Battery operated loco"s.

[maxi-model]

Lionel makes some "G Scale" battery operated train sets with remote control. Scale is roughly 1:24. Here is a VIDEO of one of their train sets and be found on-line in the US for $80.

Update: It apparently doesn't fit on standard G gauge track like LGB. Too wide.

Thanks for updating Rodger - The peril of that misnomer that is "G Scale" - one needs to be clear about track gauge and scales or you find companies like Lionel seeking to bolster sales by latching onto a popular term for larger scale products to make extra sales. Leaving a load of miffed customers up a blind alley and possibly put off the wider possibilities that this hobby may have to offer them.

And here is the review thread of the "Chinese radio control G Scale locomotive" in the Ebay listing from this very site.

Newqida Rc Locomotive 2-6-2t, Recommended?

Hi everyone! Lately I've been a bit short of time to get out and run the railway, I use Analog control, and set it up as and when I need it. So have been thinking about getting some cost effective RC locos, to use when I'm a bit pushed for time, plus something that maybe younger family members...

www.gscalecentral.net

Both come up at the top of a Google search, at least certainly from my location in the UK. Max

 

[dunnyrail]

Not sure that it will create ‘memories that will last a lifetime’ and what is a Gondoooola? But a workmanlike Set that is a great start, yes the scale looks more 1:32/29 ish to me but eminently usable and a great starting point for a Narrow Gauge Conversion. New Cab, Higher Chimney and perhaps a Wider Tender and you are sorted. Looks great value for the price.

 

[RogerK]

Not sure that it will create ‘memories that will last a lifetime’ and what is a Gondoooola? But a workmanlike Set that is a great start, yes the scale looks more 1:32/29 ish to me but eminently usable and a great starting point for a Narrow Gauge Conversion. New Cab, Higher Chimney and perhaps a Wider Tender and you are sorted. Looks great value for the price.

Technically, she didn't say they would be "good" memories ...
The plastic track it runs on has a gauge of 2 inches. Seems it would be hard to kit bash.
Gondola = Open Wagon

Another update: Lionel actually refers to the gauge as "Ready to Play" rather than G Gauge. They used to make similar products in G gauge such as the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express shown in this VIDEO. Did a quick search and found one on ebay for $489, so it has passed into the realm of over priced collector items. Last listed in the 2015 Lionel catalog. Lionel's on-line store does not currently list any train sets in G Gauge.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

That video by a Lionel employee calls it G gauge... most of the large scale trains were actually pretty close to 1:32...

please note the "G gauge" references from a google search, and how many are from lionel itself.

lionel g gauge - Google Search

Greg

 

[RogerK]

That video by a Lionel employee calls it G gauge... most of the large scale trains were actually pretty close to 1:32...

please note the "G gauge" references from a google search, and how many are from lionel itself.

lionel g gauge - Google Search

Greg

Good catch Greg. The video was published in 2015 and the train probably ran on G Gauge (Gauge 1) track back then. The version for sale at Trainworld that I linked to was specifically listed as Ready to Play with the following note:

With this Ready-to-Play set comes an exclusive track system which allows you to create; a circle, a rectangle or an oval layout. As this track system is exclusive to Ready-to-Play set, it is not compatible with Lionel G Gauge or other G Gauge track systems.

Although the pros at Trainworld recognized the problem and warn the customer, that probably isn't true for other more generic retailers.

The videos from Lionel on your google search are from around 2015 when they had G Gauge. Some the items like the Crayola train are labeled G Gauge when you look at the Lionel box pictured in the ad. Might be a good candidate for kit bashing after all at $90.

Most of the Lionel items on Amazon are Ready to Play, but there are some that claim G Gauge. Old stock maybe? Would definitely need to research the Lionel item numbers to see what you are ordering. Some of the reviews were pretty brutal btw.

Anyway, Lionel certainly made it confusing ...

