N Gauge Trains
Because of the many sizes that model train manufactures handle, scales and gauges are used to standardize and understand the dimension of model trains. Some are more practical than others, depending on the situation or layout that a person wants.
N gauge trains, also known as N scale trains, are a popular standard for model trains, used in countries around the world. They are specially popular in Japan.
These trains get their name from the track gauge they use. A gauge track is the inner distance between two parallel rails on a track. In the case of N gauge trains, this gauge is 9 millimeters. This measurement of gauge track started the name “Nine millimeters gauge trains” which became “Nine gauge trains” and was finally reduced to “N gauge trains.”
N gauge trains, like any other train, use a scale to in order to represent the exact dimension of real trains. This scale can be different from country to country and even from manufacturer to manufacturer within countries. In general, this is how scales are handled for each country:
- United States of America. N gauge trains use a scale of 1:160.
- United Kingdom. N gauge trains use a scale of 1:480.
- Continental Europe. N gauge trains use a scale of 1:160.
- Japan. N gauge trains use a scale of 1:150, although models of the famous Japanese bullet train use a scale of 1:160, so they don’t go well together.
N gauge trains are popular because of their small size. Only HO trains are more popular than them, but that also depends on the region. Because they are smaller, N gauge trains need less terrain for layouts and tracks. Some owners prefer to get them instead of bigger scale trains, even if they don’t lack the space, because their small size lets them buy bigger, more complex and attractive layouts. In particular, they allow for much longer track runs, which makes the experience last longer when the train is operating.
Japan is an interesting case. Because of their late industrial revolution, a lot of Japanese people have a love for trains. However, lack of space is a big issue, specially when it comes to home space. Because of this, lovers or model trains prefer N gauge trains, which are considered medium or normal sized trains in Japan. HO model trains, which are the most popular scale of trains in the rest of the world, are considered big trains in Japan.
If you like model trains, but you are a bit short on space, you might want to consider these trains. They may not have the level of detail than HO models, but they will certainly give you a better space management.