The unfortunate answer is NO, they are into S Gauge. In the US among "S" modelers the word scale means "not hi-rail". It implies better modeling by having "Scale" track. Some seem to think if you use the old course standards, or forbid AF toy standards, then you are not modeling to scale but just playing with toy trains. The word has been known to cause fights and derision. Some AF aficionados have become belligerent if they hear that you modify AF stuff with more scale wheels and couplers. They consider that you are polluting S "GAUGE" which must be AF pure. There is no such hatreds in O between the Lionel folks and the 2 rail guys. But in "S" it is a real division point with little or no interchange (puns intended). At least none that many admit too. Hence the change of gauge to scale while more correct could be quite politically explosive. You should hear the complaints if an add has the wrong couplers or an article shows the large rail. They think it dilutes the "scale" aspect of "S" and makes us look like toy players. Me wonders if these folks are afraid of having their hobby called PLAY. Thankfully not all folks think this way as exemplified by some really good Hi-Rail layouts that, unless you are told, you can not tell that the rail is oversized. When NASG created the finer standards all the smaller scales were still using course hirail standards. (such as code 110 wheels on code 100 rail in H0) the larger scales were still mostly toys on rather broad gauges. (0 gauge is 5' in O scale) The current "scale" standards are the equivalent of "fine-scale" in H0 or N and so are much more "to scale" than in other American modeling at the time of their creation. BTW; The current standards are no longer 7/8" gauge but a bit tighter. TCC:}
On Dec 27, 2008, at 4:20 PM, Robert Comerford wrote: > I don't get why having `scale' would alienate those who run Flyer > and similar equipment. Are they not also into S scale; just choosing > to use a coarser wheel and track standard and basing their layouts > primarily on unmodified commercial items because they like that > style of model train running? Talmadge C 'TC' Carr Sn42 and Hn42 somewhere in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest [email protected] ------------------------------------ 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/
