| Trains are not just toys for kids, especially now in a | | | | The first G scale locomotive was pioneered by Ernst |
| time where the hobby of collecting model railroads (or | | | | Paul Lehmann. Patentwerk, a German company, |
| more popularly known as locomotives) are on the rise | | | | referred to as Lehmann Gross Bahn (Lehmann Big |
| to become one of the world's oldest and most popular | | | | Train in English) was founded on this type of train. |
| hobbies. The G scale locomotive, a large kind of | | | | Patentwerk started out in 1881. The company then |
| locomotive, is gaining popularity as it is literally a big toy | | | | branched out to the USA where LGB of America |
| for a big boy. | | | | was founded. Aristocraft and Bachmann are only |
| Why are G scale trains so popular to hobbyists? G | | | | some of the well-known manufacturers of G scales in |
| scale trains are popular for its large size (it is the | | | | America. |
| largest of the most popular scales). The G scale is a | | | | G scale locomotives are also perfect for children since |
| part of the group of large scale trains which all run on | | | | small trains are not suitable for kids. These trains are |
| a Number 1 gauge track (45 mm between rails). These | | | | easily broken due to their small size. With their small |
| model locomotives are calculated by the ratio of the | | | | parts and potential choking hazards, these trains aren't |
| toy train to a real train. The G scale locomotive boasts | | | | kid's toys. The N scale is only about 4.8 inches in length |
| a ratio of 1:22 which means it is one twenty-second of | | | | and about 1.1 inches in height, thus making it a small train |
| the size of an actual train prototype. This means that it | | | | unfit for kid use. |
| only takes 22 G scale locomotives lined up to match | | | | G scale locomotives are recommended for outdoor |
| the prototype in length. | | | | types of hobbyists. Since G scale trains are very |
| There are other popular types of large miniature trains. | | | | durable and are suitable for gardens. The G scale |
| The O scale (still a part of the large train group) has a | | | | tracks are usually brass-made so these types of trains |
| ratio of 1:48, lower than that of the G scale (actually | | | | do not need to be maintained a lot. Sometimes, a |
| half the size of the G scale). However, almost nothing | | | | solitary swab of clean cloth on the tracks is all you |
| can match the G scale locomotives in size. These | | | | need to keep it clean. These big locomotives are |
| locomotives are extremely large compared to regular | | | | popular in the market nowadays due to the fact that |
| toy trains. | | | | they are very durable, thus making them last for a long, |
| G in the term G scale is believed to come from the | | | | long period of time and can be handed down to |
| term Garden Railroading. It can also be because of the | | | | different generations. |
| German word groß. Groß literally means | | | | The hobby of collecting miniature locomotives is a |
| large which is appropriate in view of the fact that | | | | good way to release the inner child in you. Especially |
| these models started out in Germany. These models | | | | with the G scale model train, it is truly a big toy for the |
| are about 26.7 inches in length and 6.0 inches in height. | | | | big boys. |