I am doing Gauge 3 because of a fluke! When I started a model in two and a half inch gauge I didn’t know there was a society for that size and scale.  I don’t believe I had, at that time, ever seen a model in that scale either.

I have modelled in all scales from 2mm to 7mm.  I even invented a scale of 5.5mm to the foot so that ‘OO’ track and wheels would suit my Isle of Man modelling of their three foot gauge.   I helped a close friend with his collection of Gauge 1 'Aster' steam locomotives and the large circuit in his garden. I did build a model kit in Gauge 1 but had my eyes on something even bigger and better. There is a photograph of a Pullman car in a very large scale in a 1930s issue of the Railway Magazine and that was a model worthy of much admiration.   I fancied something similar, if only to have as a static exhibit for the sideboard or mantelpiece. The greater size meant that detailing was easier and worthwhile. Basically, I just like making models and carriages in particular.

The late Don Fifer supplied parts for garden railways in the big scales.  I thought five inch gauge would be nice, if a bit large. “Was there anything a bit smaller…and I want Mansell type wheels”, I enquired.  Don came up with a pair of axles and wheels for two and a half inch gauge.  So the scale was set for me.

That brings me to the point of this story.  Gauge 3 is a wonderful size.  I am sure many more people would move to this scale if they knew about it and if there was a little ‘ready to run’ stuff to get them started.   G Scale has taken off in a big way since so much has become available but what was there before LGB ?  

Perhaps somebody will introduce a model of a simple tank engine that will get the ball rolling.   I know GRS have several such products available but the average modeller does not know of them or realise what a great scale this is. Both Slaters and Williams Models are planning to introduce a locomotive in kit form.  

I wonder how many of those Gauge 3 RTR brass GWR 2-6-2Ts and ‘B’ sets are there out there?  We are largely scratch builders but ready to run products will bring many others to the scale.  This is a great size and so impressive.  It really should be more popular and the growth of garden railways seems to centre on G1 and G scale, etc.   Gauge 3 would be so much better.

There is a perception that anything bigger than ‘O’ gauge is model engineering, rather than modelling. Even the major modelling magazines are indifferent to Gauge 3 and I suppose that selling magazines is linked to mass modelling in the small scales, where, in some circles,  even gauge ‘0’ can still be viewed as a minority interest.