Confused by O gauge sizes

I'm guessing that you already have the 16" 60 footers. In the MTH line the Rail King the "Rugged Rails" line is a tad shorter. In Lionel the "Conventional Classics" are their traditional sized cars. Both are ( I believe) 15".

 

Gilly

Look for the smaller size engines and rolling stock that is designated O-27. It will run on smaller radius curves. Check out this link from Lionel. Atlas, Williams, and MTH Premier are true O scale. MTH Railking can be scale or slightly smaller.

 

I hope this helps. I am sure others will chime in later.

Johnny:

 

Try MTH Railking http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-67715 for 60' cars.  That puts them about 15".  Should handle the tight curves.  I would do 42" minimum.

Gauge has to do with the width of the track between the rails.  There isn't much in the way of scale trains, particularly for passenger trains that will look good on O-42 or tighter track.  Even O-72 is too tight for near scale 18" cars.  Scale passenger cars need O-110 to look realistic (btw, scale passenger cars are +20" long".  If you want to run on track that tight, stick with "traditional"sized trains.

Thanks bill that Lionel link is an eye opener for sure. I guess I can definitely cross off standard

Ok thanks Chuck, that's not what I was hoping to hear ,but I'll have to figure out something

That looks similar to what I have, but I have to check. I have them packed away in my storage shed.

This is a photo of what I have, I only ran them once because they hit the wall as they were going around the track

Just checked. The MTH Rugged Rails cars are 13-9/16" long. This is the 027 size mentioned earlier. Lionel Conventional Classics are 15" (confirmed). MTH Rail Kings are 16" as are your WBB Amfleet cars. Nice set though... Another option would be Ready Made Trains. They carry some really short stuff.

 

Gilly

Johnny,

 

As Gilly mentioned, stay with a 16" (length) or smaller car. Anything longer will probably looked a bit goofy.

 

As far as confusion with the differant "sizes" that are put on items, well, if your new, yes it will take a bit to understand what they relate to. 

 

Standard gauge? I assume you are referring to tinplate(all metal) trains. These are reproductions of all metal trains made back in the early 1900's (1900-1940's), these are refered to as tinplate. Standard gauge would refers to the very large size, almost twice as big as O gauge. Now, to really confuse you, they also made tinplate trains in traditional O gauge size back then.

Most trains made from 1950-1970 are commonly referred to as traditional size O gauge, in addition to producing "traditional" size (which were generally smaller than 1/48 scale), they were made so they could run on very tight curves, as tight as 027 track, customers gradually demanded cars that were closer to a true 1/48 scale, well, some manufacturers did produce some true 1/48 scale items, the problem was they were so big, they would only run on O gauge track that was set up with a minimum of 072 curves. Everyone else couldnt run them, so manufacturers came out with "semi scale" items, which were larger, closer to scale size but a bit smaller, but looked much better than traditional size. Most of these could run on traditional O gauge track of 031curves.

So in the end, it's all a good thing because collectors and operators have the choices they never had before. Some like the smaller traditional size, some like the semi scale size, some only purchase true 1/48 scale engines and cars. Traditional and semi scale can pretty much run on any O gauge track, true 1/48 scale equipment generally will list what diameter track it can operate on. Some "Scale" engines and cars are really huge. When you visit a local hobby shop ask to see the differance, i'm sure they will help explain (hopefully better than I have tried too).

If your using 042, 054 curves, all switchers(12") or maybe a GP38 diesel(15") will look ok, a SD90(over 20" long) would look a bit silly. Even the the SD90 might be able to run on a 042 curve, it most likely would look a bit odd going around such a curve, 072 or larger curves are needed to look decent.

 

Best advice I have is to find a well stocked train shop that has the items on display so you can see the differance.

 

Good luck!

Check out these..... 

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12129987972865328

I have 6 Lionel "baby Madison" cars which each measure only 13" long. Of course they are way under scale but they suit me just fine for a 'classic' 3-rail layout with typical 'semi-scale' locomotives. I run them mostly on O54 curves but they will take O31 and O27 curves with no operational problems. I mostly avoid scale items because they look too big with my mostly postwar-era trains.

 

David the reason I’m confused about Standard size is because Modeltrainstuff have Standard O gauge

 

Brad, I sure like that Up Alcos. I’m partial to anything that rubs South West, but Pittsburgh is my home town so I also like anything from my past.

 

Ace, that looks just like the one I was looking at. Is that the Lionel 6-38308 Berkshire Madison Passenger Set?

I usually have to buy everything on line because the closest train store is 75 miles away and I’ve bought a few items on eBay that were a complete surprise when I opened up the package,

I like my Polar Express Berkshire, but I don’t want to run Christmas trains all year long and I want a little more in a train like sound. I watch videos on YouTube and some of those trains look and sound so real. That's what I want.

I just can’t get an O72 in my house and I may just have to wait until spring and build something on my covered patio.

Johnny,

 

You mentioned you'd like to have sound.

