1 gauge

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Gauge 1 is a model railroading and toy train standard, popular in the early 20th century, particularly with European manufacturers. Its track measures 1.75 inches (44.45 mm), making it larger than O gauge but slightly smaller than wide gauge, which came to be the dominant U.S. standard during the 1920s.

No 1 gauge was standardised, according to Model Railways and Locomotive magazine of August 1909 at 1 3/4" or 44.75 mm. The distance between the wheel tyres at 1 17/32" or 39 mm and between the centre of the track 48mm (no inch equivalent suggesting it was metric users requirement only). The wheel width was set at 19/64" or 7.5 mm.

Interestingly gauge, rather than scale, seems to be used more in the early days. For the record the four gauges for which standards were adopted were No. 0 (commonly called O gauge nowadays), No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

Initially popular in the United States as in the UK, 1 gauge lost popularity in the USA due to World War I, which dramatically decreased foreign imports, allowing the U.S. wide gauge standard to gain traction. After the WW I, most surviving U.S. manufacturers switched to wide gauge. In the UK and the rest of the world 1 gauge also declined, although more slowly, and by the 1940s had practically disappeared.

In the 1950s and 1960s 1 gauge experienced a renascence, first in the UK and then elsewhere. This was helped by 1 gauge being the same size as the modern G scale, a popular standard for outdoor model railroads.

Although vintage 1 gauge trains use the same track standard as modern G scale, scale modeling was not a primary design consideration in 1 gauge's heyday, so the actual size and scale of the locomotives and cars varied. Generally, 1 gauge equipment worked out to approximately 1:32 scale. G scale at 1:22.5 means the 1 gauge track represents 1,000 mm (3 ft 3⅜ in) narrow gauge track. Such railways are to be found in, among other places, in Switzerland, the inspiration source for many commercial G gauge models.

By comparison, 1 gauge's 1:32 scale makes it nearly three times the dimensions of modern HO scale, the most popular size today.

Due to the size of the locomotives it is possible for them to be powered with live steam, which to many is a large advantage as they are cheaper than traditional live steam garden railroads. These are usually fired by gas or methylated spirit, which are both very popular. Another form, which is becoming popular is coal, which gives the user the unforgettable smell that only steam locomotives carry.

Accucraft Trains in California and Aster Hobbies Ltd in Britain produce gauge 1 items, mostly coal and meths fired.

Märklin, in Germany, also produces two different lines of 1 gauge equipment, one cheaper, made of tin plate metal, and less detailed than their premier line, which is super-detailed and expensive.

There are many producers of gauge 1 items in the USA and the UK; see the Gauge 1 model railway association website listed below under "External links".