View source for 2 mm scale

{{Short description|Railway modeling finecast scale}}
{{about|a specification used for railway modelling|the 2mm wargaming scale|miniature wargaming#Scale}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox Model Rail Scale
| name = 2&nbsp;mm finescale
| image_filename = 2mm scale steam locomotive.jpg
| image_caption = A 2&nbsp;mm scale [[steam locomotive]] in unpainted condition
| widthpx = 300px
| scale = 2&nbsp;mm to 1&nbsp;ft
| ratio = 1:152.4
| gauge = {{RailGauge|9.42mm}}
| prototype_gauge = [[Standard gauge]]
| website = [http://www.2mm.org.uk/ 2mm Association]
}}

'''2&nbsp;mm scale''', often '''2&nbsp;mm [[finescale]]''' is a specification used for [[model railway|railway modelling]],<ref name=WoR/> largely for [[modelling British railway prototypes]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} It uses a scale of 2&nbsp;mm on the model to 1 foot on the prototype, which scales out to 1:152.4<ref name=WoR/>
The track [[rail gauge|gauge]] used to represent prototype [[standard gauge]] (4 feet {{frac|8|1|2}} inches) is {{RailGauge|9.42mm}}.<ref name=amrg /> Track and wheels are closer to dead scale replicas than commercial British N.

==Standard==
The 2&nbsp;mm standards<ref name=2mmstandard /> were proposed by Mr. H H Groves in the early 1960s and revised to their current specification in November 1963 by Geoffrey Jones.<ref name=2mmstandardadoption /> It is similar in size to the slightly larger British [[N scale]] at 1:148, and the slightly smaller European/American N scale at 1:160; though it predates both.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standards |url=https://2mm.org.uk/standards.htm |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=2mm.org.uk}}</ref>

Since 2&nbsp;mm scale is very close to the 1:148 British N scale, a hybrid specification can be modelled by re-wheeling proprietary British N-scale models to the 9.42&nbsp;mm track gauge.  This hybrid specification results in a track gauge equivalent to {{convert|4|ft|6+7/8|in|mm}}, slightly narrower than the prototype 4 feet {{frac|8|1|2}} inches.  There is an advantage however in the narrower gauge as this allows more room for the outside motion of outside cylindered steam locomotives, which must be overscale in order to function correctly.  This approach is often recommended for beginners.  However, 2&nbsp;mm-scale and hybrid-scale models do not usually sit well together due to the larger size of the latter.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

=== Supplementary Standards ===
Like [[Protofour]], 2&nbsp;mm standards have been extended to several other prototypes of both wider and narrower gauge with the same tolerances such as [[Brunel gauge|Brunel's]] {{RailGauge|7ft0.25in}} gauge,<ref>{{cite web |title=BGS standards |url=http://www.broadgauge.org.uk/modelling/models_standards.html |publisher=Broad Gauge Society |access-date=2021-05-11}}</ref> Japan Rail's {{RailGauge|1067mm}} narrow gauge and so on.

==== FiNescale Standard ====

The FiNescale standard in use for European prototypes is identical to 2mmFS, with the exception of a to-scale rail gauge of {{RailGauge|9mm}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

=== Appreciation===
One major effect of the standard is to improve the appearance of the track as opposed to N scale, where it is overly tall.<ref name=WoR/>  Linking carriages with three link chains has been successfully achieved in using the standard.<ref name=Dent2016/>

== Support ==
No ready-to-run models are available in 2&nbsp;mm scale,{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} and although there is some availability of kits and components, some model-making skill is normally required.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

There is an active association, ''The 2mm Scale Association'', for modellers in this scale, who supply components, tools and jigs, publish a bi-monthly magazine, organise local groups, and promote modelling in the scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Products |url=https://2mm.org.uk/products/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=2mm.org.uk}}</ref>

==Exhibition layouts==
[[File:Ausschnitt der 2 mm scale Modelleisenbahn-Anlage Inversnecky and Drambule Railway erbaut 1946-1953.jpg|thumb|Section of the model railway layout built between 1946 and 1953 ''Inversnecky and Drambule Railway''.]]

* An early example of a 2&nbsp;mm layout was ''Rydes Vale'' which was created in the 1960s by H. H. Grove and his son.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cliff|first=Nigel|date=2008|title=The Groves and Rydes Vale |magazine=Model Railway Journal |issue=185|issn= 0267-3207|page=223}}</ref>
* The development of the [[Kineton]] exhibition layout by the Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society was feature in series in the [[British Railway Modelling]] magazine running from February 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Collins|first=Mike|date=February 2016|title=Project Layout — Kineton — 2&nbsp;mm Finescale|magazine=[[British Railway Modelling]]|pages=56–59}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[N scale]], with chapter OOO scale
* [[Protofour|P4]]
* [[Proto:87]]
* [[ScaleSeven]]
* [[Rail transport modelling scales]]

== References ==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=2mmstandard>{{cite web|title=2mm Association Standards|url=https://2mm.org.uk/standards.htm|website=2mm Association}}</ref>
<ref name=Dent2016>{{cite book|last=Dent|first=George|date=22 August 2016|title=Building Coaches: A Complete Guide for Railway Modellers
                    |isbn=978-1785002052|publisher=The Crowood Press Ltd|oclc=946461948}}</ref>
<ref name=2mmstandardadoption>{{cite magazine|title=November 1963|date=November 1963|magazine=2mm Association Magazine|pages=7–8}}</ref>
<ref name=WoR>{{cite web|title=Model Railway Scales and gauges explained|id=Smaller Still:N|access-date=6 May 2020|website=World of Railways|date=16 January 2019|url=https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/techniques/model-railway-scales-and-gauges-explained/}}</ref>
<ref name=amrg>{{cite web |url=http://www.altonmrg.co.uk/latest/scale-gauge/ |title=A Guide to Scale & Gauge |author=James Taylor |website=Alton Model Railway Group |date=24 December 2014 |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book| date=1992|title=The beginner's guide to 2mm modeling|edition=3rd|isbn=9780951837313|publisher = Two Millimetre Scale Association | location=East Grinstead|oclc=30816537}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|title=The 2mm Scale Association|url=http://www.2mm.org.uk/}}
* {{cite web|title=FiNescale Homepage|url=http://www.fs160.eu/}}
{{Scale models}}

[[Category:2 mm scale| ]]
[[Category:Scale model scales]]