1:20 SCALE WHITE METAL CASTINGS
Manufacturer: Little Railways, 1621 Cherry Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. Price: CX-002 Rachet and Pawl, $1.00 per pair; CX-005 Bolt, Nut, Round Washer, 8 for $2.00; CX-006 10" Bolster End Plate, 4 for $2.00; CX-150 15" Brake Wheel with Curly Spokes $.90 each; CX-205 and CX-307 5" and 7" Stake Pockets, 10 for$4.00; SX-001 "S" Wrench $.90 each; SX-002 Hand Saw $.90 each; SX-003 Square Point Shovel $1.50 each; SX-004 Oil Can $1.20 each; SX-008 Worn Broom $1.50 each; SX-013 Working Cant Hook $1.80 each.
THE ONLY CORRECT scale for three foot narrow gauge on Gauge One (LGB) track is 1:20.3 (15 mm per foot). If that statement confuses you please read the article, Scale and Gauge, elsewhere in this issue. For now, please accept it as true. Also please accept that the owner of Little Railways, Tony Ferraro, produces his line of 1:20 castings, rolling stock, wheelsets, and an occasional structure strictly in self-defense, as a labor of love.
Why? Because Tony Ferraro has a very acute sense of proportion. His eyes notice the extra three or four scale inches between the rails when 1:22.5 or 1:24 scale rolling stock runs on Gauge One track. Those inches offend him. And since nobody else in the hobby seemed to care enough to produce a line in the "correct" scale, Tony produced it himself, for esthetic reasons.
What you see in the photo is nearly two-thirds of the line. Locomotives are beyond Little Railways' present capabilities. So is injection molded plastic rolling stock. And Little Railways prefers ready-to-run models to kits; small, backwoods prototypes to more traditional equipment; and the personality we often associate with lumber or mining operations to that even of the Colorado narrow gauge lines. Such is the character of Tony Ferraro's product.
Each is a gem. Every casting is completely free of flash, crisp, and perfect. No parting lines were evident. Every right angle was a true ninety degrees. The shape, proportion, and, of course, esthetics of each piece was superb.
If you decide to become one of the Faithful and convert to 1:20 scale, Tony will shower you with data. He'll provide 1:20 scale dimensions for virtually all appropriate products from other manufacturers. He'll offer a wealth of material on suitable shortlines. Since his line is still incomplete, he'll inform you where to shop for the hardware he lacks. Even what motive power might be available.
I admit this review has dealt less with, for instance, stake pockets than with the concept of 1:20 scale models and Little Railways in general. But think about it: What can a reviewer say about a casting beyond "superb"?
Of course, many pieces translate directly to 1:22.5 scale and some even to 1:24. Little Railways will be happy to warn you if you wander astray.
But why not try a project in 1:20? You supply the wood. Little Railways will supply some outstanding hardware. The result may delight you. RR
