All "G", IIm and Bachmann Large Scale trains use 45mm gauge track and can be operated together. In some cases couplers might differ.

IIm is 1/22.5 scale on 45mm gauge track representing metre gauge prototypes. Bachmann Large Scale is, for non-Thomas items, either 1/22.5 scale (Big Haulers) or 1/20.3 scale (Spectrum). I don't know the scale of the Thomas items. As previously stated , all Bachmann Large Scale uses 45mm gauge scale.

"G" is a confusing term.  Some use it for 1/22.5 scale, others for any scale running on 45mm gauge track. Other scales include 1/24, 1/29 and 1/32 as well as those mentioned.

Many people mix scales on 45mm gauge track. This can involve  operating trains of different scales at different times, or mixing  scales together at the same time. Of course different scales together may look odd, that is up to you. The Bachmann Thomas Large Scale should be able to operate with any existing IIm, G or Large Scale equipment you may have.   Whether they would  look OK together is for you to decide.

Hamish

"T" is not the smallest model train available, but it may be the smallest with motors in the trains themselves. A company makes 1/900 scale trains that are powered by a belt under the track, so the train can only run round in circles or ovals. Tiny scenic layouts with operating trains are available.

Some years ago (early 1990s?) in Europe HZ scale was prodiced,  1/440 on I think 3.25 mm gauge track. I don't know much about them or how they were powered and  I don't think they lasted long.

I/900 could provide a fairground set up for Z scale (track would be about 13 or 14 inch gauge) and a small ride on railroad in N (roughly 7 inch gauge track).

Hamish

I have now found out that turnouts (switches or points depending where you are) are to become available fot T gauge. Doesn't alter my view that T is really too small except to add movement to a model city or other scene - it is hard to tell what the trains are because of their size. Others may disagree.

Hamish

I saw one of these recently at a model train show here in Australia. They are very very small! They are made by a Japanese company and buildings etc (Japanese prototypes) are also available. No switches , as yet anyway, so operation is limited. Only commuter EMUs are currently available. Main use would seem to be in building a model city or etc. and providing it with operating trains for movement, rather than as a model railroad with a full range of operations. I should imagine shunting movements and etc. could be difficult.

Another use is as a basis for a miniature, fairground or park railway in a larger scale. The company making them is apparently bringing out a 1/32 scale children's ride on park railroad set. This will represent a gauge of about 3 and a half inches, at the very small end of ride on park railroad gauges. In HO 3mm is about 10 and a half inches, a good gauge I would have thought for a fairground set up.  So perhaps an enterprising scratch builder could use it as the basis for an HO scenic accessory.

An interesting novelty and each to his or her own, but I can't see Bachmann rushing to make these just yet!

Hamish

Jim

Yes - that is the same information from the same person - I had forgotten that it had been previously posted here.

I tested my link before posting and it worked, now it doesn't - such are the ways of the internet!

Hamish

Interesting topic.

Part of the difference is clearly due to different conditions e.g.

Longer distances - less use of steam tank locos in the USA than UK, Europe

Rougher track, especially in early days as railroads pioneered areas in the USA - development of  the American 4-4-0

Need for heavy loads over long distances - large steam locos such as Big Boys etc., in the UK and most European countries there was simply not the need for these locos.

Greater population densities and shorter distances between centres in Europe and the UK than the USA - greater electrification in Europe and  quicker development of very fast trains (note Japan, the home of very fast passenger trains fits this well) .
This may also partly explain differences in diesel loco design - in Europe Hood bodies are not common and cabs at each end are - smaller trains running shorter distances may be hauled by a single loco that runs in both directions without being turned - in the USA 2 or 3 locos may well be used, thus they need only one cab each.

However while these factors and others explain some of the differences they do not explain it all - people in different countries may simply have different ideas about what looks good and how to do things. As others have said - this is what makes the world an interesting place.

Hamish

Quote from: vroc3349 on August 05, 2009, 10:55:35 AM
Actually, it's listed right on this site.
Click on the SPECTRUM link above, select On30, select steam locos and it's the last item on page 4.

vroc3349

Yes I missed that. Funny, if you go through the Products button on the left of the screen C&S #21 does not appear, if you go through the Spectrum button it does. Time to tidy up the site I think.

On neither listing is there any mention of C&S #21 being DCC equipped, and this is shown in all listings for those locos with DCC.  So we must assume it does not have DCC.

People have been anticipating an updated 2-6-0 for just about as long as people have been anticipating a Heisler. Maybe they will arrive together!

Hamish

The C&S #21 is in the 2009 Bachmann Catalogue which is available for downloading from the home page of this site - scroll though the featured products pages until you find it. No picture is shown.

