South Mountain Division, Mid-Eastern Region, National Model Railroad Association

A Key to Unlock Confusions about Large Scale

(For the purpose of this article, we will consider Large Scale to be the part of the model railroading hobby that uses scales larger than O scale – 1:48 in the US – and smaller than ride-on live steam to run primarily on Gauge One track – 45 mm — with some on O gauge and some on HO gauge.)

(Most of what I have written is my own thinking based on commonly known information about modeling in the larger scales. For those who want to learn more, I have included a short list of suggested further reading at the end of this article.)

Large Scale has a lot of scales — two dozen or so by my count. Each of those scales has more than one name. (One scale — 1:22.5 — has at least seven names.) At the same time, it seems that all these scales are referred to as “G Scale,” and they all use the same three track gauges (Ga. 1, O gauge, and HO gauge). For small scale modelers and quite a few large scalers, that situation is more than a little confusing.

Some Theorizing about Factors in Scale Model Railroading and How They Relate to Each Other:

As scale model railroaders, we are interested in four essential factors in our modeling: #1 the size of the prototype, #2 the size of the model, #3 the track gauge of the prototype, and #4 the track gauge of the model. Since we are striving to model accurately, we are particularly interested in how these factors relate.

The first two — size factors — are related by the concept of scale, defined as the relationship between the size of the prototype and that of the model. Scale is commonly represented by a ratio such as 1:87 for HO and as a dimension such as 3.5 mm per foot, again for HO.

How then do we link scale with the gauge factors? It is fair to say that we conceptualize the relationship between scale and gauge in our thinking with a mathematical equation like this one:

Scale x Prototype Gauge = Model Gauge

Thus, an O scale model of a 3 ft. narrow gauge prototype has a model gauge calculated as follows:

1/4 in. per ft. (the dimensional equivalent of 1:48) x 3 ft. = 3/4 in. (the gauge known as On3).

(I am sure this reasoning seems fairly obvious to most scale model railroaders.)

The original standardized scales and gauges decided on at the turn of the 19^th to 20^th centuries were likely developed by similar thinking. Manufacturers decided on a size (or sizes) for their trains (basically scales) and then used that factor to determine an appropriate gauge. Standard setting made it possible for trains from different manufacturers to run on the same gauges of track and gradually to use the same set of scales. These early manufacturers started first with size/scale; therefore, this way of thinking looks at the relationship between scale and gauge from a scale-first point-of-view.

A Different Gauge-First Point of View:

While thinking scale-first may seem perfectly reasonable to scale model railroaders, it is not the only way to look at the relationship between scale and gauge.

So, let us go back to that original equation relating scale and gauge factors:

Scale x Prototype Gauge = Model Gauge

With algebra, we can turn that equation around:

Model Gauge = Scale x Prototype Gauge

Dividing both sides by Prototype Gauge, we arrive at:

Model Gauge ÷ Prototype Gauge = Scale

(That equation does work out with the units involved — below in English dimensions but also with metric or a combination):

Inches ÷ feet = inches per foot

Thus, the use of a little bit of math (which hopefully we remember from high school) has shown us that a different gauge-first point of view is also mathematically valid for relating all the size and gauge factors. We will find that this gauge-first way of thinking was the starting point for many activities in Large-Scale.

But why would anyone who wants to model to scale put gauge first? That is a good question, the answer to which requires some history of modeling in the larger scales.

A Bit of History

The Early History of model railroading was dominated by the larger scales. Most of the miniature trains built in the 19th century (whether toys or “scale” models) were built in the larger scales. By the end of the 19th century, there was a great amount of chaos in the hobby as each manufacturer made products using their own gauges and scales. Mӓrklin had the foresight to realize that shared standards would benefit the new hobby greatly by allowing customers access to a larger range of products through “interchangeability.” Mӓrklin proposed the first set of standards for scales and gauges No. 1 through No. 5 or 6 (Arabic numerals with No. 1 the smallest). (All of these fall within today’s Large-Scale range of sizes.) Note that the gauges associated with those scales were all based on modeling standard gauge prototypes. Narrow gauge modeling was extremely rare.

The twentieth century: Unfortunately, the popularity the larger scales had enjoyed in the 19th century vanished in the first half of the 20^th as smaller scales and gauges were made practical by better manufacturing processes and electric propulsion. The beginning of the century saw the development first of Zero scale (now known as O scale), then OO scale (smaller than zero — the next name in many numerical naming systems — think paint brush sizes), and soon HO scale (half O). Again, the associated gauges were all based on modeling standard gauge prototypes.

Narrow Gauge: The 1920s saw a few modelers become interested in modeling narrow gauge prototypes. In order to do so, they often had to take creative approaches to get the resources they needed. Pioneer narrow gaugers like Hugh Boutell and P. D. Hancock resorted to re-gauging wheels and mechanisms from other scales for their models. It was a time of much “thinking outside the box” for narrow gauge modeling.

