and he notes - The correct designation for 3/16ths scale modeling is S Gauge, not S Scale. It was so named at the 1943 NMRA convention where a committee headed by 'Tex' Guess with members Louis Hertz, Willis Stewart and Rolllin Lobaugh, and others I can't recall, designated the names for the various scales. As the story goes it was hot and the meeting was held in a non air conditioned room. Zero or 0 Gauge (not 'Oh', although it pronounced as such) was established as 1/2 of 2 1/2" Gauge or 'Standard Gauge' which was also preferred of 2 1/4" track gauge (also called Standard Gauge by some manufacturers). When it came to "S", Louis Hertz wanted it called "H1" Gauge as it was 1/2 of No.1 Gauge which was popular in Europe. He also proposed, as an alternate, 'Theta Gauge' , the symbol for which represented a geometric value. It was getting hotter and smokier as lengthy discussions went on, so Tex called for a vote and Willis Stewart's suggestion for 'S' was adopted due to the fact that the letter 'S' appears several times in the scale (i. e. three sixteenths, one sixty-fourth, seven eighths etc.). With that accomplished the meeting ended and everyone headed for the bar!
The term 'S Scale' is a colloquialism used by those who feel that there should be a distinction between those who use accurate rail height and those who use the more common heights for 'Hi-Rail' or 'Tinplate'. In English grammar, 'scale' as applied to a drawing or model requires dimensional data such as 1/4", 3/16", 1/8" etc. Since there is no universally accepted letter designation for a dimension, 'S Scale' has no meaning to anyone but a select few hobbyists. To most S Gaugers the term is adequate and acceptable, but there is a certain faction that do not like it and go to great ends to make the distinction. But in the long run, calling S Gauge 'S Scale' doesn't make the hobby less enjoyable. Anyway, that's how I sees it... Raleigh in cold Maine www.emporiumpictures.com At 04:37 PM 2/16/2008, rebendever wrote: >Are you S Guage or S Standard Gauge and does the height of the rail >determine whether you are or are not scale? The below text (actually >taken out of context) caused me to think, why do S-folks use the term S >Guage? FWIM HO Scalers do not call other HO Scalers who run their model >trains on Code 100 (or bigger) track "Hi-Railers" like the S-folks do. >Yes, I understand that the flanges are really wide on them AF , but >have you seen the flanges on a Model Power unit? >Perhaps this is indigenous to S-scale (& O scale, too?). Why do folks >use the term S Guage? I have been called on the carpet for using S >Guage in reference to AF modelers and if I have offended anyone, I >sincerely apologize. After all, the majority of our "1:64 Modeling >Guide" subscribers come from an AF background with aspirations of >evolving to a more "scale-like" empire. >And if you decide that the term "S Guage should no longer be used, >would Don H. need to changer his magazine to the S Scaleian? I realize >that all this may sould rediculous to many of you, but think how >confusing it is to us newbies who come to S-ville from another scale >only to find out that now up means down and so on. >Structure determines behavior. > >Sincerely, Richard E Bendever, Editor >"1:64 Modeling Guide" magazine | www.ModelingGuide.com > >--- In <mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com>[email protected], >"ctxmf74" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >Hi Ed, That's the question and answer. "Necessary" not for us to > > enjoy S scale but for S scale to become an equal to HO scale. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
