OO gauge: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>SleepyRedHair
Added more citations needed notice
 
No edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
| name = OO gauge
| name = OO gauge
| image_filename = OO Scale BR 25054.JPG
| image_filename = OO Scale BR 25054.JPG
| image_caption = UK prototype model of a OO scale (1:76) [[British Rail Class 25]] shown with a [[Five pence (British coin)|five pence coin]] for scale
| image_caption = UK prototype model of a 00 scale (1:76) [[British Rail Class 25]] locomotive shown with an {{convert|18|mm|in|abbr=off|1}} diameter [[Five pence (British coin)|five pence coin]]
| widthpx =  
| widthpx =  
| scale = 4 mm to 1 ft
| scale = 4 mm to 1 ft
Line 12: Line 12:
| prototype_gauge = [[Standard gauge]]
| prototype_gauge = [[Standard gauge]]
}}
}}
'''OO gauge''' or '''OO scale''' (also, '''00 gauge''' and '''00 scale''') is the most popular [[Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge]] [[model railway]] standard in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |title=OO - World Of Railways |url=https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/Model-Railways/OO |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=www.world-of-railways.co.uk}}</ref> outside of which it is virtually unknown. OO gauge is one of several [[4 mm scale|4 mm-scale]] standards (4&nbsp;mm to {{convert|1|ft|mm|1|abbr=on|order=out}}, or 1:76.2), and the only one to be marketed by major manufacturers. The OO track gauge of {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} (same as the 1:87 [[HO scale]]) corresponds to prototypical gauge of {{nowrap|4 ft {{frac|1|1|2}} in}}, rather than {{nowrap|4 ft {{frac|8|1|2}} in}} standard gauge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Model Railway Basics - What's the difference between OO and HO scale or gauge? |url=https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/blogs/whats-the-difference-between-oo-and-ho-scale-or-gauge |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Scale Model Scenery |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, since the 1960s, other gauges in the same scale have arisen—18.2&nbsp;mm ([[EM gauge|EM]]) and 18.83&nbsp;mm ([[Protofour|Scalefour]])—to reflect the desire of some modellers for greater scale accuracy.
The terms '''OO gauge''' and '''OO scale''' (or more correctly but less commonly, '''00 gauge''' and '''00 scale''') relate to the most popular [[Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge]] [[model railway]] standard in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |title=OO - World Of Railways |url=https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/Model-Railways/OO |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=www.world-of-railways.co.uk}}</ref> outside of which it is virtually unknown. "00" is a variant of "H0", meaning Half-0, which historically derives (in increasing size order) from 0 scale, 1 scale and 2 scale, the most popular scales in the early 20th century. Since railway modellers invariably pronounce the zero as "oh" rather than "zero" (e.g. "double-oh" or "aitch-oh"), the scales are often written as OO, HO and O.
 
00 scale is one of several [[4 mm scale|4 mm-scale]] standards (4&nbsp;mm to the foot or 1:76.2), and the only one to be marketed by major manufacturers of British-outline models.  
 
Logically, to replicate the full-size ("prototype") [[Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge]] of {{Track gauge|1435mm|comma=off}} the track gauge at 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot scale would be {{convert|18.83|mm|in|abbr=off}}. However, the gauge is {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}}, which is the same as in [[HO scale|H0 scale]] – 3.5&nbsp;mm to the foot or 1:87. This oddity has historical origins: essentially, 00 scale involves 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot bodies being mounted on 3.5&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot track. The result is that 00 rolling stock appears to be running on narrow gauge. The anomaly led some 4&nbsp;scale modellers in the 1960s to adopt a gauge of 18.2&nbsp;mm ([[EM gauge|EM scale]]), soon followed by some who decided to adopt 18.83&nbsp;mm and wheel/track proportions very close to full-scale practice ([[Protofour]] standards).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scalefour.org/history/mrc01.html |title=Protofour–1: a new scale modelling standard |first=J.S. | last=Brook Smith |display-authors=etal |date=January 1967 |website=The Scalefour Society |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Model Railway Basics - What's the difference between OO and HO scale or gauge? |url=https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/blogs/whats-the-difference-between-oo-and-ho-scale-or-gauge |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Scale Model Scenery |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Origin==
==Origin==
'''Double-0''' scale model railways were launched by [[Bing (company)|Bing]] in 1921 as "The Table Railway", running on {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} track and scaled at 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot. In 1922, the first models of British prototypes appeared. Initially all locomotives were powered by clockwork, but the first electric power appeared in autumn 1923.
{{Quote box|title ="Scale" and "gauge" |width=200px |quote = Scale is the ratio or proportion of the model to the [[Prototype#Scale modeling|prototype]]. Gauge is the distance between the rails. The terms are not interchangeable.}}
'''Double-0 scale''' model railways were launched by [[Bing (company)|Bing]] in 1921 as "The Table Railway", running on {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} track and scaled at 4&nbsp;mm to the foot. In 1922, the first models of British prototypes appeared. Initially all locomotives were powered by clockwork, but the first electric power appeared in 1923.
[[Image:OO Flying Scotsman.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hornby Railways]] [[Flying Scotsman locomotive|''Flying Scotsman'' locomotive]] on an OO gauge layout]]
[[Image:OO Flying Scotsman.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hornby Railways]] [[Flying Scotsman locomotive|''Flying Scotsman'' locomotive]] on an OO gauge layout]]


