View source for G scale

{{Short description|Model railroad gauge}}
{{more footnotes|date=October 2017}}
{{For|the musical scale|G major}}
{{distinguish|K-index#G-scale}}
{{Infobox model rail scale
| name =G gauge
| image_filename =
| image_caption =
| widthpx =300px
| scale =
| standard = {{plainlist|
* [[G-scale LGB|LGB]]
* [[Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen|NEM]] 010<ref name="nem-010-2014"/>
* [[National Model Railroad Association|NMRA]] S-1.3<ref name="nmra-s1.3">{{cite report|url=https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/S-1.3%202009.07.pdf|series=[[National Model Railroad Association]] NMRA Standards|title=S-1.3 Standards for Scales with deep flanges|format=Standard|year=2009|page=1|quote=The term {{abbr|LS|Large Scales}} (Large Scales) is used to refer to range of scales developed to be able to be operated together, typically in an outdoors setting, for example a garden. LS models all use the same wheel and track profiles to facilitate interchange.}}</ref>
* [[National Model Railroad Association|NMRA]] S-3.3<ref name="nmra-s3.3">{{cite report|url=https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/S-3.3%202010.02.24.pdf|series=[[National Model Railroad Association]] NMRA Standards|title=S-3.3 Standards, Guarded Track, for Deep Flanges|format=Standard|year=2010|page=2|quote=Large Scales … covers all common commercial scales running on {{abbr|LS|Large Scale}} 45mm gauge track (1:32, 1:29, 1:24, 1:22.5, and 1:20.3) without regard as to whether the trains are [[standard gauge|standard]] or [[narrow gauge]].}}</ref>
}}
| ratio =1:22.5
| gauge = {{convert|1.75|in|mm|round=5|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="nem-010-2014">{{cite report|url=https://www.morop.eu/downloads/nem/de/nem010_d.pdf|series=[[Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen]] NEM|title=Maßstäbe, Nenngrößen, Spurweiten|trans-title=Scales, nominal sizes, gauges|number=NEM 010|format=Specification|date=2011|page=1|language=de|quote=[[1 gauge|I]]/IIm/IIIe/Vi/Vilp … Modell-Spurweiten 45mm {{citefrac|1|3|4}} Zoll.  (6) Für große Spurweiten ist auch die Angabe in Zoll üblich.}}</ref>
| prototype_gauge ={{RailGauge|1000mm|allk=on}}
}}
[[File:1-29 G-Scale Boxcar by Aristo-Craft on G-Gauge Track.jpg|thumb|1:29 G scale boxcar by Aristo-Craft on G gauge track]][[File:1,32 Scale 2-Bay Offset Hopper by Mainline America.jpg|thumb|1:32 scale 2-bay offset hopper by Mainline America]]

In [[railway modelling]], '''G scale''' or '''G gauge''', also called '''large scale''' ({{convert|1+3/4|in|mm|round=5|abbr=in|order=flip|disp=or}}), is a [[track gauge]] which is often used for outdoor [[garden railway]]s because of its size and durability.  G scale trains use a fixed track gauge of {{convert|1.75|in|mm|round=5|order=flip}} to accommodate a range of [[rail transport modelling scales]] between [[narrow gauge]] ([[SE scale|~1:13]]‒[[16 mm scale|1:19]]‒[[F scale (modelling)|1:20]]), [[metre gauge]] ([[LGB (trains)|1:22.5]]), [[Playmobil]] trains ([[1:24 scale|~1:24]]), and [[standard gauge]] (~1:29–[[1 gauge|1:32]]).<ref name="nmra-s3.3"/><ref name="nmra-s1.3"/>

[[G-scale LGB]] ({{lang|de|Lehmann Groß Bahn}}, "Lehmann's Big Train") was introduced in 1968 by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk in Germany.  LGB products were intended for indoor and outdoor use, so the "G" became interpreted as "garden scale". 

Most track is made of [[brass]] which can remain outside in all weather. Track can also be obtained in less expensive [[aluminium]] as well as oxidation-resistant, though more expensive, [[stainless steel]].

