What is E.M. ?

Hornby Railways and their contemporaries have made sure that we are all familiar with "00" size railways but is not always appreciated that their running rails are placed too close together.

One of the reasons for this conflict can be traced back to the 1920's when attempts were made to popularise the new H0 (half 0) scale models then being produced by the German toy manufacturers. The early electric and clockwork motors would not fit into 3.5mm scale small boilered UK locomotive models. The solution was to increase the scale to 4mm to one foot but instead of building compatible track the manufacturers took the easy way out and imported ready made H0 rails.

The result is a "narrow gauge" appearance with wide tread wheels set too far back under the bodies. The anomaly remains with us today.

To overcome this mixture of scales a number of modellers began to make their own track with the rails pushed out to 18mm and beyond. In 1955 they joined forces to promote their needs and the EM Gauge Society was founded. The letters EM represent the nominal 'eighteen millimetre' track gauge.

All the current, ready to run proprietary 00 locomotives, kits, coaches and wagons can be converted to run on the wider rails, quite often by just using longer axles, spacing washers and a very basic tool kit.

There are several plastic base track systems on the market, which are compatible with the Society's standards, track parts and gauges.

On joining the Society a member receives a set of fully sized plans which covers all the basic point formations and a 250 page Manual produced on CD which explains stock conversions, wheel changing and track making using these plans. (Paper copy is available at additional cost - see Application Form)

The Society Trade Officer holds a comprehensive stock of all the parts needed to carry out the work at home on the kitchen table. This service is mainly a postal one but all the items are on sale at the various EM functions, which are held in various parts of the country.

These events are known as expoEM where layouts, demonstrations, lectures and trade sales are combined under one roof. The Society trade is supported by a large number of specialist member traders on every occasion. Members can discuss their problems with the actual manufacturers and a considerable gathering of fellow modellers. No one person is expert in all things so there is a ready forum for the exchange of ideas and information.

Members receive four newsletters and additional sheets for the Manual every year and the Society is able to deal in both EM and 18.83mm gauges. It is the largest of the Societies covering 4mm scale and our members at model railway exhibitions will be pleased to enlarge on the brief description given on this sheet. Do not hesitate to ask. Membership forms are usually available but if you read this at home and you are interested in improving the look of your models a stamp will bring an immediate response from:

Phil Tattershall (Secretary, New Members and Area Groups)
22 Squirrel Close, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 9DL, UK

If you are planning a new layout or just starting out why not go the whole way and use fine scale techniques?

The EM Gauge Society is here to help you.

Conclusion? - What is EM? - Achievable Excellence

EM GAUGE LAYOUTS ARE FREQUENTLY FEATURED IN THE MODEL PRESS

Wheel Profiles recommended by the E.M.G.S.