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James Hilton

By James Hilton,
in My Garden Railway Topics

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James Hilton

James Hilton

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Posted

Large Scale trains in the garden

(with special thanks to Paul RhB)

 

 

Part 1 - Overview

 

'G SCALE' or 'G GAUGE' is the most common term for large scale garden railways.

Basically most people use 45mm gauge track, although in Britain 32mm gauge track is equally popular and generally referred to as 16mm or SM32.

Garden modellers frequently misuse, as far as dictionaries are concerned, the terms 'scale' and 'gauge' probably because they have widely misused in the marketing of model trains for many years.

 

In these larger scales there is a combination of ready to run and kit built, plastic or brass construction, track powered or live steam. Here is just a sample of the makes available...

 

Commercial models using 45mm track.

 

Narrow gauge

  • LGB mostly 1/22 scale (represents metre gauge European most accurately)
  • Aristocraft 1/24 scale (ex Delton US 2-8-0)
  • Bachmann 1/20.3 scale (represents accurate 3 foot gauge all US prototypes )
  • Accucraft 1/20.3 scale
  • Accucraft UK 1/19 scale

Standard gauge

  • LGB mostly 1/26 scale (US and German prototypes)
  • Aristocraft 1/29 scale (US diesels, steam & a UK class 66)
  • USA trains 1/29 scale (US diesels & steam)
  • Accucraft 1/32 scale (US & UK steam)
  • MTH 1/32 scale (US diesels & steam)

You can run different scales together especially with narrow gauge stuff as the real thing varied so much in size. Narrow gauge lines often had stock built in the 1800's running with stock built much later that was larger. Unless you are trying to build a model of a complete railway lots of people just run what they like in the garden and will happily run a standard gauge 1/29 train alongside a 1/22 narrow gauge train. Depends on whether it's a serious model or just for relaxing and playing trains, many do both!!

 

 

More recently we have Fn3 (Finescale narrow 3feet), which is now the accepted accurate scale to gauge combination for modelling US 3 foot narrow gauge on 45mm track. Bachmann produce budget locos in this scale as well as the higher more detailed, and higher priced, Spectrum range. Accucraft do some superb D&RGW models but they are more expensive.

 

1/22 SCALE LGB use this scale to more accurately represent European 1000mm gauge but also produce models of prototypes that ran on 750mm gauge and their US Mogul that ran on 3ft or 900mm gauge. They ignore the difference in gauge for good commercial reasons and they really were the ones who started the present market for large scale trains.

 

1/24 SCALE this was used by Delton and Aristocraft to make the loco they produced fit in with the standard gauge trains they produce in 1/29 scale purely so the stock looks right when run together.

 

1/26 SCALE LGB again but this time their Standard gauge prototypes purely so they are the same physical size as the 1/22 narrow gauge trains and look right together. The locos etc are too big a scale for the gauge of track they are actually running.

 

1/29 SCALE Aristocraft and USA Trains produce Standard gauge trains in this scale as they have a big WOW factor due to their size. The locos etc are too big a scale for the gauge of track they are actually running on.

 

1/32 SCALE This also known as 'Gauge 1' and is the one that actually means the Standard gauge models are running on track of the right SCALE gauge!

 

This link may explain some of the different scales covered by G Scale ( which really just means Garden trains)

http://www.trains.co....aspx?c=a&id=28

 

 

 

Part 2 - Websites and more information

 

This section is split this up to hopefully make it quicker to use. There are some repeat entries in different sections. This is by no means a definitive list so please feel free to add more by sending Jameshilton a PM.

 

General Info

Locos & Stock,

Power, Electronics & Digital

Detailing, Figures, Buildings & Accessories

Live Steam

Track

 

 

General Info

Locomotives and Stock

 

Accucraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.accucraft...how_aux_page=12

 

Aristocraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.aristocraft.com/

 

AnDel Models

Locos, Wagons, Coaches and accessories

http://www.andelmodels.co.uk/

 

Binnie Engineering

Lots of small industrial models

Peter Binnie,

22 Hooper Avenue,

Wells,

Somerset,BA5 3NA.

Tel: 01749 676581

email:

 

Brawa

http://www.brawa.de/

 

Bachmann Trains

Locos & Rolling stock

http://www.bachmannt...sa/products.php

 

Bachmann UK

http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/

 

Brandbright

All sorts of loco and stock building accessories.

http://www.brandbright.co.uk/

 

Caboose Hobbies

Supplier list, particularly for American prototypes...

http://www.cabooseho...com/vendors.htm

 

Champex Linden

Electronics DCC & Accessories

http://translate.goo...hl%3Den%26lr%3D

 

Dietz

Locos, Electronics, DCC & Accessories

http://www.d-i-e-t-z.de/

 

Garden Railway Specialists

Loco & stock kits, parts and accessories for G scale

http://www.grsuk.com...nfo/welcome.htm

 

Hartland

produces US style trains

http://www.h-l-w.com/index.html

 

IP Engineering

Loco, coach and wagon kits and bits

http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/

 

Jim's Models

Wagon kits, painted figures and materials for model buildings

http://www.jimsmodels.co.uk/index.htm

 

Kiss

http://www.kiss-modellbahnen.de/

 

LGB-Marklin

http://www.lgb-bahn.de/

LGB database hosted by Champex

http://translate.goo...%3Doff%26sa%3DG

 

Locolines

http://www.locolines.net/

 

