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There really is nothing wrong with OO gauge. The problem is that some proprietary track systems are really HO and are designed for the Continental and US market. The problem is in the sleeper spacing - they are too close together and are unlike full size UK trackwork. There there are plenty of first class OO layouts appearing at exhibitions. Have a look at some and see for yourself.

If you still wish to 'trade up' then we suggest you consider the EM Gauge Society. You may well need support and the EMGS is noted for the help and encouragement it gives to its members. The data pack you receive when joining, will soon become a much thumbed and read reference. It is continually being updated. The Society is filled with friendly people and has none of the 'elitist stuffiness' found in one or two other societies.

The EMGS Membership Secretary is Phil Tattershall, 22, Squirrel Close, Sandhurst, Berks, GU47 9DL. The 2003-2004 membership is £10.00 for UK residents, £12.00 Overseas.

It is the very nature of plastic injection mouldings that occasional flaws can occur. We inspect every moulding and reject anything they see as being in any way imperfect. However, a run of say 3 bolt chairs, is usually 50,000 mouldings. That is 500,000 chairs...... When dealing with this amount, it is quite possible to miss a faulty item or, (more probably), reject a moulding and then put it into the wrong bin.... We are not perfect and mistakes will be made.

C+L offer a 100% no quibble guarantee. If you should receive a faulty item, please return it to the supplier. It will be replaced.

In the prototype, a turnout is a combination of a switch, a crossing and a section joining the two. We have used the same kind of terminology in the C&L range. In basic terms, an "A" type switch has a sharper radius curve than a "B" type switch, and a shorter length of planing at the tip. The difference that you see when you buy a set of blades is the length of this machining, the effect being that the "A" blades will produce a more sharply diverging road than "B" type blades. (I've tried to keep that simple, but there is a lot more to it than that - particularly concerning the pre-grouping period).

The code number given a rail is a standard way of describing the rail used in the model form, and represents the height of the rail expressed in thousands of an inch. Therefore, code 125 rail is an eighth of an inch high. Be warned, though, that the code does not describe the profile of the rail, which can vary.

Modern wheels - Bachman, Romford, etc. have flanges that are finer than proprietary rolling stock of a few years ago. You should find that only older wheel sets – particularly older Lima wheels – could cause a problem.

The normal solvent adhesive, Butanone, will also fix plastic chairs to ply sleepers. You will need to apply more solvent than would be necessary with a plastic to plastic joint, and you will need to keep light pressure on the joint for longer. The solvent will melt the plastic into the grain of the ply. There will not be as much strength in the joint as there would be with a plastic weld, but it should be adequate for the purpose.

The code is very simple, once you know, and is based on prototype descriptions. The letter refers to the type of switch blade used (see previous question), and the number refers to the angle of the crossing, expressed as a ratio. So, for example, a B6 turnout has a "B" type switch with a crossing angle of 1:6 - for every 6 units along, the vee widens by 1 unit. It is not immediately obvious from the description what the radius is in model form, so the following table may help. Remember, though, there is more than one curve in a turnout, so please treat the measurements in the table, which are in feet, as approximate.

UK deliveries.
The minimum charge is £3.00. This varies with weight, up to a maximum of £6.33.

Orders below 750gms are normally sent by first class post. Everything above 750gms in weight is sent by carrier. Our agreement allows us to send up to 10kgs for £5.52. So if you are ordering heavy items - coal, ballast, etc. it makes sense to purchase your total requirements for these.

Overseas deliveries.
This is charged at cost, plus the postal authorities insurance supplement

VAT is not charged on orders to non EU countries.