 

[PhilP]

I thought 'G' was a scale, and not a gauge?

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I see, was unaware of this larger gauge. It appears to be close to the "standard gauge" of long ago, which was about 2-1/4", I've looked all over and it's hard to find any references to the actual gauge, but I have found a couple that say it's 2" gauge, an Amazon review says it 2-5/16 on the outside of the rails, so that jives with a 2" gauge too.

Wow, so they made a gauge slightly off from standard gauge, which is available from MTH, so no compatibility with anything. Thanks Lionel!

Greg

 

[Martino]

I thought 'G' was a scale, and not a gauge?

To be honest, it’s neither.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Back to the subject, yes, there's lots of new old stock in G scale/gauge...

Some of the early Lionel was not too bad, you could make the Pacific a pretty good runner, and the dual motor diesels could pull well, albeit drawing as much current as a small city. I've seen a number of the Pacifics turned into pretty nice locos, with more weight and some mods.

The later steamers were not really very good, nor the battery powered units.

 

[dunnyrail]

Technically, she didn't say they would be "good" memories ...
The plastic track it runs on has a gauge of 2 inches. Seems it would be hard to kit bash.
Gondola = Open Wagon

Another update: Lionel actually refers to the gauge as "Ready to Play" rather than G Gauge. They used to make similar products in G gauge such as the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express shown in this VIDEO. Did a quick search and found one on ebay for $489, so it has passed into the realm of over priced collector items. Last listed in the 2015 Lionel catalog. Lionel's on-line store does not currently list any train sets in G Gauge.

Sorry I was being a little ironic about her pronunciation oh Gondola, sometimes us brits find American pronunciation somewhat off or different to how we would say things. I am fully aware of what a Gondola is.

I thought 'G' was a scale, and not a gauge?

Interesting that we now have not only flexibility of scale but even Track Gauge in G. I believe the term was coined by Peco to reflect Garden Model Railways Running in Gauge 1 Track but not necessarily to Scale or Gauge 1 if you will. I.E. predominantly Narrow Gauge but in later cases taking in Models that are not at true Gauge 1.

Scale and Gauge has become a complete minefield to explain and understand for new timers into Garden Railways.

 

[stockers]

I am pretty sure 2 inch was known as gauge 2, but it fell out use.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Interesting gauge 2 started as 2.5", later changed to 2", in Europe, and 2" in the UK as you stated.

interesting that it is about 1:28 for standard gauge in the US, so I could buy a bunch of the Lionel track, re-gauge my Aristo and USA trains and be closer to scale then ever!

Greg

 

[dunnyrail]

Interesting gauge 2 started as 2.5", later changed to 2", in Europe, and 2" in the UK as you stated.

interesting that it is about 1:28 for standard gauge in the US, so I could buy a bunch of the Lionel track, re-gauge my Aristo and USA trains and be closer to scale then ever!

Greg

Re-Gauge a load of Trains, that sounds like fun Greg!

 

[Sean.]

Hmmm I thought g-gauge was .... Garden ...

 

[Martino]

Is there any chance we could get the apostrophe (actually inverted commas or speech marks) removed from this thread title please?

 

[PhilP]

Is there any chance we could get the apostrophe (actually inverted commas or speech marks) removed from this thread title please?

"'Why would you want to do that'."

 

[Rhinochugger]

"'Why would you want to do that'."

Wot, and make another apostrophe redundant

 

[PhilP]

Wot, and make another apostrophe redundant

I know a grocer who'll use it!

 

[JimmyB]

Wot, and make another apostrophe redundant

But it's not even an apostrophe, just a single quotation mark, and Locos is a plural that does not require any additional punctuation - where is F Fred Mills when you need him.

 

[Rhinochugger]

But it's not even an apostrophe, just a single quotation mark, and Locos is a plural that does not require any additional punctuation - where is F Fred Mills when you need him.

It's another redundant one - but hey, there are thousands of 'em out there