What is N-Scale?

[gdmichaels]

Although it may be mistakenly called N-Gauge, derived from some of the earliest mass produced 1:152 "OOO" or "Treble-O" scale models manufactured by the British firm, Lone Star, in 1961, 9 mm wide (i.e., a track gauge of 0.354 inches, as measured between the inner sides of the rail) contemporary N-Scale model production was initiated by the German firm, Arnold Rapido, in 1962.

While a rail gauge of 9 mm remains constant for standard gauge (as opposed to narrow gauge) N-Scale locomotives and rolling-stock, depending upon the place of manufacture and/or the specific market that a model is targeted to be sold in, its size in proportion to its prototype (i.e., "scale") may be 1:148 (British), 1:150 (for Japanese 3 foot 6 inch /1,067 mm or 4 foot 6 inch / 1,372 mm gauge trains), or 1:160 (for North American, Japanese 1,435 mm high-speed trains, and European) scale.

Though 9 mm wide track is often used to model narrow gauge lines in larger scales (e.g., HOn2-1/2 or HOe), Z-Scale (6.5 mm/0.256 inch) products are typically used when modeling similar railway systems (Nn3) in N-Scale.

As is the case with prototype railways, N-Scale manufacturers produce rail in different heights.

Expressed in thousandths of an inch, track "Code" refers to the measured height of manufactured model rail.

Extremely popular and larger than most prototype rail, code 80 (0.080-inches tall or about 12 scale inches high) has been the industry standard for years.

Typically designed for modelers seeking products that are closer to scale, manufacturers also produce rail in Code 70 (0.070 inches tall or about 11 scale inches high), Code 55 (0.055 inches tall or about 9 scale inches high), and Code 40 (0.040-inches tall or about 6 scale inches high).

While adopting more scale-like rail may initially sound great, there are a three caveats to consider:

1. Older N-Scale models may need to have their wheels and/or wheel-sets modified or replaced due to  the height of the factory-supplied wheel flanges, which will often hit the top of the simulated spike heads that secure the low profile rails to their ties or sleepers.  Retrofitting rolling-stock with aftermarket low-profile wheel-sets is fairly easy, and can usually be done at moderate cost 

2. Though the tolerances of wheels and wheel-sets should be checked before newly acquired models are initially run, closer attention must be paid to wheel gauge and flange heights whenever low-profile rail is utilized.

3. With regards to North American style N-Scale track, there is presently a somewhat limited range of prefabricated products available in anything other than Code 80.

[rschaffter]

Excellent summary, although it should be noted that there are two major sets of standards for N Gauge track and wheelsets; the European NEM Standards, ( http://www.modelbaneteknik.dk/n-scale/stnd/stnd1-e.htm ) and the American NMRA Standards ( http://www.nmra.org/index-nmra-standards-and-recommended-practices )

[thomasjmdavis]

Thank you for the summary.  It is indeed important to keep the various scales (1:160, 1:152, 1:144 etc) that are used with "N gauge" in mind, especially when we look at using European or Asian prototypes in our modeling.  Some of those British or Japanese auto models, for instance, look really BIG when parked next to a 1:160 Chevy.

I do have one (minor) bone to pick....

3. With regards to North American style N-Scale track, there is presently a somewhat limited range of prefabricated products available in anything other than Code 80.

Is there a large range of prefabricated products available in Code 80 that I don't know about?

Not meaning to be argumentative, but I am not sure this statement is actually correct.  While it is probably true that more "snap track" type items are available in code 80. going back to the late 70s.the Shinohara lines in 70 (at least that is what I assume it was, since I had to file tapers into, or otherwise adapt, Atlas track anywhere they met, in the old days) had more turnout options than were available in Code 80, going back to the 70's.  And in the current day, you can buy C55 turnouts in #5, #6 (ME), #7 & #10, as well as a couple variations of curved turnouts, some of which are not available in C80.  Not to mention that the Peco lines are pretty complete in both sizes.  I think we could even argue that the tie spacing on most, if not all, code 80, is not actually modeling  North American track.

Other than using some of those old Shinohara turnouts with ME code 70 for a staging yard, I've been using code 55 almost exclusively for 15 years without a problem getting what I wanted, except during the Atlas production issues with the Chinese suppliers- which hampered availability of all their lines.  The only thing I can think of that is only available in C80 (and I am not positive I am right about this) is the plate girder bridge with installed track.