Like other scales, large scale is sometimes used for model trains that run indoors on a track mounted against the wall near the ceiling.

==G scale versus G gauge==
{{Main|Rail transport modelling scales}}
G [[Track gauge|gauge]] track has a spacing of 45 mm between the rails, adopted from the pre-existing Gauge 1, but that does not determine the scale to which the models are built because, to maintain a constant track width when real-life counterparts have a variety of railroad gauges, the scale has to vary. The most common full-scale practice uses a spacing of {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}, whereas some [[narrow-gauge railway]]s (serving mines, etc.) have rails only {{RailGauge|36"}} apart. Although often built with standard-sized doors, a narrow-gauge train is in most other respects smaller than its standard-gauge counterpart: its cars are generally narrower and shorter, allowing them to navigate more sharply curved and lightly built tracks.

Model trains are built to represent a real train of standard or narrow gauge.  For example, [[HO scale]] (1:87 or 3.5&nbsp;mm to 1 foot) (and also, although inaccurately, [[OO gauge|double-O/OO]] at 4&nbsp;mm to 1 foot) models all use 16.5&nbsp;mm gauge track to represent [[standard gauge]] trains while a narrower-gauge track such as 9&nbsp;mm N gauge is used to represent real narrow gauge. 

G model railways depart from this and always use the same gauge with the trains instead built in different sizes depending on whether they are intended to represent standard-gauge or narrow-gauge trains. Because of this it might be more correct to speak of "G gauge" rather than "G scale" since the consistent aspect is the gauge, {{RailGauge|45 mm}}, but the term "G scale" (or "scale IIm") is used when 1:22.5 is used.

The 45&nbsp;mm gauge originated from [[1 gauge]] or "gauge one" which was first used in Europe and Britain and used to model standard gauge trains in the scale of 1:32.

[[LGB (trains)|LGB]] were first to adopt the term ''G scale'' and used the gauge of {{RailGauge|45 mm}} to model 1,000&nbsp;mm gauge European trains in 1:22.5 scale.  

=== Scales that run on G gauge track ===
* 1 gauge: 1:32 ({{frac|3|8}} inch to the foot). Used to model standard gauge trains of {{RailGauge|4'8.5"|allk=on}} gauge.
* 1:29 scale or A scale: 1:29. First used by Aristo-Craft to model standard-gauge prototypes. Incorrect scale/gauge but proportionally similar to other popular brands of the time.
* G scale: 1:22.5. Used to model European trains that run on {{RailGauge|1,000 mm}} [[metre gauge]] track. This scale-gauge combination is called "scale IIm" according to [[Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen|NEM]] 010. The ''G'' comes from the German word {{lang|de|groß}} meaning "big".
* H scale (half inch) {{frac|1|2}}-inch-to-the-foot, or 1:24 scale. Used to model {{RailGauge|3 ft 6 in}} gauge or "[[Cape gauge]]". Incorrect scale used for [[3 ft gauge railways|3&nbsp;ft (914&nbsp;mm) gauge]] track.
* F scale (fifteen) 15&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot scale, (1:20.32). Correct scale/gauge typically used to model North American narrow gauge trains on {{RailGauge|3ft}} gauge track.
* Seven eighths: {{frac|7|8}}-inch-to-the-foot scale (1:13.7). Used to model trains on {{RailGauge|2ft}} [[narrow gauge]] track.
* 16&nbsp;mm scale: 16&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot (1:19.05). Originally intended for modelling 2-ft gauge prototype railways on 32&nbsp;mm track (SM32). The models are often re-gauged to also run on 45&nbsp;mm track. This scale has also been used to model {{track gauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} gauge prototype trains.

