I have a question about car sizes and terms...

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mtrosclair

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I notice that the two axle cars seem to be about 4.5" wide while the fours axle cars seem to be roughly 4". I have read a few threads about g-scale scales and left even more confused. Is there a term for the different width LGB cars? I am currently building my trains before the layout (cart before the horse, I know) I have a 2095 with five 3062 carriages and I have a Stainz with a few two axle cars.
 
The factor to consider with 2 axle versus 4 axle cars is (generally) the length. The longer a car, the greater will be the overhang on the ends when going around curves. Thisis a general issue, not solely related to G Scale.

For LGB specifically, the R1 curve radius is MUCH tighter than pretty much all the prototypes that KGB models are based on, so some "scale" compromises have to be made to allow trains to run on R1 curves.

So, a shorter car will have less overhang on R1 curves than a longer car..... so can be made wider than a longer car.

LGB has published a loading gauge diagram which you can use to make a template for checking clearances.... I don't have a copy handy right now but will post it later today.

In the meantime, here is what the prototype UIC loading gauge template looks like....

IMG_5465.png
 
Hm sounds much like some of the car manufacturers have LGB style flexible rulers, though it is very fair to say that cars have grown in all directions. Just look at the 3 iterations of size with the British Mini. Latest increase in size has been to some extent happened due to added safety features door air bags being just one example.
 
OP, to answer your question about width and a standard reference term or name for the different widths, no, there isn’t any specific term.

Fwiw, ive been reading about and doing the “Lgb thing” since 1986. Lots of publications, literature, collectors guides, magazines ad nauseum. Ive never come across a’width descriptor’ as a name/reference term.

My thought is early on, lgb did ‘cute’, ie stainz and coaches, compressed lengths to facilitate use on tighter radii and affording smaller layouts. Slowly, especially with european trains, imho, they became more models, and a bit less toys.

I understand building rolling stock. Its one of my favorite things to do, along with structures.
Id urge you to have even a small oval, so that you can run and enjoy your work/collection.
 
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stevedenver said:
OP, to answer your question about width and a standard reference term or name for the different widths, no, there isn’t any specific term.

Fwiw, ive been reading about and doing the “Lgb thing” since 1986. Lots of publications, literature, collectors guides, magazines ad nauseum. Ive never come across a’width descriptor’ as a name/reference term.

My thought is early on, lgb did ‘cute’, ie stainz and coaches, compressed lengths to facilitate use on tighter radii and affording smaller layouts. Slowly, especially with european trains, imho, they became more models, and a bit less toys.

I understand building rolling stock. Its one of my favorite things to do, along with structures.
Id urge you to have even a small oval, so that you can run and enjoy your work/collection.
Click to expand...
Beware! Another old man’s long winded comment:
The original LGB train set was a well priced and robust toy for boys aged 5 to 10 years to play in a small apartment or outside yard, hence the original curve radius, 600mm requiring swivelling single axle ‘bogies’ and very deep wheel flanges . The plastic items used minimum glue and relied on screws, and metal for a realistic presentation of the loco’s running gear/motion. The model chosen was suggested by the then recently abandoned NG steam tramway system near Salzburg, leading to adult nostalgia demand. Children next had a choice of either a 18v DC motor drive or a battery powered 0-4-0 “Spremberger”, running on the Harz NG. First LGB used nickel plated aluminium track before changing to black plastic in the cheap sets for indoor play.
Later the chosen size/‘scale’ happily nearly matched that of the new ‘clicky’ toy figures by Playmobil (1/24 size) introduced in 1974, devised by cabinetmaker Hans Beck for a factory producing plastic hula hoops in a town near Nuremberg: LGB catalogues of that period pushed playing with the toys together.
The change in he age of the toy train players occurred when another Austrian NG loco was modeled: the U43 0-6-2. Retired men were buying the U43 to use the beautifully produced drive base chassis to make new models. So LGB launched the sale of the chassis as a stand alone for this purpose
 
I am currently in the process if drawing one of the modified GHE Mail Vans for my line, I will be using a longer wheelbase wagon chassis but the main size of a normal van body for the size. I have a true scale drawing that I am scalling up to G then modifying to fit the flexible LGB generic size. As a rule most measurements are being reduced by 3.5% but not all and some faffing with taking the odd mm off here and there to make it match and look right. Interesting job! Will eventually get copied to the file type that the ManCave needs for the Lazer Wood Cutter. I do need though to learn that new package, thus my drawing in my package will have all the model dimensions shown so that it can be redrawn. LGB elastic ruler can be a lit of fun to match!
 
dunnyrail said:
I am currently in the process if drawing one of the modified GHE Mail Vans for my line, I will be using a longer wheelbase wagon chassis but the main size of a normal van body for the size. I have a true scale drawing that I am scalling up to G then modifying to fit the flexible LGB generic size. As a rule most measurements are being reduced by 3.5% but not all and some faffing with taking the odd mm off here and there to make it match and look right. Interesting job! Will eventually get copied to the file type that the ManCave needs for the Lazer Wood Cutter. I do need though to learn that new package, thus my drawing in my package will have all the model dimensions shown so that it can be redrawn. LGB elastic ruler can be a lit of fun to match!
Click to expand...
For what is GHE an abbreviation, please?
 
playmofire said:
For what is GHE an abbreviation, please?
Click to expand...
Gernrode Harzegerode Eisenbahn in the Harz Mountains, the line that does NOT go to the Broken but is a real delight that looks like it may never re-ooen from the current alleged shirt term closure.
 
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