1:100 scale modelling - downsizing

[idlemarvel]

I’ve been dabbling with this small scale, based on using track one stud apart (narrower than TLG “narrow gauge” track) which gives a model track gauge of about 14.2 mm. When compared with real life standard gauge 1435 mm this gives us a scale of about 1:100. This is very convenient for scaling down models from real life, but of course gives some challenges in Lego.

Here’s what the track looks like, with a station and passenger car waiting for a loco to appear. The station is based on Stammersdorf, a now disused station in Austria, and the passenger car is an OBB livery 2 axle car.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bahnhof_Stammersdorf#/media/File:Bahnhof_Stammersdorf_Aufnahmegebaeude.jpg

Not sure if this scale has a name in Lego-land. It’s a bit like midi-scale. People are reduced to 5 to 6 plates high. Using the European loading gauge of 3.15 m width gives us about 32 mm or 4 studs width, so I guess these are a variety of “4-studs wide” models but with a rail width to scale. The passenger car above is 4 studs wide and 13 studs long. 

The only wheels available are the “tiny” wheel for diesels and passenger cars, or “standard” wheels for steam loco drivers. Here’s an OBB class 77 4-6-2 tank engine.

I also had a go at a type L tram from Vienna using 1 x 8 tiles on their side for rails. This is just over 3 studs wide (trams have to be narrower than trains even if they run on standard gauge tracks).

Not sure these scale trains can be motorised even with Circuit Cubes and are probably more suited to a diorama, but I have thought about some kind of San Francisco cable-car type system to move the tram.

Anyway, a bit of harmless fun.
 

[ivanlan9]

Your 1:100 scale fits comfortably between HO (1:87), OO (1:76) and N (1:160); TT scale (1:120) was once very popular.  Around 67 years ago, my dad took me to visit a friend of his who had a spare bedroom converted into a TT layout; the room was around 12 or 13 feet square, and I remember being impressed at the amount of detail and scenery that could be fitted into a not-terribly-large area.  

[idlemarvel]

Thanks for your comments. FYI there is an "official" 1:100 scale a.k.a 3mm to the foot which was an early UK version of TT. There are no ready to run models in that scale any more but there is a UK group who do finescale modelling of British outline, see here:

https://sites.google.com/site/3mmpublic/40-years-of-3mm-modelling

 

[ivanlan9]

Wow.  Thanks for that!  My brother does N gauge, and I suspect he'll be very interested in these!  (I enjoy looking at them myself, but I'm not about to try 3mm gauge--much too small for my very old eyes!)

[Feuer Zug]

Given the scale, you've managed to make the rolling stock recognizable. Excellent work. The L type tram is perfect.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Wow very nice scale ...amazing pictures! 

[zephyr1934]

Excellent micro-working!

[Duq]

I love that tram!

I see your images are hosted on Flickr, but you haven't posted them as clickable links - is that on purpose?

In Flickr, if you go to 'Share - BBCode', copy and paste it here, you get this:

See my photos 30 by Duq, on Flickr

[idlemarvel]

On 5/6/2024 at 6:21 PM, Feuer Zug said:

Given the scale, you've managed to make the rolling stock recognizable. Excellent work. The L type tram is perfect.

Thank you. I do like the tram. I have actually built it and am working a trailer car and on some kind of cable system to make it move.

14 hours ago, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Wow very nice scale ...amazing pictures! 

Thank you. I am enjoying the scale. Half minifig scale means a quarter of the real estate required!

13 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

Excellent micro-working!

Thank you.

3 hours ago, Duq said:

I love that tram!

I see your images are hosted on Flickr, but you haven't posted them as clickable links - is that on purpose?

In Flickr, if you go to 'Share - BBCode', copy and paste it here, you get this:

See my photos 30 by Duq, on Flickr

Thanks Duq for your comments and advice concerning Flickr.

I do copy the BB code but I edit it to only show the picture between the IMG tags. I only use Flickr for putting pictures on here, there's nothing else to see on my Flickr account. What are you missing by me not making the pictures clickable please?

[Duq]

13 hours ago, idlemarvel said:

I do copy the BB code but I edit it to only show the picture between the IMG tags. I only use Flickr for putting pictures on here, there's nothing else to see on my Flickr account. What are you missing by me not making the pictures clickable please?

Higher resolution versions of the images? And your other pictures. I was curious what else you've built.

[djm]

On 5/5/2024 at 4:08 AM, idlemarvel said:

Not sure these scale trains can be motorised even with Circuit Cubes and are probably more suited to a diorama, but I have thought about some kind of San Francisco cable-car type system to move the tram.
 

You can probably adapt the Minifig Mover to provide movement for these, with the concept being to attach the model to a "conveyor belt"(of sorts) and move the conveyor belt.

David

[idlemarvel]

8 hours ago, Duq said:

Higher resolution versions of the images? And your other pictures. I was curious what else you've built.

Okay got it, thanks. I'll see what I can do next time!

7 hours ago, djm said:

You can probably adapt the Minifig Mover to provide movement for these, with the concept being to attach the model to a "conveyor belt"(of sorts) and move the conveyor belt.

David

That's a brilliant idea, thanks, perfect for moving street level trams. Not sure trams could handle the very tight curves and especially the tensioner section but I was thinking along the lines of a straight shuttle line anyway. It's going to require a lot of Technic bits I don't have though so it'll take a while to build a prototype. 

[idlemarvel]

I have taken your idea David (@djm) and modified it to represent a tramway.

The straight and the 90 degree bend are on 8 x 8 plates so I can build them into 16 x 16 MILS boards. The bend is not symmetrical so I will have to build a mirror image - no matter. I've ordered a ton of technic bits so I hope to build a prototype soon-ish.

I've also had a go at a Lokschuppen (train shed) for the railway section.

 

[zephyr1934]

8 hours ago, idlemarvel said:

I have taken your idea David (@djm) and modified it to represent a tramway.

The straight and the 90 degree bend are on 8 x 8 plates so I can build them into 16 x 16 MILS boards. The bend is not symmetrical so I will have to build a mirror image - no matter. I've ordered a ton of technic bits so I hope to build a prototype soon-ish.

Okay, that's cool!

[Darkkostas25]

Marvelous *_* great detailing to such small scale