In the beginning of narrow gauge garden railways in the UK there was 'O' gauge or 32mm. The premier narrow gauge lines were 2 foot gauge, such as The Festiniog Railway in Snowdonia, in North Wales. Therefore 32mm divided by 2 equals 16 that is the source of 16mm scale. Later other slightly larger railways of 2 foot 6 inch gauge began to be modelled, still running on 'O' gauge track and still modelled to 16mm scale. Although the engines were slightly under gauge this did not matter - the major thing was, and still is, to have FUN. The old saying "if it looks about right then it is right" still holds good. At a distance of over four feet away it is impossible to tell the difference in any case.

In Europe, gauge '1' or 45mm track was favoured and the narrow gauge engines modelled were metre gauge prototypes. When it came down to model size they were about the same size as the UK's 16mm scale locomotives, although the actual scale was about 13.5mm to the foot.

When the German manufacturer L.G.B. began to export electric locomotives to Britain naturally some people wanted live steam for their L. G. B. layouts. The only steam engines available in the UK were 16mm scale but were compatible in size with the L.G.B. engines and stock.  Unfortunately they were only built to run on 'O' gauge track. Some manufacturers obliged by making their engines for 45mm as well as 32mm track. This is how we come to have 16mm scale running on both 32mm and 45mm tracks.

'G' scale, as it is known in the UK, is applied to models from companies such as L.G.B. and Bachmann, which only run on 45mm track. Strictly speaking 'G' scale is 13.5mm to the foot (modelling metre gauge prototypes) but latterly this has become very flexible. Both L.G.B. and Bachmann have modelled 2 foot gauge prototypes and have altered the scale accordingly to make the engines fit the original 'G' scale loading gauge. 'G' scale now encompasses models from 2 foot gauge right through to metre gauge - they all fit in the loading gauge of about 6 inches high by 41/2 inches wide. This flexible approach is also taken in North America where 'G' scale is taken to mean 'Garden Scale'- covering all models from 10mm scale standard gauge through our G' scale (13.5 mm to one foot), 15mm to one foot (l/20th scale), and our 16mm scale. Over there the emphasis is to have fun and the whole family gets involved, which is what the hobby is all about.

If you wish to model a particular line or prototype some engines are only available in one particular gauge. Our "Colorado" and " Europa" are only available for gauge '1', whereas small quarry "Hunslets" are only available in '0', so your choice of gauge will be tied to your preference of locomotive.

If you wish to model small engines in general go for 32mm track because some small locos are only available in gauge 'O'. However if your horizons change you will find that engines such as our "Countess" and "Leek and Manifold" will run on 32mm track very happily. If you wish to specifically model the larger lines such as the Welshpool and Llanfair, or Continental prototypes, you should opt for 45mm (gauge '1') track. Again our "Countess" and "Ulysses" are just as happy on 45mm track as 32mm track.

Whichever gauge you choose there are many good track systems available in both kit form and ready built. If you are still unsure we have a wealth of experience and are only a phone call away. Give us a call and we can help.