lizardattitude

One of the most popular manufacturers of O Gauge announced that they would make Large Scale trains in 1:32.

There is a wide amount of rolling stock, besides MTH that will be useful in running with 1:32 scale. The truth is that 1:29 scale trains were initially influenced by LGB. LGB made box cars scaled out to 1:22.5. So many cars were made to "look right" in size with the LGB rolling stock. There is a LOT of stuff made by both of those manufacturers that is not 1:29. Take a look below at what is out there and how it looks....

Being relatively new to Large Scale [since January of 1999] and certainly more naive than many - I bought a lot of Large Scale Rolling stock only to find that much of it is not 1:29 scale.

Note the photo immediately above... you see 2 C,B, & Q boxcars. The one on the left is 1:32. The one on the right is from USA trains. Note how close in size when looking at the photo directly above.

In 1:32 scale, a 40 ft box car would have to be 15 inches long

Length of MDC - 14 4/16 inches

Length of USA - 14 9/16 inches. Less than 3% off if comparing it to a true 1:32 scale length

So the length is just over a quarter inch difference between the USA trains [which is better detailed anyway] and the 1:32 MDC.

Now look at the comparison between true 1:29 and the USA Rolling stock in the upper left photo. The length of the Aristocraft Burlington China Red Boxcar is 16 7/8". Pretty big.

In short - if you buy the MTH offerings in 1:32, there will be more than enough rolling stock available [if you can live with the 3% length disparity in size difference].

NOTE: Yes, the hand rails will be too large or the door latch is the wrong size. The USA trains box sits higher [you can lower them if it offends you]. You can get into the debate about widths, heights, etc. If your are looking for "Pure" scale, then most likely you will spend thousands on 1:32 brass models, make your own or avoid 1:32 altogether which effectively will place you in another category of scale/gauge runner [1:20.3, 1:24, etc.]. And certainly, if you are into 1:29, your not talking about a pure scale to gauge combination anyway.

But for me and many others - it will be just fine. Just buy some of the 100's of USA trains rolling stock. USA initially never stated the scale of their early pieces of rolling stock and it looks like it will work with the MTH 1:32. Much of it is still available at prices of less than $50.00. The Aristocraft uncovered and drop end gondolas are also way too small for 1:29. The older LGB USA style flat cars are no where near 1:29 . The photo in the upper right gives you a good idea of items that can be used with 1:32 trains.

At the ECLSTS in 2002, an MTH Hudson was sitting in front of the Aristocraft Heavyweights. Click here for a photo.

Aristocraft Heavyweights are actually closer to 1:29 than 1:32.

Update: MTH Rolling stock is out. Good details for the price point. And newer MTH items are getting more detailed than the initial offerings [note the most recent review of the MTH cars in the Decemnber GR Magazine, 2005]. Here are some Photos.