16 mm scale model trains

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Mamod live steam locomotive and train on a garden railway layout

A popular scale of model railway in the UK which represents narrow gauge prototypes at a scale of 16 mm:1 foot or 1:19.05. The most common gauge for such railways is 32 mm, representing 2 ft (610 mm) gauge prototypes. This scale/gauge combination is sometimes referred to as "SM32" (terminology popularised by Peco, one of the principal manufacturers of appropriate track) and is often used for model railways that run in gardens, being large enough to easily accommodate live steam models. The next most common gauge is 45 mm, which represents 2 ft 9.75 inch (874 mm) gauge prototypes; although few prototype lines were this exact gauge it can reasonably be used to model prototypes between 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) and 3 ft (914 mm) gauge.

There are a number of commercial manufacturers of 16 mm scale models as well as many enthusiastic amateurs who build their own rolling stock. Because real 2 ft (610 mm) railways were most commonly found in the UK, many of the models are of British prototypes. European and North American narrow gauge railways are also modeled in this scale, mainly with scratch-built or kit-built models.

Although models of approximately this scale were being built as early as the 1930s, it was the founding of the Merioneth Railway Society just after the Second World War that marks the popularization of this scale. The society was famous for its rulebook, which read, in its entirety:

The Merioneth Railway Society rule book states:

Rule 1. The Society shall be known as the Merioneth Railway Society.

Rule 2. There shall be no rules.

This set the light-hearted spirit of the 16 mm fraternity, where a sense of fun and whimsy often override more serious concerns. The use of live steam as the predominant motive power of the models means absolute scale reproduction is often sacrificed to the demands of steam engineering at this scale. However the realistic sound, smell and visual effects of steam-driven locomotives makes up for loss of fidelity elsewhere. Driving a live steam locomotive, even at this small scale is very different from driving an electrically-powered model.

"Socrates" a freelance 16 mm scale live steam locomotive built by WellChuffed. Currently (2005) running on the Cemmaes Road and Dolfor Junction Railway.

For many years there were no commercially-available parts, and everything was hand-built or kit-bashed from O scale components. In the early 1970's Archangel emerged as the first commercial manufacturer on a large scale, followed by Merlin and Beck at the end of that decade. All three companies produced affordable live steam locomotives in this scale. In 1981 Mamod entered the market with a cheap if somewhat crude steam loco for the UK market. Although not perfect, the low cost opened the hobby to a much wider range of people and as a result demand for other products grew. A vibrant group of professional and hobbyist makers have emerged to meet this demand.

A thriving email list and association provide help and enthusiasm for fellow modelers.