16mm 32mm bias

[SillyBilly]

Some people do take it too seriously, it's a little train, nothing serious or worthwhile or important, just some random bit of crap which also happens to be a toy. That goes for all preserved railways aswell, as much as you can kid yourself about it being 'important' to the local economy at the end of the day it's just a big toy.

[Sir haydn]

Take the Glyn Valley Tramway. 2 groups of enthusiasts who are passionate about rebuilding a historic railway. One group starting from chirk one from glyn, one building to 2' gauge one building to 2'6". I dont realistically think they will meet in the middle....but if they do!

[TommyDodd]

Nevertheless, there are a number of very attractive 2'6" and 3' prototypes to choose from - Welshpool, Leek and Manifold, Southwold, Isle of Man, Ireland, the Northamptonshire ironstone lines - I could go on), and it is a shame that these are often either ignored or modelled on 32mm.

There's nothing inherently good or bad about 32 or 45 for modelling any given prototype gauge. 7/8" on 45mm gives you 2', 10mm on 32 gives you 3'3"- close enough to Metre and Three Foot for most people's purposes. I'm on 32 myself, but my choice of prototype (A "modern image" large narrow gauge system with heritage steam, a kind of English Harzer Schmalspurbahnen) pushes me in the direction of the bigger narrow gauge kit, 2'6" and the like. For that reason, I have seriously considered scratchbuilding in G on 32 to bring the modelled gauge out at somewhere around 750mm (and ensure visual compatibility with Gauge 3 kit should the lottery fairy pay a visit and I find my self with a country estate) but that's just pie in the sky at the moment.

As for the attitudes of the idiots, I'm afraid Niven's Law is universal:- "There is no cause so noble that it will not attract fuggheads". There aren't that many in this branch of the hobby (a fellow Axholme & Lindsey Group member's wife once quotably said that she liked the 16mm world because of its low IQ, where IQ stands for Idiot Quotient) but they do exist, and you should deal with them the same way you would in any other field of activity.

[DolwyddelanLightRail]

I persoanlly think that the 32 vs 45 is a complete waste of time and effort tbh, at the end of the day it really just boils down to what everyone else has said here, we're all in this hobby because we enjoy it! and we shouldn't let other people put you off what you enjoy doing and if they try to cause your on the "wrong" gauge (which i completely disagree with, it doesn't matter what gauge your on in my view!) then screw them! If they can't cope with something 13mm wider and try to go on about saying it's "wrong" then i just would ignore them and enjoy it. It's your railway, not theirs!

I'm always getting banter off someone else who i know that has a really nice 45mm line and we're always going on by him saying "oh electic's better etc" and i come back saying "ah yes! but you don't get the atmosphere of a live steam loco...etc etc" and we're always having a laugh about it! I also get a bit of stuff about being on the "wrong" type of 32mm as well!

[MuzTrem]

Some of the leading lights in the 16mm society modeled in more than one gauge think compton down 16.5mm 32mm & 45mm for a few.

That's very true. In the distant future when I have a house of my own with a nice big garden (odds aren't looking great in the present economic climate, but a man can dream!), I'd like to have both 32mm and 45mm sections so I can enjoy the best of both worlds. The 45mm would be the main line, a 3' gauge country railway; the 32mm would then be a 2' gauge industrial tramway, perhaps meeting the 45mm at a port.

Like I said, a man can dream...!

[Narrow Minded]

There seems to be a universal agreement on here that the "32mm bias" is actually a misconception - maybe there are more 32mm lines out there than 45mm, but so what?
It's definitely the case that most Forum members' lines are "freelance" anyway (even if some do have a tendancy towards a particular prototype ) - I've yet to see a "scale model" of a "real railway" on here!

A quick word from my pet frog

"rivet, rivet, rivet rivet, rivet rivet rivet rivet!"

(Just in case there are any rivet counters on here............which I doubt)

I totally agree with the comments made and especially endorse the "have FUN" mantra, after all, it's what it's all about
The "narrow Vs broad gauge" is just banter, have a laugh about it and open the regulator (or turn up the voltage - whatever floats your boat)

[thorpey]

garden railways is what we are all here for so enjoy running trains no matter what gauge and scale.

thanks to sillybilly for also running different scales otherwise this pic would not of happened so enjoy.
Thorpey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8662404@N0 ... 996599693/

[Bill/Rubery]

I am amazed at reading the letter that started this topic off! I wonder why this 'Pauly' is getting wound up by such a simple thing!!? Surely you are a adult are you not? If somebody says your doing things wrong you just say...."its my line and I do as I please"....and walk away!

[taliesin001]

I think both 32mm and 45mm have their advantages and disadvantages. I started in 32mm because that's what my grandad had. I also don't like the look of LGB stuff, mainly because it's obviously plastic and they make no effort to conceal that, therefore it can look toy like, however there are members on here that have made these products into believeable models. It's more that I link 45mm with LGB, there are some very atmospheric 45mm lines as Zach has said. However thats just my opinion and it's your railway so do as you please. When people say that 32 is superior that is most certainly meant as a joke, if it isn't then they should be ignored as they are taking it way too seriously, at the end of the day your just playing trains and does it really matter how far apart the rails are! I have also been told (as a joke!) that 45 is better, more balance apparently!

[Narrow Minded]

I don't think Brunel was joking when he said broader was better

[Sir haydn]

then they scrapped it and went narrower

[Sir Clothem Cap]

and he was right but I'm sticking with 32mm because its cheaper

[Sir haydn]

I hate to say this Greg but maybe your quite 'BROAD' minded

[Sir Clothem Cap]

I hate to say this Greg but maybe your quite 'BROAD' minded  :lol:

he will be chuffed

[Narrow Minded]

then they scrapped it and went narrower  ;)

But only to "conform" (and avoid transhipment!)

[GardenRail]

I think both 32mm and 45mm have their advantages and disadvantages. I started in 32mm because that's what my grandad had. I also don't like the look of LGB stuff, mainly because it's obviously plastic and they make no effort to conceal that, therefore it can look toy like, however there are members on here that have made these products into believeable models. It's more that I link 45mm with LGB, there are some very atmospheric 45mm lines as Zach has said. However thats just my opinion and it's your railway so do as you please. When people say that 32 is superior that is most certainly meant as a joke, if it isn't then they should be ignored as they are taking it way too seriously, at the end of the day your just playing trains and does it really matter how far apart the rails are! I have also been told (as a joke!) that 45 is better, more balance apparently!

Indeed. I don't personally like the look of the huge rail section or the often fixed radii on LGB type track, but several of my friends run on 45mm (the Brandbright stuff looks good) and certainly Pauly has a point regarding the large size of most generic steamers. Were I starting again today and given my preference for home bashed generic steamers, then I would nowadays go for the three foot gauge.

As it is I happily visit 45mm tracks with my 32mm gauge tank locomotives and indeed it has been said that I will spread my wheels for anyone!

bestest

Tag

[Palmerston]

Still searching for 45mm slate wagons to be hauled by my Rh Charles! ONLY 32mm available!

[MuzTrem]

Cut them down the middle and insert an extra 13mm