People Win Prizes With N Gauge Track Layouts And Trains
N scale model trains are in fact 54.5 per cent the size of equivalent HO scale model trains. This means that you can build an N scale model railroad layout in an area about 30% of that area needed to build a similar model railroad layout in HO scale.
Just to give an idea of the actual scale and gauge, consider the following: The gauge which is measured as the distance between each rail is 9mm, way less than half an inch. For every foot of real track N gauge equates to 2.06mm. The scale ratio is 1:148 which means the model is 148 times smaller than the Locomotive the model is based on. Even in modelling terms that is small.
What does all this mean? Actually it means that it is possible to get closer to the realistic number of trucks or carriages used in the real thing. Most model installations have to shorten the rolling stock because of limitations of space. With N gauge this is not a problem because more track can be laid in a given space. This is the reason why there are some stellar installations to be seen in N gauge and scale.
The main difficulty with such a small layout is ensuring the integrity of the track. There must not be the slightest problem with any part of the layout including turn ins, bends, straightaways or any junctions. The locomotive and rolling stock is made to very fine tolerances so the track has to mirror the accuracy.
To overcome what may seem to be a daunting prospect simply use a more stable base such as MDF. Yes it is heavier than ply board but it is stiffer and flatter and if you get the base right , the rest is easy and very quick BECAUSE it is small. As well as locomotives and rolling stock there is a huge array of accessories, including scenery and just about everything you can think of.
N gauge is a brilliant format for the keen modeller and will keep him busy for hours AND because of the sheer volume of material that can be shown in a small area these intense layouts win many of the Regional and National prizes for Quality and Content for a Layout.