Bachmann Trains & Accessories

Model Railroad Z Scale Buildings
Model Railroad Z Scale Buildings

When you are just beginning in the model railroading hobby, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. There are all these different scales, gauges, and lots of other new terms to wrestle with. But, it’s really no different than anything else that’s unfamiliar for the first time. Before you know it, you’ll be able to parse N scale model trains from O scale without thinking twice! The key is just to hang in there and learn all you can.

For now, let’s focus on scale. The good news and bad news is that there are a number of different options for you when it comes to selecting a train size. It’s nice to have a choice, but then it can be overwhelming too. But, with everyone speaking the same language, you can select, for example, N scale model trains and know that supplies from one manufacturer will work with material purchased from another. The various scale options refer to the size of the railway cars, so lets’ take a look at what’s in store.

I want to review the N scale model trains, as they are a relatively more recent addition to the model railroading family. The N Scale model trains are a bit smaller in size that other commonly available varieties. Indeed, it’s really the smallest you’re likely to find. To put it in perspective for you, bear in mind that the N scale model trains are a scale of 1:160. What this means is that the real train is about one-hundred and sixty times the size of the N scale model train car. From another perspective, the N scale model trains are just about half the size of the HO scale.

So, as you can see, there is a lot of variety. Depending on your needs, you can make a choice that is perfect for you. Let’s say that you do not have a lot of spare room for a model railroad set-up. In that case, one of the smaller systems would allow you to still have a nice arrangement, because everything is scaled down so well. The good thing is that there is still a really good degree of detail and life-like craftsmanship in even the smaller items. So, you can really have quite an elaborate lay-out in even a corner of a room because it doesn’t take nearly the amount of space to set up a small town or village as would be required of a larger scale.

One of the things you will want to be on the lookout for is the availability of accessories. See, one of the things that makes model railroading so much fun is the ability to set up entire landscapes with natural scenes along mountain passages and tracks that meander from town to town. While there are plenty of goodies to go with all sizes of model railroads, you might look to see what’s available in your area. If you choose to do your buying at a local store, rather than online, you might want to see what they commonly carry before committing yourself to a particular size.

Nonetheless, I believe you would find the N scale model cars attractive. They are indeed newer than most others, having really developed in the 1960’s. And here are a few parting bits of wisdom, so you’ll be an ace when it comes to details and trivia. The “N” in N Scale Model Trains actually stands for the word “nine.” This stands for nine millimeters, which is the distance between the rails on the track. Regarding track size, realize that we’ll always be talking in terms of gauge. Scale refers to rail car size, and gauge is all about the track size. Finally, if you ever hear the word “code,” that’s referring to the height of the track.

Want more useful information on N Scale model trains?
Harold Chancecroft is a model railroad enthusiast and model train aficionado. Visit his model railroad website at http://www.mymodeltraindepot.com
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Building a Z Scale Model Railroad