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5.5mm scale

5.5mm scale is used for modelling narrow gauge railways. 12mm gauge track is used to represent 2 ft (610 mm) to 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) gauge prototypes. 16.5mm gauge track is used to represent 3 ft (914 mm) gauge prototypes.

History

5.5mm scale narrow gauge model railways were developed by GEM in 1963, using 12mm gauge track, which was the smallest commercially available gauge at the time (TT gauge). ^[1] GEM produced kits for locomotives and rolling stock from the Ffestiniog and Talyllyn railways. Following the development of N gauge, using 9mm gauge track, the popularity of 5.5mm scale declined as modellers adopted 009 which could combine N gauge track and mechanisms with the widely supported 4mm scale.

However 5.5mm scale remained in use and, following an article on the Gwynant Valley Railway by Malcolm Savage in Railway Modeller, October 1984, the 5.5mm Association was formed. The tooling for the GEM kits was purchased by Malcolm Savage in 1996 and he is now producing and upgrading those kits^[2]. Worsley Works also produces "scratch aids" and kits for the scale^[3].

References