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 Back2Basics
 PART THREE – SMALL IS MORE: THE JOY OF N SCALE?
By Steve Quick
  It has been said that if you want to build a model locomotive, build it
in O scale. If you want to build a model train, build it in HO scale, but if you want to build a model railroad, build it in N. This may or may not be true for everybody, but the simplicity of mathematics supports the case. For a given amount of model railroad, N will occupy just over half the length required for the same model in HO and just over a quarter of the length required for O. Once we go to two or three dimensions the differences are even greater, as N will require only just over a quarter of the area and an eighth of the volume of the same model in HO. Around 25% of British Region members model N scale, so there are a lot of us.
The History of N Scale
Dealing with the basics of N, the designation derives from the standard track gauge of 9 mm (as the letter N appears in the spelling of 9 in most European languages: Neuf, Neun, Nueve etc). N was first produced commercially by Arnold in Germany in 1962, although it was preceded by the Lone Star diecast OOO products. These were originally push- along toys but later developed electric versions with rubber band drives. Arnold was soon joined by other manufacturers making models of European and then American prototypes in a scale ratio of 1:160. British outline models followed but, in a fudge similar to that of OO/ HO, these were made to a ratio of 1:148. Just to complicate things a
bit more, Japanese modellers adopted a ratio of 1:150, and the NMRA standard for track gauge for N is actually a minimum of 8.97 mm to a maximum of 9.32 mm.
N’s saving of space gives modellers two alternative uses for it. The old view was that you would model in N if you did not have enough space for anything larger. This has led to the building of numerous small novelty layouts such as in suitcases and violin cases as well as many more traditional smaller layouts, some of exceptional quality. This argument is still true for many modellers and probably will always be so, although modular railroading can offer the opportunity for the best of both worlds.
The relatively small size of N gives modellers a lot of layout options, even in larger spaces. Curves can have as small a radius as 91/4 inches and most models are designed to be able to negotiate these. However, curves this tight are really only suited to smaller locomotives and stock. A single track requires less than 11/2 inches for the permanent way so
a layout can be built in a very narrow space. For ideas and advice on planning and building N scale layouts there are various publications available. These include “The Railway Modeller Book of N Gauge Track Plans” from Peco Publications, and various books from Kalmbach Publishing including “N Scale Railroading”, “101 Track Plans” and “Shelf Layouts For Model Railroads”.
A large, complex industrial scene on a two-foot-wide board
nmra
BRITISH REGION
Double track main and a complete quarry including conveyor belts in a convincing scene
However, particularly following the development of the NTrak modular system in 1973, a new concept emerged of N as the gauge for large layouts. Why should this be? The simplistic answer is space, which is often the major limiting factor for modellers, although time and money will also figure in the complex “what can I model?” equation. Probably for those wishing to model a small branch line, a backwoods logging operation, or a compact switching location, this would not be an issue. For those wishing to model mainline operations with train lengths approaching scale size the situation is very different. Eighty 40-foot boxcars or reefers behind two 4-8-8-4 Big Boys would require about
72 feet in O scale, or 40 feet in HO. In N the length required would be 22 feet, still a lot but approaching something possible.
And length is not everything. Once we move on to the area occupied, given that this is likely to be limited by the length of the human arm required to reach tracks at the rear as well as available space in the model room, N gives the opportunity for more and/or varied tracks in the same space. For example, the same track plan in the same space will allow far more realistic radii on curves and spacing between tracks in N than in HO.
Another factor which has moved N forward as the scale for large layouts is the vastly improved quality of proprietary products. Many early N scale locomotives had well-deserved reputations for poor
and unreliable running. This changed, particularly with the Alco PAs which Kato manufactured in Japan for Con-Cor from the late 1960s, which introduced 5-pole motors and split frame chassis to the market. For many years these had the reputation of being the best-running
N locomotives available. Although now outdated by advancing technology, they set an industry standard for quality at the time that other manufacturers sought to emulate and then surpass.
Concurrent with improving quality in proprietary products, was increasing demand for N scale. More than anything else, this was driven in the USA by the introduction of NTrak. Pioneered by Ben Davis and Jim Fitzgerald, both sadly no longer with us, NTrak was the first modular model railroad system. It encouraged modellers to build modules with standard connections to other modules but (almost) complete freedom as to what they modelled in between. In Ben’s own words, “My own hopes for NTRAK were that it would get N Scalers out of their garages into NMRA meets; would help promote N Scale and would bring dynamic operating layouts to big public shows.” The fact that, in the USA, N is now the second most popular scale after HO suggests that he succeeded.
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