SOO Line: The Garden Railroad
"G-Scale" is LARGE SCALE indoor model railroading or outdoor Garden Railroading. LARGE SCALE "G Scale" has increasingly gained in popularity in the 90's, but still has a very long way to go to catch "HO" scale (1/87 scale) - the most popular model railroading scale. G-Scale items are larger than "Lionel"TM or "O" (1/48 scale) Gauge.
LARGE SCALE "G" models actually range in size (scale) from 1/20.5 to 1/32. The common element is that they all use the same 45mm track!! Unfortunately, unlike other "standard" scales, the couplers and "scale" of the rolling stock and engines has been, to date, decided by the manufacturers. But, rolling stock can be easily upgraded to "couple" correctly.
LARGE SCALE, now a growing modeling influence, has led to the major manufacturers providing more high quality items for us modelers to use "right-out-of-the-box". So, it's now easy to model a LARGE SCALE era (1800s or 1900s), a prototype (American or European rail line), a scene (rocky or grassy, northerly or southerly), a system (mainline or switching), temporary or permanent (lay on mulch or build substructures) or locomotive type (steam or diesel).
It's a "CAN-DO" LARGE SCALE hobby for any adventurer with a little imagination and a little kid in them who also can handle some outdoor landscaping. Believe me, there is never a more satisfying look than that of a young boy or girl watching a LARGE SCALE train going by. Their feeling of fascination with transportation systems, wheel drivers, smoke, lights, sounds, meandering through natural terrains, movements from one point to another, all is reflected in what makes modeling fun for all ages. That's what LARGE SCALE modeling is all about!!!
Persons involved in Garden Railroading combine the art of gardening with the fun of railroading in one space. In my case, the SOO Line Garden Railroad landscaping was there; all the scene needed was a railroad meandering in and out of it. As time goes by the railroad is being enhanced with "scale" plants and shrubs that really bring both hobbies to light. It is also expanding from front yard to back yard. This never ending set of "What looks good to me" and "What could be's" always make this a fun and challenging hobby.
