Oh dear - what a pity you seem to find it neccessary to resort to personal aspertions - apart from invoking the 'H' word, few things are as sure to bring reasonable debate to an unsuccessful conclusion than the loss of mutual respect of the participants.
However - I will try just once more to put my view across.
John, as you've had a bit of a rough ride already and, in view of what you've written about me, you'd be justified in expecting more of the same now. Actually, I'm writing to offer you an Olive Branch, because my private model world is exactly as you describe. [I'm about to take delivery of two new locomotives, one of British standard gauge to 1/32 scale and the other of Colonial three foot gauge to 1/20 scale. I shall run them on the same tracks, albeit not at the same time, enjoying the kind of flexibility you do, and which you explain very eloquently.]
At the same time, I also do small-time online publishing i.e. manage Moribund Forums, mostly about machine tools, but covering a very broad range of Gauge One as well.
From those perspectives, I'm thanking you for pointing out what I've missed, and returning the compliment - no Aspersions, OK?
To start here:
a few simple precautions are all that is necessary to ensure that the variety of manufacturers wheel standards continue to glide smoothly through the various kinds of track they may be required run on with the minimum of fuss.
. . . that's clearly been your experience, but only because - as you say yourself -
it constantly surprises me just how compatible the range of wheel standards are with a similar variety of track standards in our model world
. . . in other words, most manufacturers make wheelsets within spitting distance of the classic "G1MRA Standard": 5.5 to 6mm wide, 1.5 to 2mm deep flanges, 40mm back-to-back.
In the world you and I share, supplied by Aster, Roundhouse, Accucraft, Tenmille, Korzilius, Slaters, Northern Finescale, IP Engineering, Brandbright, etc etc etc, that's
kinda true.
. . . Simple precautions, a moderately accurate caliper and common sense will indeed keep the wheels rolling smoothly
for a while. Until the wheels gradually destroy the crossings, as illustrated earlier, at which point some folk will put up with the consequences while others will declare, "Good Grief! Actually it
is broke!"
BUT (you knew there was a 'but' coming, didn't you?) in posting here, on WESTERN THUNDER, you and I have stepped outside that comfortable world. We have landed on a planet where the Local Deviants value BOTH the wheels AND the track looking Right when compared with a prototype (rather than with someone else's model) AND they don't want to see their trains roll over.
And because of that stance, hard numbers come inexorably home to roost:
- G1MRA and G-Scale wheelsets jam on 1/32 check, wing and guard rails.
- 1/32 wheels 'split the points' on G1MRA track.
- 2mm deep flanges don't always fit inside 1/32 splashers,
- 40mm back-to-back doesn't often clear 1/32 boilers and fireboxes.
Therefore Minimal Compromise Scale undermines the benefits you attribute to G1MRA Standard just as surely as the guys here remain exasperated with G1MRA's fudges. So on the surface, there's a dividing of the ways along the lines of Hornby versus ProtoFour.
The snags with that are that,
- G1MRA isn't making progress towards fixing what IS broken (unavoidable distortions of scale, damage to track, and tolerance of an alarming number of crashes),
- In the last four years, ScaleOne32 has no new tracks, and there's only one taker for a Masterpiece kit.
When I say most G1MRA members don't understand, I'm not intending to patronise them - merely reflecting on to you dozens and dozens of initial reactions to my demonstrations. Those who do understand - and that includes Officers and Vice Presidents - are very supportive to ScaleOne32. No, they aren't supportive enough to 'cross the floor' and give up their present train-sets and social whirl so, in that sense, Simon's quip about Canute is absolutely justified.
. . . Yet I am confident that, given a realistic Proposition, they would provide practical help in the pursuit of excellence.
For myself, with "Gauge One" models in seven scales, I would like:
- to have at least one ScaleOne32 train,
- be aware of places where I could run it,
- to offer a
range of options for people struggling with the snags of G1MRA Standard, both Absolute and Compromises,
- to see Gauge One modelling at its best - in print, online, in public.
For yourselves, I'd like to see less frustration and more blossoming, and if I or my forums can help - if only by putting like-minded souls in touch, I'd like that too.
This thread is about exploring long-term options, and thanks to everyone for contributions.
David