The Development of Sixteen Millimeter Scale

In the years leading up to and following World War II, a small group of British modelers wanted to model their 2-foot gauge prototypes. Like other pioneer narrow gauge modelers, these British modelers thought outside the box to accomplish their modeling goals. In the process, they managed to blaze a trail for a rejuvenation of modeling in the larger scales.

The following is not intended as a history of 16 mm Scale, that feat having been accomplished by the Association of 16 mm Narrow Gauge Modellers when they published History of 16 Mil and the Association by John Wenlocke in 2017. Mr. Wenlocke, a long time 16 mm modeler, has written an extensive, detailed account reaching back to early mentions of 16 mm and 5/8 in. modeling by Allan Pratt and J.I.C. Boyd in the late 1930s model journals. However, despite knowing and speaking with quite a few well known early 16 mm modelers, Mr. Wenlocke was able to pin down only some of the names of the “Group of Seven,” the early 16 mm pioneers whom he described as giving “tantalizing glimpses of their ‘subversive’ efforts [by publishing] in the modelling press from time to time.” As to their thoughts about setting up this new activity, all Mr. Wenlocke was able to recover were observations such as that of Peter Jones’s (another early — 1940s – 16 mm modeler): “16 mm to the foot scale on 32 mm gauge track was a happy and obvious combination [emphasis added].” Clearly, much of the thinking of the first 16 mm modelers is lost to us in the mists of a time now 80 plus years ago. (All quotes are from Mr. Wenlocke’s history.)

Consequently, what follows is my attempt to reconstruct a logical thought process leading to the decision to model in 16 mm Scale. Although what I have written contains a substantial amount of conjecture, I think it conveys the essence of what 16 mm Scale modelers were up against and how creatively they responded.

3 (or Rather 4) Challenges:

These British modelers faced challenges: issues related to layout & model size, discouraging economic prospects, and constraints of gauge. (Each challenge described is followed by their response in italics.)

1. Lack of space: British homes did not (and, to an extent, still do not) provide generous space for layouts.
   1. The founders of 16 mm scale bypassed the lack of layout space indoors and took advantage of the British tradition of garden railroading. Outside in the “garden” (the yard to us colonials), space was much less constricted.
2. Lack of small motors: While lack of space might have argued for using smaller scales, the lack of small motors argued for the opposite. Electric motors of the time were huge, a fact that had forced even O standard gauge modelers to put motors in tenders. In Britain, this problem was compounded by the relatively small size of British prototypes. And then, to make the problem worse, narrow gauge prototypes are even smaller — a fact that argued for the use of scales a good bit larger than O to fit the available motors.
   1. Garden railroading also allowed these modelers to model in a much larger scale — one big enough to fit the large motors available at the time into their narrow gauge equipment.

1. The post-war economic situation: The overall economy of the time was focused on recovery from the Depression and the War. The larger scales, which had dominated the hobby in the nineteenth century, no longer did so and, consequently, had become minority interests. Model manufacturers did not have capital resources to bring out new lines of trains for minority interests. In addition, the conventional wisdom in the hobby at the time said that growth would be in the smaller scales — wisdom borne out by the increasing popularity of OO and HO scales and the development of even smaller scales (TT, N, and Z). Besides, before WWII, faced with a shrinking market, many of the manufacturers of larger scale trains either had gone out of business (as Ives did) or had converted to the smaller scales (as Lionel did when they dropped their Standard Gauge line to focus on O gauge trains). These 16 mm Scale modelers realized they were on their own, without manufacturer support.
   1. To counteract the lack of manufacturer support, these modelers took advantage of an opportunity available to all who model narrow gauge: the fact that a gauge developed in one scale to model standard gauge prototypes can be used in a larger scale to model narrow gauge. By using an existing gauge from another scale as the basis for their modeling, they could counteract the lack of manufacturer support and gain access to wheels, mechanisms, and track supplies — essential resources. Coming from the British modeling tradition, they figured they could scratch-build the rest. Then, using that gauge, they would create their own new, larger scale.

One further challenge related to garden railroading:

1. The width of the track gauge: Indoor model railroaders might not expect this to be a challenge, but when modeling outside, the rule of thumb is that a wider gauge is better for track durability/stability and ease of maintenance. O gauge – 32 mm in Britain, 1-1/4 in. in the US – is generally considered the smallest practical size for garden railroads. Thus, the challenge for the founders of 16 mm Scale was to find a wide enough gauge with manufacturer support (wheels and mechanisms) to allow for modeling outside.
   1. As discussed in the next part, they decided to use O gauge.

Possibilities Considering the Established Scales:

These were scale modelers who wanted to model accurately; so, undoubtedly they considered the established scales in their search for a workable scale and an accurate corresponding gauge for 2-foot models in that scale. (One thing that becomes abundantly clear from this consideration of the established scales is that, to get a gauge wider than O gauge, they would have to use a scale much larger than O scale.)

