Semi-Scale?

Okay, here's Websters definition.  We all know he is the authoritative source for the English language.  As you can see, even Webster's definition can be vague.  He talks about  "precisely half", then goes on to say "partial or partly", definitely not precisely half.  

The term Semi-scale in our hobby is like a generic term, like kleenex.  It doesn't really mean any particular thing except that the train is not true to prototype.  

Definition of semi-
1
a : precisely half of: (1) : forming a bisection of <semidiameter> (2) : being a usually vertically bisected form of (a specified architectural feature) <semidome>
b : half in quantity or value : half of or occurring halfway through a specified period of time <semiannual> <semimonthly> — compare bi-
2
: to some extent : partly : incompletely <semicivilized> <semi-independent> <semidry> — compare demi-, hemi-
3
a : partial : incomplete <semiconsciousness> <semidarkness>
b : having some of the characteristics of <semiporcelain>
c : quasi- <semigovernmental> <semimonastic>

Without getting into semantics arguments (semi does not always mean half in English, it can mean partly as well.....

The whole point of the semi scale term was simply to say that the model in some or many ways was not protypical, whether it was shorter or less tall than the prototype, whether its wheels were scaled 1/48 to prod or were bigger/smaller, missing details, it doesn't really matter. Technically, very few things in 3 rail are scale, if you have one of the scale vision line locomotives that has 'traditional' lionel style couples, it is semi scale....which also indicates why the term itself has no solid meaning, if all the thing has that aren't protypical in size are the couplers, that is pretty scale to me. 

For me, semi scale indicates a piece that is significantly different from a scaled down model of the prototype, I wouldn't consider some missing detail or oversize couplers to be 'semi scale' necessarily, but I would if let's say the body shell is close to size to what it would be in S scale (1/64) , or if it is significantly shorter/lower than a 1/48 scale would indicate...but others might consider anything not 100% 1/48 prototype in size to be 'semi scale'.  

As they say, beauty is in the size of the beholder. To be honest, if you run a train that is all 'semi scale' (let's say an old 027 freight set), you might not even notice that much of a difference, because they all are likely smaller/shorter, but if you mix scale with semi scale you likely would see the discrepency. 

Like everything in this hobby, it really comes down to what you like, and semi scale is so nebulous don't assume it means it must be something that looks like a cheap freight car from the bottom of the MPC era, or that it looks like the pre war stuff with the lithographed shells and such, you very well might find semi scale units that work perfectly for you. 

Just to chime in on the overall discussion, once again:  No "0" gauge trains, (standard gauge, that is) are correct scale.  "0" gauge track is 1 & 1/4 " between the rails.   If we're using 1/4" = 1 foot, then our tracks would be five foot gauge, rail to rail.  this is incorrect, of course, because real railroads, in this country, are 4'  8 1/2" between the rails.

As I have mentioned before, some early devotees of "0" gauge modelling, way back in the 1920's and 1930's, actually built their trains to a scale of 17/64 = 1 ft to try to minimize the incorrectness of "0" gauge trains.  In fact, Lionel's #752, model of the U.P. first streamliner, the M10,000, was actually built to that 17/64 = 1 ft scale.  That's why, compared to a modern MTH Premier M10,000, the original Lionel from 1934 looks oversized.   Thankfully, cooler heads arrived before Lionel's Hiawatha, NYC Hudson and Pennsy B6 switcher were built and these were all scaled to 1/4" = 1ft.  

Some traction models were built to the 17/64 scale right into the 1950's.  I own a Japanese made model of the famous, Illinois Terminal streamliners and they are noticeably too large compared to other trains, like the Electroliner in "0" gauge.  This model would have been built right around 1950 or so.

Paul Fischer

For the semi-scale haters... I thought I would put this out there, lyrics from the movie Grease, so you would need to sort of sing like the Bee Gees to get the full impact:

Grease Semi-scale is the time, is the place, is the motion

Grease Semi-scale is the way we are feeling.

TGIF! 

Tom

Geez, and I thought "Semi Scale" was the scale Hess used on its holiday trucks.

I have always gotten a kick out of this silly and meaningless term. Something is either built to some scale of the original or it isn't.

Saying something is semi-scale is like a woman saying she is almost pregnant. It makes no sense.

Here's my Marx Semi Scale N&W K class 4-8-2. It has half the length, half the pilot wheels an half the drivers of a real K.

MNCW posted:

For the semi-scale haters... I thought I would put this out there, lyrics from the movie Grease, so you would need to sort of sing like the Bee Gees to get the full impact:

Grease Semi-scale is the time, is the place, is the motion

Grease Semi-scale is the way we are feeling.

TGIF! 

Tom

The Bee Gees as a whole had nothing to do with "Grease." Barry Gibb wrote the song, but Frankie Valli performed it. 

OGR Webmaster posted:

I have always gotten a kick out of this silly and meaningless term. Something is either built to some scale of the original or it isn't.

Saying something is semi-scale is like a woman saying she is almost pregnant. It makes no sense.

And THAT is all that need be said!

Simon

I would have never guessed that this word would be the source for such controversy and passion.  Personally, I use the term. I think semi-scale perfectly describes my MTH RK M1a.  The model is full of scale like features and is unmistakably an M1a, yet the proportions are not scale.  So the model is partially scale, aka semi scale.  But i would not use the term to describe a generic model that follows no real prototype,  regardless of the dimensions.

The term semi-scale is also not limited to model trains.  I also fly RC planes.  My favorite model is a semi-scale Corsair.  Like my M1a, it is unmistakably a model of its prototype even though the proportions are not exact scale.  I also fly a "srick" model that has no prototype so i would not use the term semi-scale to describe it.  

That said, i agree with others that there is no winning this argument. For those who do not like the term, simply do not use it.  But trying to convince those of us who find the appropriateness of the term otherwise is equally futile.  Semi-scale or not, we all enjoy trains!

As for "almost pregnant," there's even a movie with that title, and the phrase makes comedic sense in the context of the film.