OO describes models with a scale of 4&nbsp;mm = 1 foot (1:76) running on HO scale 1:87 (3.5&nbsp;mm = 1 foot) track (16.5&nbsp;mm/0.650 in).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standards |url=https://doubleogauge.com/standards/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=The Double O Gauge Association |language=en-GB}}</ref> This combination came about as early clockwork mechanisms and electric motors were difficult to fit within HO scale models of British trains, which are smaller than their European and North American counterparts. A quick and cheap solution was to enlarge the scale of the model to 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot but keep the 3.5&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot gauge track. This also allowed more space to model the external valve gear. The resulting HO track gauge of 16.5&nbsp;mm represents 4 feet 1.5 inches at 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot scale; this is 7 inches under scale, or approximately 2.33&nbsp;mm too narrow.
"00" describes models with a scale of 4&nbsp;mm = 1 foot (1:76) running on HO scale 1:87 (3.5&nbsp;mm = 1 foot) track (16.5&nbsp;mm/0.650 in).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standards |url=https://doubleogauge.com/standards/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=The Double O Gauge Association |language=en-GB}}</ref> This combination came about since early clockwork mechanisms and electric motors were difficult to fit within H0 scale models of British trains, which have a smaller [[loading gauge]] than their European and North American counterparts and locomotives with smaller, often tapered, boilers. A solution was to enlarge the scale of the model to 4&nbsp;mm to the foot but keep the 3.5&nbsp;mm to the foot gauge track. This also allowed more space to model the external valve gear. The resulting HO track gauge of 16.5&nbsp;mm represents 4 feet 1.5 inches at 4&nbsp;mm to the foot scale, which is 7 inches too narrow or approximately 2.33&nbsp;mm too narrow in the model.


In 1932, the Bing company collapsed, but the Table Railway continued to be manufactured by the new [[Trix (company)|Trix]] company. Trix decided to use the new HO standard, being half of French 0 gauge (1:43.5 scale).<!-- "European" 0 gauge is 1:45 scale! -->
In 1932, the Bing company collapsed, but the Table Railway continued to be manufactured by the new [[Trix (company)|Trix]] company. Trix decided to use the new HO standard, being half of French 0 gauge (1:43.5 scale). However, European 0 scale is 1:45.


In 1938, the [[Meccano Ltd|Meccano]] Company launched a new range of OO models under the trade name of [[Hornby Dublo]]. The combination of 4&nbsp;mm scale and 16.5&nbsp;mm gauge has remained the UK's most popular scale and gauge ever since.
In 1938, the [[Meccano Ltd|Meccano]] Company launched a new range of 00 models under the trade name of [[Hornby Dublo]]. The combination of 4&nbsp;mm scale and 16.5&nbsp;mm gauge has remained the UK's most popular scale and gauge ever since.


