I have been seriously considering switching from HO to N scale. Mainly this is due to space requirements at my current dwelling.(Townhouse) I like it for the fact that you can fit twice as much than HO and if you go a smaller size then it works out more or less the same. My question is this, What is the average size of a module for N scale? Im thinking of going that route to start with to give me something spacewise I can work on. One other question. I have an N scale engine that will be rolling right along and start to sputter almost to a stop and then take off again. It looks like the wheels are a bit dirty and not making a good electrical connection with the rails, What is the best way or a good site to instruct how to clean them?
I am going down that road myself right now - changing from HO to N scale, for reasons of space and cost. N scale requires clean track and wheels, even more than HO scale, so keeping the track and wheels clean is a must.
Minitrix has a wheel cleaner, which you just put on top of a straight piece of track, place the loco lightly on the wheel cleaner and apply voltage to the track - works nicely!
NTrak is the N Scale “module-way” for individuals from anywhere, to construct a layout module with consistent dimensions + a common mainline (= the standards). Each model railroader’s NTrak module can be connected to anyone else’s Ntrak module. For your purposes here, NTrak would be one method of layout construction.
Atlas is a model railroading manufacturer, and N Scale track is one of their products. You could use the N Scale track (itself) on an NTrak module. Atlas Code 55 track is more prototypical in N Scale than Code 80 track.
Suggestion #1: Purchase the 102 Realistic Track Plans to learn most essential details about track planning – Including conversion of HO Scale plans into N Scale layouts. You also get the 102 track plans – too boot!
Suggestion #2: See the complimentary resources at Kalmbachs How-To-Articles.
You have to read the literature, but the Ntrak modules are designed to be interchangable with other Ntrak modules. The idea is that groups of modelers can bring their modules to meets, and the modules will all mate together into a reliable layout.
IIRC, the three tracks across the module have to be compatible with Atlas code 83, and modules of a certain length have to have a crossover, probably Atlas custom-line #6 or equivalent.
If you are looking to build a home layout in sections, you don’t necessarily need to follow Ntrak standards. You just have to plan things so each piece of your layout fits together. I suppose you could build a layout on a series of tables. I would avoid having tables more than 36" wide or longer that six or eight feet.
I switched from HO to N in 2006 and I never looked back
N-trak is one option, but by no means your only option when it comes to going modular. A lot of modelers believe it’s an outdated standard (The use of Code 80, for instance). You might want to try Free-MoN.
But if you don’t plan to join a club, there’s no need to follow any standards. However, if you want to design a layout that makes for easy portability in case of a move, you should plan your layout to be semi-modular with the ability to dismantle and re-connect the layout easily.
Welcome to the N side. Personally I don’t care for NTrak, but I won’t get into the reasons here.
This is the route I am taking. My first two modules will be 24 x 48 inches, simply because I have a pair of 2 x 4 foot 3/8" thick OSB to use. A simple open grid benchwork with some rigid foam on top, although I will say I plan on hand laying track, the turn outs at the very least.
The big reason I’m picking this route is your same reasons. The wife and I now reside in a 2 bed apartment and the second room is more of a ‘hobby’ room for the both of us, but do to circumstances which we don’t like, we plan to move. Most likely a more affordable spacious 1 bedroom apartment. That means that pretty much a small shelf along a wall is all I will get. Perfect for N scale where even a 15 inch wide shelf 8 feet long can be a complete layout. Add cassette tail tracks to each end that can be removed when not opertaing and I can have a decent sized layout with (removable) staging that will allow me to run a local way freight for switching and run fast thru-freights and passenger trains.
For ideas the Nov. '10 issue features a nice N layout modeling the Erie on a typical hollow core door (IIRC 36 x 80 inch). The early issues of 2010 featured MR’s 2010 project layout, and N scale Union Pacific layout set on a tabletop with kick out that was made from a single sheet of plywood, giving the overall size of 4 x 9 feet. And although it’s not N scale, MR’s WSOR Troy branch project layout from a few years ago (2008) and this years (2011) MR&T Bay Junction layout could easily be supplanted onto a small N scale shelf layout. If you can get th
I made the switch from HO to N about a year ago, and am enjoying the transition.
I’d also emphasize a point made above: If you’re not planning to join a modular group, forget about modular standards. On the other hand, I would hearily encourage you to design a sectional layout.
