This is by far the most commonly used standard to-day. Finescale (originally Fine Standard), has been developed to give a fair compromise between appearance and ease of use. Track gauge is 32mm which brings the outer face of Finescale wheel sets, to almost the scale distance apart, thus preserving appearance yet permitting over-width wheels.

There is a vast supporting trade and cottage industry providing parts, kits, wheels, trackwork etc., all designed around the Finescale standard. This in turn has created a large kit and scratch-building following, working to this standard.

There are, and have been in the past, many large and extensive Finescale layouts, many of them outdoors, and the Finescale standard has proved very reliable, with very intensive operating systems, however because of the fine wheel and track standard, care is desirable during construction. In recent years a significant amount of ready to run equipment has become available, from mass produced ‘budget’ equipment, to ‘high end’ quality imports from the Far East, all of which is excellent quality and accurate portrayal of prototypes.

Advantages

1. Finescale is the nearest to true scale dimensions of any 32mm gauge standard (including the American NMRA standard, etc.)
2. As the standard leaves a greater than scale clearance between the wheel flanges and the rails, models will negotiate curves much sharper than scale.
3. The majority of ready to run models from the trade have Finescale wheelsets, or very close to the Finescale standard, but this should be confirmed before purchase.
4. Trackwork is commercially available that will accept Finescale wheelsets.
5. There is a large trade support in kits, wheels, parts and trackwork focused towards the Finescale Standard.

Disadvantages

1. Wheel back to back size is less than scale, which may necessitate altered dimensions for loco frames and some distortion of bodywork.
2. Pointwork crossing dimensions are over scale with increased clearances which some modellers may consider gives a less than satisfactory appearance, or smoothness of ride.