I have not seen one but I would expect it to be simply a new run of the existing 2-6-0 with a different number - the previous C&S version was #22 and that did not have a bear trap stack. There is no suggestion that C&S #22 differs from other versions, it has the same general description and is the same MSRP as the carried over versions (unlettered and bumblebee). However we will have to wait until one arrives to be sure.

On another note - it is about time that Bachmann updated the product pages on this site - they do not reflect the changes in the 2009 Bachmann catalogue released in February let alone the NMRA convention announcements.

Hamish

A well known guide to ON30 radius is that of Prof Kryzylr (an Australian ON30 modeller). See http://train-model.neuf.fr/on30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius.pdf

Of course whether a particular loco looks OK on a tight curve is entirely up to you, if you think it looks OK, it is, if you think it doesn't, it isn't.

Hamish

In relatin to the Backwoods Miniatures NGG 16 360GBP (US$ 596) is the kit price, the ready-to-run version is 1300 GBP or US $2154. There are only a small number of ready-to-run  models being made. The kits are for serious modellers, not beginners.

True, apart from a few classes, generally in wider gauges (metre gauge, 42 inches or standard) each type of garratt was made in only a few examles, often for the same line. But much the same could be said about geared locomotives, Shays, Climaxes etc.  Garrats were quite widely used, would people , especially those modelling freelanced lines, accept a Garrat not the same as the ones that operated in their area? It does happen with geared locomotives.

I don't know whether there would be a sufficient market to justify a more mass produced model than those available to date (whether NGG 16 or some other) but I suspect the market  would be greater than just those modelling the prototype line of the model. I would buy any small garratt but I do not wish to tackle the kit and can't afford the Backwoods ready-to  model.  However, as I said before, I am not holding my breath.

Hamish

Interestingly Bachmann made their Large Scale Heisler lettered for Lukens Steel. The model  had outside bearings. Lukens Steel did have 2 Heislers for 30 inch gauge! I am not sure how close the Bachmann Large Scale model was to the Lukens Steel 30 inch gauge prototypes. I know of no other 30 inch gauge prototype Heislers but there may be some.

Hamish

For anyone interted in Garratts http://users.powernet.co.uk/hamilton/ has details of all Garratts made and many photos! A great reference site.

I would love to see a small ON30 Garratt of some type made - but I am not holding my breath.

Hamish

Quote from: Melinda on July 11, 2009, 02:08:50 PM
I'd rather see On30 versions of the Jackson & Sharp-type excursion cars (already available from Bachmann in HO). They're more old-time-y looking than the newly announced ones.

The new HO Bachmann cars may be based on modern tourist cars but they are not unlike excursion cars used by some lines during the days of regular service. One issue with the HO Jackson and Sharpe cars is that the seats are fixed so the cars can really only be run in one direction. If they were to be made in ON30 I would hope that the seats would be reversible, or arranged in bays.

Personally I prefer the type with longitudinal seats, but of course this is a matter of preference.

I know there are kits, but some people prefer ready to run.

Hamish

Bashing fantasy locomotives is an aspect of the hobby that appeals to some, and good luck to them. However, and this may only be me, I see little point in buying someone-elses fantasy. Surely the idea is to imagine and create your own fantasy locomotive? If its not a model of an actual loco (or near enough) I want it to be my fantasy.

Interesting that Mr Riley should even mention making a 1:45 scale loco. 1:45 is a common European O scale and fits in between the American (1:48) and British (1:43) scales. If a product was being made to appeal across the various O scales  1:45 would make sense as it is requires less compromise than 1:48 scale if you are in 1:43, or 1:43 if you are modelling in 1:48. Does this mean that Bachmann are at least contemplating an international narrow gauge range aimed to appeal world wide? If so a Garratt would be an obvious choice.

Hamish

In a thread below there was an off topic discussion of tank locomotives that understandably annoyed the thread originator. However as it is an interesting topic I have started this thread. In the earlier posts suggested that there were no standard gauge main of branch line tank locos in the USA apart from switchers. Although tank locomotives were much less common in North America compared to the UK, Europe or even Australia there were some. A common use world wide for tank locomotives was for suburban passenger (commuter) services. The CNJ  had 2-6-2t and 4-6-4t locomotives for this. The Boston and Albany used  4-6-6t s in suburban service. In Canada both the Candian Pacific and Canadian National had 4-6-4t locos.

Forneys are a type of tank locomotive. They were used on standard gauge elevated lines before these were electrified. They were also sometimes used on other duties, e.g. the Illinois Central had 2-4-4t locomotives in suburban service.

Mason bogies are also tank locomotives. While most commonly associated with narrow gauge there were standard gauge examples.

I have no doubt that there were other USA and Canadian standard gauge tank locomotives used in roles other than switching or industrial use.

Hamish