Celebrating the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association with a new book

This second edition of A Pictorial History of the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association 1947 - 2022 is a celebration of a great hobby worldwide, from its earliest beginnings to the present day.

What emerged from those initial meetings was a wonderfully friendly and social band of members, who began ‘Get Togethers’ running trains on each other lines and then building up a presence at countless model railway and model engineering exhibitions down the years.

Initially, the emphasis was more on electric steam outline models, but live steam in Gauge One was rediscovered, and the model engineering side of the hobby grew with the production of advice on how to build a simple Gauge One steam locomotive such as ‘The Project’ 4F 0 6 0.

New manufacturers of Gauge One engines appeared with the Aster model of the Southern Railway Schools class 4 4 0. The success of that spawned a whole range of Gauge One locomotive types across the world either factory built or in kit form.

In parallel with the steam interest, electric steam outline models, models of diesel locomotives and electric multiple units continued. Rolling stock also became available in ever greater variety.

A great range of model interest has evolved. At one end of the spectrum, members follow fine scale modelling and at the other end, they show the tinplate models of yesteryear. In the middle, there is the central following of members running engines and trains to the GIMRA standard 10mm to the foot or 1.32nd.

The book describes all these achievements with over 350 high-quality photographs. It is not just about the models but the personalities too that have made the Association what is today.

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