With the proliferation of scales and gages in model railroading, you'd think that the number and diversity of options and opportunities are enough to satisfy anyone. Yet, consider the scale of 2 inches = 1 foot:
1. endorsed by Mattel, arguably one of the biggest leisure-product manufacturers in the world;
2. supported by an infrastructure of military action figures, fashion dolls, and accessories;
3. can use prototypically correct, readily available one inch high rail (scales out to 6 inch high prototype);
4. big enough to stand out anywhere
5. reasonable size when modeling trolleys, interurbans, and streetcars, with their tight turning radius and their relatively modest space needs; good for light rail, subways, and rapid transit, also
6. distinguishes it just enough from live steam's inch-and-a-half scale, which has never really produced a line of non-rail-oriented products to be a viable off-the-shelf leisure line. You're expected to be a skilled metal worker, a fast-fading ability, to succeed in live steam / inch-and-a-half = one foot scale.
7. contrasts history and nostalgia with modernism and high technology in hobby activities and interests. It's very pleasant to be able to take a mental break from text-messaging, cell phones, and video games by immersing yourself --- however briefly --- in the era of your parents and grandparents.
There's a nicely done nostalgia-periodical called "Reminisce" with many images of life in, essentially, World War II and before, especially small town life. The articles are written by the participants (and probably edited and polished before publication). Many good ideas here ! ... and just maybe an outlet for some of your pre-War writings and photography. Reminisce is publshed by Readers Digest, so it's professionally done and interesting to read..
8. If artisans and small scale manufacturers pick up on this, this provides scope for them to populate an entire world, or as I would have it, a Miniature Universe.
I recommend calling this new scale / gage "P Scale" and "P Gage". This reflects subliminally the PlayScale that Mattel endorses, and avoids duplicating any other name. I also recommend a gage standard of 9 1/2", which differs from the prototype 4' 8.5" by 0.886%, less than 1%, not bad for modeling, a prototype distinction of about one-half inch --- as a former staff member on two short line railroads, I only wish that full-size railworkers could keep their tolerances that close.
Please look again at that image of Mr. Parry, of Parry's People Movers, sitting quietly at his commercial display at some forgotten industrial exhibition, next to the commercially-custom-made model of his "Parry's People Mover", which prototype people-carrier is propelled by Inertial drive , i.e., A RUDDY FLYWHEEL !
The picture does show very nicely the impressive size of a P Scale model light rail vehicle. Picture that on your traction layout !
Mr. Parry, of Parry's People Movers
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected in any way with, nor an employee of, nor a stockholder of, Mattel. I do not receive, nor have I ever received, any benefits, funds, rewards, or support of any kind from them nor from any other manufacturer. If you search the Internet, you'll find that there's a huge international subculture of independent workers in one-sixth figures, model structures, dioramas, and accessories. Join us.
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