An often bewildering subject for the newcomer particularly where Narrow Gauge is concerned. Worton Court is modelled under the term 0-16.5. This means the scale of the layout is O scale = 7mm/foot = 1:43.5. Alone, this could mean it is Standard Gauge (4'-8.5") implying 'National Railways' type rolling stock, so the actual gauge (16.5mm) is appended to specify it is narrow gauge. 16.5mm is the gauge of OO and HO model railways, but at 7mm scale, this equates to just over 2ft-4", right in the middle of the typical range of narrow gauge railways. A wide range of proprietary stock is available, but it is also possible to scratch build using OO/HO wheels, 'running gear' and even whole chassis' can be used with homemade or proprietary bodies made to 7mm/ft. scale.
On Worton Court, there is a mixture of homemade track, using printed circuit board sleepers and code 70 flat-bottomed together with proprietary flexitrack, but with the sleepers separated and eased along the rails to more typical centres.
Note: Other narrow railway gauges can be described in the same way e.g. O-14 (2 foot gauge), O-21 (3 foot gauge), O-9 (15" gauge). The latter is perfect for pleasure and industrial railways in relatively small spaces using N gauge track.
