Thankyou Charles, All three gauges are available locally. I think equipment and weight bars consideration of 7¼. I like the size of 3½, but I can see that in trying to achieve a sense of of scale regarding fittings, and practicality in firing and driving, then 5-inch has the advantage. The downside to this, is the knock-on effects on equipment and working space! Best wishes, Jem ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles & Dorothy Brumbelow" <cbrumbelow@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 11:53 AM Subject: [modeleng] Re: [modeleng] 3½ versus 5 > Give careful consideration to potential operating locations, Jim. Here in > the States it seems that the vast majority of clubs only offer 7-1/2" or > 7-1/4" gauge track. Some have 4-3/4" (Stateside variation of 5"), and > then > there is a growing group who model to run on 1-3/4" track in various > scales. > Another factor is transporting the model. 7-1/2" gauge trains generally > require a pickup truck or full size van or station wagon as a minimum, and > may well require a trailer. Smaller scales can be carried more easily. > Depending upon the prototype, your 3-1/2" gauge loco might even be carried > in a suitcase-sized custom case. And, as another listee pointed out, the > capacity of your equipment needs to be considered....although if drivers > are > the only items out of reach for your shop, their machining might be farmed > out. Charles > >> Here is another 'new' topic, on which I would appreciate your opinions. >> I am a relative newcomer to model engineering. I have no engineering >> background. In the distant past I have scratchbuilt models in 0 gauge >> (2-rail electric) and some wagons in Gauge 1. I have a Myford ML10 in >> reasonable condition and a small bench pillar drill (rough!). For the >> best part of the last three years I have been doing some restoration work >> on a Dore Westbury Mk.1: surgery on the motor, fitting new lead screws >> and >> nuts, devising different ways to attach the handles top the lead screws, >> making a drawbar, making a machine vice kit. It has been a long learning >> exercise! I now have some digital read-out bars that I have not >> succeeded >> yet in fitting....I do wonder if these are really worth the hassle. >> >> I want to get started on a locomotive. Until recently I reckoned that I >> would tackle something in 3½-inch gauge, but the vast majority of the >> received wisdom has advised against this size. So, what I would be >> interested to read on this discussion group is your views for and against >> 3½-inch and 5-inch gauge, oh and while we are about it, we could add >> 2½-inch gauge. >> >> Best wishes, >> >> Jem Harrison >> Basildon > > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, > modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > line. > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.