The good news is that Harold's widow, Eleanor Minkwitz, contacted the 5.5mm Association and has happily agreed to us adding the data relating to 5.5mm scale from Harold's website to our own, ensuring that his legacy survives. We have therefore set up this archive section to display the information from Harold's old website.

After military service, Harold became a draftsman/mechanical designer. When 3D software appeared he taught himself to use it, producing at least one patent. His interest in railways dates from early childhood and Eleanor calls him 'a fervid rubber gauger' modelling in N, HO, S, 0n30 and finally 5.5mm scale. His published work was in Railroad Model Craftsman. A list of articles can be found here. He also contributed widely to Model Railroader and the 5.5mm section of NGRM-Online. You can also view his YouTube channel.

Eleanor describes him as 'A most unusual man - he loved sharing what he had figured out, methods to make things easier, less costly but more effective, with other train people. One person wrote that Harold's writing about his mistakes impressed him - most people just brag about their successes, Harold shared his mistakes so others wouldn't have to go through those experiences unnecessarily'.

When developing his interest in 5.5mm scale, he found that Bachman 0n30 locos and stock often scaled out at 1/55 when compared to drawings of 3ft narrow gauge lines. By ensuring that Harold's work survives we will be preserving an invaluable resource, not only for modelling U.S. narrow gauge, but to extend the scope and appeal of 5.5mm scale worldwide.