Model Railroad Gauges and ScalesMany people new to model railroading often ask about the difference between model railroad gauges and scales. It is certainly an interesting subject and one model railroading enthusiasts need to understand a little bit about at least.
There are quite a few websites online already that delve into the depths of all the technical measurements of model railroad gauges and scales, and some of the best are listed in the resources below. To get a basic understanding of model railroad gauges and scales, let's first take a look at the history of toy trains. A Brief History of Model Railroad Gauges and ScalesToy trains manufactured during the 19th century did not conform to any model railroad gauges and scales other than those of any given manufacturer. When various manufacturers attempted to use the same gauge there were still too many differences in wheel standards, rails used, track standards, and couplers to allow one model railroad to work with any others. In 1891, "Märklin Bros. & Co." came to the forefront by offering an entire layout system that could grow with additions of model railroad gauges and scales that allowed a higher level of model railroad standardization. Other makers paid attention to Märklin's success and standardization among manufacturers began to grow. Märklin presented standardized track pieces at the Leipzig Spring Fair with straights, curves, points, and cross-overs in five varying scales. These were as follows:
It must be noted that these Märklin model railroad gauges and scales measure rail-center to rail-center and have a standard rail-head width of 3mm (1/8"). There are still variances found in these gauges as original inch measuring was converted to the metric system. For example No. 4 Gauge can be found as both 3" or 2 15/16". Mistakes were made by manufacturers wanting to copy Märklin, such as Gilbert's American Flyer. The story goes that they intended to copy the No. 3 Gauge but thought 2 5/8" was the space between the rails rather than the rail-center to rail-center measurement. However they weren't the only famous maker to be confused. Other makers who decided to produce model railroad gauges and scales based on the Märklin standards, named their products similar to Märklin but used other measurements. For example the 75mm was called No. 3 Gauge and the 67mm was called the No. 2A by Bing (Pre-WWI German model train manufacturer; imported clockwork or electric O and 1 gauge toy trains to the US. Introduced HO/OO gauge toy trains to the US but was later forced out of the US toy train market.) Model railroad gauges and scales were less important than appearance to 19th century makers. 20th Century Model Railroad Gauges and ScalesVery early in the 20th century Märklin introduced No. 0 Gauge which was a smaller scale of 35mm or 1 3/8". Model railroads had previously been purchased by the wealthiest families but now Märklin designed the No. 0 Gauge to fit in smaller homes and these toy trains were made more affordable. By this time No. 1 Gauge was the most popular of the original 5 Märklin model railroad gauges and scales so it was apparent the demand for smaller gauges was already in place. No. 0 Gauge was an immediate success and other makers rushed to bring many non-standard smaller gauge model trains to market before WWI. American manufacturer Lionel started producing a huge range of model railroad trains and accessories based on the Märklin marketing idea of issuing a full catalog of choices in trains, track and accessories. Similar to American Flyer, Lionel made the mistake of thinking the No. 2 Gauge which they adopted, was 2 1/8" measured between the rails as was standard in the United State. Turning their mistake into an asset, Lionel defined their product as "Standard Gauge" and started the term still used in the USA today. European Influence on Model Railroad Gauges and ScalesGerman makers were influenced by the British market prior to WWI. Henry Greenly's "Table Top Railway" was 5mm wide running on 5/8" tinplate track; half the width of Gauge-0. Nuremberg, Germany's Bing released a "Table-top" product line in 1921 that was to 5/8" gauge (measured rail to rail). This gauge was made because it was half the size of the popular Gauge-0 and it became a HUGE success in Germany, England, and the United States. The idea was heavily copied by many makers. Henry Greenly brought his own 'Table Top Railway' which was 5mm wide running on 5/8" tinplate track to the English market in 1923; again half the width of Gauge-0. Märklin brought out Gauge-00 (No. 00 Gauge) after WWI featuring approximately a 7/8" track from 1921 to 1924. Henry Greenly published "Model Railways" in May 1924 and wrote about model railroad gauges and scales. In discussing Gauge No. 00 which he called 'Table Railways', he said:
Up to the early 1920’s Gauge-1 was the Premier Gauge but its supremacy declined during the 1920’s and 30’s as first Gauge 0 and then later Gauge 00 and H0 gained in popularity. By the 1930's model railroad gauges and scales larger than Gauge-0 just about vanished from the market. Other Model Railroad Gauges and ScalesGilbert American Flyer Trains were made in 3 gauges. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer
Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. "O" Gauge is what Lionel manufactures today scaled 1/4" to
the foot, along with "O27", which run on three rail track. Gilbert American Flyer was also made in "HO" (Half "O") or approximatly 1/8" to the foot. Gilbert also produced it's "O" Gauge line in a scaled "O" Gauge of 3/16" to the inch. In the mid 1930s, new lines were introduced in OO and HO scales by Märklin, Hornby, Lionel, Trix and more.
Although model trains grew more true to prototype in larger scales, some makers tried to use toy train gauges as a basis for producing accurate model railroad gauges and scales. Becasue the majority of manufacturers rounded scale numbers up or down to suit themselves, this caused the scales used within any gauge to be different. Some real oddities remain in the model railroad gauges and scales today because of this intentional lack of standardization.
Following WWII, HP Products of the United State brought out a small line of TT scale models. Several other makers in Europe copied them and TT Scale had a short run as a popular gauge during the 1950s. TT Scale remains popular today in Eastern Europe. While O scale made a comeback after WWII, it never regained its former popularity. The gauge stayed in the European toy market until around 1950; Britain lasted until around 1960, and Lionel in the US managed to last until a nostalgic model railroad resurgence caused sales to increase. N scale started in the mid '50s with push toys from Lone Star and MiniTrix. Maker Arnold released powered N scale railroad models in about 1960. Now N scale is the second most popular model railroad gauges and scales, coming in right after HO scale. Märklin declared Z scale to be the smallest practical model railroad gauges and scales in 1972. Although other firms produce Z scale products, none have such as complete line of track and rolling stock. Because of the manufacturing precision required along with problems of micro-sized models, there probably won't be any smaller model railroad gauges and scales made anytime soon. Larger model railroad gauges and scales have gained popularity in the monied circles again with the resurgence of G scale models or Garden Railroads since the 1980s. Garten (No. 2 Scale) railroads originated with Lehmann in Germany and run on Gauge I (45mm) track. Märklin came back with Scale No. 1 models and has recently split it's line into scale models and tinplate models. As these appear to be successful with both the scale modelers and those who prefer nostalgic toys, further increase in the old larger gauges may result. Author Credit: Copyright 2007 © Mary Campbell Model Railroad Gauges and Scales ResourcesA History of 00 Gauge | |||||||||||||||
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