In the United States, [[Lionel Corporation]] introduced a range of OO models in 1938. Soon other companies followed but it did not prove popular and remained on the market only until 1942, when Lionel train production was shut down due to wartime restrictions to the use of steel. OO gauge was quickly eclipsed by the better-proportioned HO scale. The Lionel range of OO used 19&nbsp;mm ({{frac|3|4}} inch) track gauge, equating to 57&nbsp;inches or 4&nbsp;ft 9&nbsp;in – very close to the 4&nbsp;ft 8{{frac|1|2}}&nbsp;in of standard gauge. There is a small following of American OO scale today.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
In the United States, [[Lionel Corporation]] introduced a range of 00 models in 1938. Soon other companies followed but it did not prove popular and remained on the market only until 1942, when Lionel train production was shut down due to wartime restrictions to the use of steel. 00 was quickly eclipsed by the better-proportioned H0 scale. The Lionel range of 00 used 19&nbsp;mm ({{frac|3|4}} inch) track gauge, equating to 57&nbsp;inches or 4&nbsp;ft 9&nbsp;in – very close to the 4&nbsp;ft 8{{frac|1|2}}&nbsp;in of standard gauge. The following of American 00 scale declined and today it is negligible.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}


==OO today==
==00 today==
OO remains the most popular scale for railway modelling in Great Britain due to a ready availability of ready-to-run stock and starter sets. Ready-to-run in the UK is dominated by [[Hornby Railways]] and [[Bachmann Branchline]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Hornby |url=https://uk.hornby.com/about-hornby |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241004055534/https://uk.hornby.com/about-hornby |archive-date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Hornby UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bachmann Europe plc - Bachmann Europe About Us |url=https://www.bachmann.co.uk/page/aboutus |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.bachmann.co.uk}}</ref> Other sources of ready-to-run rolling stock or locomotives include [[Dapol]], [[Heljan]], [[Peco]], [[ViTrains]], [[Rapido Trains UK]], [[Accurascale]], and previously [[Lima (models)|Lima]], [[Tri-ang Railways]], and [[Mainline Railways]]. Other scales, with the possible exception of [[N gauge]], lack the variety and affordability of UK ready-to-run products.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
00 remains the most popular scale for railway modelling in Great Britain due to a ready availability of ready-to-run rolling stock and starter sets. Ready-to-run in the UK is dominated by [[Hornby Railways]] and [[Bachmann Branchline]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Hornby |url=https://uk.hornby.com/about-hornby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004055534/https://uk.hornby.com/about-hornby |archive-date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Hornby UK |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bachmann Europe plc - Bachmann Europe About Us |url=https://www.bachmann.co.uk/page/aboutus |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.bachmann.co.uk}}</ref> Other sources of ready-to-run rolling stock or locomotives include [[Dapol]], [[Heljan]], [[Peco]], [[Rapido Trains UK]], [[Accurascale]], and previously [[Lima (models)|Lima]], [[ViTrains]],[[Tri-ang Railways]], and [[Mainline Railways]]. Other scales, with the possible exception of [[N gauge|N]] , lack the variety and affordability of UK ready-to-run products.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}


== Scaling and accuracy ==
== Scaling and accuracy ==
[[File:OO and HO size comparison 1.jpg|thumb|OO scale (left) and HO scale (right) models of the [[EMD Class 66]], showing the size difference.]]
[[File:OO and HO size comparison 1.jpg|thumb|The difference half a millimetre makes: 00 scale (left) and H0 scale (right) models of the [[EMD Class 66]] locomotive]]
[[File:Parkside Dundas Diagram 100_hopper.png|thumb|OO scale permits a level of detail including [[weathering]] and individual numbering.]]
[[File:Parkside Dundas Diagram 100_hopper.png|thumb|00 scale, like H0, permits an accessible level of detail, including [[weathering]] and individual numbering.]]


{{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} gauge at 4&nbsp;mm:1 foot means that the scale gauge represents {{convert|4|ft|1+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|7|in|mm|0}} narrower than the prototype {{RailGauge|ussg}}. This difference is particularly noticeable when looking along the track. As the market for proprietary track is mostly for HO scale, sleeper size and spacing are designed for HO and are therefore underscale.
{{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} gauge at 4&nbsp;mm-to-the-foot means that the scale gauge represents {{convert|4|ft|1+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on|comma=off}}, {{convert|7|in|mm|0}} narrower than the prototype {{RailGauge|ussg|comma=off}}. This difference is particularly noticeable when looking along the track.


OO is also used to represent the {{RailGauge|5ft3in}} Irish gauge, where it is a scale {{convert|13+1/2|in|mm|0}} too narrow.
Some modellers use 00 track to represent the {{RailGauge|5ft3in|comma=off}} Irish gauge, where it is a scale {{convert|13+1/2|in|mm|0}} too narrow.


Though they run on the same track, OO gauge and HO gauge models of the same prototype do not sit well together since the OO models are larger than the HO equivalent.
These differences have led to the development of the [[finescale standards]] of EM gauge and [[Protofour]].