I think you'll find that once you get sound, there's no looking back.

 

keep us posted

Thanks David,

I just now discovered the Lionel 6-11387 2-8-4 Berkshire with sound and I think I’m in love again. I’m just going to have to break it gently to my wife.

 

It may take awhile!

Be careful of the term "standard".

 

In the link provided by wparisi, you can see that "standard gauge" is huge compared to O gauge.

 

However, Lionel refers to their scale size O gauge items as "standard O scale", while they refer to the smaller items as "traditional O gauge."

The 6 passenger cars are Lionel circa 1973-4. The loco is a 1948 Lionel 2026  (2-6-2). I think Lionel still makes the same style of baby Madison cars.
 

 

I'm not near any great train stores either. I've bought most of my O-gauge items secondhand at occasional trains shows in different towns in the region over the last three years.

What you need to do is to do is describe or show us the track plan and the clearances around the railroad tracks. In the corners your track needs to be at least 3 inches away from the wall.

 

Andrew

I was never confused by this before they invented the internet.  I guess I never paid much attention to the scale differences.  I guess why that explains why the O-scale people figures sometimes looked gigantic compared to the rolling stock my old layout.

The passenger loop on my layout is all 042 curves and I am able to run the Williams scale Hudson with scale 72' (18") passenger cars with no problem. I also run the Williams E-7 A-A units with MTH scale Madison cars. They run very well on 042 curves but anything smaller looks like it could be a problem.

Here's a link to MTH 13 9/16 " add on passenger cars in rugged rails that go with some of the RTR RailKing sets:

 

http://www.mthtrains.com/searc...%22Rugged%20Rails%22

 

PS3 Santa Fe diesel set with 13 9/16" cars:

 

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-4222-1

 

Until the mid-1990's, scale model railroaders and Lionel railroaders lived in different worlds. They developed their own terms. There were differences - curve radius (scale) and diameter (Lionel), for example - but both groups lived separately. A few operators combined the two (High-Rail or Hi-rail) but they were few and far between.

 

In the mid-to-late 1930's, Lionel entered a growing market for scale trains by producing the UP M-10000 and the Hiawatha, followed by the NYC Hudson (700E), the PRR B6, and some scale freight cars. But sales were small in comparison to traditional trains. Those freight cars and a simplified 700E (773) were made after World War II, but Lionel stayed with traditional trains. They were smaller than scale in order to negotiate tight "O" and "027" curves.

 

In the late 1980's, Lionel brought back the B6 switcher and introduced a brand-new model - Reading T-1 2100, the largest locomotive Lionel had ever made (6-18006).

 

Since then, MTH, Lionel, Weaver, and a host of others have made lots of scale "O" gauge trains. But different terms still exist, and they can be confusing. I'll offer a little table, as follows:

 

TRADITIONAL - Smaller than scale to negotiate tight "O" and "027" curves.

 

SEMI-SCALE - Approaches O scale (1:48) but lacks detail, such as the simplified 773.

 

SCALE / STANDARD O / FULL SCALE - 1:48 scale; highly detailed; requires 072 curves

 

 

My Christmas set includes the 13" cars and looks pretty good on 031, but I'm moving to 042 for sure and probably 054 where they'll look better. I must say I'm not partial to passenger trains, but they are growing on me and I intend on adding an Old West 4-4-0 style set. I must also say this thread has reminded me that I need to pay attention to what I buy if I want them to look good together. And you're right, the different terminology can be confusing.

I just read your original post again and saw your comment about "Standard Gauge." Lionel introduced those trains in 1906 and patented that name so no one else could use it. American Flyer and Ives used "Wide Gauge" for trains that ran on that track.

 

By the early 1900's electric trains were on the cutting edge of hi-tech toys. Houses without electricity could use dry cell or wet cell batteries to produce current. A wide variety of gauges was available, and trains were generally not interchangable.

 

Joshua Lionel Cowen chose an odd gauge (2 1/8"). It was close to No. 1 gauge (used in garden railroads today), but it didn't match anything else. By calling it "Standard Gauge," Lionel made it easy to remember and guaranteed that trains, track and accessories would be compatible.

 

Standard Gauge is about twice the size of "O" Gauge. Lionel calls its scale trains "Standard O," which is different from Standard Gauge.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

 

Thanks Andrew

I don’t really have a plan yet, I was looking at the MTH ScaleTrax expandable package because I can start with the 4x8 Roosevelt Junction in phase 1 http://mthtrains.com/scaletrax/hikel/roosevelt1 and then expand to Phase 2 and maybe even Phase 3 depending on how much room I’ll have. I’m not married to ScaleTrax, it’s just that the expandable package is easy. I’m undecided because I’m not sure if I want a lot of those spurs and there are some very questionable curves in Phase 3 which is corrected in Phase 4.

 

Right now I have this plan that I use for my Christmas layout, but its modular and I would only use the main level during the off season if at all.

