1/20th Vs. 1/24th Vehicles

The problem is that your LGB stuff and buildings are 1:22.5, so the 1:20th Hubley looks large. (No idea what thread would tell you 1:20th! Piko and LGB never did anything that size.)

 

Hi, Pete! So, in your opinion, which scale for vehicles should I stick with? I already checked before buying any cars, or posting this, and I couldn't find any period vehicles offered in the 1:22.5 scale.

So I guess that I'm stuck with either 1/24th or 1/20th for my trains.

 

Go with what you like and what fits with your stuff.

Jason.

 

The actual scale in G-scale varies a bit- depends to a degree on the type of trains you run.
LGB advertises their scale at 1:22.5, many of their narrow gauge items are close to that scale but the Stainz for instance is closer to 1:19 and the LGB Ge 4/4 II and Ge 4/4 III RhB locos are pretty much at 1:24.
LGB standard gauge equipment is around 1:26 scale.
The automobiles that LGB uses on their car carriers are 1:24 so that is what I use - there is also a very large selection of cars in that scale which is nice.


Aristocraft and USA Trains is mostly 1:29 scale but Aristo also offered a group of items at 1:24 scale.
Piko is almost all standard gauge - they don't specify the scale but it's typically around 1:27 except for a few items where they acquired the old MDC molds, those are 1:32.
And on the other end of the scale, Bachmann hasa lot of US narrow gauge at 1:20.3 scale.

 

Thanks for the replies! I have G Scale equipment from several different companies including LGB ,Piko,Pola,Bachmann,Aristocraft,Lionel, USA Trains,and Hartland.
So, you're right about the different scale sizes of these trains.
I am looking for a "happy medium" scale size for the vehicles that will look good with all the various scale trains,and the Pola buildings.
All these scale differences are a little confusing, and also a little frustrating when you're trying to match up static scenery(buildings,trains, plants,trees,people,etc.) to go with these mostly moving trains!
I guess that the best thing to do is try to match the buildings as best as I can,and the trains will take care of themselves . LOL!
Here's the 1:22.5 scale figure that I call "George".He's made by Bachmann for their G Scale equipment.
I was a little surprised to find that he's way to large to fit in the Hubley Depot Hack.

I thought that 1/20 scale is larger than 1:22.5 scale.
What scale size people do you put inside 1/20th,or 1/24th scale vehicles?
Andrew

 

Here's George seated in the rear of the Hubley ,which is next to my LGB #4175 Drovers Caboose.
It doesn't look too bad next to the caboose.

 

Andrew;

Vehicles and figures can be a challenge. In the attached photo the VW and the figures (Lionel LS) are about 1:24. The trailer (MDC powered via an Athearn HO motor) may be a slightly larger scale. They are still close enough to work well together. I bought the powered speeder trailer to propel the "bug" along the track. Large scale uses higher voltages on their power supplies, but that is not a problem, as the 12V motor usually propels the assembly at a good pace between 9 to 10V.

Then there are the figures. Real people can bend and scrunch themselves into small spaces. (Well MOST of the time!) Plastic, resin, and white metal figures cannot. Not much shows through those windows. Both of the occupants are double leg amputees with perhaps some parts of arms missing. All is well, JUST DON'T OPEN THE DOORS!

Best, David Meashey

 

Nice bug and trailer set up,Dave.

I don't think that your solution for the figure will work as cutting the legs off of "George" isn't an option since these are open vehicles that do not have doors.
Good idea for more modern vehicles, and kind of funny, but I'll have to pass.
Thanks again , Dave!
Andrew

 

All of my trains and buildings are 1/20 scale. My vehicles are 1/24 to 1/18 and I place them where the look right for the location. People come from hobby shops, conventions, Christmas decorations, on line etc. They are also placed where they fit the scene. Different sizes are used to fit the vehicles and trains and often have to be modified to fit properly. So basically my trains and buildings are the same scale but my vehicles and people are what ever size the works for the application.

 

The Piko/Pola buildings scale varies as well. The US Western-style buildings work out very well in 1:20.3 based on the height of architectural details like doors and windows. The Hubley/Gabriel cars look quite at home parked next to them. The European stuff scales a bit smaller, though not outrageously so. Again, look at door heights as a guide to scale.

The LGB equipment you're running is going to be smaller in stature, so the 1:20 cars would look comparatively large right next to the trains. There are some specific LGB models (locos, particularly) which are apropos for 1:20.3, but they're models of small locos.

Personally, if I were to place autos around the railroad, I would match the auto to the scene it's in. If it's next to a building which scales favorably in 1:20.3, then use the 1:20autos. If the building is smaller, then go with smaller cars. Forced perspective can come into play as well. I'm not a huge fan of forced perspective outdoors because that generally only works where there are limited viewing angles. Many of our garden railroads are built to walk around, thus viewed from all different angles. What is "background" becomes "foreground," and you don't want that to be smaller than the background.

Later,

K