Scale Model Trains

Model Train Show Article

Types of Scale Model Trains

G scale model trains: The Scale Model Trains, which are, generally used outdoors, because of its durability and size, are known as G scale model trains. These kind of outdoor installations are called as garden railways. The name of G scale has been derived from the German word Gross which means big. G scale model uses 45 mm gauge track as used as standard gauge. Ernst Paul Lehman Petenwerk introduced G scale under its brand name LGB, which was meant for indoor as well as outdoor use. Lehman is considered as the one who made the garden railway popular and is the major manufacturer in Europe.

O SCALE MODEL

O scale, also famous with the names like O gauge or 0 scale or 0 gauge, is commonly used for the toy trains. It was first introduced by Märklin, which was a German Toy manufacturer, around 1900. Those times it was considered that the toy trains could not be made any smaller, and it was the smallest one.

Hey Days of the O Scale Model: O gauge had its heyday when model railroads were considered toys, with more emphasis placed on cost, durability, and the ability to be easily handled and operated by pre-adult hands. Detail and realism were secondary concerns, at best. It remained popular choice among hobbyists who were more interested in running train than enjoying other aspects of the model. But this lost popularity in Europe before World War II.

What is in the Name ‘O’? The original name for O gauge and O scale was 0 [zero] gauge or Gauge 0, because it was smaller than Gauge 1 and the other existing standards. At the time, it was believed to be impossible to make a toy train any smaller. It was created in part because manufacturers realized their best-selling trains were the smaller scales.

LARGE SCALE MODEL TRAINS

Large scale train models are those which run on 45 mm (gauge 1) track. The scale may vary from can vary from 1:13.5- 1:32. The G scale falls into the category of large scale model trains.

BACHMANN MODEL TRAINS

Bachmann Bros., now called as Bachmann Industries, is a Philadelphia company, Pennsylvania. It is specialized in model scale trains/ model railroading; primarily in the entry level inexpensive model train sets. It targets mass market and thus is the largest seller in terms of the volume of model scale train sets.

WALTHERS MODEL TRAIN

The company Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., claims that it is the largest model train scale model supplier in the world. It is manufacturer and the distributor of model supplies and tools. This company was incorporated, in 1932, in Wisconsin by Mr. Bill Walthers. It initially started with O scale models and thereafter by 1937, expanded greatly with HO scale models.