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interoperable with Microtrains. In practice, some makes work better than others.
With regard to track, the gauge was set at 9 mm and early rail height was code 80 (80/1000 of an inch). The early manufacturers (Arnold, Fleischmann, etc) all produced their own sectional trackage. Code
80 track is considerably oversized, but with clever weathering and ballasting can be made to look OK. Peco introduced flexible track, initially in code 80, but later produced a range of code 55. Peco’s design for code 55 actually uses a rail that is code 80, but part of the rail is buried in the plastic web of the ties (sleepers), resulting in track that has the appearance of code 55 but the robustness of code 80 and does not have problems with large flanged wheels. In the early 1980s, Shinohara produced code 70 track, but this is no longer in production. Other manufacturers produce their own sectional track, and flextrack is also available from Atlas, Fleischmann and Micro-Engineering. A further development in track occurred when Kato introduced their
Unitrack range, which incorporates moulded plastic ballast. Bachmann E-Z Track, Atlas Truetrack, and Fleischmann Profitrack have similar moulded ballast. Like any other aspect of modelling, the choice of which track make(s) to use is ultimately down to individual preference.
The table below summarises the main track makes available for N.
Notes: Numbers in the turnout column refer to the turnout angle. This is defined as the ratio of the length of the tangent (straight) track to an equal unit of space between the tangent track and a point on the diverging track. For more information on this refer to the NMRA website and follow Education, Beginner’s Guide, Basics, Track.
Note 1 – Older-style wheels with deep flanges (commonly known as Pizza Cutters) may have difficulty running on this track, as the flanges can hit the spike mouldings that hold the rail in place.
Note 2 – May be difficult to obtain in the UK.
Make
Code
Flextrack
Turnouts
Notes
Atlas
80
Y
5, 7, 10, curved
US style. Recent supply problems due to Chinese manufacturer
Atlas
55
Y
5, 7, 10, curved
1 US style. Recent supply problems due to Chinese manufacturer
Atlas Truetrack
65
N
2
Bachmann E-Z track
?
N
4,6
Fleischmann
?
Y
Standard and Express
European style. Rack and pinion track available. Ballasted track available.
Kato Unitrack
80
N
4, 6
Micro-engineering
70
Y
1, 2 Available pre weathered, bridge track available. Best looking for US prototype.
Micro-engineering
55
6
1, 2 Available pre weathered, bridge track available. Best looking for US prototype.
Micro-engineering
40
1, 2 Smallest commercially available N scale track. Not recommended for general use.
Peco
80
Y
4, 6, 8, Y, curved
British styling, readily available, robust
Peco
55
Y
6, 8, Y, curved
British styling, readily available, robust
Good references and resources

For further information about N scale, the following contacts may be helpful.
N Gauge Society – www.ngaugesociety.com – main British organisation dedicated to N scale modelling. Various local groups around the UK, members only products, and helpful advice.
NMRA British Region – www.nmrabr.org.uk – Organisation dedicated to modelling American railroads in the UK. Will be able to put you in touch with your nearest N scale group modelling American outline.
Ntrak – www.ntrak.org – Founding organisation of modular railroading. Guidance on modular standards and some helpful publications.
Peco – www.peco-uk.com – UK manufacturer of N products and publisher of various books, guides, and magazines. Most readily available at UK retailers.
Kalmbach Publishing – www.kalmbach.com – US publisher of various books and magazines. Several of their books are specific to N modelling. Can be ordered direct from the USA, although many are stocked by dealers in the UK.
Some of the different makes of track available. From the top, these are Kato Unitrack, Peco code 80, Peco code 55, Atlas code 55, Micro- Engineering code 55 bridge track. The guard rails on this are code 40
N Scale Magazine – a bi-monthly magazine pubklished in the USA dedicated to N scale modelling – www.nscalemagazine.com
N Scale Railroading – another magazine dedicated to N scale - www. nscalerailroadn.com
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