| For a model train and railroading newbie, the | | | | designing the scenery of the layout, and benefits |
| terms scale and gauge can seem quite | | | | the enthusiasts who do not have a lot of space |
| complicated. Don't worry as these are all pretty | | | | for their layouts. N scale model trains may take |
| basic, and actually easy to understand. As you go | | | | less space, but the level of detail in them, |
| on with your model railroading hobby, you'll be | | | | depending on the manufacturer, is still high. There |
| joining the veterans in scale and gauge discussions. | | | | are also a lot of accessories and miniature |
| Your interest in model train and railroading will | | | | add-ons that you can throw into your layout that |
| inevitably bring you to the topic of sizes. Model | | | | will complement your N scale trains. The biggest |
| trains come in various sizes as they are used for | | | | advantage of N scale trains is you can create |
| different purposes. There will be a lot of choices | | | | really beautiful scenery. |
| for you, so you'll have an easy time finding the | | | | Popular scales like the O scale, the HO scale, and |
| one you want. While there are different sizes of | | | | the standard scales are about a hundred years |
| model trains, manufacturers do not create them | | | | old, while N scales were only created in the 60s. |
| at will – they follow sizes in accordance to | | | | The letter N stands for nine millimeters – in |
| popular scales and gauges. Scale is the size of the | | | | reference to the size of the gauge. The gauge is |
| model train. It is a scaled down replica. It is the | | | | the size of track that the model train runs on. It |
| scale of how much smaller it is compared to the | | | | is the measure of the width of the track. Along |
| real train, and is designated with letters. | | | | with gauge, you'll hear the word "code" often, |
| The N scale is a really small scale. N scale is the | | | | which pertains to the height of the track. |
| smallest among the most popular scales. It has a | | | | N scale models are good for the more creative |
| ratio of 1:160. This means that the N scale model | | | | model railroaders – you can focus on designing |
| train is one hundred and sixty times smaller than | | | | the scenery rather than the train. The choice is all |
| the real-life train. The more popular HO scale is | | | | yours in terms of the scale you'll use. The |
| just about twice the size of the N scale. HO | | | | purpose of different scales is to suit the needs of |
| scale has the 1:87 ratios. The N scale is for model | | | | the hobbyist – the enjoyment is very |
| railroaders that would like to spend more time | | | | important. |