G Scale - Pretty to look at but not going anywhere.....

That depends on whether you want to look at them, or whatever money you could get by selling them.

I have a small G gauge layout in front of my house, and it’s a hit with my granddaughters, and just about any youngster that visits. It’s also relaxing to sit out in the evening and watch the headlights and caboose markers light up the tracks.

Keep both, G outside and O inside the home.

I plan to do that at my new retirement/vacation home in California.

There was too much property crime in my old urban neighborhood for any outside trains.

My new neighbors are loaded, in more ways than one.

And, it depends on what make of G you have. In general, LGB is primo whereas Bachmann is MUCH less so.

Tinplate Art is right, but another outside possibility is Piko, which is what I run. Very favorably priced as well.

PIKO is also a quality German brand. The original made in Germany LGB can be had in like new condition for reasonable prices. Unfortunately, the newer Marklin LGB (made in Hungary) is digital with few, if any, analog options. The quality is excellent but the prices are HIGH! :-(

My recommendation is do not give up on G! :-)

Thank you all for the words of wisdom and encouragement.

We would like to see some pics of those G-gauge loco and cars.

    My wife has LGB, and loves the Tram - especially the overhead power system. "Look! See the little sparks?"

    LGB was incredibly affordable back in the 80's and 90's, and lasts FOREVER. Don't give up on it. Even just using it under a Christmas tree, or a small oval where you can find the room is worth it just for the relaxation it can provide while watching it, as Artie DL&W does.

I came to 1:48 from #1 and G gauge.  Much more practical indoors with 0 scale and family.

While single, my large scale ran through holes in most of the walls of the house which was fine.  I'll never forget one early morning a lady friend called me and during our conversation an LGB Mogel came running down the hallway blasting it's whistle at my bedroom door for my morning wake up.  There was this loud silence on the other end of the phone followed by the inquiry "WHERE do you live anyway?"

GREAT story! :-)

@Michael Hokkanen posted:

I moved from my old house in the Endless Mountains of PA after 40 years to SE PA. I though I would trying switching scales from O to G for my new layout.

After starting on my third O scale layout I now realize that, despite the beautiful detail of G, it will be impractical for me to use. People here warned me and I didn't listen. For indoor layouts you get more "bang for the buck" in O.

Now, I have to figure out what to do with my 5 car G train.............

Sell, trade, or display?????

There are a handful of beautiful G gauge indoor layouts throughout the country.  Most are in large basements or purpose built buildings.  Most G gauge layouts are outdoors.  

There is probably a garden railroad club or society in your area that would be happy to give you advice on how to build outdoors or indoors.  It may be helpful for you to tour some other G gauge layouts.  G gauge is also wonderful for around a Christmas tree.  

Best wishes on whatever you decide.   NH Joe

@Michael Hokkanen posted:

I moved from my old house in the Endless Mountains of PA after 40 years to SE PA. I though I would trying switching scales from O to G for my new layout.

After starting on my third O scale layout I now realize that, despite the beautiful detail of G, it will be impractical for me to use. People here warned me and I didn't listen. For indoor layouts you get more "bang for the buck" in O.

Now, I have to figure out what to do with my 5 car G train.............

Sell, trade, or display?????

Sell the train.  Last year I liquidated my LGB, Aristocraft, and USA Trains.  That money paid for my Mianne benchwork, the table top, and most of my track…all o gauge.

I have O Gauge, G Gauge and Standard Gauge all on the same layout indoors. The G Gauge train runs on the outside while the Standard and O Gauge trains run in the middle. It does not bother me that the scales are different I enjoy them all. My Kiss G Gauge K-36 Durango & Silverton locomotive is incredible. Very high quality and beautiful. All the details are easy to see since the unit is so big. I also have a G Gauge Bachman Climax which is a much cheaper engine but the quality for the money is outstanding. I really enjoy watching the G Gauge trains run and don't regret having them on my layout.......Maybe try combining O and G you may be surprised and like it.

I have mostly had multiple gauges: O, Standard and G and the variety helped stave off boredom! Presently, I run Standard, G and 2" battery/RC on the same layout. It is all good! :-)

I kind of wish I had the drive to do a backyard G scale layout.  I thought about it thirty years ago living in Florida but I couldn't see myself working in the backyard with 90 deg 100% humidity or the bugs.   Where I live now my money goes to the basement layout. 

I would display on a wall what you have.

Some of the G is so cool. However, just too big for me. No way I want to deal with the summer heat or the winter cold for an outdoor G layout.

IF I ever purchased a G scale piece, it would be one of those Bachmann 19th century Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge 2-6-0's for the mantle. BUT, I can say with 99.99% certainty that spending $400-$500 for one won't happen.

Andre

Put a loop outside, crack the throttle and grab a cold beer.

Thanks all, for your response. Have a buyer for my G stuff..... Meanwhile, my new O layout is growing up....

We run quite a bit of Piko at the Biltmore Estate in their Conservatory display layouts, all 7 of them!

Joe

He has the right idea I have a small two track DCS some of all but mostly lots of MTH trains and rolling stock.

Its the lazy way to watch trains and I have adapted well from O gauge.

Save it for later.

Larry

I would keep them.

We have a G outdoor club layout. We run five trains.

@c.sam posted:

We run quite a bit of Piko at the Biltmore Estate in their Conservatory display layouts, all 7 of them!

Wholly Cow.  This is your club C.Sam?  We were just visiting that conservatory 2 weeks ago.  The whole family loved it.

Simply amazing work!!!  Those bridges and buildings are amazing.

I took this video blind.  I just held the camera straight over my head.

I picked up a Hartland Locomotive Works Virginia & Truckee INYO and three passenger cars a few years ago at a garage sale.

Never been run, had always been on a shelf. I live in Carson City and the original restored INYO resides here at the

Nevada State Railroad Museum. It does come out for train rides on select holidays. I talked with Phil Jensen at HLW and

he said only about 75 were made and perhaps only 25 sets of cars. I have never run it as I have absolutely no room for even

a loop of g scale. So I am probably  finally going to sell it. I just hate to see it leave the area.

The past year has rekindled my son’s interest in LGB.  He now has several engines, but just enough track for a temporary indoor layout.

That changed for him yesterday.  A member of a G scale club called him regarding a salvage operation of a large, now overgrown garden layout of a former member who passed away.  He spent yesterday morning removing the very weathered LGB and Aristocraft track from the overgrown woods.

Before the end of the day, he had a 100 ft cog railway, built on the wooded edge of our sloped lot.  Still has enough left over to run it another 100 ft.  The track is not in good enough shape for an indoor layout, but worked fine for his wooded railway.

@TM Terry posted:

We would like to see some pics of those G-gauge loco and cars.

Here's a not-terribly-good photo of a display case with some of my LGB collection. I have been a big fan of LGB since it was introduced in the U.S., and really enjoyed working on some friends' garden railroads over the years. I also was a member of the Tidewater Big Train Operators club back when I lived in the Virginia Beach area, and have had several indoor G gauge layouts.

I kept my G RDC for display on top of the china cabinet.

Who made your RDC? Photo?

Just curious.

I really like this gal!...

Although no sound,  she REALLY deserves one!