[John Webb]

'O' gauge is twice the linear dimensions of 'OO' gauge, so the area of anything in 'O' is 4 times the area of the same in 'OO'. So you start off with a cost of materials at least 4 times greater for 'O' compared to 'OO' - and probably needs to be thicker as well to maintain rigidity. Or you use metal instead of plastic which also adds to the price. Then the other factor of smaller sales hence higher overheads per unit also comes into effect.

I would have loved to go into 'O' gauge when I returned to railway modelling a couple of years ago, but both lack of space and the extra expense pushed me towards 'OO' like many others.

Regards,
John Webb