These differences have led to the development of the [[finescale standards]] of EM gauge and [[Protofour|P4 standards]]. Nevertheless, it is possible to model using OO to standards that fall just short of finescale.
In common with most practical model railways of any scale (and not related to the 00 gauge inaccuracy) the following compromises are made:
* Curves are usually much sharper than the prototype, and often not transitioned, particularly when using "set-track" systems (radius 1 = 371&nbsp;mm, 2 = 438&nbsp;mm, 3 = 505&nbsp;mm, 4 = 571.5&nbsp;mm).
* Overhang from long vehicles necessitates the track centres being increased to prevent collisions on curves between rolling stock on adjacent lines.
* Over-scale wheel width and flange depth are used on typical models (particularly older models), which require over-scale rail profiles and much larger clearances on [[Railroad switch|pointwork]] than is prototypical. Pointwork is often compressed in length to save space.


In common with most practical model railways of any scale (and not related to the OO gauge inaccuracy) the following compromises are made: Curves are often sharper than the prototype, and often not transitioned, particularly when using "set-track" systems (radius 1 = 371&nbsp;mm, 2 = 438&nbsp;mm, 3 = 505&nbsp;mm, 4 = 571.5&nbsp;mm). Overhang from long vehicles means that the normal separation between track centres are overscale to prevent collisions on curves between stock on adjacent lines, at up to 65&nbsp;mm (for set-track (reduced down to 50&nbsp;mm for Peco Streamline)). Overscale wheel width and deep wheel flanges are used on typical models (but particularly older models), and these require overscale rail profile and much larger clearances on [[Railroad switch|pointwork]] than is prototypical. Pointwork is often compressed in length to save space.
== 4 mm fine-scale standards ==
 
Many modellers after starting in 00 scale find its "narrow-gauge" appearance unsatisfactory. Greater accuracy is possible using [[EM gauge|EM]] or the closer-to-exact-scale [[Protofour|P4]] track. Products and information are supplied by the [https://emgs.org/ EM Gauge Society] and [https://www.scalefour.org/ Scalefour Society] respectively.
== 4 mm finescale standards ==
Many experienced modellers{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} find the OO standard produces a "narrow gauge" appearance when the model is viewed head on. Greater accuracy is possible using either EM gauge or the closer-to-exact scale [[Protofour|P4]] track.
 
Whilst flextrack is available for both EM and P4 gauges (from manufacturers such as C&L Finescale, SMP and The P4 Track Company), ready-to-run (RTR) point and crossing (P&C) work is not available, so this trackwork must be constructed by the modeller, although RTR turnouts in EM gauge manufactured by Peco are now available from the EM Gauge Society. Kits for doing this are also available from the aforementioned sources amongst others. Several of these kits are also available to the OO modeller who aims for more realistic track since most RTR track is actually scaled to HO and does not represent any British prototype, and the sleeper spacing is too close for scale. EM gauge has slightly overscale flanges and flangeways on point and crossing work; P4 is closer to scale but the smaller flanges and flangeways on P&C work expose poor track construction.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 53: Line 57:


===Related scales===
===Related scales===
*[[OO9]] – Used for modelling {{RailGauge|2ft}} narrow gauge railways in 4&nbsp;mm scale, often paired with OO scale layouts.
*[[OO9]] – Used for modelling {{RailGauge|2ft}} [[narrow gauge railway]]s in 4&nbsp;mm scale, often paired with OO scale layouts.
*[[OOn3]] – Used for ms in 4&nbsp;mm scale
*[[00n3]] – Used for modelling {{RailGauge|3ft}} narrow gauge railways in 4 mm scale with {{RailGauge|12 mm}} gauge track.
*[[HO scale|HO]] – 3.5&nbsp;mm scale using the same {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} gauge track as OO.
*[[HO scale|H0]] – 3.5&nbsp;mm scale using the same {{RailGauge|16.5 mm}} gauge track as 00.
*EM – 4&nbsp;mm scale using {{RailGauge|18.2 mm}} track.
*EM – 4&nbsp;mm scale using {{RailGauge|18.2 mm}} track.
*P4 – A set of standards using {{RailGauge|18.83 mm}} gauge track (accurate scale standard gauge track).
*P4 – A set of 4&nbsp;mm standards using {{RailGauge|18.83 mm}} gauge track (accurate scale standard gauge-track).
*00-SF – Uses {{RailGauge|16.2 mm}} track with ordinary OO wheelsets. Allows the tighter trackwork tolerances of EM without the need to re-gauge wheels.
*00-SF – Uses {{RailGauge|16.2 mm}} track with ordinary 00 wheelsets. Allows the tighter trackwork tolerances of EM without the need to re-gauge wheels.


