N Scale Multiple Track Spacing

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m looking for guidelines as to minimum spacing between multiple tracks on an N-scale layout. Any recommendations?

2

either
a) as much as u want or
b) as much as u need

3

I’d suggest you consider “finger spacing”: take two pieces of track, add freight cars and move the tracks parallel to each other until you have enough space to add and remove cars by hand from above.

Ray

4

I fully agree with Ray on the finger spacing…This works well for any scale…

I will mention that I use the natural spacing of the track from the switches as a guide line as well for the spacing of the track.

5

Hello MARichards,

I recommend using the National Model Railroad Association’s S-8 standards as the minimum, and then adjusting as needed as the other respondents have suggested. You will need room to get your fingers between the cars in case of a derailment or to remove a piece of rolling stock from the track.

You can find track center standards at http://www.nmra.org/standards/s-8.html.

Regards,

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

6

Thanks Paul,
This information was very helpful.