Scales and Gauges Part 10 "O" Scale Proto 48 - 100% Accurate O scale

Proto 48 is the most accurate O scale standard gauge model railroad modeling standard. Proto 48 follows exactly 1:48 SCALE. Gauge follows that scale exactly.
Therefore, standard gauge is not modeled at the usual 1.25 inches, but rather at 1.177 inches. The wheels are an exact AAR profile duplicating the prototype wheels. Instead of the usual oversized "O" scale "tire" and flange, the Proto 48 wheel is prototype 5.5 inches or 0.115" with a flange of 1 inch which is 0.02".Therefore, all wheels and axles need to be replaced.
This makes Proto 48 not compatible with any of the other "O" scale standards that use a prototype gauge of five feet which is to say 1.25 inches in "O" scale. The scale wheel shape also makes it not compatible with existing "O" track components like switches (points) of switch components like frogs, points, and guard rails. This means that all tracks must be hand-built and hand-laid.
Where Proto 48 IS compatible is with narrow gauges. Narrow gauge "O: scale has always been near prototype in wheel profile and the narrow gauges have always been correct. A three-foot gauge track measures an accurate 3/4 inch. A two-foot gauge track is an accurate 1/2 inch. A meter gauge track is an accurate 20.8mm. An On30 (On 2 1/2) (also known as Oe) is an accurate .625 inches (16.5mm)
proto48.org/

[@thomasharroun8068]

The finest track work I have ever seen in any scale

[@ToyManTelevision]

It’s really an inspiration to me. I’ve uped my game when it comes to laying track.

[@wmtrader]

These scales are making me itch.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Me too. Life’s an itch.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Just looking at the locomotive wheels, you realise how out of scale most models are! Amazing.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Indeed! Just the fine spokes. Never mind the flanges.

[@joellekarma]

This video was real helpful. I run On30 I feel 1:48 scale is a great scale for simplicity. It's large enough you can create amazing details, I love scratch building things for my layout. I have scratch built a few train cars that I am real happy on how they came out. I so enjoy your videos. I would love to meet you in person some time. I had a heart attack last month so my getting out and doing big things is kinda slow now, but I'm not stopping. Keep up the great work

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

I hope you make a full recovery, because life is beautiful. And, I hope you can keep working on all four thrusters so that, once again, you enjoy the GREATEST hobby in the entire world! Take care of yourself, and happy modeling! 😊

[@ToyManTelevision]

Oh no!! Well get well. Stay well. Take time to model. It’s something to do that is fun and relaxing. Your heart needs both.

[@loispadgett6306]

I have learned so much from these videos on gauge and scale thank you for sharing. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖 MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎄🎄

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thank you!! And MERRY CHRISTMAS ❤

[@hotwheelsbob2000]

Wonderful content as usual!! I watch every one of your videos! I have been called a rivet counter by my plastic modeling friends and the proto 48 tickles my fancy. Keep up the good work.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That is awesome! Thanks for everything.

[@stevemellin5806]

Great information Thank you.Have a great week

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Dale and Karen, hence when you land on the further UK scales and gauges, it would be interesting to see iterations on their different fine scale measurements. Don’t know the exact denomination for British O-scale in fine scale, but the P4 or the simple finescale name for OO-scale, is another interesting subject. Also, because these scales require a lot of hand laid track work. May be even interesting to give some attention to the Templot initiative, through which subscribers can either download specific track or turnout templates, or through their software configure the different track assemblies true to scale and prototype. Recently saw the episode on the Proto48 layout, truly amazing stuff. Absolutely love the series, such a great thing to see the wording of finescale AAR into Proto48 come to life. Indeed very confusing! But fun to watch!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. THANKS. I’m planning to go over the European O scales and gauges on Tuesday. We were planning to move on to #1 gauge but I think we need to Pick up those pieces. Thanks again.

[@terryh5526]

Judy and I can't help smiling at the beginning of your videos. From the little hot rod rocket, to the delightful music and the view of Garagemahal you always make our day. By the way, your content is pretty spiffy too!!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wow, thank you!!! ❤. Glad you like it… it’s fun for us too!!

[@louisgurske8179]

It's very nice, I loved it, Merry Christmas. Lou

[@ToyManTelevision]

Happy holidays! Thanks!!

[@Hedgehobbit]

I come from the wargame hobby and we'd refer to that was "true scale". I've noticed that most O scale building aren't even close to scale miniaturizations of real buildings. Because of their distortion, I use them unmodified in my 1/56 tables. (1/56 and 1/100 are the two most common scales in wargaming)

[@themodelhobbyist]

Well fun and interesting as always so thanks for sharing had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🙂Thomas over at The Model Hobbyist

[@ToyManTelevision]

Happy holidays! Happy new year! Happy modeling. Stay warm. Cold out there.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Nice info. Cool Caboose.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Cool indeed. So cool it’s cold!! Stay warm!

[@garyacker7388]

I never knew there were so many scales. Thanks you guys!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Our pleasure!

[@ewoodrailway]

Looking great

[@eottoe2001]

Yay! Scales and gauges Tuesday! (NMRA standard O gauge = 1.25", Proto 48 guage = 1.18")

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!! Us too!! Fun Series.

[@robertweldon7909]

This series continues to be great. If this mans rail road is an example of the level of detail in "Proto 48", then there must be others out there doing the same, wow. !.177 track gauge, I'll have to get my conversion chart out to find the nearest "fractional". (11/64 = .1718 3/16=.1875) so, ,177 is about 23/128 Ya Right. My rulers/scales don't get that small, but my drafting software does. Just think "Proto 48" is space shuttle accurate. Another great video Dale, I'm learning so much. Merry Christmas. ;-)

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi Robert! Thanks again! Totally amazing layout right? The adherence to scale and prototype is so great. And AMAZING modeling.

