OO gauge
00 gauge model railways are the most popular standard in the United Kingdom, being one of several 4 mm scale standards (4 mm to the foot (304.8 mm), or 1:76.2) in use, but the only one served by mass market manufacturers. 00 uses 16.5 mm gauge track, which is inaccurate for 4 mm scale (it is reasonably accurate for H0 scale). Many experienced modellers therefore find the 00 standard inadequate, and they tend to model using the older EM gauge or the modern, exact scale P4 standards.
Contents
History
Double-0 scale model railways were first launched by Bing in 1921 as 'The Table Railway', running on 16.5 mm track and scaled at 4 mm to the foot (305 mm). In 1922, the first models of British prototypes appeared. Initially all locomotives were powered by clockwork, but the first electric power appeared in the Autumn of 1923.
00 gauge was based on H0 scale (3.5 mm:1 ft (305 mm)), and kept the same gauge. However, the large propulsion mechanisms could not fit into the small British prototypes, so the scale was enlarged to (4 mm:1 ft (304.8 mm)) without altering the gauge. This means that the scale gauge represents 4'1½", seven inches narrower than the prototype 4'8½" gauge. It is also used to represent the 5 ft 3 in Irish broad gauge where it is a scale 13½ inches too narrow. These noticeable differences are aggravated by the over-scale rail section, over-scale wheel width and very deep wheel flange. These departures from scale require much larger clearances on pointwork and are particularly noticable when looking down the track.
In 1932, the Bing company collapsed, but the Table Railway continued to be manufactured by the new Trix company. However, Trix decided to use a new standard of 3.5 mm to the foot or 1:87, and this scale came to be known as 'H0'. This is due to the scale being half of that used for Gauge 0 (7 mm to 1 foot). (It should be noted that this is the number zero NOT the letter o as Gauge 0 is the lower progression from older establised Gauges of 3, 2 and 1).
In 1938, the Meccano Company launched a new range of 00 models under the trade name of Hornby Dublo, and the 00 scale has remained as the UK's most popular ever since.
In the United States, Lionel Corporation introduced a range of 00 models in 1938 as well. It did not prove popular and only remained on the market until 1942. 00 gauge was quickly eclipsed by H0 scale.
00 today
The two main manufacturers of ready-to-run model railways are Hornby Railways and Bachmann Branchline, a subsidiary of Bachmann Trains. A third major manufacturer of accessories (particularly track) is Peco.