===Manufacturers===
===Manufacturers===
*Accurascale – A relatively new manufacturer founded in 2015 producing UK and Irish locomotives and rolling stock.<ref>{{Cite web |title=accurascale about us |url=https://www.accurascale.com/pages/accurascale-about |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Accurascale |language=en}}</ref>
*Accurascale – A relatively new manufacturer founded in 2015 producing UK and Irish locomotives and rolling stock.<ref>{{Cite web |title=accurascale about us |url=https://www.accurascale.com/pages/accurascale-about |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Accurascale |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Airfix]] – Bought the Kitmaster range and sold it under the Airfix brand until the original Airfix company collapsed in 1981. Some of the tooling was then destroyed, but Dapol (q.v.) bought the remainder. Most Airfix military vehicles are also to 1:76 scale.
*[[Airfix]] – Bought the Kitmaster range and sold it under the Airfix brand until the original Airfix company collapsed in 1981. Some of the tooling was then destroyed, but [[Dapol]] bought the remainder. Most Airfix military vehicles are also to 1:76 scale.
*[[Bachmann Branchline]] – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run OO.
*[[Bachmann Branchline]] – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run 00.
*[[Dapol]] – Produce kits (using the Kitmaster toolings bought from Airfix) and ready-to-run engines and rolling stock.
*[[Dapol]] – Produce kits (using the Kitmaster toolings bought from Airfix) and ready-to-run locomotives and rolling stock.
*[[Hattons Model Railways]] – A former model railway retailer that also produced ready to run OO models. The model toolings were sold off to Rails of Sheffield and Accurascale when they closed down in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuelson |first=Kate |date=2016-01-21 |title=Hatton's Model Railways moves out of Smithdown Road after 70 years |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hattons-model-railways-moves-out-10767754 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Hattons Model Railways]] – A former model railway retailer that also produced ready to run 00 models. The model toolings were sold to Rails of Sheffield and Accurascale when the company ceased trading in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuelson |first=Kate |date=2016-01-21 |title=Hatton's Model Railways moves out of Smithdown Road after 70 years |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hattons-model-railways-moves-out-10767754 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Heljan]] – A semi-major player in the business, less notable than other companies though.
*[[Heljan]] – A semi-major player in the business, less notable than other companies though.
*[[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run OO. Originally known as 'Hornby Railways'
*[[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run 00. Originally known as 'Hornby Railways'.
*[[Kitmaster]] – Manufactured plastic model kits of railway engines, rolling stock, and buildings.
*[[Kitmaster]] – Manufactured plastic model kits of locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings.
*[[Lima (models)|Lima]] – Produced budget OO ready-to-run, bought by Hornby.
*[[Lima (models)|Lima]] – Produced budget 00 ready-to-run, bought by Hornby.
*[[Peco (model railways)|Peco]] – Produce a wide range of track, kits, and other accessories.
*[[Peco (model railways)|Peco]] – Produce a wide range of track, kits, and other accessories.
*Rapido Trains UK – A subsidiary brand of the Canadian Rapido Trains Inc. specializing in UK model trains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Rapido Trains – Rapido Trains UK |url=https://rapidotrains.co.uk/about-rapido-trains/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*Rapido Trains UK – A subsidiary brand of the Canadian Rapido Trains Inc. specialising in UK model trains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Rapido Trains – Rapido Trains UK |url=https://rapidotrains.co.uk/about-rapido-trains/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*Sonic Models – A relatively new manufacturer that makes OO and N Gauge models.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – SONIC MODELS |url=https://sonicmodels.com/elements/pages/about/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=zh-HK}}</ref>
*Sonic Models – A relatively new manufacturer that makes 00 and N scale models.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – Sonic Models |url=https://sonicmodels.com/elements/pages/about/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=zh-HK}}</ref>
*[[Tri-ang Railways]] – A former manufacturer whose name was dropped when their parent company acquired the Hornby brand; they made models of locomotives and rolling stock.
*[[Tri-ang Railways]] – A former manufacturer whose name was dropped when their parent company acquired the Hornby brand; made models of locomotives and rolling stock.
*Planet Industrials – A new manufacturer in the business, known mostly for kits but has produced Ready to Run (RTR) versions of the [[Kerr, Stuart and Company]] 'Victory' class locomotive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet Industrials |url=https://www.planetindustrials.co.uk/victory |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Planet Industrials}}</ref>
*Planet Industrials – A new manufacturer in the business, known mostly for kits but has produced Ready to Run (RTR) versions of the [[Kerr, Stuart and Company]] 'Victory' class locomotive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet Industrials |url=https://www.planetindustrials.co.uk/victory |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Planet Industrials}}</ref>


