How do I determine the scale/gauge of my trains

[StevenWheel]

I purchased a Bachmann Casey Jone's Authentic Large Scale Electric Train set in 2000.  I finally have some time to mess with it and am trying to figure out exactly what scale/gauge it is.  I thought when I purchased it, it was a G-scale, but I don't see that anywhere on the box.  I have read about Large Scale (on this message board) but am not sure that really is what I have.

How can I determine this for sure?

Thank you!
Steven Wheeler

[Jon D. Miller]

From what you describe it sounds like a 1:22.5 scale Big Hauler set. Gauge is 45mm.

One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

[StevenWheel]

So it is G scale
Thanks!

smw

[andyb]

I get confused about this whole gauge scale issue and I've found you can't just say 'ah so it is g scale' without further qualification...

as I understand it - and I'm sure the others will correct me - 'G' isn't actually a scale - it's a gauge (45mm) - but is different things to different folk, dependant upon what they are modelling and which supplier they use.

A scale is actually a ratio rather than a gauge, and there are a number of scales that use 45mm track

For example (in the UK at least) 10mm scale uses 45mm scale track but is known as Gauge 1 and represents standard gauge at a scale of 1:32  - confusingly, Aristocraft (in the US) also use 45mm gauge track but have adopted 1:29 as the scale - but still representing 'standard gauge' trains.

LGB and others including the Bachmann 'Big Haulers' series use 1:22.5 as the scale, which models metre gauge (3 foot 3 and a bit) in real life (although the Big Haulers are supposed to represent 3 foot gauge prototypes);

whereas Fn3 scale also uses 45mm gauge track but represents true 3 foot narrow gauge at a scale of 1:20.3 (Bachmann's 'Spectrum' range for example);

there's also 1:24 and 16mm scales that can use G gauge track - others too...

To add to the confusion some manufacturers state 'G gauge' or 'Gauge 1' on the box but don't state a scale... or worse still actually state 'G Scale' on the box!

Confused yet?

Andy