[TimTheTrainMan]

There is no right or wrong, no judgements, no need for arguments because your layout is your layout and you can do with it whatever you want.
I'm just wondering how many of you concern yourself with scale when it comes to accessories for your layouts.
On the one hand, I'm cheap and I don't care and will use Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars for my Lionel O scale layout.
On the other, I have a few HO scale buildings and won't use those and instead use Lincoln Logs for making structures.
So how about you and the sizes for extra things for your layout?

 

[Lehigh74]

It doesn't have to be exact, but it has to be close. I wouldn't use HO/Hot Wheels since those are about 1/2 scale for O, but almost all of my cars are 10% too big (1:43).

 

[MichaelE]

Yes, I do. Mine is not a toy train layout, but as close to scale as the manufacturers allow.

 

[Toy train hobby]

Accessories, not so much. Regarding die cast vehicles, I'll generally use one manufacturer so they remain consistent in size.

 

[T-Man]

My table is a collection. I use scale as a neighborhood. Like things are placed together. In collections scale is a gage to keep order but varies throughout the table. I go to hommies to gumby to pirates, with Toy Story Aliens and Captain Crunch.

Scale buildings are to large and use tin buildings and flat wall buildings to vary in size.

 

[seayakbill]

Not really, try to keep accessories and vehicles close in size. My layout is a toy train operating layout, I don't get to concerned over scale details.

Bill

 

[Maxum]

I like to model in scale. I model scale O (1:48), but use 3 rail equipment for several different reasons. I try to stick with 1:48 building, figures, vehicle, and etc. on my layout. But if something is not too far from 1:48 scale, I'll use it.

 

[Spence]

I do not adhere to scale. Mine is a toy train layout.

 

[Fire21]

A very interesting question. I supposed most here would be operating in scale, and I'm surprised by the answers so far.

My trains are N scale, so whenever I buy something, I stick to scale. But I currently am not working on my layout, so everything is in the past. Not sure what the future will bring.

 

[TimTheTrainMan]

Yes, I do. Mine is not a toy train layout, but as close to scale as the manufacturers allow.

Not really, try to keep accessories and vehicles close in size. My layout is a toy train operating layout, I don't get to concerned over scale details.

Bill

I do not adhere to scale. Mine is a toy train layout.

I have never heard the phrase or label of "Toy train layout."
What defines it as such and what would the opposite be called and what makes it not a toy train layout?
When you get down to it, aren't these all toy trains with layouts? :dunno:

 

[TimTheTrainMan]

Here is something I find interesting when it comes to scale and that Lionel is not consistent with some of the accessories they sell.
The conductor that pops out of the house when the train passes by would not be able to fit since he is too big.
And yet they sell people and benches that fit onto the station platforms.
Again, no right or wrong. Just an observation.

 

[Fire21]

I have never heard the phrase or label of "Toy train layout."
What defines it as such and what would the opposite be called and what makes it not a toy train layout?
When you get down to it, aren't these all toy trains with layouts? :dunno:

To me a toy train is like Thomas the tank and friends, the cheaper Lionels and that sort of thing that LOOK like toys. Serious in-depth work, to me, is called "model railroading".

 

[superwarp1]

No because everything I have is scale, I only purchase scale so there’s no need to worry about it:goofball:

 

[Maxum]

I have never heard the phrase or label of "Toy train layout."
What defines it as such and what would the opposite be called and what makes it not a toy train layout?
When you get down to it, aren't these all toy trains with layouts? :dunno:

I think a good definition of toy train would be that it's designed to be played with by a child. In O gauge, I think toy train tends to refer to the Lionel O27 equipment that is smaller than scale and less detailed. Also, along with making trains for kids, Lionel (and other manufacturers) make scale locomotives and cars that need large radius turns to operate and won't run on a traditional 3 rail O gauge layout with tight radius curves. These scale pieces of equipment are much more fragile then their O27 counterparts and not designed for use by children (except us big kids! lol).

But in reality, you're right. They're all toy trains.

 

[Maxum]

To me a toy train is like Thomas the tank and friends.

I know that Thomas has (and still does) bring tons of kinds into the hobby, but I sure hate that damn thing! I have to stay clear of the Colorado Railroad Museum when they have their "Day with Thomas".

 

[Old_Hobo]

I know that Thomas has (and still does) bring tons of kinds into the hobby, but I sure hate that damn thing! I have to stay clear of the Colorado Railroad Museum when they have their "Day with Thomas".

Bah......Humbug! :laugh:

 

[Chugman]

There are several different terms used to describe the various approaches to our hobby. The ones I am most familiar with are:

Toy Train Layout - I usually think of post-war Lionel with conventional control and cars and accessories that can be most any size. Also usually tin plate tubular track and switches.

Hi-Rail - Trying to as realistic as is practical in 3-rail. Scale engines and cars, realistic looking track and switches, and people and cars ranging from 1:50 to 1:43.

Hi-Rail Scale - The next level above hi-rail where you replace couplers with Kadees, fixed pilots on diesels, engines and cars weathered, and everything as close to scale as possible.

And everything in between these is also just fine as it is a hobby meant for fun and enjoyment. There are no rules, just have fun.

Art

 

[Norton]

As far as trains I have smaller traditional size trains and true 1/48 trains. I keep them together amd don't mix them. Most everything else is close to 1/48 with a range of 1/43-1/54. My street lights are HO though but measure 12 scale feet high in O scale.

Pete

 

[sjm9911]

Toy train layout to me is something thats not realistic but can be played with. It doesn't matter about scale or being realistic. So anything cool that you like and incorporate imto a layout. Others are more picky about things and want only realistic stuff. So , the trains , stations buildings have to jive together. Whats most important is not what you call it, but to have fun. Its your layout, do what you want.

 

[Millstonemike]

As far as trains I have smaller traditional size trains and true 1/48 trains. I keep them together amd don't mix them. Most everything else is close to 1/48 with a range of 1/43-1/54. My street lights are HO though but measure 12 scale feet high in O scale.

Pete

I was just looking at crossings. The "O scale offerings" seemed way to big at 5.5", far higher than any of my trains including my larger pre-war O tinplate, Marx (~1/64) and my Williams Crown Edition "1:48" passenger cars. All the trains at my local XO are far taller than the crossing lights.