"Out of the box" Sources

Below is a list of sources of "ready to run" models in 1/32nd scale modelling.

This list may well be incomplete, If you know of any product or information which should be added then please let me know.

Accucraft UK are promising a wide range of ready to run items which will be produced in both plastic and brass. The A3 class "Flying Scotsman" in brass is the first past the post and seems to have been well received. Talking to Ian Pearse a couple of months ago the Class 37 is due to be the first plastic model available, possibly later in 2008.

Aster UK Andrew Pullen has worked with Aster to produce a well researched and imaginative series of live steam locomotives to the market in 1/32 scale, many of which can be seen running on Gauge One tracks up and down the country. Following on from the well captured Bulleid Pacific the latest is the breathtaking 9F model which offers new levels of sophistication and detail. Awe inspiring models and well thought out pieces of miniature engineering too.

Bachmann have gone into overdrive on the locomotive production front. On top of their previously announced range of "Brassworks" locos in 1/32 scale, they have recently made and put into the shops a rather nice BR shunter in the shape of the 03 and 04 and have also announced a Black Five - all electric powered. Pictured below is the green 03 as photographed by Mark Wood.

The Gauge 1 Model Co has recently been set up by Trevor Taylor in order to design and manufacture ready to run locomotives and rolling stock in 1/32 Gauge 1. Their first products are a BR Standard 4MT in live steam and a BR standard 16 ton mineral wagon, with more to follow. This last consists of an injection moulded body on a metal chassis with working suspension. Flawed but far from iredeemable, Simon Dunkley's worked over example is pictured below.

David Leech has built a wide range of coaches, including several British types, which are available as ready to run models. He has been going for 6 years, and although based in Canada has supplied several customers in England. I believe he is currently taking atemporary retirement whilst he catches up with some personal modelling projects. Check his website for latest news.

Peco are well known for their huge range of track, which now extends to Gauge One. Their plain track is 45mm gauge, with sleeper size and spacing much closer to 1/32nd than 10mm scale. The rail is a slightly flat bottomed bullhead section, but the rail fastenings are of a flat bottom type, making this track a bit of an odd looking hybrid - for British track at least. In 2001, they introduced a matching pair of turnouts, but to "standard" dimensions. The Ruston 48DS pictured on this site is sitting on Peco track.

Unfortunately this track is incompatible with G1F and ScaleOne32 wheelsets owing to the gauge of 44.45 possibly exacerbated by the rather "square" section of the rail head. In order to overcome this problem, Slaters new 1/32 wheels are set with a back to back dimension of 41mm rather than 42mm. ScaleOne32 has a Wheel back to back of 42.20mm, although the scale flange width may mean that Peco plain track will work with these standards.

Within their myriad of track parts however there are components to enable construction of Gauge One turnouts, which would enable finescale standard points to be constructed. Their catalogue is an interesting and informative read, and track parts designed for other scales could be used for 1/32nd scale Standard Gauge track, the lighter flatbottom sections especially.