What is Q Scale?

[Greg Elems]

I've heard of Q scale, but off hand don't remember what size it is?

Greg

[modelbob]

Sorry, I just made that one up? Uh, it's the favorite scale of James Bond technical guru? ;)

OK, serious answer... Q scale is 1:45 or 0.267"=1'

O Scale trains, even the ones that aren't tinplate, are 1/4" to the foot, or 1:48. While this is a nice even measurement, it means that O scale track is 5 foot gauge. Real track is 4 feet 8-1/2 inch gauge.

Some modelers didn't like this compromise, and so they decided to create a new, truly fine scale, version of O gauge trains. They use an exact scale (1:45), scale size rail and scale sized wheels and flanges.

I'm not sure why they changed the scale instead of the gauge, since they tend to hand lay track since it needs to be well done to keep the fine scale flanges on the track.

I saw an article on it in Model Railroader. I seem to recall they were traction modelers, but it's been a while since I've heard anything about it. Surprisingly, a Google search didn't bring up any Q scale websites, so maybe the scale has fallen out of favor.

[Greg Elems]

That is what I was thinking. I have all my old MR's boxed and in storage, otherwise I would dig it out, but what you say rings a bell. Like you said, why not correct the gauge rather than the scale. I guess it was easier to enlarge the car and keep the running gear already available. Also, I think P:48 came into being, with the corrected gauge and pretty well sunk Q scale.

Greg