How did G scale come about, please?

[maxi-model]

I think in the US there is quite a fit with 45 mm track gauge and what constitutes their main areas of interest - 1:29/32 mainline stuff and 1:20.3 3ft narrow gauge - and the product ranges have grown up to reflect this.

What I think really defines "G" is the use of the robust 45 mm gauge code 332 (rail height in thou' of an inch) rail dimensions and systems. The plethora of stock that run on these compatible track systems, irrespective of scale, all have wheels/flanges and geometries to take advantage of the very generous rail depth available. Ok, yes there is Peco G45 which is code 250. Max.

 

[PhilP]

Then there are the IP engineering, Houston Gate Loco Works basic kits and chassis amongst many others who offer 45 and 32mm locos and stock.

I suppose the Swift Sixteen offerings, are so close to 'ready to run' to not count as kits!
The IP kits come out a bit small (IMHO), but Ivan's range is quite good.. If you are modelling 'Feldbahn' type stock, then Cambrian's range of 'bits' are quite useful..
If you want chassis to use for larger bits of stock you wish to build, then a 'bulk pack' from ECR may be the way to go??

 

[maxi-model]

G gauge seems to be mainly proprietary equipment.
there doesn't seem to be a range of product for the kit builder in G gauge and consequently there aren't the components to scratch build
Sarah

It all goes back to what you consider defines "G". See my post above
.
There is plenty of stuff out there, that will ultimately run on 45 mm/code 332 track, for the kit/scratch builder from complete live steamer kits and rolling stock kits down to individual parts as mention above. What matters is what you want to model. In the UK we are well served with what might be classed as "UK/Colonial/freelance" outline kits/parts from many of sources. In the US there are companies like Ozark and GAL line that service their particular market needs for kits and parts. There was/is even a UK company servicing that market. Have some of their kit stuff, lovely it is too. I dare say in areas of continental Europe there are artisan companies specialising kits of locos and stock running on the Rhb, Harz systems and suchlike. It's a matter of supply and demand and if the culture is predisposed to buying off the shelf or building from kits.

I used to run my own company producing high detail slot car kits. A useful money spinner was selling parts derived from the complete kits that had applications for the "scratch builder/modifier". I guess the same applies in this hobby.

If UK/Colonial is your thing then a look at the 16 mm NGM "links" page might help http://www.16mm.org.uk/newsite/information_links/default.html G Scale Society has one too.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Didn't I read somewhere that in the early days it was named K scale?

It certainly is a very broad description, and as others have detailed, includes the delicious irony of the US Fn3 description (having no 'G' in it) - which is where I, by a fairly circuitous route have ended up!

 

[Zerogee]

In the German market, the "G45" logo (a large G in a circle with "45mm" in small print below it) has become a common symbol especially on non-LGB products such as TL45 and Lilliput/Bachmann.

The Germans also refer to "Spur IIm" for 1:22.5 on 45mm - "Spur II" being what we call Gauge 3 (1:22.5 on 64mm standard gauge).

Jon.

 

[PaulRhB]

I suppose the Swift Sixteen offerings, are so close to 'ready to run' to not count as kits!
The IP kits come out a bit small (IMHO), but Ivan's range is quite good..

Yep swift sixteen is just one of the others I alluded to. I have a growing pile of their large, (ex 7/8ths range), flat wagons for a project Seriously tempted by the 16mm WW1 range since he abandoned more in 7/8ths.
The IP kits scale well to the prototypes, Ivan just seems to like small stock
In many ways the arguments over what G is are irrelevant. If you model something in a large scale and want to tell someone you'd probably end up saying it's 'such a scale' on 45mm, LGB or just I have a garden railway.
It's only an issue if someone wants to dictate
I recognise that I prefer to run same scale trains of a realistic nature but I'm happy to accept the rubber ruler and running that train alongside a friends of another scale. I don't mix scales on my layout at shows but that's just me.
I abide by the gscalemad rule 8 that if I choose to deviate from that then it's my railway
There's a Sheikh in Saudi Arabia who's built a giant scale pickup truck so there really is a prototype for using a 1/18 model on a 1/76 layout!

 

[Andrew B. Middleton]

How (or why) did G scale come about? Why wasn't an existing system, i.e. 0 gauge simply adopted for the garden? (yes, I do ask silly questions)

Thanks,

Sarah

Sarah, As far as I know, the scale of 1:22.5 was introduced by LGB (Leger Gross Bahn?) so that metre gauge prototypes could be modelled to scale with 45mm gauge track. Of course other scales can use 45mm gauge track. If modelling 1:24 scale (1/2" to the foot) models on 45mm track, then the track gauge would be said to be modelling 3'6" gauge prototypes. Metre gauge in feet and inches is 3'3&3/8ths of an inch, so the difference is not too large, but if someone models standard gauge & uses 45mm gauge track, he/she would have to use 1:32 scale for the locos and rolling stock. A case of "horses for courses"!
Regards,
Andrew B. Middleton

 

[Beddhist]

There's a Sheikh in Saudi Arabia who's built a giant scale pickup truck so there really is a prototype for using a 1/18 model on a 1/76 layout!

That pic brings back memories! The museum is in the UAE, though. There are also two matching (in size) "caravans". He likes his toys BIG.