1/2 inch scale

From Chaski.org:


 * 2-1/2 inch gauge, 1/2 inch to the foot, was the most popular live steam scale/gauge in England before World War II, and was also extremely popular among live steamers in the United States. There were lots of construction articles that appeared in magazines such as Model Engineer, Popular Mechanics and English Mechanic by legends such as Curly Lawrence (aka: LBSC), Martin Lewis, Henry Greenly, and H.P. Jackson. Many commercial models, both steam, Clockwork, and even electric were available from places such as Bassett-Lowke, Bing, and H.J. Coventry. Some of these were casting 'kits', and some were ready-to-run models. This scale was the largest of the ‘scenic’ scales, where realism of the surroundings and structures is very important, and the trains are not ridden on. It is also the smallest scale that can actually be ridden and ‘driven’ by the engineer using an elevated track. Many of the models were coal fired and could pull several adults around a fairly level track. The parts were also small enough to be built entirely using a hobby shop sized lathe, a small milling attachment, and a drill press. The 'golden age' of 1/2 inch scale modeling was in the 1920s through the end of World War II.


 * The economic boom that came after the end of World War II pretty much wiped out 1/2 inch scale as a popular modeling and operating scale. With the growing affluence in Britain and the United States, along with less expensive electric train models and rolling stock, people of more modest means could get into model railroading. Because of space limitations, most of the model railroaders were utilizing smaller scales and moving their trains indoors. O scale, and even smaller scales such as S and HO were now the choice for the scenic modelers.


 * The live steam guys were also experiencing the joys that come from a more affluent society. The size of both the hobby and the equipment began to grow larger and larger as the years progressed. After World War II, the most popular scale quickly became 3/4 inch to the foot running on 3-1/2 inch gauge track. In later years 1 inch scale became popular. By the late 1950's/early 1960’s the emerging scale and gauge was 1-1/2 inch scale and 7+ gauge. This left 1/2 inch scale almost completely out of the picture. By the 1970's the scale was almost extinct, except for a few suppliers still offering castings. For the most part, this scale was not being built or modeled in, and tracks to run on were scarce.


 * That's pretty much how it stands today. I dabble a bit in 1/2 inch scale 2-1/2 inch gauge, and although I love the size of it, it's not very popular. Might be a dozen to maybe 2 dozen people at the most who are active in that scale/gauge on the entire North American Continent. Only a few clubs out there have a high-line track that has a 2-1/2 inch gauge rail on it. I say this not to discourage you, because I think that this is a great scale/gauge to work in, but just know that you're going to be kind-of a lone wolf out there in the Live Steam world.