The ideal is something that is expandable and highly portable, so you don’t have to scrap it if a move becomes necessary. Hollow-core doors for benchwork is working well for me in that regard. I have the trackwork fairly well completed on my first door, which features an oval, meat packing plant and a couple yard tracks. This spring I’ll add a second table, which will greatly increase the operational possibilities.
It’s all part of a master plan that will eventually have around 15 doors. But by stressing the sectional approach, I’ll be able to expand or contract, or re-configure the layout to fit a different footprint if necessary. After tearing down two larger layouts because of moves, I’m convinced it’s the only way to go (for me, anyway).
Welcome to the wild and wacky world of N scale. Obviously you have a lot of questions, but before we get in too deep, I’d like to ask you a few.
First, you say you have an engine that doesn’t perform well. It would be helpful to know what brand and model it is. As with all things, there’s a pretty broad spread of cost vs. quality. Most engines available today are in the good to excellent range, but there are still a few clunkers out there.
Second, are you working from a published track plan? Or do you have any sense of what it is you want to build? (I’m not sure how far you took the experience in HO…)
Third, do you have a favorite railroad? Or are you planning to just wing it? (No problem either way)
There are some excellent forums out there where you can swim down to the deep end. The MR forum is a great place to get started, but it usually only skims the surface, and moves very quickly so it’s hard to follow your threads.
I’ve been working in Wee Scale for about 35 years, and will be happy to help you with this transition any way I can. Feel free to contact me off list, and to visit my website.
Good luck, and don’t give up… The rewards of a well planned and carefully constructed layout are many!
In Japan, N scale enjoys a market share of over 80 % - no wonder, when space really is at a premium. The average layout seems to be under 6 sqft. and it is really amazing, how much realism Japanese model railroaders can literally squeeze in to such a small layout.
I found a web page some time ago, showing the construction of a modular layout in a very simple but efficient way. Unfortunately, it is all in Japanese, but the pictures are worthwhile looking at. It may be a little tedious clicking through the pages, but again, it is worthwhile to look at it!
I’ve been on N scale since 2003, and I love the small space, yet added realism from HO scale.
My layout is a 2.5 ft. by 4 ft portable layout, and the track plan is a double track mainline adaptation of Soo Line’s Red Wing Division in the December 1994 issue of MR. I love it, and people have told me that have never seen so much detail packed into a small layout.
I have taken up the idea from my earlier post and have developed the first set of modules.
Just to give you an idea for a layout arrangement:
I know it is pretty basic, but as time comes, I will develop more modules. It is really an easy to build system, requiring not much woodworking skills to build a module. It can be a good start for those with limited space, but a perspective to have more available in the future.
I think I will give it a try and report back on the outcome!
For cleaning wheels I will use isopropyl Alcohol 91% .
I poor some onto a paper towel and then lay the paper towel on the track. I then set the locomotive on the track with one truck on the paper towel and the other on the rails. I then apply voltage as I hold the locomotive in place. I then switch ends and repeat.
I don’t read Japanese, but those look like they might be T-Trak modules. T-Trak is based on Kato Unitrack, with the track connectors holding the modules together.
These are intended to rest on a table top and are quite small, but it is also possible to build longer modules (in multiples of the basic length), as in this N scale T-Trak switching layout track plan, intended to be used with or without corners.
I suspect the problem is due to a contact strip that is not properly seated. remove the plastic shroud and check that the two bronze strips are lying close to the body, are tucked under the lip on each side, and is tucked fully on to the body contact at each end,
“I don’t read Japanese, but those look like they might be T-Trak modules. T-Trak is based on Kato Unitrack, with the track connectors holding the modules together.”
I have Google Translate installed. It is a really handy tool since I go to many non-English sites.
T-Trak was inspired by Japanese modules. Lee (Jim Fitzgerald’s wife) saw them in Japan and was very impressed by them, so she brought the concept to America…
You have to keep in mind that you just can not get the buildings eed to fill a modern west coast area layout. Walthers aka Cornerstone hs not put out a new building in a few years now and most the builds that wlthers has are older or east coast type buldings. (Bricks,Arch windows etc.)
You can make some Japanese or European builds look like American buildings. The Japanese builds are large in scale that the us version of N sacle but you do get some nice office type buildings.
