I am new to model railroading, so I have no clue as to whether these are valid questions.
How big is the N-scale? I have read it to vary from 1:148 to 1:160, meaning a 2 meter tall man will vary in size from 13.5mm to 12.5mm, which, I think, is a lot of variation. I’d like a fixed size on the scenery models, compared to the trains, I’d like to run.
Which brings me to the second question: What sizes are the various companies selling their N-scale trains? Is the most common the 1:148 or is it just varying in between, to whatever fits that particular model the best?
I haven’t started yet, but I think N-scale will be good because of my lack of room. I have been looking at Z-scale, but I think it is too small for my big fingers.
In the U.S. N scale is accepted as 1:160. There used to be OOO also called Treble O which was 1:144 (IIRC). This gets lumped in with N sometimes. Other scales as well, which may still be in production in other countries. Stick to U.S.and well known brands from overseas and you should be okay.
Japanese N scale is 1:150, and some of these models are occasionally sold in the US as N scale – especially on the auction sites. Model vehicles in 1:148 are sometimes listed as N scale, too. But US N scale is 1:160 [even Japanese models made for the US market]. Some people mix them, but they really show up if placed anywhere near each other. So you do have to be careful when buying from people who do not know trains. I have a drawer full of 1:148 diecast car models that are really nice, but oversize for N scale.
Actually, a lot of the time, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some fluctuation in the scale size from different manufacturers and such, especially in the early days and in some of the cheaper trainsets sold in the toy departments of large stores, etc.
but they all use the same track gauge (9-milimeters)
9-mm is very close to to correct for “standard gauge” (4ft 8-1/2in) at 1:160
A lot of (but not all) Japanese prototypes are narrow gauge so the Japanese use 1:150 sale so that the 9-mm gauge represents narrow gauge track. However they use the 1:160 scale for models of Japanese standard gauge prototypes even though the track gauge is incorrect for them.
British N 1:148 was probably chosen because at (2mm=1ft) it is 1/2 of British HO (4mm=1ft) Of course the track gauge used is not correct for standard gauge in either scale. Many British modelers in the larger scale (4mm=1ft) use OO gauge track which is wider than HO and correctly represents standard gauge in 4mm scale.
Although the scales are different, many models of British and Japanese prototypes (buildings, accessories and even some train equoipment) are suitable for use or can be modified for use on an Ameican 1:160 layout. For instance a 1:148 scale tractor might be suitable to represent a larger 1:160 scale tractor.
