| When model railroaders consider the perfect layout for | | | | scale trains is that the smaller the rail car and tracks, |
| their landscape, they have to consider size. More and | | | | the larger the scenery will appear. |
| more hobbyists these days are opting for the N scale, | | | | Unlike O scale, HO scale, and standard scale, which |
| the smallest of the more popular scales. Either they | | | | have been around for many years, N scale trains, |
| are (a) apartment dwellers or others working with | | | | introduced by the German company Arnold, came into |
| limited space or (b) they want to devote a large | | | | prominence only in the 1960s. |
| proportion of the available space to scenery. | | | | N scale stands for "nine millimeter," which is the gauge, |
| With a ratio of 1:148 to 1:160, it is the smallest of the | | | | or distance between the track rails. |
| four most popular scales. In other words, an N scale | | | | N scale is enjoying a large worldwide following and it is |
| train is one 148th or one 160th the size of a real-life | | | | generally believed to be second only to HO. In Japan, |
| train. N scale is a little more than half the size of HO. | | | | where living space is quite limited, N scale is the most |
| The HO scale is 1:87. While N scale trains do take up | | | | popular size. |
| less space in model layouts, they do not sacrifice | | | | Due to the N scale's small size, you shouldn't need |
| attention to detail. N scale locomotives and rolling stock | | | | much space for your setup. Popular options include the |
| have more detail than the smaller Z (1:220) and T | | | | tabletop layout, the shelf layout, or a bench-top system. |
| (1:450) sizes. | | | | With a shelf layout you can even make a railroad that |
| Rail cars and features that are smaller will contribute to | | | | climbs up your walls and uses the corners of your |
| a layout that is easier to maintain and easier to add | | | | room for turning spaces and inclines. |
| onto as the setup grows. A chief advantage of N | | | | |