 

 

I drew these plans a couple of years ago for my back patio, but they have problems like being outside for one and I have an Air conditioner next to the house. Originally I had planned on having a Lift bridge to provide access that would also act as storage for the trains, but I’m still working out the details.

 

Plan “C” is up against House and has the AC Condenser unit right in the middle which is only used for a week or two during rain.

 

Plan “B” & “A” are at the outside edge of patio but under the cover blocking access to the Backyard

 

Ok this is where I got confused about standard. Thanks I think I got it now and Happy New Year

I also drew this plan a couple of weeks ago which would make more sense, but I think I’m going to change it to O-48. I did it in O-42 because I already have an O42 loop made up

 

 

I'm trying to figure out a way to raise up the entire layout when not in use, but its so long I'm worried it might bend and twist.

 

Anyway, I really like the "baby Madison" cars and I'm going to start looking for them. I want that Lionel Berkshire with the sound and I haven't looked to see what is available in other brands, but I'm going to look around some more and see if i can have something similar for less money.

are you running your trains outside?

I'm going to have to because I just don't have any place inside, but I do have a roof overhead to keep the rain out and i live in the desert so humidity is not a problem only dust. Oh and birds

Dave

I was thinking about what you said of Passenger trains and freight has better options plus I can have a longer train which is really nice. I have had a lot of freight trains over the years and just started with the Passenger trains.

 

I have over 45 N-scale locomotives with 7 full sets of passenger trains. I used to like the freight trains, but I was unable to pull a whole lot because of the size of my layout, so I started running Passenger trains.

 

So for right now until I’m able to have a really big layout, I’m focusing on Passenger trains, although freight takes up less space to turn.

Sleeper

 

Lots of good advice above.  42" is the max length of my layout's curves, and I run semi/non-scale (a.k.a Traditional) stuff.

 

Certainly take a look at the 15-16" madisons and streamliners that several manufacturers offer.

 

I've chosen to run smaller passenger cars on my layout.  In part, my layout also has some 27" and 34" curves, so the smaller "baby" or "O27" passenger cars of 11-13" length give me more flexibility.

 

But, as I learned over the last decade since getting started, I really like how the smaller items look on the 42" curves.  Sure my Lionel Junior Berkshire will traverse the 27" curves, but it really looks great and appropriately proportioned on the 42" curves.  Just as one above stated that some 72" curve rated items look more appropriate on 100"+.

 

I have some Lionel and some MTH O27 madisons and streamliners.  I think they're also available from RMT and Williams. 

 

Wish I could send you some pics, but I'm in rebuild mode after our 2011 basement flood and having had back surgery 4 weeks ago, I'm not making a lot of progress.

The Berkshire that you like requires O-54 Curves:

Lionel Berkshire

 

You might want to consider a Berkshire Junior which is a lot cheaper and will look good with the Baby Madison cars:

Lionel Berkshire Junior

Oh no! Thanks Doc for the heads up. Ok then I guess that's out.

Well, it would make things easier and cheaper to use the Junior Berkshire as I already have and forget about the sound.  And if I went with box cars instead of passenger cars, it would not only cost less, but I wouldn’t have to worry about the turns, but I really need to do something with my Amtrak.

 

I probably would ruin that big Berkshire outside anyway. I guess I still have a lot of thinking to do yet before I buy anything.

 

Sorry to hear about your back and I hope it works out for you and not a permanent thing.

I really like my Santa Fe El Capitan passenger set made by Lionel about five years ago.  Check out this video of it running on my carpet at home on tubular track.



The cars are each about 13" long so they should look fine on o42 curves.

Welcome to O gauge railroading, where if you don't have a lot of money and a lot of space, you have to make significant compromises!

Humm, it is nice to see a long Amtrak consist running on a stretch of open track, but for many of us it's just not practical. That's why I'm sticking with the Old West theme with maybe 2-3 passenger cars, a car for horses, one for mail and a caboose. I may run the Christmas consist once in awhile, mostly around the holidays. I'm going to play with fake snow cs batting to winterize for the holidays, but that might be too messy.

Will sunlight hit the layout during the day? If it will, my understanding is that only G gauge tracks have UV protection. I'm not sure what else just being outside will do.

Wow that looks cool. I have one of those in N-scale and was looking at that Lionel set yesterday.

So I see a lot of track right on the rug not only yours but Ace and a few others. I was just looking at running track on the floor around my family room a few minutes ago like Ace had in his photo and trying to convince my wife on the idea, but she is not too thrilled about all the noise below the TV

I measured 5” clearance under the couch which would have to be my tunnel. Only problem is that the couch is curved sectional that would cover up 15 ft of the track and it would be a real chore to retrieve a derailment under there. Oh well

Actually that came up a few years ago when I first started thinking about it and I found that I would have to use tubular track if I put it on the lawn side of the patio and also Realtrax has something written about extreme temperature changes causing troubles with their track. I don’t know about Fastrack