Subject:
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Re: Question on Train Wheel Diameter, Minifig Scale
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Mon, 18 Apr 2005 12:06:36 GMT
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Viewed:
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1767 times
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In lugnet.trains, Tim David wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Tim David wrote:
> > In lugnet.trains, Paul S. D'Urbano wrote:
> > > Hi all...
> > >
> > > I'm curious about the ratio of LEGO train wheel diameter to the distance between
> > > the rails on LEGO track. Is the LEGO ratio correct relative to typical
> > > prototypes? The diameter looks good to me on 6-wides but sometimes it seems too
> > > small on 8-wides (vs. height). Now I know the 8-wide folks say 8-wide is more
> > > appropriate for the track width so it led me to think maybe the wheel-diameter
> > > to rail-spacing ratio is off. Or am I just used to looking at 6-wides?
> > >
> > > Speaking of scale issues... I just built 8654, the Scuderia Ferrari Truck
> > > (which I think is a great set, by the way...). I had expected the mini-figs to
> > > look much too small against it but I was surprised that it doesn't seem that far
> > > off. Got me thinking about a piggy-back freight car that would look scaled
> > > right against the 8654 trailer (which itself is 10-wide). And then I thought of
> > > the locomotive that would be pulling it (!)... Anyone do train stuff on that
> > > kind of scale? Would you need TLG to make wheelsets with larger diameter
> > > wheels?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Paul
> >
> > Standard gauge Track 4' 8 1/2" = 1435mm
> > Lego track = 38mm
> > Thus Lego track is about 1/37.8 scale
> >
> > Lego wheel = 18mm diameter
> > At 1/37.8 scale this scales to be about 640mm = or 2' 2 3/4"
> >
> > In the UK at least a standard wagon (truck) wheel is in the 3'2" region, with
> > coach and loco wheels bigger so the Lego wheel is pretty undersize compared to
> > the track, at least for the average vehicle. (you do get low ride-height
> > vehicles with small wheelsets) However the overscale flanges (should be about
> > 2mm as opposed to the 4mm that they are) on the Lego wheels do make them seem
> > considerably bigger than they are so you can get away with it without it LOOKING
> > too out of proportion.
> >
> > All this doesn't take into account the size you build the train to, its just the
> > relationship between the track gauge and the wheel size.
> >
> > Tim
> >
> > PS I think I got the maths right! All dimensions are approximate
>
> Actually I was think after posting that I'm not sure if the track guage is
> measured from rail centre to rail centre of from rail inside edge to inside
> edge. I assumed inside edge above, if it is from the centres then the wheels are
> even smaller to scale with the track gauge.
The prototype measures from the inside edge, IIRC since rail cross sectional
dimensions vary.
I agree that the wheels are under-diameter in relation to track gauge (Working
some US numbers: a typical US non low profile freight car wheel might be 36"
which is 3 feet, the (US) track gauge is 56.5" or 4' 8 1/2" (UK is 4' 8" IIRC)
However other toy systems (Lionel O 27 for example) suffer from the same
problems (underscale wheel diameters, overscale flanges) if I am not mistaken.
Interesting topic.
++Lar
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Question on Train Wheel Diameter, Minifig Scale
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| (...) No, standard gauge is 4' 8 1/2" in the UK and everywhere else in the world as well. (1)(2) Places such as Russia or Ireland(3) which have broad gauge as their main gauge might argue that that their's is 'standard' but thats more question of (...) (20 years ago, 18-Apr-05, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: Question on Train Wheel Diameter, Minifig Scale
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| (...) Tim/Lar/John thanks for the info. I suspected the wheels were undersized. Ignoring the track, I'm curious now which ratio is more prototypical: LEGO wheel-diameter to 6-wide locomotive/rolling-stock or LEGO wheel-diameter to 8-wide? I guess (...) (20 years ago, 18-Apr-05, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Question on Train Wheel Diameter, Minifig Scale
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| (...) Actually I was think after posting that I'm not sure if the track guage is measured from rail centre to rail centre of from rail inside edge to inside edge. I assumed inside edge above, if it is from the centres then the wheels are even (...) (20 years ago, 18-Apr-05, to lugnet.trains)
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