Page 31 - December 2019

Model Scales: H0 and N The term N gauge refers to the track dimensions, but
This guide will give you some ways to in the UK in particular N gauge refers to their 1:148
measure model items to tell whether scale, 9 mm track gauge modeling. The terms N scale
they are N scale or HO scale. and N gauge are often used interchangeably. An
I regularly see items listed in N scale that are really advantage of N scale is that it allows hobbyists to
build layouts that take up less space than HO scale, or
HO scale, and I assume the opposite happens as well .
put longer track runs into the same amount of space,
Here are some measurements:
because the models are smaller (by nearly a half) than
1. For track, measure the distance between the rails. they are in HO scale (1:87). The name comes from an
N scale is 5/16 inch between rails, HO scale is 5/8 inch abbreviation for Nine millimetres, which is the
between rails. distance between the inside edges of the rails. N scale
2. For engines, measure their length. An N scale diesel however, is not the smallest commercially available
engine is about 4 inches long. An HO engine is about 8 scale, as Z scale is smaller yet at 1:220.
inches long. You can also measure the distance Although trains and accessories of similar gauge
between the wheels. The distance from the outside of and/or scale existed as early as 1927, modern
the flange of one wheel to the outside of the flange of commercially produced N scale models only appeared
the opposite wheel is about the same as the distance in 1962. Unlike other scales and gauges, which were
between rails. de facto standards at best, within two years N scale

3. For freight cars, measure their length. A typical N manufacturers defined the gauge, voltage, as well as
scale freight car is about 3 1/2 inches long. An HO the height and type of couplers.
scale car is about 7 inches long. Passenger cars can be N scale has a large worldwide following. Models are
somewhat longer in both scales. As with engines, you made of very many standard gauge prototypes from
can also tell by measuring the distance between the every continent. N scale's popularity is second only to
wheels. HO scale's. In Japan, where space in homes is more
limited, N scale is the most popular scale, and HO
4. For buildings, measure the height of the doors. A scale is considered large. Not all modellers select N
typical N scale door in a house is about 1/2 inch tall.
because they have small spaces, some use N scale in
An HO scale door is about 1 inch tall. Doors in
order to build more complex or more visually
industrial buildings are a little taller, but still fairly expansive models.
close to these measurements.
N scale in Australia has become more popular over
5. People are just a little shorter than the heights of the years. Modellers model mainly US, British and
the doors given above. European prototypes because until recently the
Australian market had no N scale models of local
6. For automobiles, measure their length. A typical N
prototype. The creation of local prototypes is now a
scale automobile is a little over 1 inch long. An HO
flourishing "cottage" industry, making Australia N
automobile is over 2 inches long.
scale modelling more popular each year.
7. For telephone poles, measure their height. A typical N gauge track and components are also used with
N scale pole is around 3 inches tall. An HO pole is larger scales, in particular HOe and OO9 scale for
around 6 inches tall. modelling narrow gauge railways. N scale models on Z

These measurements should be enough to give you a scale track are used to model metre gauge (Nn3). A
good, solid way to tell whether you have N scale or small amount of 2' industrial narrow gauge modelling
HO scale. You can also use these measurements to in N scale using custom track is done but there are
identify O scale. Since HO stands for Half O, O scale few suppliers of parts. Nn18 layouts use T scale track
items measure about twice as large as HO scale items and mechanisms to represent minimum gauge
N scale is a popular model railway scale/track gauge. railways. N scale trains and structures are often used
Depending upon the manufacturer (or country), the on HO or larger layouts to create forced perspective,
scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases, the or the illusion that an object is further away than it
gauge (the distance between the rails) is 9 mm. actually is. By Fiddler Green