"Your source for standard gauge modeling in 1:20.3"

What Is F Scale?

Since the question continues to emerge whenever a discussion of "large scale" and garden railroading begins, F scale is not the same as "G" scale and the products put out by many of the well-established toy train manufacturers such as LGB, USA Trains, Aristocraft, Piko and the older Bachman "Big Hauler" product line. All of these products share one thing in common--they are intended for operation on Gauge I track regardless of the scale--or lack thereof--that each model represents.

Other major manufacturers, such as Accucraft and Bachman, do offer F scale products, but they, like their "G" scale cousins, likewise operate on Gauge I track. The key issue here is the relationship between scale and track gauge.

A comparison of the same car modeled in several different scales.

Garden Railroading & Scale

Almost all garden railways in North America operate on #1 gauge track (45mm between the rails). Many different prototypes and scales are found among these “large scale” trains; but nearly all of them share one thing in common: They operate on the same gauge of track. Scale and gauge are actually two very different concepts. Scale refers to the proportional relationship between a given model and the prototype it is intended to represent. Gauge, on the other hand, refers to the distance between the rails upon which our models run.

The F Scale Solution

Historically, full size railroads in North America have been built to several different track gauges. Although most of the narrow gauges lines—those measuring less than 4’-8½” between the rails—have disappeared over the course of time (as did the “broad” gauges shortly after the Civil War), in the world of small scale model railroading the narrow gauges live on alongside their standard gauge counterparts. Unlike the smaller model railroading scales, where each major scale has its standard as well as narrow gauge counterparts in the same scale (for example: O, On3, On30; or HO and HOn3), each scale making use of several different, proportional track gauges, large scale has not had this option . . . until now.

The 1:20.3 Scale Revolution

Over the last decade the major commercial manufacturers of large scale trains have tended to coalesce around modeling either standard gauge prototypes in 1:29 and 1:32 scales or 3 foot narrow gauge ones (such as the D&RGW, Rio Grande Southern, and East Broad Top) in 1:20.3—what the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) designates “F” scale. At 15mm=1 foot, or worked out as a proportion, 1:20.32, F scale most accurately represents 3 foot gauge prototypes operating on 45mm gauge track. However, there has remained only one track gauge—45mm between the rails. That has now changed with the introduction of F Gauge (aka 1:20.3 Standard Gauge).

Standard Gauge In F Scale

F scale solves the garden railway scale and gauge dilemma by creating a new model track gauge of 70.64mm (or 2.781”) between the rails) to accurately represent 4’-8½” standard gauge trains. To use the nomenclature of the smaller scales, F Gauge (70.64mm) accurately represents 4’-8½” standard gauge trains in F Scale (1:20.32), whereas Fn3 (45mm between the rails or Gauge I) accurately represents 3’ narrow gauge trains in F Scale . Not only can both narrow and standard gauge trains be modeled together accurately in the same scale; but now, for the first time in large scale, even dual gauge operations are possible, much as were performed by the D&RGW, Tweetsie & East Broad Top railroads!

To arrive at any actual model dimension in F Scale from a prototype one, simply divide the prototype dimension by 20.32. Or if you prefer to work in the metric system, in F Scale, 15mm = 1 foot. “F,” then, is just shorthand for saying 15mm scale. It’s that simple.

As of the Fall of 2010, several garage based manufacturers and custom builders are actively supporting F Gauge. Available prod-ucts from Iron Creek Shops, Cumberland Model Engineering, D&M Railroad Backshop, and Missouri Locomotive Company include flex track, track gages, freight car trucks, a box car kit, a ready-to-run brass 0-4-0, and museum quality D&RGW standard gauge locomotives. You can view more of these massive custom-built locomotives in Doug Hemmeter's Gallery.

Dual Gauge operations on the D&RGW between Alamosa and Antonito.