Gauge 1 (also referred to as Gauge One) is a model railroading and toy train standard, popular in the early 20th century, particularly with European manufacturers. Its track measures 1.75 in (44.45 mm), making it larger than 0 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 1.75 in (44.45 mm). The distance between the wheel tyres at 117⁄32 in (38.894 mm) and between the centre of the track 48 mm (no inch equivalent suggesting it was metric users requirement only). The wheel width was set at 19⁄64 in (7.541 mm).
Definitions using gauge, rather than scale, was used more common in the early days with the four gauges for which standards were adopted being No. 0 (commonly called O gauge nowadays), No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.
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Initially as 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 World War 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 renaissance, 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 (roughly 10mm = 1 foot). G scale at 1:22.5 means the 1 gauge track represents 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) (metre gauge) track. Such railways are to be found in, among other places, 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 [1] in California, The Gauge One Model Railway Company [2] in Britain, and Aster Hobbies Ltd [3] in Japan produce gauge 1 items, mostly coal and meths fired.
Wrightway Rolling Stock [4] produce a range of quality coaches for British outline Gauge 1 railways and a range of cars for North American and European outline railways. They can supply from their range or custom build. Some of the range is available in 10mm scale.
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".[5]