Model Railway Forum

I’m just about to work out the scaled down measurements from a real railway situation... platforms.... marshalling used and sheds area. I am using Peco code 100, metcalfe building kits and a range of Hornby/Bachman engines and rolling stock which tend to call themselves 00/H0....
Which scale should I use for reducing the platform lengths and other distances that I have the actual measurements for?
Cheers
Rob

If they are UK Hornby and Bachmann they will be OO 1:76 scale. Platform length will be the length required to take your passenger trains. There aren’t really any real sizes for platforms apart from the height. You make the platform to fit the circumstances. It has to be big enough to take the buildings you wish to put on it. Metcalfe are 1:76.

Thanks... the platforms are based on platforms at an existing mainline junction station which I have measured using a trundle wheel... I will now use 76 as the scale down factor..
Thanks very much
Rob

Most layouts can’t fit a full scale platform, a 10 coach train is about 11 feet long in OO.

One good way to gauge the size of track and platforms is to obtain an Ordinance Survey 1:2500 map (you can get historic maps from old-maps.co.uk and a PDF print costs £16), modern maps from the OS can be a bit pricey. This allows the actual track layout to be measured.

Google Earth does also allow users to measure the site using a tool.

Another useful source of data are the Middleton Press Books (www.middletonpress.co.uk) which frequently include a map and accompanying photographs.

As already stated a railway station in real life can be larger than you think, model railways are generally a compromise.

Fantastic help... thanks very much...
I am fortunate to have enough room for the full length platforms
Thanks again
Rob

Great stuff Rob, I am sure there are a few of us on here would love to see some photos when you are on with it.

Will do... I have recently built a substantial outbuilding which will house a scale creation of Severn Tunnel Junction including platforms, sheds and shunting hump (circa 1960)