Seven reasons to switch to 7mm
O gauge - the 'senior scale' - has been around for almost as long as the hobby of railway modelling and there is no denying that today, with the advent of high quality ready-to-run locomotives and rolling stock, it is enjoying a huge surge in popularity.
From the early days of methylated spirit fired 'dribblers' and coarse scale clockwork, railway modelling in 7mm scale has developed into one of the most popular and active branches of our hobby.
Originally thought to be the smallest practical gauge for indoor model railways, and later seen as the province of only the very wealthy or the dedicated scratch-builder, O gauge now enjoys wide trade support with a huge range of kits and accessories, as well as an ever growing number of ready-to-run models making it easily accessible to modellers (and non-modellers) from all kinds of backgrounds.
A commonly held but mistaken belief amongst modellers in the lesser scales is that O gauge is 'too expensive'. Given the spiralling cost of the average OO or N gauge model - especially if fitted with DCC sound - there is no reason why a small O gauge layout should cost much more than a OO layout built in a similar amount of space.
And with the introduction of small O gauge ready-to-run locomotives such as Dapol's immensely popular 'Terrier', Ixion's Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST or the Minerva 'E' Class Peckett 0-4-0ST, all currently priced at around £200, O gauge is easily within the reach of the average modeller's pocket.
As with all things, your hobby will cost you just as much as you can afford to spend on it.
Larger manufacturers are also keen to invest in the future of ready-to-run O gauge - Peco have recently introduced a new range of 'Set Track' for O gauge, whilst Heljan have cornered the market in British outline ready-to-run diesel locomotives with their first steam outline locomotive planned for release in 2017.
No wonder so many are now actively switching from the smaller scales and opting for O gauge.
From the early days of methylated spirit fired 'dribblers' and coarse scale clockwork, railway modelling in 7mm scale has developed into one of the most popular and active branches of our hobby.
Originally thought to be the smallest practical gauge for indoor model railways, and later seen as the province of only the very wealthy or the dedicated scratch-builder, O gauge now enjoys wide trade support with a huge range of kits and accessories, as well as an ever growing number of ready-to-run models making it easily accessible to modellers (and non-modellers) from all kinds of backgrounds.
A commonly held but mistaken belief amongst modellers in the lesser scales is that O gauge is 'too expensive'. Given the spiralling cost of the average OO or N gauge model - especially if fitted with DCC sound - there is no reason why a small O gauge layout should cost much more than a OO layout built in a similar amount of space.
And with the introduction of small O gauge ready-to-run locomotives such as Dapol's immensely popular 'Terrier', Ixion's Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST or the Minerva 'E' Class Peckett 0-4-0ST, all currently priced at around £200, O gauge is easily within the reach of the average modeller's pocket.
As with all things, your hobby will cost you just as much as you can afford to spend on it.
Larger manufacturers are also keen to invest in the future of ready-to-run O gauge - Peco have recently introduced a new range of 'Set Track' for O gauge, whilst Heljan have cornered the market in British outline ready-to-run diesel locomotives with their first steam outline locomotive planned for release in 2017.
No wonder so many are now actively switching from the smaller scales and opting for O gauge.
RSS Feed