I didn't say YOU weren't "serious". I didn't say there are no "serious" 1:22.5 (or 1:24) railroads. I said I didn't know of anyone with a garden railroad less than 10 years old who was doing "serious" modeling in those scales. Now I do. That's why I asked. Thank you for your thoughtful answers, those who answered that question thoughtfully.

What's "serious"? In my book, it's attempting to replicate prototypically realistic equipment, buildings, etc. Obviously, 1:24 modelers in New Zealand and 1:22.5 modelers in Germany get a pass. People who make the conscious decision to punt the scale question in deference to other considerations get a pass.

What's "not serious"? Playing trains with shiny plastic equipment right out of the box, on 4' diameter curves, with no regard to what a real railroad would look like. This is an enjoyable hobby in its own right, but not what is generally accepted as railroad modeling. Yes, you have to build some stuff yourself if you model in 1:20 - that IS railroad modeling.

Where's the dividing line between those extremes? Danged if I know. Or care. I didn't start the thread to question your seriousness or make you feel insecure about your choices. I was just curious. I should know better.

Oh Vance, if thats for me, I was kidding BTW, it was supposed to be a pun.

Did nt work, ah well. back to the wings....

Norman,

I'm not sure about the other trucks you mention, but the stock Bachmann trucks can be turned into really nice looking trucks with just a bit of effort.





The springs don't work, and the trucks are still rigid, but they certainly look a lot better than the stock trucks.

Later,

K

Those look good - will have to "go ye forth and do likewise" with mine!

Even though the Bachmann trucks aren't sprung the plastic on mine seems flexible enough to take minor track irregularities.

Guys, here's the thing. I got OUT of the smaller scales because of, to put it bluntly, the scale and prototype police. One thing I loved about LGB, they never really claimed to make anything but great running toy trains.

To ME, modelling is about the creative process, not just fidelity to some formula. I know a guy who is trying to build a perfect scale model of the V&T's Carson City shop building in HO all 130 x 323 feet of it..... no selective compression for him. Knowing his penchant for minute details, it will be impressive. Not my cup of tea, but impressive. Think anybody is going to build one soon in 1:20.3? (got a spare 6.4039408899665 x 15.9113300492610837 foot area doing nothing in the middle of your layout?)
[url]http://www.virginiaandtruckee.com/CarsonCity/images/CCSA%20UNRS-109.jpg[url]

I guess if large scale becomes any more like the smaller scales I'll have to retreat even further (Standard Gauge tinplate maybe?)  Honestly, would you tell your best friend that his wife is ugly? There's a time to respect other people's choices. And there's no 'wrong' way to have fun with toy trains -- unless you're some kind of weird perv.