For anyone who has ever seen a train going up close, or ever far away, it is not hard to admit the thought of having a model train has never entered your mind. We have all surely seen model trains on television or for those of us lucky enough in real life. They can range from a simple boxed set put together to an intricate and detailed display put together piece by piece. These are generally done on a very small scale and I must admit look very impressive, but there is a whole other realm of model trains and that is what we are going to talk about today; the world of G scale trains.
G scale trains are much larger than the typical in-home model train set and are usually constructed of very durable materials making them a prime candidate to be displayed outdoors. Because most people who chose to build a G scale model railway do so throughout their gardens; G scale has commonly come to be thought of as garden scale railways. In reality though, G scale model trains are actually G Gauge and refers to the gauge of the track. A G Gauge, or G scale track for a model train is 45mm or about 1.75 inches. Now you have the knowledge to quickly correct someone the next you hear them saying “Garden Scale”.
In the United States, the commonly used narrow gauge is 3 feet; modeling this correctly with a 45 mm track gauge gives a scale of 1:20.3, which is commonly used by American manufacturers. In actuality, these are called G Scale, even though in reality they are not. Some modelers and train producers call 1:20.3 "F scale".
The track is commonly made of brass which can remain outside in all types of weather. You can also find it made in aluminum and stainless steel.
The G Scale model train was first introduced in 1968 by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk and marketed under the brand name of LGB as indoor/outdoor model train systems. Although Lehmann recently filed for bankruptcy, the company is credited for giving garden railways their popular appeal, and until their bankruptcy were the largest major European manufacturers of G scale trains. Thankfully the remains of the company were bought up by Maerklin and they appear to still be producing the G scale model train products.
Today under the LGB brand you can still purchase G scale models of European and U.S. steam, diesel, electric prototypes, as well as a large selection of coaches, trucks, and accessories. So, what are you waiting for? If you have read all of this article on G scale trains it is quite obvious you too have a deep interest in building a beautiful G scale model railway yourself, so please check out or large inventory of G scale model train cars and accessories and start planning the railway of your dreams today!
If you are still unsure about the scale you want to build your railway with, you can find more information on this website pertaining to O scale, OO scale, S scale, Z scale, Standard scale, and many others. Whichever scale you end up deciding on you can be sure with our help you will end up with a model railway that will not only provide you endless entertainment, but one you can be forever proud of.
Some of the top manufacturers are Aristo-Craft, Bachmann, Brass Imports, L.G.B, Lionel.
