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In Praise of 'N' gauge !

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This is a bid to claim that the best scale is 2mm and the best gauge is 'N'!! What is not to like in N gauge?

I guess that some may disagree?

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/05/24/n-gauge-railway-modelling

..With modern homes being so much smaller and space at a premium, N Gauge is the new 00!

Model quality is high and standards are still rising. Modelling techniques have improved so much that it is at times difficult to tell the difference between N and 0, let alone 00.

The space available in N Gauge, together with the quality of models available mean that there has never been a better time to switch to N Gauge from other gauges/scales!...
 
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Cowley

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I have to agree Roger.
I’ve recently taken the plunge due to a couple of friends that have started modelling in it and also the huge jump in quality over the last decade.
This thread might interest you:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/oo-or-n-gauge.172003/

I really like the look of a scale train in the scenery, and N gives me the chance to do that.
I’ve been eBaying my 00 stock bit by bit this last few months and using the money to buy N gauge replacements.
I’ve also tackled scratch building various different things like bridges, buildings and warehouses this last few months and really enjoyed it.

That’s a great model of Hereford by the way. Thanks for posting the pictures.
 
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I find N too small although I do like the long trains. For me it was the coupling issues; I like to shunt a little and use autocouplings so I've gone back to OO as I can adapt my own and use magnets to make everything hands free.
 

Journeyman

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I've not had a model railway for a long time, but when I modelled in my youth (80s), N gauge wasn't a very realistic option. The choice was very limited, and the quality was dreadful. Now, though, the quality has improved enormously, and the choice is somewhat better too. The range of ready to run stuff is still a bit smaller, and there's less available on the secondhand market, but it's certainly a viable option for starting a layout these days, much more so than it was twenty to thirty years ago.
 

PUFFINGBILLY

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There is no such thing as 'best scale' or 'best gauge' because we are all different in our needs, abilities, space & personal preferences.
For example:
NEEDS in respect of desired finished effect.
ABILITIES eyesight & manual dexterity.
SPACE that that is available or wishes to be made available.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE for big models, indoor or outdoor, greater variety RTR.

Glad that you enjoy YOUR preference though but let's curb anything that might be seen as finite & judgemental.
 

Cowley

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Ok it does have its drawbacks...
I’ve just spent quite a while this evening trying to fit the bufferbeam detailing parts to my 33 and 47.
I found it very difficult, and I’m not a particularly novice modeller.
In the end I used a combination of bits from the packs and some new pipes made out of fine wire because I just couldn’t get the plastic ones supplied to push into the pre made holes. I couldn’t face drilling them out either so I had to try a different method.

Has anyone got any tips on doing this?
I’ve got magnifying glasses with lights on them, tweezers, a strong lamp, and a fair amount of patience. What else do I need?

I’m glad I’ve only got the two locos now. o_O
Please don’t reply with any version of the phrase “Why bother?”
I’ve already asked myself that question a number of times this evening and I still don’t have an answer. ;)
 

Journeyman

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Please don’t reply with any version of the phrase “Why bother?”
I’ve already asked myself that question a number of times this evening and I still don’t have an answer. ;)

Its a real bummer TT never took off and lasted in this country. It really is a perfect size.
 
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I know a number of people who seem to manage this detailing stuff really well. I have discovered that some N Gauge modellers have and amazing capacity for intricate detail and that others do not.

I am one of the latter.

I have found belonging to one of the N Gauge Society regional groups to be really positive and I have gained so much from seeing others at work.

I seem to do much better when it comes to scenery and buildings, than with locos. I would probably gain a lot from being part of a more formal club but sadly work leaves me with relatively little time for modelling at the moment.

Retirement, when it comes, will require me to dismantle my layout and will probably be the point at which I think seriously about my next layout being a shared one at a club.

I hope you can manage to get the detailing parts sorted. My solution would probably be to find a friend!☺️
 

EssexGonzo

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If I ever had the time, skill or inclination (and I have virtually zero of the first two), I'd love to be able to make a scale model of some of the single track line between Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice in the Alps with a Eurostar winding its way through the snowy landscape, something I've seen many times for real from the perspective of the road on the other side of the valley. Having read this thread, it's just struck me that N gauge would be the way to try and capture some of the scale of the mountains relative to the train and the line.
 

Cowley

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A bit of an update. I managed to do it. :smile: They’re not perfect but in this scale they’re fine, and I enjoyed the challenge once I decided to give up on the teeny plastic pipes and make my own.

I told a friend yesterday that fitting the provided pipes was like plucking an eyelash and trying to push it into a fleas earhole (other words are available).

The 33 was the more tricky one because I had to shave the coupling socket off (as it hit the pipes), and make a new bit for the front of the bogie as the wheels were too exposed. I’ve managed to fit the buffing plate (which did come in the pack), and a dropped buckeye coupling (which came from a Farish mk1 coach pack):
F73CCE47-D598-4E13-B96C-5FCA8E835D7A.jpeg

The 47 has a homemade hook, the shackle from the 33 pack, and some pipes made out of the same wire.
All painted and tidied up, nothing rubs or catches, just need a tiny grease covered shunter in orange overalls now.

29848DB7-8BBB-44C1-A9C5-000E602BF5AF.jpeg
(The Humbrol paint tin gives an idea of size o_O).

