Q scale

Correct you if you are wrong?  I did my best. I can only repeat myself.

Q gauge is 1 3/16" gauge, to fit 1/4" scale models.

O gauge is 1 1/4" gauge to fit 17/64" scale models.

Repetition, not opinion.

Bob2,

I got thinking you ought to build a 1:50 scale model to run on your 1 1/8" gauge track. It would be spot on for the correct gauge to represent standard gauge. But that would make your side frames too wide again if you did that. Hmm.....

Yeah. I wanted to use O Scale kits, and I wanted the track to look more like the real thing.  I was a sophomore in high school.  I figured I had to make at least a discernible change in the gauge, and that and side frame appearance is what drove the decision.

Sixty years later it is less important, but I still pay attention to it.  I did try scale flanges, but found I liked the reliability of the Lobaugh/Scale Craft wheel standards.

Look what I found!  A genuine Dorazio went through here a few years back:

bob2 posted:

Look what I found!  A genuine Dorazio went through here a few years back:

I believe the Pennsylvania Railroad referred to these as "long haul tenders". When the tender is almost as long as the Mountain locomotive it's tied to, that seriously implies a long haul.

As mentioned before I thought Q scale was 17/64ths/ft. Why? Because the old guys like Al Staufer used to refer to it as such and implied that is was somewhat different to 1/48 scale. Now I did a little researching and here is what I found. In this 1948 Railroad Manual they call Q scale as 1/4 inch, O scale as 1/4 " (same thing) and Q17 as 17/64ths scale but the track gauge is still 1.25" in width. The book never refers to a term "Q scale" so I am really confused. Now the 17/64ths Niagara I have has a gauge of 1.25" but the wheels are all 17/64ths as well as the superstructure and tender. according to this book I can only refer to the model as Q17! 

I believe Minton Cronkite coined the term Q scale, as the first modeler to build large model rr exhibts for public shows [1934-1935 and up to the Chicago Museum display] he built 2 rail 1/4" scale models with a near to correct 1 3/16"  track  gauge, this was at a time when the O gauge norm was out side 3rd rail and 1 1/4" track gauge was the standard. There was a write up on Minton and his model rrs in one of the early Mrr magazines. Was the term Q scale misapplied later on in references quite possibly .JMO

We kind of covered that.  I personally will never call things that roll on O gauge (1 1/4") track Q anything.  You guys can call it anything you want, but I am actually building in 17/64 scale O gauge.

No way that will be called "Q Scale O Gauge" around here.

I am "working" on a PRR D6sb, and maybe an E3 Atlantic in 17/64.  Have to finish Peter's Challenger first.

bob2 posted:

Correct you if you are wrong?  I did my best. I can only repeat myself.

Q gauge is 1 3/16" gauge, to fit 1/4" scale models.

O gauge is 1 1/4" gauge to fit 17/64" scale models.

Repetition, not opinion.

 I never heard of Q gauge but have heard of Q scale, however,  it sounds like what you are describing is the gauge was adjusted to the correct width for 1/48 scale.  I have never seen a Q gauge model. Do you know anyone who has any? Like I mentioned before according to a 1948 model railroad book 17/64ths scale is called Q17 and uses o gauge track. Now the old timers used to talk about Q scale and I think they meant 17/64th scale and this scale runs on o gauge track. 

I give up.  Just do not call my models Q Scale.  Q Gauge is 1/4" scale.