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How to Convert Scales on Garden Railroad
Alan asks readers:
“I have a garden railway 16mm narrow gauge scale. I would like to know what is the nearest scale for vehicles. I have worked out 1/19 is approx nearest. Does anyone agree? This is not a popular scale for cars, lorries etc. Your suggestions are welcome.”
2 Responses to How to Convert Scales on Garden Railroad
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A scale of 16mm to the foot is 1:19.
But gauge and scale are two different things ! The same gauge of track can be standard gauge for one scale, but narrow gauges for the next scales up.
The suppliers / manufacturers of your trains may supply the same scale vehicles, and / or could give you a list of suppliers of matching items.
There are many vehicle model kits at 1:24, which might reasonably visually fit in the background.
Depending on your required level of detail, you will find many suitable items in toyshops (take a ruler !), which can easily be modified for greater accuracy if required.
Wikipedia says “Contemporary children’s play dollhouses are mostly in 1:18 (or 2/3″) scale”, so you may find items of interest from those suppliers.
Scale is the size in comparison of the proto type I model in HO. That is 1/87th of the size of proto type. N scale is suppose to be 1/160 I believe. S Scale is about 1/64, Lionel is about 1/48 and G scale is about 1/24. Your vehicles for these scales if modeled correctly will be in the scale of your trains. Like John Deere Tractors that are sold as toys, are 1/64 and 1/48 (the ones I have seen) But it is appropriate to use similar scales such as a 1’/72 scale model plane for you airport scene. The scale between 1/72 and 1/87 are very close and if not put right next to each other will not likely be noticed. The same thing will work for your scale. Take a ruler with you like Frank says and go for close. It will be close enough. I go get tractor semis for my train layout. I have picked up a lot of trailers for my train loads but never had very many tractors. So I have been going to a consignment shop where someone has cast semi tractors in the cast toy car boxes. These tractors are close enough and a little paint will make them as good as the actual scale. Besides, Why do I want to pay 15 to 20 dollars for a scale model semi tractor that is not going to even run. I am finding them for 50 cents a piece from Newman.