Big, Heavy Trains for Little Boys
When toy trains were first introduced, not long after the real ones began riding the rails, models trended to the large and clunky. Early scales included Number 1 Gauge with rails 1-17/32-inches apart, Number 2 Gauge with rails 2-inches apart and Number 3 Gauge with rails 2-1/2-inches apart. These were predominantly European scales, although some were exported Stateside.
In New York City, Lionel started out with 2-7/8-inch wide track for their Trolleys in 1909. This soon evolved into Standard Gauge with outside rails 2-1/8-inch apart. Standard Gauge production ended in 1940 with the last run of Lionel's big trains. It would be quite a while before modern Standard Gauge equipment re-appeared during the 1960s and 1970s, followed by Garden Scale trains.
The American Flyer Wide (Standard is a trademark owned by Lionel) Gauge Steam Locomotive with Vanderbilt style tender pictured in this post weighs in at around 25 pounds. Now that's one hefty toy!