O Scale	Wargaming	Architectural	Narrow Gauge	Tools+

Narrow Gauge Model Railways

The term Narrow Gauge is used for a track gauge narrower than the 4' 8½" (1435mm) of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of 3' 6" (1067mm) or less. The reasoning behind using a narrower gauge is cost, being cheaper to build & operate than standard gauge and, therefore, particularly suited for mountainous regions, and places where standard gauge trains would need tunnels or bridges.

Narrow gauge railways also have particular use in mines and other areas where smaller size is beneficial, and many were principally industrial railways as opposed to general carriers. Regular uses for these industrial narrow gauge railways were mining, quarrying, construction and tunnelling.

The more famous narrow gauge railways in Britain include the Ffestiniog, Talyllyn and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.

Narrow Gauge Modelling Scales

The large variety of different ‘real world’ narrow gauges means that there is also a similar variety of modelling scales to choose from.  Here we outline the more common variants, with details of what is available for each one.

There are others of course, such as gauge 0 (7mm / ft) on N gauge track for 18" gauge, or even N scale track and modified stock on a G scale layout for a miniature park type railway!  In fact any type of narrow gauge system can be built, even down to monorails, although these will probably require a lot of scratchbuilding of stock and locomotives.

Narrow Gauge Modelling Brands

Of all the major manufacturers, Peco is the one who have the widest product range devoted to narrow gauges.  Peco produce track for most narrow gauge scales, and also manufacture loco kits for N-6.5 and OO9.

Kirkcaldy based company Dundas Models offer a good range of rolling stock kits in OO9 scale for different locations and periods, and a selection of Tralee & Dingle Light Railway wagons in both OO9 and HOm scales.

Minitrains produce smooth running locomotives in all shapes and sizes for HOe / OO9 model railways. From small 0-4-0 diesels to 0-8-0 Brigadelok tank locomotives you will find something for your Narrow Gauge railway. They also have lots of wagons and coaches to compliment the range and they can be used in all sorts of different settings and locations.

Roco has an excellent range of HOe, with Digital Start Sets, Locomotives and Rolling Stock in Continental outlines.

German manufacturer LGB is one of the best known brands in any model railway scale.  Their models are in 1:22.5 scale and use a track gauge of 45mm and this fantastic range covers european and North American locos and rolling stock with digital or conventional control, signals and figures.

Bachmann is another big name in the world of model railways.  In addition to their OO Scale range, they also produce G and On30 Scales.

Coopercraft have a small selection of rolling stock kits in SM32 scale alongide their O and OO scale selections.  Coopercraft produce all of their range from tooling that is machined in-house, making for some very finely moulded items.

Whilst Springside's main focus is OO scale kits, the range of O-16.5 0-4-0 locomotive kits are a fine addition to any layout in this scale.

CLICK HERE to view an article on the Roco HOe Narrow Gauge Range.

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