1 gauge
Encyclopedia
Gauge 1 is a model railroadingand toy train
standard, popular in the early 20th century, particularly with Europe
an manufacturers. Its track measures , making it larger than 0 gauge but slightly smaller than wide gauge
, which came to be the dominant U.S. standard during the 1920s.
No 1 gauge was standardised, according to Model Railways and Locomotive magazine of August 1909 at . The distance between the wheel tyres at 1+17/32 in and between the centre of the track 48 mm (no inch equivalent suggesting it was metric users requirement only). The wheel width was set at 19/64 in.
Definitions using gauge, rather than scale, was used more common in the early days with the four gauges for which standards were adopted being No. 0 (commonly called O gauge nowadays), No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.
as in the UK, 1 gauge lost popularity in the USA due to World War I
, which dramatically decreased foreign imports, allowing the U.S. wide gauge standard to gain traction. After World War I, most surviving U.S. manufacturers switched to wide gauge. In the UK and the rest of the world 1 gauge also declined, although more slowly, and by the 1940s had practically disappeared.
In the 1950s and 1960s 1 gauge experienced a renaissance, first in the UK and then elsewhere. This was helped by 1 gauge being the same size as the modern G scale
, a popular standard for outdoor model railroads.
, scale modeling was not a primary design consideration in 1 gauge's heyday, so the actual size and scale of the locomotives and cars varied. Generally, 1 gauge equipment worked out to approximately 1:32 scale
(roughly 10mm = 1 foot). G scale
at 1:22.5 means the 1 gauge track represents (metre gauge
) track. Such railways are to be found in, among other places, Switzerland
, the inspiration source for many commercial G gauge models.
By comparison, 1 gauge's 1:32 scale
makes it nearly three times the dimension
s of modern HO scale
, the most popular size today.
, which to many is a large advantage as they are cheaper than traditional live steam garden railroads. These are usually fired by gas or methylated spirit
, which are both very popular. Another form, which is becoming popular is coal, which gives the user the unforgettable smell that only steam locomotives carry.
Wrightway Rolling Stock produce a range of quality coaches for British outline Gauge 1 railways and a range of cars for North American and European outline railways. They can supply from their range or custom build. Some of the range is available in 10mm scale.
Märklin
, in Germany
, also produces two different lines of 1 gauge equipment, one cheaper, made of tin plate metal, and less detailed than their premier line, which is super-detailed and expensive.
There are many producers of gauge 1 items in the USA and the UK; see the Gauge 1 model railway association website listed below under "External links".
Toy train
A toy train is a toy that represents a train. It is distinguished from a model train by an emphasis on low cost and durability, rather than scale modeling. A toy train can be as simple as a pull toy that does not even run on track, or it might be operated by clockwork or a battery...
standard, popular in the early 20th century, particularly with Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an manufacturers. Its track measures , making it larger than 0 gauge but slightly smaller than wide gauge
Wide Gauge
Standard Gauge, also known as Wide Gauge, was an early model railway and toy train rail gauge, introduced in the United States in 1906 by Lionel Corporation. As it was a toy standard, rather than a scale modeling standard, the actual scale of Standard Gauge locomotives and rolling stock varied...
, which came to be the dominant U.S. standard during the 1920s.
No 1 gauge was standardised, according to Model Railways and Locomotive magazine of August 1909 at . The distance between the wheel tyres at 1+17/32 in and between the centre of the track 48 mm (no inch equivalent suggesting it was metric users requirement only). The wheel width was set at 19/64 in.
Definitions using gauge, rather than scale, was used more common in the early days with the four gauges for which standards were adopted being No. 0 (commonly called O gauge nowadays), No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.
Popularity
Initially as popular in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as in the UK, 1 gauge lost popularity in the USA due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, which dramatically decreased foreign imports, allowing the U.S. wide gauge standard to gain traction. After World War I, most surviving U.S. manufacturers switched to wide gauge. In the UK and the rest of the world 1 gauge also declined, although more slowly, and by the 1940s had practically disappeared.