Magnus

http://www.magnus-eisenbahn.de/

 

Occre

Tram kits suitable for motorising on G scale.

http://www.occre.com...at=18&Itemid=30

 

Piko

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.piko.de/d...8.php?navid=137

 

Perfect World

Wagon and Coach kits for 16mm and G

http://www.perfectworldmodels.co.uk/

 

Scheba

http://www.schurer-o...e.de/scheba.htm

 

USA trains

Radio control

http://www.brianjone...e-online.co.uk/

 

 

 

Power, Electronics & Digital

 

Champex Linden

Electronics DCC & Accessories

http://translate.goo...hl%3Den%26lr%3D

 

Dietz

Locos, Electronics, DCC & Accessories

http://www.d-i-e-t-z.de/

 

ESU

Sound decoders for DCC

http://www.loksound.com/

 

Gaugemaster Controllers

http://www.gaugemast...m/controls.html

 

Helmsman controllers

http://www.helmsmanu...viewCat&catId=2

 

LGB-Marklin

http://www.lgb-bahn.de/

 

Massoth

Electronics DCC & Accessories

http://www.massoth.com/index.en.html

 

QSI

Sound decoders for DCC

http://www.qsisoluti...o/q2_codes.html

 

Radio Control Systems

http://www.rcs-rc.com/

 

 

 

Detailing, Figures, Buildings & Accessories

 

AnDel Models

Locos, Wagons, Coaches and accessories

http://www.andelmodels.co.uk/

 

ABC gears

Manufacturers of drive units

http://www.abcgear.t....net/index.html

 

Back2Bay6

Supplier of JigStones moulds for buildings - also lineside accessories

http://www.back2bay6.net/

 

Brandbright

All sorts of loco and stock building accessories.

http://www.brandbright.co.uk/

 

Busy Bodies

Custom Figures

http://www.robbennett.org/

 

Cambrian models

A range of accessories for 16mm scale many of which can be used for G Scale scratch building - eg axle boxes, wagon detailing, etc.

http://www.cambrianm...uk/16intro.html

 

Chuffed 2 Bits

Detailing bits and pieces for lineside, wagons and locos

http://www.chuffed2bits.com/index.html

 

Coopercraft

Station nameboards and seats - intended for 16mm but can be used with G

http://www.cooper-cr...32lineside.html

 

Garden Railway Specialists

RTR, kits, parts and accessories for G scale

http://www.grsuk.com...nfo/welcome.htm

 

Hand-crafted Pottery Buildings

Readymade buildings

http://www.cptees.co...tery/index.html

 

Hobby's

Not specifically G Scale but provides a range of tools and materials for scratch-building

http://www.hobby.uk.com/

 

IP Engineering

Loco, coach and wagon kits and bits

http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/

 

Jim's Models

Wagon kits, painted figures and materials for model buildings

http://www.jimsmodels.co.uk/index.htm

 

Model Dockyard

Not specifically G Scale but a good source of supply for stripwood and components (eg brass fittings, chain) for scratch-building wagons

http://www.model-dockyard.com/

 

Model Town

Building kits, figures and lineside accessories

http://www.modeltown.co.uk/

 

Nostalgic Miniatures

Model building kits and bits (eg window frames, door handles etc.)

http://www.nostalgic-miniatures.co.uk/

 

Noch

Figures and scenic accessories

http://www.noch.de/en/

 

Pendlebury Models.

Manufacturers of cast resin buildings.

http://www.pendleburymodels.com

 

Perfect World

Wagon and Coach kits for 16mm and G

http://www.perfectworldmodels.co.uk/

 

Preiser figures

www.figuren.de

http://translate.goo...er.de%26hl%3Den

 

Schleich Figures

http://www.schleich-...50bd6b8e6d4b095

 

T&M Models

Building kits and lineside accessories

http://stores.shop.e...S__W0QQ_armrsZ1

 

Tenmille

Track, rolling stock kits and accessories

http://www.tenmille.com/index.html

 

Tuxcraft

Concrete buildings and structures and fibreglass trackbed

http://www.tuxcraft....hop/default.asp

 

 

 

Live Steam

 

Accucraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.accucraft...how_aux_page=12

 

Aristocraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.aristocraft.com/

 

DJB Model Engineering

Live steam locos and parts

http://www.djbengine...o.uk/index.html

 

Milton Loco Works

Live steam upgrade parts.

http://www.sm32.co.uk/

 

PPS-Steam Models

A range of items including distribution of P&J wagon kits and parts

http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/

 

Roundhouse

Live steam locos

http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/

 

The Gauge 1 Model company

http://www.g1m.co.uk/index.php

 

 

http://www.reppingen.de

 

http://www.echtdampftechnik.de

 

... and ofcourse, there is always Mr. Regner

 

 

 

Track

Cliff Barker

Radio control

http://www.cliffbarker.talktalk.net/

 

Tenmille

Track, rolling stock kits and accessories

http://www.tenmille.com/index.html

 

Accucraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.accucraft...how_aux_page=12

 

Aristocraft

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.aristocraft.com/

 

Hillman

Railclamps

http://www.hillmansrailclamps.com/

 

LGB-Marklin

http://www.lgb-bahn.de/

LGB track spacing guide http://www.actrains....track_guide.pdf

 

Piko

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.piko.de/d...8.php?navid=137

 

USA trains

Locos, Rolling stock & Track.

http://www.usatrains.com/

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