Martellus

Been wondering this a while. Googling says 3 1/2 inch gauge is 1:16 scale, but I am guessing its probably Gauge one/G scale/45mm or O gauge. (at danville)

Namerifrats

Standard gauge 4ft 8 1/2 in! Oh you mean at the museum, lol. Prob G scale since it's 1/22. Closest thing to 1/16

TheBennyB

Yup, G scale 1/22.

Max-U52

Actually, if it's standard G gauge track the true scale is 1/32 (4'8" between the rails) but they use it as narrow gauge track for 1/20, 1/22 and I think 1/20.5.

TheBennyB

Also whatever you see running on the tracks at Danville is not neccisarily G scale. the armored cars are scratch built and are a bit big for G scale. Also Willy does some illusion work on his
diesel's and locos to make them look bigger as well.

RichJohnson

I havent been there but i have seen the track. It's G scle for sure.
G scale is the track, them there is what ever you pretend the track width is for a scale. As stated, if you measure it out as 4 '8.5 inches its 1:32 scale american standard guage.
If you equate 45mm witdh divided by 3 thas 15mm per foot, perfect for american narrow gauge of 3ft ala the Rio Grande, or knotts Berry Farm or Disneyland, or the Durango and Silverton if you have seen those places.
now in Meter gauge its 1:22.5 some funky european MM conversion. LGB made most of their products in this scale.
The. You have Aristo Craft, who used 1:29, never did figure out how they came up with that compression.

In 1/16 scale as the tanks are, it would represent close to 28 inches. Plenty of real rail roads used 30 inch gauge so modleing prototypes of 30 inch gauge equipment would be acceptable. The US army actually had 30 inch gauge railway equipment for WWI. Read an article on it last year. I believe it was in france and some of it still exists.

Martellus

thanks guys. might do something with rails at some point so this helps me plan it all out

Max-U52

Martellus, I've been toying with the idea of rails myself and I was thinking about laying actual 1/16 scale track and scratchbuilding a few cars. The only thing I'm having a hard time with is wheels. Not sure if the G scale stuff is big enough not to look ridiculous. I can hand mill rail in 30 inch sections, and I'd have to cut a whole bunch of ties but I have a table saw for that part. At this point I think it's about a 65% chance I'll get to this project before I croak.

If you do anything with rails I'd enjoy seeing pictures.

MAUS45

Dragon has some 1/35 scale rail cars and armord cars that could be used to scale up to 1/16. Maybe copy the wheels as well?

Rex Ross

That scaling up 1/35 German RR models worked for me for a Kellys Heroes battlefield, I was able to build two flat cars with the single axle on each end, a heavy duty 6 axle flat car and a anti aircraft armored car. Back in those days the 4 foot G scale track wasn't as expensive as it is today so I got a couple of sections, cut them down the middle, spaced them out properly, and repaired the cut section with a bunch of railroad tie splice pieces. The middle of the ties looked OK when dirt and sand was put down between the rails. You are right ---- it took a lot of time. We only used it once as a siding, and didn't have an operating engine. I can take a few photos if you want, I still have all of that stuff on the shelf. 3 1/5 inches between the rails is what we came up with too.
rex

Martellus

3 1/2 inch gauge is a thing, but from what I know it's for large engines usually homebuilt from castings and plans, and is not cheap at all. So it's probably better to stock to G honestly. I have a frame for a loco for example back home and it dwarfs my stug