In the 1950s and 1960s 1 gauge experienced a renaissance, first in the UK and then elsewhere. This was helped by 1 gauge being the same size as the modern G scale
G scale
G scale is a scale for model railways, and because of its size and durability, G scale is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.-LGB:...
, a popular standard for outdoor model railroads.
Scale
Although vintage 1 gauge trains use the same track standard as modern G scaleG scale
G scale is a scale for model railways, and because of its size and durability, G scale is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.-LGB:...
, scale modeling was not a primary design consideration in 1 gauge's heyday, so the actual size and scale of the locomotives and cars varied. Generally, 1 gauge equipment worked out to approximately 1:32 scale
1:32 scale
1:32 scale is a traditional scale for models and miniatures, in which one unit on the model represents 32 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-eighths scale", since 3/8-inch represents a foot...
(roughly 10mm = 1 foot). G scale
G scale
G scale is a scale for model railways, and because of its size and durability, G scale is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.-LGB:...
at 1:22.5 means the 1 gauge track represents (metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
) track. Such railways are to be found in, among other places, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, the inspiration source for many commercial G gauge models.
By comparison, 1 gauge's 1:32 scale
1:32 scale
1:32 scale is a traditional scale for models and miniatures, in which one unit on the model represents 32 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-eighths scale", since 3/8-inch represents a foot...
makes it nearly three times the dimension
Dimension
In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a space or object is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus a line has a dimension of one because only one coordinate is needed to specify a point on it...
s of modern HO scale
HO scale
HO or H0 is the most popular scale of model railway in the world.According to the NMRA standard S-1.2 predominantly used in North America, in HO scale, represents 1 real foot ; this ratio works out to about 1:87.1. According to the MOROP standard NEM 010 predominantly used in Europe, the scale is...
, the most popular size today.
Live steam
Due to the size of the locomotives it is possible for them to be powered with live steamLive steam
Live steam is steam under pressure, obtained by heating water in a boiler. The steam is used to operate stationary or moving equipment.A live steam machine or device is one powered by steam, but the term is usually reserved for those that are replicas, scale models, toys, or otherwise used for...
, which to many is a large advantage as they are cheaper than traditional live steam garden railroads. These are usually fired by gas or methylated spirit
Methylated spirit
Denatured alcohol or methylated spirits is ethanol that has additives to make it more poisonous or unpalatable, and thus, undrinkable. In some cases it is also dyed....
, which are both very popular. Another form, which is becoming popular is coal, which gives the user the unforgettable smell that only steam locomotives carry.
Manufacturers
Accucraft Trains in California, The Gauge One Model Railway Company in Britain, and Aster Hobbies Ltd in Japan produce gauge 1 items, mostly coal and meths fired.Wrightway Rolling Stock produce a range of quality coaches for British outline Gauge 1 railways and a range of cars for North American and European outline railways. They can supply from their range or custom build. Some of the range is available in 10mm scale.
Märklin
Märklin
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH or Märklin is a German toy company. The company was founded in 1859 and is based at Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg. Although it originally specialised in doll house accessories, today it is best known for model railways and technical toys...
, in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, also produces two different lines of 1 gauge equipment, one cheaper, made of tin plate metal, and less detailed than their premier line, which is super-detailed and expensive.
There are many producers of gauge 1 items in the USA and the UK; see the Gauge 1 model railway association website listed below under "External links".
See also
- Rail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling utilises a variety of scales to ensure scale models look correct when placed next to each other. Model railway scales are standardized worldwide by many organizations and hobbyist groups...
- Model railway scales
- Garden railwayGarden railwayA garden railroad or garden railway is a model railway system set up outdoors in a garden. While G is the most popular scale for garden railroads, 16 mm scale has a dedicated and growing following especially in the UK. Model locomotives in this scale are often live steam scale models of British...
- BekonscotBekonscotBekonscot in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, is the oldest original model village in the world.It portrays aspects of England mostly dating from the 1930s. Bekonscot has been run by the Church Army since 1978 and donates large amounts of money to charity...
Model Village