Line 81: Line 85:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.doubleogauge.com The Double O Gauge Association]
* [https://doubleogauge.com/a-history-of-oo-gauge/ Comprehensive history of the development of model railway scales, especially 00.]
*[https://doubleogauge.com/a-history-of-oo-gauge/ History of 00 gauge]
* [http://www.doubleogauge.com The Double O Gauge Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001204143/http://doubleogauge.com/ |date=2016-10-01 }}
* [https://emgs.org/ The EM Gauge Society]
* [https://www.scalefour.org/ The Scalefour Society]
 


{{Scale models}}
{{Scale models}}

Latest revision as of 12:40, 29 September 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox Model Rail Scale The terms OO gauge and OO scale (or more correctly but less commonly, 00 gauge and 00 scale) relate to the most popular standard gauge model railway standard in the United Kingdom,[1] outside of which it is virtually unknown. "00" is a variant of "H0", meaning Half-0, which historically derives (in increasing size order) from 0 scale, 1 scale and 2 scale, the most popular scales in the early 20th century. Since railway modellers invariably pronounce the zero as "oh" rather than "zero" (e.g. "double-oh" or "aitch-oh"), the scales are often written as OO, HO and O.

00 scale is one of several 4 mm-scale standards (4 mm to the foot or 1:76.2), and the only one to be marketed by major manufacturers of British-outline models.

Logically, to replicate the full-size ("prototype") standard gauge of Template:Track gauge the track gauge at 4 mm-to-the-foot scale would be Template:Convert. However, the gauge is Template:RailGauge, which is the same as in H0 scale – 3.5 mm to the foot or 1:87. This oddity has historical origins: essentially, 00 scale involves 4 mm-to-the-foot bodies being mounted on 3.5 mm-to-the-foot track. The result is that 00 rolling stock appears to be running on narrow gauge. The anomaly led some 4 scale modellers in the 1960s to adopt a gauge of 18.2 mm (EM scale), soon followed by some who decided to adopt 18.83 mm and wheel/track proportions very close to full-scale practice (Protofour standards).[2][3]

Origin

<templatestyles src="Template:Quote_box/styles.css" />

"Scale" and "gauge"

Scale is the ratio or proportion of the model to the prototype. Gauge is the distance between the rails. The terms are not interchangeable.

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Double-0 scale model railways were launched by Bing in 1921 as "The Table Railway", running on Template:RailGauge track and scaled at 4 mm to the foot. In 1922, the first models of British prototypes appeared. Initially all locomotives were powered by clockwork, but the first electric power appeared in 1923.

File:OO Flying Scotsman.jpg
Hornby Railways Flying Scotsman locomotive on an OO gauge layout

"00" describes models with a scale of 4 mm = 1 foot (1:76) running on HO scale 1:87 (3.5 mm = 1 foot) track (16.5 mm/0.650 in).[4] This combination came about since early clockwork mechanisms and electric motors were difficult to fit within H0 scale models of British trains, which have a smaller loading gauge than their European and North American counterparts and locomotives with smaller, often tapered, boilers. A solution was to enlarge the scale of the model to 4 mm to the foot but keep the 3.5 mm to the foot gauge track. This also allowed more space to model the external valve gear. The resulting HO track gauge of 16.5 mm represents 4 feet 1.5 inches at 4 mm to the foot scale, which is 7 inches too narrow or approximately 2.33 mm too narrow in the model.

In 1932, the Bing company collapsed, but the Table Railway continued to be manufactured by the new Trix company. Trix decided to use the new HO standard, being half of French 0 gauge (1:43.5 scale). However, European 0 scale is 1:45.

In 1938, the Meccano Company launched a new range of 00 models under the trade name of Hornby Dublo. The combination of 4 mm scale and 16.5 mm gauge has remained the UK's most popular scale and gauge ever since.