==Manufacturers==
* Accucraft has five scales: Fn3 at 1:20.3, gauge 1 at 1:32, {{frac|1|2}}-inch scale at 1:24.  They also build 1:29-scale North American models in live steam and electric under the AML brand, as well as British live steam and electric models in 1:19 scale (also called 16&nbsp;mm) and Isle of Man live steam and electric models in 1:20.3 scale. The Isle of Man scale uses three-foot gauge track, the same width as the dominant U.S. Colorado narrow gauge.
* American Model Builders: 1:24
* Aristo-Craft (REA), which closed in 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aristo-Craft/Polks to close its doors {{!}} Garden Railways Magazine|url=https://www.trains.com/grw/news-reviews/news/aristo-craft-polks-to-close-its-doors/|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Trains|language=en-US}}</ref> made two scales: 1:29 and the "Classic" series (generally 1:24 but some models were closer to 1:32 scale).
* Aster (C&S Mogul): 1:32, 1:30 for Japanese prototypes and 1:22.5 for European and Japanese narrow gauge.
* [[Bachmann Industries|Bachmann]]'s "Big Haulers" series: 1:22.5, while their "Spectrum" series is to 1:20.3 scale and their train streetcars: 1:29
* Buddy "L" (Keystone) (modern): 1:22.5 scale (almost identical to Bachmann, except cab is taller), older (legacy) equipment runs on rails spaced {{frac|3|1|4}} inches from the pre WWII era.
* Chicago Train Works: 1:32
* Chucks Custom Cars: 1:22.5
* D.A.N.: 1:22.5
* Delton/Caledonia Express: 1:24 (operated from 1983 to 1990 as Delton; until 1993 as Caledonia<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fallen Flags of Garden Railroading - Delton Locomotive Works|url=https://familygardentrains.com/primer/rolling_stock/fallen_flags/delton/fallen_flags_delton.htm|access-date=2021-10-28|website=familygardentrains.com}}</ref>)
* Eastern Railways: 1:32
* GHB: 1:32
* Great Trains/American Standard: 1:32
* Hartford Products: 1:24 (except SP boxcar and stock car, which are 1:22.5)
* Hartland Locomotive Works products: 1:29 standard-gauge equipment, 1:24 scale narrow-gauge equipment.
* Kalamazoo Toy Train Works: 1:24 (operated from 1980 to the mid-1990s<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fallen Flags of Garden Railroading - Kalamazoo|url=https://familygardentrains.com/primer/rolling_stock/fallen_flags/kalamazoo/fallen_flags_kalamazoo.htm|access-date=2021-10-28|website=familygardentrains.com}}</ref>)
* Keystone: 1:22.5
* [[LGB (trains)|LGB]] (sold to [[Märklin]] in 2007): 1:22.5
* [[Lionel, LLC|Lionel]]: Ready To Play 1:24 (Ready to Run is the same scale but NOT G gauge compatible as it uses 2" wide track)
* Little Railways: 1:20
* [[Mainline America]]: 1:32
* Märklin "Maxi": 1:32
* Model Die Casting: 1:32, except caboose, which is 1:24
* [[MTH Electric Trains|MTH Rail-King]]: 1:32
* Northern Fine Scale Stock: 10&nbsp;mm scale. (British-only freight stock in kit form<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northernfinescale.ca |website=Northern Fine Scale |title=Home}}</ref>)
* Precision scale: 1:32 standard-gauge, 1:24 narrow gauge
* [[PIKO]]: 1:29 (American cars); 1:22.5 (wood-sided passenger cars)
* Roberts Lines (Zephyr): 1:32
* [[USA Trains]]: 1:29 ("Ultimate" series); 1:24 ("American" series)
* Wrightway Rolling Stock: 1:32 and 10&nbsp;mm scale custom-built British North American and European passenger stock.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrightwayrollingstock.com |title=Rolling Stock |website=Wright Way Rolling Stock |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107175914/http://www.wrightwayrollingstock.com/ |archivedate=7 November 2006}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Gn15]] - 1:22.5-scale models of {{RailGauge|15 in}} gauge trains on {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} gauge track
* [[Rail transport modelling scales|Rail transport modelling (Model railway) scales]]
* [[SE scale]], ~1:13-scale models

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://dccwiki.com/G_Scale G Scale at DCCWiki] - Further information for G scales with links to DCC topics.
* [http://www.gscalecentral.net/ G Scale Central Network]

{{Scale models}}
[[Category:Model railroad scales]]
[[Category:Narrow-gauge railway modelling]]