'OO' Gauge

Check out Diary Dates for details of any future exhibitions.

00 gauge or 00 scale model railways are the most popular standard-gauge model railway tracks in the U.K. This track gauge is one of several 4mm-scale standards (4mm:foot (304.8mm) or 1:76.2) used — the only one served by manufacturers; 00 gauge track is 16.5mm gauge, which is inaccurate for 4mm scale. The name is also often written OO scale with the letter instead of the number, not recognising that the name is a progression from the earlier 0 gauge, 1 gauge, 2 gauge and 3 gauge.

Double-0 scale model railways were launched by Bing in 1921 as 'The Table Railway', running on 16.5 mm 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 autumn 1923.

00 scale uses the same track gauge as H0 gauge (3.5 mm to the foot, 1:87). However, the large propulsion mechanisms could not fit into the small British prototypes, so the scale was enlarged to 4 mm to the foot without altering the gauge. 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 H0 standard, being approximately half of European 0 gauge (1:43 scale).

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

Our Clubs first layout in 'OO' Gauge

Hungate Bridge is the The Wisbech Model Railway Club's first layout.

It is modelled in 'OO' Gauge and is loosely based on an East Coast Branch line between the late 1950's to the mid 1960's, when steam power was on the wane, giving rise to diesel motive power.

It represents a small branch line terminus, which serves local passenger and freight traffic, as well the large brewery, Thatchers. The terminus also incorporates a through goods shed to allow vital supplies to be delivered to the local area - which as you can see from the plentitude of shops and houses, is flourishing.

Layout Now Featured in eLayouts Directory

We are now proud to say that our 'Hungate Bridge' layout is now featured within the new eLayouts Directory which can be found at www.ukmodelshops.co.uk, or by clicking the brass plaque to the left.

Our certificate can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

POSTED 01/10/09

August 2009 Update 'Extended Scenic Section now complete'

We are proud to announce that the new extened scenic section of Hungate Bridge has now been completed and will make its debut at the Wimbothsham & Stow Model Railway Exhibition in August 2009.

The attention to detail is excellent with plenty to see. It blends really well with the rest of the layout and really makes and impressive addition to our club layout. A huge thanks to everyone that worked on this to get it ready for exhibition.

Take a look at all the pictures below to the layout in all its glory. It is planned to add a farm and outbuilding to the large field in the middle of the layout, so watch this space for further updates soon.

May 2009 Update

Work has been pushing along nicely on the new extended section of the layout. The following pictures were taken at the clubhouse after final tweaking whilst fitting all the sections together.

Watch this space for further pictures once work starts on the scenics.