It may not be generally known in the UK but there is a European standard for model locomotive wheels and one for tracks. This makes sure that locos constructed in one country can be run on tracks in another.

The relevant bit for you is here.

Sorry, it is in mm rather than inches (except for the guage, or écartment, which is in inches ignoring the fractional part).

Russell.

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 01/04/2014 09:27:15

You can download all the dimensions here

**LINK**

Looks like you might get away with being 1/16" short

Steve

Yes, I believe you will 'get away' with a 3/4 inch thickness wheel in 7 1/4 inch gauge.

I am building a 7 1/4 inch gauge French Locomotive to French plans. The wheel thickness at the tread is given as 19mm on the plans – a whisker under 3/4 inch. Many locomotives have been built to these plans.

I must admit that I have used a slightly wider tyre myself, but that does not detract from the designed and drawn width.

Regards,

Phil.

I'm not sure why it is so funny to have standards. If you want to build an engine to run on your own track you are welcome to use any gauge and wheels you like. However, if you want to run it on someone else's track you then have to make sure it will run on that track so you have to have an agreed form of track and wheels. That agreement is a form of Standard. Many people travel to events in other countries with their locos. It would be a pity to arrive and find that your loco was incompatible with, say, the points. Now whether you call that agreement a guidance, a standard, or a norm is neither here nor there.

As far as bureaucratic interference is concerned, there wasn't any. I believe that the standard I referred to was a product of the cooperation of a number of clubs from various countries.

No European standard is compulsory unless it is the subject of an EU Directive. You can build your locomotive however you like, just make sure it is suitable for any track you wish to run it on.

Russell.