IBLS Track Standard: Difference between revisions
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<tr><td>Scale</td><td>Ratio</td><td>Standard Gauge</td><td>Notes</td></tr> | <tr><td>Scale</td><td>Ratio</td><td>Standard Gauge</td><td>Notes</td></tr> | ||
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<tr><td>1.5"</td><td>1:8</td><td>7 1⁄2 in<br>190.5 mm</td><td>Used in the Western parts of the USA.</td></tr> | <tr><td>1.5"</td><td>1:8</td><td>7 1⁄2 in<br>190.5 mm</td><td>Used in the Western parts of the USA.</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td></td><td>1:7.5</td><td>7 1⁄2 in<br>190.5 mm</td><td>1.6in=1ft. Used in the USA, often finer-scale. Uses 7.5in gauge.</td></tr> | <tr><td>1.6"</td><td>1:7.5</td><td>7 1⁄2 in<br>190.5 mm</td><td>1.6in=1ft. Used in the USA, often finer-scale. Uses 7.5in gauge.</td></tr> | ||
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Revision as of 00:58, 2 February 2013
Scale | Ratio | Standard Gauge | Notes |
00 | 1:67 | 16.5 mm 0.650 in | Hornby produced.Generally regarded as the smallest scale for live steam. |
O | 1:45 | 32 mm 1.260 in | Popularly used for the small scale live steam. |
No. 1 | 1:32 | 45 mm 1.772 in | Popularly used for the small scale live steam. Corresponds to NEM 1 or NMRA #I. |
No. 3 1/2" | 1:22.6 | 63.5 mm 2 1⁄2 in | The smallest scale able to pull real passengers. Was one of the first popular live steam gauges, developed in England in the early 1900s. In terms of model railway operation, "Gauge '3' " is the largest (standard gauge) scenic railway modelling scale, using a scale of 13.5mm to the foot. The Gauge '3' Society represents this aspect of 2½" gauge railway modelling with both electric and live steam operation. Gauge '3' corresponds to NEM II scale, also known as 'Spur II' in Germany.
The National 2.5" Association continues to support live steam passenger hauling in 2.5" gauge using MES Tracks. They use a 'scale' appropriate to the original prototype modelling both standard and narrow gauge locomotives to run on 2.5" track. |
3/4" | 1:16 | 3 1⁄2 in 89 mm | A worldwide garden railroad scale. Corresponds to NEM III and NMRA 3/4". |
1" | 1:12 | 4 3⁄4 in 121 mm | North America specific scale corresponding to NMRA 1" scale. 1:12 is one of the most popular backyard railway scales. |
1" | 1:11 | 5 in 127 mm | Used outside North America. Corresponds to NEM V. One of the most popular garden railway scales. |
1.5" | 1:8 | 7 1⁄4 in 184 mm | Used in North-Eastern USA, Canada and the world outside North America. Corresponds to NEM VII. |
1.5" | 1:8 | 7 1⁄2 in 190.5 mm | Used in the Western parts of the USA. |
1.6" | 1:7.5 | 7 1⁄2 in 190.5 mm | 1.6in=1ft. Used in the USA, often finer-scale. Uses 7.5in gauge. |
Background
From http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,2249399
Date: 08/08/10 08:05
Many thanks to Mike ONeill of Parker, CO for providing some general info on Live Steam track gauges. In the United States and Canada, no one could ever come together and "standardize" on what certain scale gauges should really be, which was unfortunate. Some examples: The standard gauges as adopted by the NMRA years ago for the small live steam railroads are--- 2 1/2 inch (1/2" scale); 3 1/2 inch (3/4" scale), and 4 3/4 inch (1" scale)... In the UK and Canada, 5 inch gauge represents 1" scale...
In the Western U.S. the gauge for 1 1/2" scale is 7 1/2 inch gauge. In the Eastern U.S. the gauge for this same scale is 7 1/4 inches. The same in Canada. Neither gauge is truly correct for the scale involved. For the absolute "purist", the gauge for 1 1/2 inch scale works out to 7 1/16 inches.
This is really a shame because Live Steamers in different parts of the country are "restricted" on whose tracks they can visit and run on. Many years ago, one of the older GGLS members in Oakland, CA built an absolute stunning model of a STEAM locomotive as well as a Steeple-cab locomotive that drew power from either Overhead wire or outside 3rd rail (a 'la SN) and a large beautifully constructed wood caboose. His name was Louis Lawrence and he resided in West Oakland. However. he could ONLY operate his beautiful creations in his own backyard. Why ?? Because for some strange reason he built them with a track gauge of 6 3/8 inches.
The track gauge on Erich Thomsen's "Redwood Valley Railroad" was originally 12 inches before he enlarged it to the current 15 inches.
Anyway, even with early-day intervention by some of the IBLS secretaries, the gauge drama still lingers on. If you are a Live Steam hobbyist, you RUN where you can.
- Cheers.
- KEN SHATTOCK
- Secretary
- North American Region
- International Brotherhood of Live Steamers