Standard Gauge and G Gauge

Standard gauge is larger at 2 1/8 inches between the rails. G gauge is 45 mm or about 1 3/4 inches between the rails.

Accepted Scale for Standard Gauge:  1:26.59

Accepted Scale for G Gauge: 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:29, 1:32

 1:32 is standard scale/traditional for gauge 1 track

Dave

I think Standard gauge is larger.

Here's a comparison image

There are very few alike locomotives offered in both Standard Gauge and G gauge.

McCoy did a few and just changed the truck gauge.

Most Standard Gauge is based on Main line Locomotives, while most G gauge is based on Narrow Gauge models.

So it is hard to do a side by side comparison of the same model.

I have many Standard Gauge Models and most are smaller than their G gauge brothers.

So while the track is wider in Standard Gauge, most of the engines are much smaller in height.

Also there is no real scale to most Standard Gauge, they are toys, first.

Most Standard Models have to operate on 42 diameter curved track which limits size and how long they can be.

I was wondering the other night what the approximate scale is for standard gauge trains are.   At 1/26 an average today's house of 40' X30' will measure about 18 1/2" X 14".  It's no wonder the accessories and buildings are toy like.  Need a lot of pasture to stay in scale.  Anyone done a 'high rail' standard gauge layout?  Trying to make the scenery realistic and to scale with the trains?  I'm sure some G scalers with a lot of room and passion have done it.  Like a huge mining or logging complex.

The late Tom Snyder did a nice scale looking standard gauge layout. It in now at the NJ Hirailers for viewing.

Steve

I have a bunch of LGB brass G scale track and I have thought several times about salvaging the rail(some flex) and spiking it down to standard gauge width, then run a center rail for power. Not sure about the Standard gauge wheels on the LGB track but would be fun to try it.

Interesting photo comparing G gauge to Standard. I have a friend that has a 2 rail Santa Fe F-3 set, he bought at an auction, it is 2 rail DC with a bridge rectifier in each loco, and one Pittman motor in each. All three units (A-B-A) have one motor and the bridge rectifier, which should pull well, but we can't try it as his Std. track is tinplate, so the outer rails are electrically common. It is an impressive sight, each loco is almost 2 ft long, plus six passenger cars, equally massive. You would need a loop of track the size of a gymnasium to run it properly. 

This could be part of the reason these things are seen outside as garden railways.  Sure, the tomatoes will be out of proportion, but I don't think snow will be.  

Buy "Garden Railways" magazine and see what the G scale people do. It is pretty neat. I had an outdoor G scale  layout but in the north east it was too much work to keep it clean and running. But fun to kit bash cars and making buildings was easy. I have a big squared oval of Standard gauge on the floor of my LR and could easily put down some G scale. I have about 400 ft. of G scale track laying out in the snow. If I had your friend's big train and hand lay some rack for it. Even dismantle Standard gauge for the rails.

I look at G as a seasonal break from being confined to the house in order to enjoy the hobby. Who wants to be in a basement or somewhere else inside when it's a gorgeous summer day? There are G indoor layouts, somewhat smaller than standard gauge. In this clip you can see smaller equipment running. Some days the larger stuff runs. You get an ice tea, pull up a chair and...relax.

electroliner - Your outdoor layout is outstanding.  Very cool.  I really like that, although I can't help but want a waterfall from that pool under a bridge into a koi pond.  The Chicago Botanic Gardens is supposed to have a great garden layout display, with eight G scale trains running in a variety of landscaped scenes.  I'm going to check that out this spring.

Snyder's is stunning.  the NJ Hi Railers have that layout too!!!  Those guys definitely know how to party.  Thanks for sharing.

The unwritten scale for Standard Gauge trains is 7/16". This theory dates back to the 20's and 30's.

ARNO

Are you sure this is not a G gauge Santa Fe set? DeHanes made a Santa Fe set in both Standard Gauge and G gauge. If it is 2-rail, it is most likely G gauge. If you have any pictures and you send them to me I can identify it for you.

DeHanes SG A-B set shown.

ARNO

7/16 to the foot.  Versus 1/4 to the foot for O gauge.  That is handy to know.  Thanks.

So O gauge is narrow gauge ??  OK I can handle that. I noticed that S gauge is half of Standard so I tried S gauge cars on the Standard track and they sort of worked but locos didn't. Don't think the S gauge wheels liked the Standard.

Arno, you are right, that is the set he has, but it isn't G gauge wheel gauge, it fits on Standard gauge track, but needs insulated rails like G gauge, something on the order of Gargraves track with it's wooden ties, so the wheels can pick up AC or DC current, as it has Pittman motors. THey are Dehanes A-B-A, all three units have one powered truck, with a bridge rectifier and manual reverse switch. Thanks for the info. I will take a couple pictures when I next go to his home. 

I'll do my stuttering best to yell, B-I-N-G-O!! Regardless of what others may think. I stand by this statement as well. When one wants to compare size. Next time don't use a Lionel 408. I'll go back to my corner now. Please, carry on!

I've been looking for a couple McCoy Standard Gauge Passenger cars that I can replace the trucks on with G gauge trucks to pull behind my bashed 1:22.5 Heisler.

It's way too pretty to haul log cars!

 Dave

I have got to fire up my LGB/Aster 1:22.5 scale 45mm live steam "Frank S"!

I think "standard" was a messy term in general. Lots of variation if you meant track size, and not scale. I tend to think of them separately.

From 45mm-68mm?. Some 2 rail, some 3rail.

45mm=SE,Fn3,G,U.S.-Gauge2, 1 gauge, 1/2" scale.

50.4mm= other 2 gauge

53.975mm=wide gauge

 I've run HO trains on 0-27. (not very well, straight back & forth(dc) to test is ok, turns not so hot).

?? Good eye! I thought the track just had green inserts. But it looks solid, no ties.

Very similar to PW Lionel uncoupling tracks for Og in looks on the straight sections.

Funny, The last thing I was looking at earlier today, was Toms stuff on YouTube. Just about a half hour before you posted this. 

I run G gauge and Standard gauge side by side on my indoor layout in my garage.  The LGB G gauge is larger in scale than the Standard gauge I operate, but close enough in size for me.  My Standard gauge is the smaller versions like the ready to run Blue Comet set and a 318E.