Is this ERTL airflow tank truck too large for traditional O-gauge?

rattler21 posted:

Ace, If it is two inches wide (96" in 1:48) it is right on as width limit for trucks before about 1985 was 96 inches.  John

Yes, but my point is that 'traditional' O-gauge is notably smaller than 1:48 scale. I guess I could use it as a fuel truck for my postwar near-scale #2343 F3 locos.

I just discovered another post on the forum about this same item, which suggests the scale is about 1:38 and kinda large even for O-scale. But for 12 bucks I might get one anyway. The items I saw in the store had the same ID number but I didn't notice the interior detail. The body is die-cast but the underframe is plastic. It has a coin slot in the top.

https://ogrforum.com/t...02#43383980458694602

I have mostly scale size trains, but I have a truck that is either 1:36 or 1:38 that really looked big when I first got it (didn't realize the larger size until I got it home). Almost all my other vehicles are 1:43. Anyway I have gotten used to it now and barely notice it being oversized anymore.

In your case with the traditional O gauge items it will be a little more noticeable, but you may be able to either get used to it od blend it in somewhere on your layout where it is not a noticeable. For $12 I don't think you can go wrong and I think you will be able to fit it in somewhere and make it look good. Also it's a truck and trucks are supposed to be a little bigger anyway.

It's oversize for 0 scale. But if you're running traditional size, so what? Put it on a flatcar. Put it in your gas station, run a hose like it's filling up the underground tank. It's a toy, have fun with it. I use mine on the Standard Gauge part of my layout, but that doesn't mean you can't put it with your traditional 0 gauge if you feel like it. 

I have the Sinclair Oil version. Yes too big but I bought it anyway just because I liked it. Don

I would think it was too big, but they are neat looking trucks.  I've thought about buying one off the bay.  If I saw one for $12 in a shop I'd buy it.

It is much too big, and likely too wide to fit on a flat car. However, at $12.00, I'd grab it in a minute...even though I already have one. I really like that truck.

Anyway, someone made a smaller version, might be Matchbox. I just had it in my hand last weekend, but my memory is toast. Hopefully, I will remember this thread when I get home, and I can check it for you.  

A popular scale for some vehicle makers is 1/35.  That might be what you have here.  Not too correct for "0" gauge but if you have some Standard Gauge or #1 gauge ("G" gauge) it might be appropriate.  Other than that it makes a very nice display piece even if it's not to be shown along with trains.

Paul Fischer

  Let's see if this works. This is by Matchbox, part of the Models of Yesteryear series. The model number is YYM36834. Most of those cars are 1/43, and this fits in the same box, so it is a little smaller than 1/43. It is more nicely detailed than the Ertl truck is. By the way, the Ertl truck is actually wider than a traditional size flat car. If this pic works, I have a couple of comparison pics I will post after this one.

OK, here it is with a 1/43 Matchbox Mustang Boss 429. It is only a little bit bigger.

Now, next to the truck by Ertl. The Ertl truck is huge next to the Matchbox. The Ertl is also a bank, so it has a hole in the top.

Scrambler81, thanks for the info. I might just look for one of those.

It looks cool and the price was right so I got one. The scale is close to 1:37, based on my measurements of body width (about 2.6" max) and wheelbase (5.05") and comparison with prototype data.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index...&gid=1&pid=1

Not the correct year or truck but I like to imagine this is James Cagney's "trojan horse" tanker in the "White Heat"" movie, and the coin slot in the top is an air hole for the mob of gangsters in the back.

The great thing about trucks is that in real life they are made of all kinds of shapes and sizes depending on the application. So my take on it is that any model truck that is in a range of 1:50 to 1:40 or there about is perfectly fine on an o gauge layout. 

I also have found that how I stage and place the vehicle on the layout makes a big difference as to how well it fits in to the scale of the scene. 

Id say buy it and make it work if you enjoy the truck. 

paperboys posted:

ACE, if you like that Texaco truck, I have a bunch I'd be willing to part with!

And so do I including the one that ACE just bought.  I use that size truck with my standard gauge Christmas layout.

Bill

Yeah, maybe I'll get some Standard Gauge trains to go with the airflow tanker. I have some other die-cast cars (on shelf above) which are a similar larger scale - acquired from the collection of a deceased friend. I don't need any more big vehicles, Thanks.

The F3 locos certainly demonstrate disparity of scale with the steam locos.