Bachmann Trains & Accessories

Model Railroad Z Scale
Model Railroad Z Scale

One of the major advantages of N scale trains is the fact that they take up less space than HO models. This enables longer track runs in the same amount of space because the models are nearly 50% smaller than HO scale models.

Although they are quite small, the N scale trains are not the smallest. Z scale model trains are 1:220 scale, and T scale trains are a minuscule 1:450! N scale is more popular than their smaller counterparts because they are still large enough to work with easily, and it is also compatible with the 1:144 scale that is typically used for miniature war gaming.

Trains of this scale were in existence as early as 1927, but it wasn’t until 1962 that the Arnold company of Nuremberg started producing them commercially. Other scales and gauges had been popular standards for many years, but they were never standardized. Within two years of its release, manufacturers began to define the gauge, voltage, and the height and type of couplers used in N gauge models.

Popularity

The N scale is actually the second most popular gauge. It is second in popularity only to the HO scale. In Japan, the N scale is the most popular scale because homes there are much smaller.

N scale models aren’t useful only in homes with limited space, though. Some people prefer to use N scale models because they can build more detailed and complex scenes in the same amount of space.

Compatibility

While N scale models are generally somewhat compatible between manufacturers because of the standard 9 mm track rails, wheels and tracks can actually vary slightly. There are two standards for N scale models – the MOROP in Europe, and the NMRA in North America. These make standards for elements such as scale ratio, couplings, track gauge, and electrical power similar, but they won’t always be perfectly compatible.

Scale and Gauge

In the United States and Europe, standard gauge N scale models are built specifically to 1:160 scale. They are made to run on N gauge track. But in some countries, there are variants of the N scale. For example, in the UK, a 1:148 scale is commonly used for commercially produced N scale models. They will still run on the standard 9 mm N gauge track, but eh track would be slightly to narrow.

In Japan, they still use the standard 9 mm N gauge track, but they use a 1:150 scale model for the trains. This represents the narrow railways that are common in Japan. Some models, such as Shinkansen models are constructed to a scale of 1:160, so they don’t sit well together.

Space Requirements

N scale model trains are perfect for the home hobbyist who has little space or who wants to build expansive scenes, but you must be aware that not all parts will be completely compatible. You should be able to get most pieces to work together, but just be prepared to make a few adjustments to cover for these slight discrepancies.

Denis Gardner is an n scale trains enthusiast and enjoys helping others get started in the amazing hobby. His newest book, “The Ultimate Guide to Model Trains“, teaches hobbyists everything they need to know about model trains including setup, scale, layouts, benchwork, scenery and more.

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