Tuesday, September 29, 2009

G Scale Model Trains and Bachman Model Trains


When model train hobbyists refer to large-scale model trains, part of the scales grouped into the large-scale trains is the G scale. Its size is considerably larger compared to other types of model trains. In the United States you'll find that the G scale model trains are the largest scales available model train for purchase. The G scale model train was pioneered by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk, a German company often referred to as Lehmann Gross Bahn (LGB) or "Lehmann Big Train" in English. The company was founded in 1881 and had a USA side of the company called LGB of America.The German company started manufacturing G scale trains in 1981 and eventually started an American branch known as LGB of America.
G Scale Model Trains image
G scale model trains are usually 1:22 to the actual size. That means that G scale model trains are one twenty-second of the size of the real train prototype. Most other model trains have a scale with a much lower ratio. Another scale in the "larger size trains" is the O scale and it is around 1/2 the size of a G scale train with a ratio of 1:48.

You may have heard of the term Garden Railroading, the G scale model trains are almost always used in garden railroading which refers to the indoor outdoor use of model trains. The letter "G" is also short for the German word groß which literally means "big" which coincides with its German history. Just like other large-scale trains, G scale model trains will run on No. 1 gauge track. Remember that #1 gauge track is identified by have a distance of 45 millimeters inbetween the rails of the railroad tracks.

LGB trains and large scale trains are very durable which makes them perfect for running outside. The railway tracks are manufactured of brass. G scale tracks are usually made of brass. Brass is the perfect substance for running these trains because it conducts electicity very well and needs very little maintanence. Since I've owned several LGB model train setups, I found the only thing needed to keep the train running was keeping the track clean with a soft dry cloth every now and then, occaisionally you might need to rub it down with some steel wool. The G scale model trains could be used for indoor purposed as well depending on the make up of the model train.
G Scale Model Trains locomotive image
If you are considering purchasing a G scale train setup I consider Aristocraft and Bachmann to be amongst the best. Already mentioned is the extreme durability of the G scale trains but it is an important factor to consider when investing your hard earned dollars. Parents can feel assured that their kids will be able to play with it and have a toy like this that will last for many years to come. I have 3 boys and the youngest could barely walk when our first LGB was set up for Christmas, 27 years latter we still have it and it still works great! As a parent you can feel confident that your smaller children will be able to successfully place the LGB train on the tracks, hook up the cars and start the train rolling and when small children try to do that with smaller scales, such as HO scale, it becomes a big mess.

With the amount of time that model trains have been around, train makers have given us different size trains for every purpose. This includes the G scale model trains.

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Monday, September 28, 2009

N Scale Model Trains For Model Railroad Trains

At first upon entering the exciting world of model railroad trains, hearing the words model train scale and gauges running through model train enthusiast’s conversations like it is part of everyday language is kind of intimidating. You might be thinking that building model trains and scenery is way out of your league. But, as your love of trains grows so will your understanding of the terms used within the model train world and all of its elements.

When folks are out to set up their vision of the perfect landscape with the perfect train running through it, they have to consider size. Model railroad trains and train tracks are made by many different people and used for many different things. Luckily, with so many choices, you can find the one that is right for you. In order to ensure any brand of train fitting on any brand of tracks, train makers make trains and tracks according to scale and gauge. When the model train hobbyists are talking about the scale of the train, they are talking about the size. Model train scale is exactly that, a scaled down replica of the life-size or the prototype model railroad trains. It is the ratio and the different letters assigned to the scales reflect the natural differences in ratio.

An N scale train is on the smaller side in comparison to other model train scale models. In fact, it is the smallest of the four most popular scales. The ratio is 1:160. In other words a scale N train is one sixtieth the size of a real train. N scale is a little over half the size of HO. HO scale is 1/87. This scale is preferred by individuals who don’t have a lot of room for their layouts or those who love expansive scenery. While the n scale trains are intended to take up less space in model layouts they also have more detail then some smaller sizes. Rail cars and supplies that are smaller will contribute to a layout size that is easier to maintain and easier to add onto later on. Another advantage of using N scale trains is that the smaller the rail car and tracks, the larger and more beautiful the scenery will appear around them.

Unlike O scale, HO scale, and standard model train scale, some of which have been around for a full century, the N scale trains only came into prominence in the 1960s. The name N scale stands for nine millimeter because it has a gauge of 9 mm between the rails. Gauge refers to the size of the track on which the model trains operate. It is a measure of the distance between the rails of the train tracks. Code on the other hand refers to the height of the rail.

N scale model trains are just one of the many different aspects of building model trains and scenery. It is entirely up to the train building to use whatever train size is best for them. No matter what the size of the train is, the thrill is all the same.


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