The Gauge One Model Railway Association (which is often referred to as G1MRA) is both a National and International body. Within the UK there are several local groups which arrange Summer programmes of informal running sessions at members’ tracks.
Winter activities may include layout construction, a film show or a speaker on some aspect of Model Railway or Railway interest.
The new member is strongly urged to join in with one of these Local Groups, since here will be found the experienced members who can do so much to guide the novice.
The name and address of Local Group contacts are available to all members of G1MRA.
1:32 Finescale Group pulls together information on high-realism Gauge One modelling.
Gauge One 3D Circle discusses all forms of modern digital modelling at: gaugeone3dcircle.groups.io and on weekly Zoom meetings.
Cambridge and Suffolk Group is an informal group of local members arranging running sessions and events throughout the summer months. New G1MRA members are particularly welcome, and boiler testing is available.
Chiltern Group is a friendly group with the majority of members situated around Luton, St Albans, Chesham and Aylesbury. Between us, we have a number of tracks, and have regular running days during the month. Plenty of advice and help is available to Gauge One newcomers about outdoor track construction, and about building locomotives and rolling stock.
Cornwall Group meets weekly, weather permitting, generally in the St Austell area.
East Anglia Group meet twice a month at our premises near Bury St Edmunds, and also at various East Anglian venues throughout the year. Please see www.angliaG1.com
East Dorset & New Forest Group extends from Dorchester to Southampton. Meetings are held twice a month throughout the year. In the event of adverse weather, we are very fortunate in being able to use a200ft indoor line.
Essex Group meets weekly at various local tracks.
Hants & Sussex Group stretches from Southampton to Worthing. We have weekend meetings from April to October at nine main tracks. We run British, Continental and American trains, with occasional interesting ‘speciality’ locomotives. Guaranteed at our meetings is a friendly welcome, and plenty of valuable advice for new, old and visiting members.
Isle of Man Group meets every two months.
Lincolnshire and Humberside Group is being re-formed.
Mid-Wales Group meets monthly between Machynlleth and Llanfair Caereinion. If you live in the area, or are visiting, you would be most welcome.
Midland Group has a very active running programme, indoors and out. It has a large exhibition layout, many outdoor tracks, and wealth of knowledge and experience on all aspects of building and running Gauge One. Rest assured, someone has ‘been there’ and is only too willing to help.
There is a Northampton District Group.
North London SME Gauge One Group is a Gauge One section within a Society of Model Engineers. It holds weekly running days near Hatfield throughout the year. Guests welcome.
North Norfolk Steamers have regular running days organised throughout the year on local outdoor tracks.
North West Group holds monthly indoor running days in the Preston area. Monthly evening meetings are near Chorley, taking the form of talks, demonstrations, project nights etc. The group has a large portable exhibition track, and can arrange access to Southport Model Engineering Club’s 300 foot track circuit.
North West Kent Group has amalgamated with the SE Group – see below
Salisbury and Stonehenge Group meets monthly in the week plus monthly at weekends, depending on the weather.
Scottish Group meets in Central Scotland.
Scottish Group (North East) meets monthly, weather permitting, near Aberdeen.
Somerset Group is a small, friendly group with get-togethers arranged at short notice throughout the summer, when the weather is favourable.
South East Group meets twice a month, plus additional meetings circulated weekly to group members.
There is a South Oxfordshire Group.
Surrey Group meets most months, and on a few other dates.
Vintage Tinplate Group operates working vintage train layouts at a variety of Model Railway Shows, Toy Fairs, Exhibitions etc.
Yorkshire Group meets regularly at weekends, at various venues in Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. It organises the annual Gauge One North exhibition.