Correct scale for N gauge

Could some of the continental models be built using a different length of foot (ie not 304.8mm), which might distort the fifth or sixth decimal place or so? :-)

I think Peco as well, but also lack proof without asking a number of people present at the time.

- Nigel

I use the signature so people know what I do. This seems entirely proper.

What standard of running do you regard as acceptable ?

I am quite happy to recommend people towards decent N items. Kato for example. But unfortunately they are US or Japanese prototypes which limits their interest to many UK modellers. Or alternatively, some European models (European N models vary considerably in running properties). I have a Kato 2-4-0 tank loco in Japanese N which runs rather well straight from the box. Its smaller than most UK prototypes. It cost around £40 in the UK, considerably less if bought in Japan. That shows what can be done commercially at a sensible price. OK, with a smaller UK market the price might double, but is that unaffordable for decent running ?

The major problem with British N is the acceptance of sub-standard models. OO used to have the same problem, but has started to change over recent years. Many current new OO models are very good, and the need to build stuff yourself to achieve decent running and decent appearance has gone away.

Unfortunately British N steam models haven't really moved forwards much for decades. The best steam loco remains the Peco Jubilee of 30-odd years ago. I wish it were otherwise. The diesels are getting better, but I said steam in the original posting.

What standards would you like them to be ? I'd not be as critical if they ran smoothly at sensible speeds. In 4mm scale, the only difference between OO and EM/Scalefour for some locos are the replacement wheels underneath. N could be the same, its a shame it is not.

I think I said that.

- Nigel

Nigel,

Why only the past tense? :-)

Jim.

Having been the originator of this thread I would like to thank everyone that has contributed. Its made interesting reading, and for once remained on topic ;-)

I would echo John's comments. I think that in this day and age, given all the technical achievements, manufactures should be able to produce reliable smooth running N gauge steam outline loco's.

I like a fair amount of detail, but would prefer a smooth starting, slow running engine, especially in the 0-6-0 config, over the fact that the loco has a copper chimney "just like the full size one".

I remember as a child (7 or 8 years old) having a Hornby Jinty (we simply referred to it as puffing billy !) and this would crawl round an oval of track fed from a very old and basic rheostat controller. That was 30+ years ago, and haven't seen a modern loco do the same thing, even with modern electronic controllers.

I too prefer Peco wagons, mainly as I feel that the metal wheels on Farish stuff looks "toyish", where as the black plastic wheels on Peco look right. Its just a shame that Peco have not gone on to produce a decent range of coaches and continue their success with the additional steam outline engines.

Malcolm

From a Kato catalogue, on 9mm gauge track their models of ordinary

1067mm gauge tra> > Hi,

Looks like the Japanese are as cavalier about scale/gauge relationships as the Brits. Must be an effect of living on isolated islands... :-)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N scale (or N gauge) is a popular model railway standard, allowing hobbyists to build layouts that take up less space than HO scale, or pack longer runs containing more detail into a similar amount of space. The name is an abbreviation for Nine millimetres. It is also sometimes called "2 mm to the foot," (1:160) in reference to its scale. Another early N scale was also known as "OOO" or "Treble-O" in reference to O and OO scales and was 1:152.

N scale uses 9 mm gauge track ("N gauge'), and a scale of 1:160 for most of the world. In the United Kingdom where a scale of 1:148 is used because of problems early on in fitting mechanisms into smaller British trains. In Japan 1:150 is used for most trains and trams, to proportion the trains correctly for Japan's 3'6" track gauge, while 1:160 is used for standard gauge Shinkansen (Bullet Train) models.

Although trains and accessories of similar gauge and/or scale existed as early as 1927, modern N scale appeared in 1962. Unlike other scales and gauges, which were de facto standards at best, within two years N scale defined the gauge, voltage, and polarity of track, as well as the height and type of couplers. Electrically N scale uses the same voltage and power levels as HO scale, that is 12v dc for train control and 16v ac for accessories such as point motors. The standard coupling is known as a 'Rapido' coupler and supports automatic coupling and uncoupling. American modellers are increasingly using a different coupler system by Microtrains which also permits delayed uncoupling.

N scale is second only to HO scale in popularity as a modelling scale worldwide. In Japan where space in homes is more limited N scale is the most popular scale and HO scale is considered large. A typical small N scale model railway occupies about 2' x 3' with a layout capable of handling large realistic train lengths occupying about 6' x 2'.

N gauge track and components are also used with larger scales, in particular HOe and 009 scale for modelling narrow gauge railways.

2 mm scale A fair number of modellers in the United Kingdom use 2 mm scale, an older standard than N scale. 2 mm scale, as the name implies, is scaled at 2 mm to the foot (1.152) with a 9.42 mm track gauge. Exact scale track and wheels are used rather than the somewhat coarser N gauge standards.