In the United States, Lionel Corporation introduced a range of 00 models in 1938. Soon other companies followed but it did not prove popular and remained on the market only until 1942, when Lionel train production was shut down due to wartime restrictions to the use of steel. 00 was quickly eclipsed by the better-proportioned H0 scale. The Lionel range of 00 used 19 mm (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />34 inch) track gauge, equating to 57 inches or 4 ft 9 in – very close to the 4 ft 8<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 in of standard gauge. The following of American 00 scale declined and today it is negligible.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

00 today

00 remains the most popular scale for railway modelling in Great Britain due to a ready availability of ready-to-run rolling stock and starter sets. Ready-to-run in the UK is dominated by Hornby Railways and Bachmann Branchline.[5][6] Other sources of ready-to-run rolling stock or locomotives include Dapol, Heljan, Peco, Rapido Trains UK, Accurascale, and previously Lima, ViTrains,Tri-ang Railways, and Mainline Railways. Other scales, with the possible exception of N , lack the variety and affordability of UK ready-to-run products.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Scaling and accuracy

File:OO and HO size comparison 1.jpg
The difference half a millimetre makes: 00 scale (left) and H0 scale (right) models of the EMD Class 66 locomotive
File:Parkside Dundas Diagram 100 hopper.png
00 scale, like H0, permits an accessible level of detail, including weathering and individual numbering.

Template:RailGauge gauge at 4 mm-to-the-foot means that the scale gauge represents Template:Convert, Template:Convert narrower than the prototype Template:RailGauge. This difference is particularly noticeable when looking along the track.

Some modellers use 00 track to represent the Template:RailGauge Irish gauge, where it is a scale Template:Convert too narrow.

These differences have led to the development of the finescale standards of EM gauge and Protofour.

In common with most practical model railways of any scale (and not related to the 00 gauge inaccuracy) the following compromises are made:

  • Curves are usually much sharper than the prototype, and often not transitioned, particularly when using "set-track" systems (radius 1 = 371 mm, 2 = 438 mm, 3 = 505 mm, 4 = 571.5 mm).
  • Overhang from long vehicles necessitates the track centres being increased to prevent collisions on curves between rolling stock on adjacent lines.
  • Over-scale wheel width and flange depth are used on typical models (particularly older models), which require over-scale rail profiles and much larger clearances on pointwork than is prototypical. Pointwork is often compressed in length to save space.

4 mm fine-scale standards

Many modellers after starting in 00 scale find its "narrow-gauge" appearance unsatisfactory. Greater accuracy is possible using EM or the closer-to-exact-scale P4 track. Products and information are supplied by the EM Gauge Society and Scalefour Society respectively.

See also

Other model railway scales

Related scales

Manufacturers

  • Accurascale – A relatively new manufacturer founded in 2015 producing UK and Irish locomotives and rolling stock.[7]
  • Airfix – Bought the Kitmaster range and sold it under the Airfix brand until the original Airfix company collapsed in 1981. Some of the tooling was then destroyed, but Dapol bought the remainder. Most Airfix military vehicles are also to 1:76 scale.
  • Bachmann Branchline – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run 00.
  • Dapol – Produce kits (using the Kitmaster toolings bought from Airfix) and ready-to-run locomotives and rolling stock.
  • Hattons Model Railways – A former model railway retailer that also produced ready to run 00 models. The model toolings were sold to Rails of Sheffield and Accurascale when the company ceased trading in 2024.[8]
  • Heljan – A semi-major player in the business, less notable than other companies though.
  • Hornby – One of the largest manufacturers of ready-to-run 00. Originally known as 'Hornby Railways'.
  • Kitmaster – Manufactured plastic model kits of locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings.
  • Lima – Produced budget 00 ready-to-run, bought by Hornby.
  • Peco – Produce a wide range of track, kits, and other accessories.
  • Rapido Trains UK – A subsidiary brand of the Canadian Rapido Trains Inc. specialising in UK model trains.[9]
  • Sonic Models – A relatively new manufacturer that makes 00 and N scale models.[10]
  • Tri-ang Railways – A former manufacturer whose name was dropped when their parent company acquired the Hornby brand; made models of locomotives and rolling stock.
  • Planet Industrials – A new manufacturer in the business, known mostly for kits but has produced Ready to Run (RTR) versions of the Kerr, Stuart and Company 'Victory' class locomotive.[11]

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project


Script error: No such module "Navbox".

  1. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".