Narrow Gauge

[The train kid]

Been working on some 1/25 scale model cars and a new diorama idea came to mind but it involves using narrow gauge engine and I was wondering for true narrow gauge trains is there narrow gauge track? Like 3ft. Gauge compared to standard gauge trains? And if there is would I have to make it or could I get the track and locomotive from somewhere?

[armorsmith]

Kid,

For the diorama you are working on, you have chosen scale well. If generic narrow gauge is acceptable, standard 45mm gauge 'G' scale track will reresent approximately a 42" narrow gauge at 1:24/25.  There are many options, depending on level of detail, that you can go for.

A standard Bachmann Ten Wheeler (4-6-0) is modeled after the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina RR, a prototype three foot narrow gauge. Most Bachmann rolling stock it scaled at 1:22.5/24, right in your range.

45mm track as standard gauge (56.5" gauge) scales out to 1:32, which will be a bit small for your automobiles, although there are a fair number of large scale modelers that ignore the difference.

If scale fidelity is the order of the day and three foot narrow gauge is the target, then the autos will be a bit smallish, as the track will scale out at 1:20.3. The Bachmann Spectrum line of locos and rolling stock are scaled at 1:20.3.

Hope this general commentary gets you headed in the direction you desire.

Bob C.

[zubi]

The Train Kid, as it happens, 1:25 is a popular scale among builders of narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock from paper. The hobby is particularly popular in Poland although there may be paper modellers in Germany too. They are capable of doing pretty amazing models. Some 'kits' are listed here: http://www.mojehobby.pl/catalog/1-25-298185.html and http://sklep.gpm.pl/modele-kartonowe/kolejki/1/25

I could identify a narrow gauge Davenport with a tank car, if you are interested in US prototypes. http://www.mojehobby.pl/products/Amerykanska-waskotorowa-lokomotywa-spalinowa-Davenport-z-wagonem-cysterna.html  And the Jupiter 4-4-0 http://gpm.pl/galeria-uzytkownikow/lokomotywa-central-pacyfic-no-60-jupiter-w-skali-125

Majority of these models are of course of European prototypes. I am not aware of any producer of plastic or metal models in 1:25, but there were a few who made narrow gauge stuff in 1:24 These were produced in large quantities and are easy to come by secondhand (Delton, Aristocraft, etc).

Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Hi Kid,

I thought the paper model of the Jupiter was interesting:
http://www.mojehobby.pl/products/JUPITER-amerykanski-parowoz-z-II-polowa-XIX-wieku.html

Mainly I would agree with Bob that the 1:22.5 ish Bachmann 4-6-0 would be visually compatible with the 1:25th diorama you are building.  I use 1:24th scale buildings and vehicles and they look great with the Bachmann 4-6-0, and I believe your 1:25th will as well.

Loco Bill

[zubi]

Some of these models are real work of 'art' or 'love' or 'madness';-). Judge this for yourself, on these couple of examples (all in 1:25)
http://s227.photobucket.com/user/Precyzyjny/library/ty2?sort=3&page=1
http://s227.photobucket.com/user/Precyzyjny/library/Pu29?sort=2&page=1
http://www.konradus.com/forum/read.php?f=1&i=122183&t=122183&filtr=1&page=1
http://forum.modelarstwo.info/threads/precyzyjny-pu29-najwi%C4%99kszy-polski-parow%C3%B3z-metr-szcz%C4%99%C5%9Bcia.8175/
http://www.konradus.com/forum/read.php?f=1&i=178495&t=178495&filtr=0&page=5
Remember, this is all from paper, with perhaps a minor help of a piece of wire here and there.
Kind of Polish origami;-)...? In 1:25 mainly.
Best wises from Tokyo, Zubi