Rail to rail and wheel flange to wheel flange distances

Some German toy train collectors apparently claim that the Merkur outer rail to outer rail distance would not be similar to the one of Märklin rails and of related prewar scale zero brands. And the same would be true for the wheel flange to wheel flange distances. How to convince a German that is precise and wrong at the same time? Hmmm, show the evidence, I would reckon. So, here are some pictures, to deal with this misunderstanding for once and for all. 

So here we have my beautiful table with metal ruler and four types of scale zero rails; from left to right: old Hornby-Meccano, modern Merkur, old Lionel 0 and old Lionel 027.As everyone with good eyes can see; the inner-distance between the outer rails is 3.2 cm. That is why it is scale zero!

And guess what, Merkur and Lionel rails simply slide in each other... (well that is how I have built my layout in the first place).

And guess what, modern Merkur rails also couple with old Hornby-Meccano rails.

Additionally, the wheel flange to wheel flange distance of prewar Lionel cars (top) and modern Merkur cars (bottom) are the same: 2.8 cm. That why both cars run so good on these rails...


Und für die beliebte Nachbarn: Viel Modelleisenbahnspass gewünscht!