32 • Hartford Products: 1:24 (except SP boxcar and stock car, which are 1:22.5) • Hartland Locomotive Works products: 1:29 standard-gauge equipment, 1:24 scale narrow-gauge equipment. • Kalamazoo Toy Train Works: 1:24 (operated from 1980 to the mid-1990s) • Keystone: 1:22.5 • LGB (sold to Märklin in 2007): 1:22.5 • Lionel: Ready to Play (1:24), Ready to Run (1:24 but on track) • Little Railways: 1:20 • Mainline America: 1:32 • Märklin "Maxi": 1:32 • Model Die Casting: 1:32, except caboose, which is 1:24 • MTH Rail-King: 1:32 • Northern Fine Scale Stock: 10 mm scale. (British-only freight stock in kit form) • Precision scale: 1:32 standard-gauge, 1:24 narrow gauge • PIKO: 1:29 (American cars); 1:22.5 (wood-sided passenger cars) • Roberts Lines (Zephyr): 1:32 • USA Trains: 1:29 ("Ultimate" series); 1:24 ("American" series) • Wrightway Rolling Stock: 1:32 and 10 mm scale custom-built British North American and European passenger stock. ==See also==