Yes, I know all that and I was being technical. That statement might be the reality of the party line according to Lionel, but when I was into Lionel I found they made very few things that are really 1:48 scale. When I got a 1:48th ruler and started measuring things I was very disappointed. Especially that the track was 5 foot gauge - Hence O-gauge. So, I use the scale vs gauge to distinguish between equipment that has only 2 rails, where I can put a scale rule on the equipment and have it match (at least fairly closely) prototype equipment, where the rails aren't a foot tall, wheel flanges on the equipment is not 6", etc.
Iron Horsemen, as usual you are absolutely correct, technically. The correct term should be scale when referring to any size model train.
In years past most Lionel and other O gauge manufactures have produced traditional scale (smaller then 1:48) as it has been for nearly 100 years, with a few exceptions.
In more recent times Lionel and others have made more and more Standard O (true 1:48) equipment. The trend has defiantly been moving to standard O. I have both, but to me it is silly for an O gauge hobbyist or Hirailer to purse such accuracy only to have them run on 3 rail track. In my opinion if you are looking for accuracy 3 rail O gauge is not the scale, but to each his own. The only reason I have standard O is because that is the new equipment that is equipped with the command control.
O has to be the most confusing of all scales, if not it is certainly near the top. The US, UK and the European Continent all have there own different versions of O. Every manufacture use it's own terminology; traditional scale, standard O, semi scale and others. Then throw in 2 rail O and you have a confusing mess.
For me Lionel is still the "standard of the world" so of course I use their terminology.
I apologize if I have offended you, but I could not resist the chance for the sophomore student to challenge the professor. As the good professor should, you put me I my place!
Johne230 I apologize to you as well for being a distraction to your thread.