[garethashenden]

Although it may be mistakenly called N-Gauge,

I'm going to have at argue with this. I think that N Gauge is the all encompassing term. Anything that has a gauge of 9mm is N gauge. N Scale really only works as a term for N gauge models correctly scaled such that 9mm gauge is standard.

British models represent standard gauge trains, but as they are 1:148 the gauge should be 9.6mm or so. Japanese models are 1:150 representing 3ft gauge track. These are both N Gauge, as they use 9mm track, but they're not N Scale, which needs to be 1:160.

[engineshop]

I would say N-scale is a wrong and N gauge is the correct term.
Arnold, which made "N gauge" popular named it "N Spur" or "Neun Spur" for nine millimeter gauge and it is still called "N Spur" over there. At the time, it was not a N scale and even Arnold had locomotives and cars that were bigger or smaller than 1:160.

[JMaurer1]

Gauge refers to the distance between the rail [period]. N gauge is 9mm wide track no matter what scale you run on it. Scale is the size of the trains you run on that track. Currently I'm writing an article on G scale/gauge due to the different sized trains that are all run on the same track. Something that most people don't realize is that there is a meter scale that is popular in Europe where the distance between the rails is 1 meter (larger than US narrow gauge but smaller than US standard gauge). Bachmann's On3 scale trains run on HO gauge track. The track is the same width as HO but the trains are larger representing 3 feet between the rails instead of 4'8 1/2".

ANY train that runs on 9mm track is N gauge. Only trains that are a scale 1:160 are N SCALE. Correct term is N scale.

[Spikre]

 
  N is a scale that isn't Large Enuff for Reliable Steam Engines.
     Spikre
       

[crappie]

  I hav e concur steam engines from late 70s runing weekly on mine layout big boy,080,berk, trix 060. I also have z-scale steam from 1972 working my z-scale layout daily

[Kiasutha]

I'm going to have at argue with this. I think that N Gauge is the all encompassing term. Anything that has a gauge of 9mm is N gauge. N Scale really only works as a term for N gauge models correctly scaled such that 9mm gauge is standard.

British models represent standard gauge trains, but as they are 1:148 the gauge should be 9.6mm or so. Japanese models are 1:150 representing 3ft gauge track. These are both N Gauge, as they use 9mm track, but they're not N Scale, which needs to be 1:160.

For what it's worth, Isn't Japanese narrow gauge actually 42"/3'6".

[Missaberoad]

For what it's worth, Isn't Japanese narrow gauge actually 42"/3'6".

Same with the narrow gauge railways in Newfoundland and PEI (pre 1930's).

There's actually 4 or 5 gauges used around the world between meter gauge and 42" (~106cm) gauge.

[peteski]

Same with the narrow gauge railways in Newfoundland and PEI (pre 1930's).

There's actually 4 or 5 gauges used around the world between meter gauge and 42" (~106cm) gauge.

Here you go: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge

[Missaberoad]

Here you go

Not quite not complete at least.

1000mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre_gauge_railway
1050mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hejaz_Railway
1055mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Company_for_Rail_Transport
1067mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_ft_6_in_gauge_railways
1093mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ping%E2%80%93Uttersberg%E2%80%93Riddarhyttan_Railway
and an 1100mm gauge that doesn't have a Wikipedia page

The last couple are a hair over 42" gauge (1067mm). 

[peteski]

Not quite not complete at least.

1000mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre_gauge_railway
1050mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hejaz_Railway
1055mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Company_for_Rail_Transport
1067mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_ft_6_in_gauge_railways
1093mm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ping%E2%80%93Uttersberg%E2%80%93Riddarhyttan_Railway
and an 1100mm gauge that doesn't have a Wikipedia page

The last couple are a hair over 42" gauge (1067mm). 

Well then, sounds like someone (hint, hint) should update that Wiki page. 

[Missaberoad]

Well then, sounds like someone (hint, hint) should update that Wiki page. 

That might be fun only problem is I wouldn't know the first step in even trying...  Lol...

Back to the subject, I try not to worry about what is or isn't N scale. In my mind I model in 1:160...

[peteski]

I think that George is just using TRW as a sounding board to evaluate whether that writeup is accurate enough to be used on the TroveStar  website.