OO - why is this inaccurate gauge so popular?

[AndrewE]

Life is so much easier when your train set is a toy - and it's operating it which is the important/fun bit.

Our 2 children and the grandchildren have all learnt that when they were playing with something (even a cardboard box) it was what they wanted it to be, fire engine, sailing ship or whatever.

Our boys' trainset on its baseboard was pretty rough, but each one had a circuit (i.e. 2 concentric), sidings with headshunt and exchange sidings, plus a shared station. Trains were made up of all sorts of stock, including early Triang and Hornby dublo wagons...

 

[birchesgreen]

Lima were a rare example in the 70s who tried to introduce a range of UK HO models, I remember a class 33 and Mk2 coaches, but as predicted they did not sell well and were quickly dropped in favour of 00, with secondhand HO models gracing the bargain bins of model shops ever since.

Yes i have the 33 (though not used, my layout is HO9), its an interesting little curiosity.

 

[MattRat]

Given the size of most British houses, I'm surprised N gauge isn't more popular. It's much easier to make a good 'large' layout in the average British house.

 

[william.martin]

Given the size of most British houses, I'm surprised N gauge isn't more popular. It's much easier to make a good 'large' layout in the average British house.

Definitely something I am considering ☺️

 

[Cowley]

Definitely something I am considering ☺️

If you ever need any advice on getting started I went from 00 gauge to N gauge a few years ago completely from scratch and I’ve really enjoyed working in the smaller scale:

Lapford station in N gauge.

Part 1 @Ash Bridge, @Peter C and @Andy R. A. have all had a part in making me pluck up the courage to share what I’ve been tinkering about with recently. It all started with a few ideas and also this thread... https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/lapford-station-yard.178017/ My best friend...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[ShadowKnight]

On a related note, are there any models that exist both in 00 and ho?

 

[12C]

On a related note, are there any models that exist both in 00 and ho?

Just going off past Lima releases definitely class 33, mk 1 and 2 coaches and a 4f steam loco. The Class 66 is also produced in HO by a few manufacturers although in Continental form. Eurostar was made by Jouef in HO. Playcraft also did a class 29 in HO I seem to remember.

 

[satisnek]

On a related note, are there any models that exist both in 00 and ho?

Back in the late 1970s Fleischmann introduced a Warship diesel and three types of SR Bulleid coach, presumably the start of a British range which never materialised. I never saw them 'in the flesh' although from photographs and reviews they were beautiful models, but they were in 3.5mm scale. Whatever was Fleischmann's reason for this I really don't know.