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks for the video

[@ToyManTelevision]

Our pleasure!

[@keithyoung7061]

Each to their own, and I admire those with the engineering skills, but but for me it drains the enjoyment from the hobby.

[@ToyManTelevision]

We all love what we love. Operation. Scale modeling. Collecting. Toy trains..

[@finlayfraser9952]

Good Stuff!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!

[@tomklock568]

"O" holy night...ha ha. Nice video.

[@ToyManTelevision]

“O”!! I C.

[@steveross129]

Fascinating series. I hope you will continue and address HO and OO scales and how the track they share measures up. Also, why isn’t HO 1/96, which would be 1/2 O?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Well 00 is half 0 (or O) but HO fixed the gauge problem by going to 1/87 scale so the gauge is accurate 4’81/2” at exactly one half of O gauge.

[@yardhog]

The railroad in Panama was indeed 5' gauge till KCS bought them and regauged the whole railroad.

[@ToyManTelevision]

There are several 5’ gauge railways but none in the US.

[@yardhog]

Panama was a territory but you are correct, non in the continental US. If you don't count BART which was built in the early 1970's or the 4' cable car lines, the US did indeed stay with the 4' 8 1/2" gauge. Australia's and Brazil's broad gauge is actually 5'3" so even the 5' gauge wouldn't work for them either.

[@astridvallati4762]

Model SZD ( USSR Railways)...they are 5'0" Gauge...1.25 inches Correct!!! Where "O" gauge and Proto-48 ( USSR) MEET. IN Australia ( Gauge Chaos) the O gaugers use 1.25" track with 1:43,5 scale ( 7 km to Foot) but no difference between 4'8.5" and 5'3" !!! The few makers of 3'6" ( On42) use both .875" gauge ( Correct 1:48) and Compromise On30 (16,5mm HO track). I am starting a Proto-48 model of QGR, in 1:48/ On42 correct gauge ( 7/8" or S gauge Track...but Hand laid to 1:48 Standards. As all the Prototype Stock is Pre-Metric ( 1930s-40s , Steam Power and Wood/ Steel Rolling Stock, ) use of a steel scale rule is the Bee's Knees!!! Also, US scale Lumber is available in Aussie....or make my own...with mini- table saw. Great Explanation of Proto-48. Now for supply of Wheel Sets suitable for On42 Locomotives...Some US import Designs, local designs influenced by Baldwin construction practices... Happy New Year Modelling...all 1:48 aficionados. DocAV down under.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Amazing information thanks. 😮

[@davidwayneprins]

being that it is only two rails, is it DC powered like N, HO and G or still AC like the rest of O gauge?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. For the most part three rails is AC and two rails DC. But American Flyer is two rail AC and some Lionel from the 70’s is three rail DC.

[@kenshores9900]

Not a dis, but talk about counting rivets! Remember I model N gauge, or N scale. I am confused but that is normal. Merry Christmas to you and Karyn. May Santa bring you a highly detailed locomotive.

[@ToyManTelevision]

We are headed your way! Well to n scale. And Nn3. 9mm. HOn 2 1/2. Stuff like that. Oh! HOe as well. All n gauge.

[@jamessbca]

By the time N scale was created, the idea of scale modeling was already an established way of thinking, so the track gauge is accurate. The O scale people who want the track gauge to be correct go this extra step that HO, N don’t have to deal with. (Proto:160 is super cool - N scale with more accurate wheel profiles). This stuff seems nutty to some, but some of us really dig it :)

[@kenshores9900]

@@jamessbca James; Don’t get me wrong I hear you. Proto 160 must be something but don’t you have to have a magnifying lens to appreciate the level of detail? Again not Dising just saying. My eyes were so bad that I got a deferment for my eyes when Nixon eliminated all of them. I have several articulated steam loco’s in N scale that I do appreciate all the small moving parts. Rail on my friend and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

What I'd like to know is, is it possible to convert a regular O gauge steam locomotive to the gauge of proto 48? I have my doubts. But, I believe it can be done with railcars like coaches, boxcars, flatbed cars, hoppers, gondolas, etc. But, not steam Locos. Just asking. What do you think, Dale? By the way, I had a little trouble trying to decipher what Mr. Harper was saying...unlike last time. 😕 🤔 I believe, if your gonna convert from O gauge to proto 48, the piston rods would no longer be aligned with the steam chests.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Its done all the time. There are now hundreds of P48 hobbyists, and there are wheel sets, trucks, products are made specifically for P48, and a number of specialist machinists that do locomotive conversions. There are even high detail track components ready made to buy.. frogs for P48 flange depths, and all the points, guards, tieplates, gauge bars and such.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Yup. Some brass locomotives have wheel sets you can buy. But my friend Don changes gauges all the time. Some locomotives are hard. Shays are especially hard. Don regauges from On30 to On3. But same idea.

[@coreyohlis2262]

Are you going to get into the Garden Scale mess?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Next up !!

[@hallkbrdz]

O gauge modeling 5 foot gauge is a Russian influence... LOL

[@ToyManTelevision]

Well they do have five feet. And three hands. And sadly, at this moment, no brain.

[@andrewjackson9417]

C'mon it's model railroading. I'm sure all those guys make their ties from the correct wood, creosote them, then use the correct type of steel for the rails and the track nails. I'm sure their steam engine are steam powered, and their diesels are diesel, they have working cateneries. This has skipped the sublime and the ridiculous and gone straight to insane.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Well everyone has their likes and dislikes and there’s no denying it. I Like building stuff. Locomotives. Rolling stock. Structures. Mostly structures. Others like running. Others operating. Collecting. Whatever. All good.