• O Scale (1:43.5 in Britain) was too small for the available motors, and the resulting gauge of 14 mm (roughly 1/2 inch) for two-foot prototypes was far too narrow for easy use outside.
• Scale One (1:32) was larger, but its gauge of 3/4 inch still was not wide enough.
• Scale 2 (1:27.4) and a gauge of 7/8 inch would not work either.
• Scale 3 (1:22.5) with a gauge of approximately 1-1/16 inches might work, but very little was produced in that scale at the time and nothing in that gauge.
• Scale 4 (1:16) with a gauge of 1-1/2 inches might work, but again, there was nothing available in that gauge.

Consideration of the established larger scales did not get the British modelers the gauge-related resources they needed.

After some thought, they decided to take a gauge-first approach. Instead of focusing on the established scales (and new gauges that were not likely to be manufactured), they would use a gauge that was readily available: O-gauge, which they knew would work outside. Doing so gave them access to the wheels, mechanisms, and track products they needed.

Then, they went on to develop their own new scale. Here is how they likely reasoned employing the gauge first version of the equation we developed earlier:

Model Gauge ÷ Prototype Gauge = Scale

Using O gauge, they filled in the numbers:

32 mm (British O gauge) ÷ 2 feet = 16mm/foot

This new scale they created – 16 mm Scale – has a scale ratio of 1:19, a size between the established Scales 3 (1:22.5) and 4 (1:16). After nearly a half century of decline, 16 mm Scale represented the first new activity in the larger scales. Apparently, the larger scales were not as moribund as they seemed to be after WW II.

Today in Britain, 16 mm Scale – roughly 5/8 inch per foot — is often referred to as SM32 (Sixteen Millimeter scale/32 mm gauge).

One very important thing to note: these were modelers, not manufacturers, coming up with a new scale and a new approach to the hobby.

Their strategy can be summed up as follows: #1 modeling in the garden, which offered them room to run larger models; #2 using a larger scale so that their models would be big enough to house the motors available at that time; and #3 most importantly, adopting an existing gauge from another scale to give them gauge-related products.

A Gauge-First Modeling Strategy for Large-Scale:

Adopting a gauge developed for another scale has proven to be an extremely successful strategy for other large scale activities over the years. Lehmann took an approach similar to that of the 16 mm modelers when they adopted Gauge One to model meter gauge prototypes in Scale 3.

(scale ratio 1:22.5)

45 mm ÷ 1 meter = 13.55 mm per foot

Somewhat later, American modelers developed 2 scales new to model railroading when they adopted Gauge One to model both 3 and 2 foot narrow gauge prototypes:

(scale ratio 1:20.3)

45 mm ÷ 3 feet = 15 mm per foot,

and using the old dimension for Gauge One

(scale ratio 1:13.7)

1-3/4 inch ÷ 2 feet = 7/8 inch per foot.

Other modelers have adopted Gauge One to model 42 inch prototypes:

(scale ratio 1:24)

1-3/4 inch ÷ 3-1/2 feet = 1/2 inch per foot.

Modelers using O gauge like the 16 mm modelers revealed additional narrow gauge modeling opportunities. Combining O gauge with Scale 1 worked for meter gauge — a new use for an old scale:

(scale ratio 1: 32)

1-1/4 inch ÷ 3-1/4 feet = 3/8 inch per foot.

Combining O gauge with 1/2 inch scale worked for 30 inch gauge — a new use for another old scale:

(scale ratio 1: 24)

1-1/4 inch ÷ 2-1/2 feet = 1/2 inch per foot.

The result of these developments was that Large-Scale quickly accumulated 6 scales (1:19, 1:22.5, 1:20.3, 1:13.7, 1:24, and 1:32) used with only 2 gauges (Gauge One and O gauge). While 6 scales is a far cry from the two dozen mentioned at the start of this article, these 6 are not the only ones possible as a result of gauge-first thinking. What we have seen is that most of these efforts were begun without manufacturer support: modelers (on their own) finding ways to accurately model their favorite prototypes by borrowing gauge-related resources from other scales. (That was, by the way, the strategy used by both On30 and HOn30 pioneer modelers.)

A gauge-first way of thinking has given us a key to unlock what is going on in Large-Scale and has revealed some important points:

1. Scale is not the only way to develop new activities in the hobby; gauge works just as well, especially for Large-Scale.

1. 1. Model Gauge ÷ Prototype Gauge = Scale

1. A gauge developed in one scale to model standard gauge prototypes can be used in a larger scale to model narrow gauge. The 16 mm modelers realized this fact allowed them to use readily available O gauge products. As a result, they could get their activity going without manufacturer support (except those “unwitting” O scale manufacturers).
2. Each of the scales developed or adopted offered modelers a new and different opportunity to enjoy the hobby — many related to accurate modeling of a specific prototype. The more scales they tried; the more opportunities they discovered.

(All rights reserved by the author)

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