Scales and Gauges Used

We use several different scales at the club, specifically OO and N gauge. Some of our members have an interest in other scales but these form part of their personal collections.

Although the club only uses OO and N gauge in its own layouts, we are quite willing for members to introduce other gauges or scales, or bring these along to meetings. At the end of the day, a model railway is a model railway. At present we limit ourselves to the most common gauges in the interests of simplicity.

OO Gauge

00 gauge was developed by Being in 1921 as a 'table-top' railway. In 1922, the first british prototypes were launched. These were initially powered by clockwork motors but in August 1923 electric motors were introduced.

The 00 gauge was based on HO gauge, which used a scale of 3.5mm to the foot (1:87) but the motors were too big to fit inside the british prototype rolling stock, so the larger scale was developed, but without altering the track size.

In 1932 the Bing company collapsed. The concept was continued by a company called Trix who correct the scale to 3.5mm to the foot and named the gauge HO. In 1939 the Meccano company, founded by Frank Hornby, launched a new range of 00

gauge trains under the trade name of Hornby DublO. Hornby is now one of the oldest and most successful manufacturers of 00 gauge model railways. They continue to market a range of rolling stock and train sets, bought by beginners and enthusiasts alike.

A second company, Bachmann Branchline from the United States of America has now taken Hornby's crown as the largest seller of 00 gauge in the world.

00 gauge is based on a scale of 4mm to the foot, or 1:76.2. The track gauge however, is 16.5mm, which is inaccurate for this scale. Many modellers find this scale inadequate as it is not accurate, preferring instead EM or the new P4 gauge.

00 is the most popular model gauge however, as there are many manufactures that support it. There is a wide range of track and rolling stock available at a relatively low price. We do not believe in the purists' view that 00 is a flawed scale. Our philosophy is to enjoy out hobby rather than strive to create an accurate reproduction. We do however, welcome members with interests in any gauge and scale; their knowledge and experience is greatly appreciated.