87BFD3DE-424B-46D9-B2DE-2A10C9BD6DB9.jpeg

I know that the pipes are an approximation, but the two locos look better now from various different angles:
0C977881-517F-43A7-B10F-5DC497A2CEE9.jpeg

I’m going to go and lie down in a darkened room for a bit now. My eyes are aching...
 

Journeyman

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If I ever had the time, skill or inclination (and I have virtually zero of the first two), I'd love to be able to make a scale model of some of the single track line between Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice in the Alps with a Eurostar winding its way through the snowy landscape, something I've seen many times for real from the perspective of the road on the other side of the valley. Having read this thread, it's just struck me that N gauge would be the way to try and capture some of the scale of the mountains relative to the train and the line.

How long would a full-length Eurostar be in N?
 

Cowley

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Well done. .... You are a better man than I am! ... It would have, in all probability, been beyond me!
Thanks Roger.
Because I don’t need much for what I’m doing I’ll put a bit of effort into detailing and weathering things as I get them.
I made our house last week, I’m going to turn it into a pub. ;)
(Called “The Flailing Arms”)
 

Cowley

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How long would a full-length Eurostar be in N?
I may have done the maths wrong, but according to Wikipedia the e300 is 1293’ long which I think would make a full length one in N - 258 centimetres? (2mm to the foot)
 
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There are 31 "Inter-Capital" sets consisting of two power cars and eighteen passenger carriages. These trains are 394 metres (1,293 ft) long and can carry 750 passengers. This is the same information as Cowley has accessed on Wikipedia and I agree that this would be 2.586 metres in N.
 

takno

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I was quite keen on n gauge initially when trying to get back into things. I've ended up building a ridiculously tight OO gauge layout instead though, following in the budgetmodelrailways mould. I will probably end up doing something proper in n gauge because the ability to do something in a smaller space is handy, and I've found its generally a bit cheaper. Well, plus I have a full HST and Class 68 that need somewhere to run... It's definitely a lot more fiddly and less tactile somehow.
 

Cowley

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I was quite keen on n gauge initially when trying to get back into things. I've ended up building a ridiculously tight OO gauge layout instead though, following in the budgetmodelrailways mould. I will probably end up doing something proper in n gauge because the ability to do something in a smaller space is handy, and I've found its generally a bit cheaper. Well, plus I have a full HST and Class 68 that need somewhere to run... It's definitely a lot more fiddly and less tactile somehow.
Yeah you’re right there @takno. It’s surprising how quick you get used to it though...
I see N gauge a bit differently to how I used too. - It used to be that you accepted a compromise in the detail for the the fact that you could model a larger scenic area. However nowadays the models are so good (for instance the N gauge Dapol 33 is better in appearance than the 00 gauge Heljan offering IMHO), that one of the main let downs is rapidly disappearing...
Each to their own of course, but I must admit that I don’t regret changing scales now that I’ve taken the plunge.
 

takno

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Yeah you’re right there @takno. It’s surprising how quick you get used to it though...
I see N gauge a bit differently to how I used too. - It used to be that you accepted a compromise in the detail for the the fact that you could model a larger scenic area. However nowadays the models are so good (for instance the N gauge Dapol 33 is better in appearance than the 00 gauge Heljan offering IMHO), that one of the main let downs is rapidly disappearing...
Each to their own of course, but I must admit that I don’t regret changing scales now that I’ve taken the plunge.
Right now I'm a bit limited on portability, so a lot of things are driven by space, and being able to knock something together on a relatively small cardboard base was pretty appealing. I'm a bit concerned that if I tried the same thing with N gauge I would be looking at constant derailing and uncouplings. Hopefully I'll be able to get onto something more permanent soon!
 

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I've dribbled a bit seeing that photograph. Oh to be able to run full-length trains like that!

It is my desire to get back into the hobby at some point and although I currently don't have space for anything, I will certainly consider N in the future. Welcome, @Andy R. A.
 

Cowley

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I've dribbled a bit seeing that photograph. Oh to be able to run full-length trains like that!

It is my desire to get back into the hobby at some point and although I currently don't have space for anything, I will certainly consider N in the future. Welcome, @Andy R. A.
It looks excellent doesn’t it.
 
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It is amazing what can be achieved in N!

Just a few pictures from my very slowly evolving layout based on Hereford.
 

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Cowley

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It is amazing what can be achieved in N!

Just a few pictures from my very slowly evolving layout based on Hereford.
I read about your railway project last year I think. Did you say a relation had made the buildings?
 
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Hi, my father-in-law made the station and goods sheds. The coaling stage, signal boxes, footbridge and other structures are min. Dvaid sadly died a while ago now. He was an O-gauge modeller who dabbled in 'n' for my sake.
 

Cowley

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Hi, my father-in-law made the station and goods sheds. The coaling stage, signal boxes, footbridge and other structures are min. Dvaid sadly died a while ago now. He was an O-gauge modeller who dabbled in 'n' for my sake.
Sorry to hear that. He did a great job, and it must be nice to have them to remember him by.

It looks like you’re going to have a lot of ballasting to do at some point!
 

Cowley

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That’s amazing Andy. Has it featured in any magazines?
How on earth did you wire the catenary up?
 
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