@Mixed Freight posted:"O-Gauge" trains are any trains that run on track that is gauged at 1-1/4" between the rails. Since "O-Gauge" trains originally started out as toy trains, the "scale"of O-gauge trains can be all over the place. Most commonly it ranges anywhere from 1/48 (1/4" = 1'-0") scale to 1/64 scale (3/16" = 1'-0").
Virtually all 3-rail O-gauge trains, with their "lobster claw" couplers can be run together, regardless of their actual scale or manufacturer. Whether or not the various sizes look good together is up to the individual. Generally, toy train operators aren't too concerned with mixing scales on the layouts, while folks with more of an eye for prototype fidelity tend to run like sizes together.
Believe it or not, your Mickey's Holiday To Remember 4-4-0 American-style General locomotive with wood tender is actually larger than 1/48 scale!
Not sure how much larger, I've never taken the time to do some measuring, calculating, and guestimating at its approximate scale, but it is definitely larger than 1/48. The boxcar appears to be a traditional-sized car, somewhere between 1/48 and 1/55 scale. The gondola and caboose maybe about the same?
Your Christmas Legacy ES44AC is listed as "O-Gauge" because it will run on O-gauge track. It may or may not be built to a true 1/48 scale. I don't own one, so I don't know. But it still may fit in just fine, looks-wise, with your current stuff. It all depends on what you think.
Ok, I get that it says O Gauge because it will run on O Gauge track. But that tells you very little given how I just showed that they divide O Gauge into two categories. Look at this for example: CHRISTMAS OPERATING FREIGHT TERMINAL SKU: 6-37965. That has the Scale listed as "traditional." That's at least a bit more helpful.
I did notice this year that my Disney Berkshire O Gauge seems smaller than my Mickey's Holiday to Remember 4-4-0. It's much, much heavier than the 4-4-0 too. The Gondola appears to me to be Lionel's traditional O Gauge. I measured the length and height and it is the same as my other gondola rolling stock I purchased (LIONELVILLE TREE TRANSPORT O27 GONDOLA WITH CHRISTMAS TREES SKU: 6-26061). Which makes sense because Lionel is just taking the same Gondola and putting various paint jobs on them. It wouldn't make sense to have more than two sizes in O Gauge.
The ES44AC is very long. Specs say 052 minimum curve. I'm running some 031 curve and definitely will be using 036. I still think it would likely be ok in terms of derailing since I'm running straight sections in the middle of my corner curves. But I wouldn't want to purchase a made to order piece then figure out after I got it that it looks terrible on my setup. That's the biggest problem. If I could merely order it on amazon, put in on the track and return it no questions asked, then we wouldn't be having this conversation.
