scale

O Gauge is 1:43 - 1:48.

Standard Gauge is notorious for not being made to any scale.  Locomotives, cars, and accessories from different manufacturers and from different periods vary greatly in size.  Generally, the earlier models (Lionel 33, 35, 36) are smaller and later examples (408, state cars) are made to a larger scale.

For vehicles and figures, I use two scales, on different parts of my standard gauge layout. Most of the layout uses 1:24 (1/2" = 1') figures and vehicles. This includes 1:22.5 Preiser figures. This also accomodates the old Barclay, Manoil, and Lionel 3" tall lead figures.

In another area of the layout, I use 1:32 (3/8" = 1') scale vehicles and the predominantly European 54mm lead figures (about 2-1/8" tall) such as Timpo, Britains, JoHillCo, etc.

Some standard gauge accessories (stations, etc) have doors and windows suitable for 1:24, others for 1:32.  I find that the smaller 54mm (1:32) figures work best if you want to put them on the observation platform at the end of your passenger trains, although  1:24 figures work for some of the biggest Lionel observation cars and with McCoy standard gauge cars, which are a slightly larger scale.

Hojack has pretty well covered the topic. I'll add one observation: 1/32 figures work very well for passengers in the Lionel Hiawatha and State cars. USA Trains used to make some 1/32 G gauge passengers that were cheap and looked pretty good. Unfortunately they are discontinued and hard to find. 

Marx scale stuff (and some American Flyer) O gauge is 1:64 (3/16" = 1').

Lawrence Gerringer of Roadside America fame started out in Standard gauge I was told when I visited there, and he chose 3/8" = 1' for his buildings. After WW2, the trains became 0 gauge, but the buildings continued in the same scale he had chosen.

It's well worth the trip to see it.

I fully agree with hojack.  Standard Gauge includes a wide range of trains and accessories in different scales so you have a range of options in putting together a SG layout. 

As for figurines, for the classic shiny enamel look, the all metal "Large Scale Figures" from the new Barclay Company are perfect and go well with the larger scale Standard Gauge trains and accessories.  Similarly, the Barclay Company's "Midi Figures" are great with smaller scale SG items.  Check both out here:   http://www.barclaycompany.com/servlet/StoreFront

IMHO, Preiser figurines are great with larger scale Standard Gauge trains and accessories but are often a bit "european" in style and design.  If you want a more "American" look, I have found that the G scale figurines from Just Plain Folks are great. Their G scale figures work well with the large scale Standard Gauge trains and period accessories and I'm using them with my large 1930s and 1940s era Marx and Kingsbury pressed steel fire engines.  See pictures below.  Check out the JPF  website:  http://www.justplainfolkfigures.com/index.htm

Bob Nelson

Lazytrainman, Mr. hojack pretty much covered the NON-tinplate angle. Allow me to add this. There has never been a "scale" in tinplate toytrains. The 700e was the first scale locomotive. It was diecast not tinplate. The true scale for tinplate toytrains is..pretend scale. Whatever size works. 

I try to use a scale that is pleasing to me and is available from the suppliers.

The best thing about tinplate is that you can't be wrong.

Al

Not quite right. Lionel's first scale (1:43) train was the M-10000 introduced in 1934, three years before the 700E. It had a tinplate body with die-cast parts.

Ron M

Pappy, you're absolutely right, the whole question of scale is inappropriate when it comes to tinplate, and standard gauge by definition is pretty much tinplate.  I took Lazytrainman's original question to be along the lines of, "model vehicles are available in various scales: which would be a good fit for standard gauge?"   1:32 and 1:24 is what is out there and also what has traditionally been used with standard gauge.  

The enameled lead figures, whether the larger 3" American-made or the smaller 54mm, go well with tinplate, and again, were traditionally used.  The Preiser figures have more "realism" and some may find them inappropriate to use with tinplate.  This tends to be true of G-scale details and accessories in general (Pola, Piko, LGB...).  They are the right size, and they provide more variety, but they may not match the tinplate aesthetic.

Marx, Ohio Art, and probably others, in the 1950's made lithographed tin houses, barns, and other buildings, which are also not to any 'scale' but are generally the right size and fit perfectly with standard gauge tinplate.  It's harder to find true tinplate vehicles the right size but they are out there; old lithographed tin friction-motor type cars that can look great with the tinplate trains if you want to keep that look.  Many older toy cars are just too big or too small.  Hubley made some great metal cars that work well.  The old cast iron cars are very simple and toy-like and can also fit in well, depending on the look and feel you want.

Al, You're so right

ron m, While you're at it, why not argue the virtues of SonO? Lionel did alot without the issues of what's scale and what's not. Let's remember, it all started with 2 7/8", Std Gauge then O-Gauge. Back then it was all about the track gauge and NOT about what's scale and what's not.

Pappy,

This is getting a bit off topic, which was "What is the scale for cars in "O" and "std" gauge"

Ron M