Swopping gauge for old stuff.

[Bill Reynolds]

I read with interest regarding 7/8th or 1.12th scale on 'oo' gauge track as I have arrived at a 'scale crossroad', so to speak. I don't need to scratch build any more rolling stock and my garden railway is a bit past its 'sell by' date. I was considering doing a Gn18 version of what is in my garden but then I saw some of the articles on here about 7/8th on 00 track. Questions...Would the rolling stock look odd with such narrow track and is the track powered or not? The idea of using 00 track for 7/8th scale means tight curves and a base board that is not too big, plus the track turnouts will be a lot cheaper.

[chris stockdale]

Bill,

Whilst it could be battery powered, and thus perhaps R/C too, track powered is perhaps the most likely and cheapest option.

Any locos and stock would be considerably smaller than what you have running, regauging would definitely not suit, if that was what you were considering.

Cheers,

[Bill Reynolds]

Thanks Chris, Converting my 7/8th stuff was not on my mind as I hope to join a local model engineering club with a far, far better track than what's in my garden! ...No, I would be starting afresh. one thing made me debate about 7/8ths on 00 track is the over hang as regards to the wagon/track. If one''s line is supposed to be a comercial company it would want maximum profit. A wagon with a over hang that tips over on a bend chucking stuff everywhere equals no profit! Maybe Gn18 it a more realistic choice that would work in the real and this world.

[chris stockdale]

These days I lean more to 1/12 scale, meaning 16.5mm gauge is a fairly good approximation for 7 1/4” full size. Locos and stock up to 28” wide run perfectly well on 7 1/4”, allowing relatively wide stock to be modelled if you wish.

Cheers,

[Bill Reynolds]

Chris, just wondering but was there ever a proper real railway operating on 7 1/4 trackage and operating for profit?

[chris stockdale]

Hi Bill,

I'll assume you're meaning industrial as opposed to the many passenger carrying miniature railway, in which case the only one that comes to mind is the Wolds Way Lavender Company. Their 7 1/4" line both takes visitors around the farm but is also used to assist with brining in the lavender harvested for processing.

It's featured quite a few times in here. Try this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9332&p=122575&hilit=wolds#p122575

Cheers,

[chris stockdale]

Go up a gauge or so to 10 1/4” and there was the Shillingstone line, more here

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/grahamallen/ ... rticle.pdf

Cheers,