An in-depth look at the OO gauge range from Graham Farish

In the October 2010 issue of Collectors Gazette we looked at the development of the famous Graham Farish N gauge range of model trains. The company’s name has become synonymous with British outline N gauge models, but it originally produced models in OO gauge. While this range was subsequently stopped to enable it to concentrate on the smaller scale, it did produce some fine 4mm trains. Examples of these appear at swapmeets and at auction from time to time and are certainly worth looking out for.

Following WWII Farish was looking for additional work for its machines. At this time interest in model railways was really growing and Rovex was developing its 2-rail system for Marks & Spencers, forming the foundation for what was to become Tri-ang Railways.

However, Farish beat Rovex into the shops by about a year when they launched a OO gauge LMS Black 5 locomotive in 1949. Announcements and advertisements about the new company’s entry into the model railway market appeared in the specialist press and Farish appeared at that year’s Model Engineer Exhibition at the New Royal Horticultural Hall, London.

*This is an excerpt of the article 'The Graham Farish OO gauge range' first published in Collector Gazette's February issue. To see which issues of Collectors Gazette are available to buy online, click here.