The Increase In Popularity Of N Gauge Model Railways

N gauge model railways are second only to HO in terms of popularity with regards to train layouts. N gauge model railways can, however, have different scale sizes. Whilst the distance between the rails in all cases is 9mm the scale can range from 1:148 to 1:160 depending on the manufacturer (or country being marketed to). A great advantage for N gauge model railways is that an enthusiast can build a comprehensive layout that takes up about half the size that would normally be required for a HO (1:87) or OO (1:76) layout.

Model railways of a similar scale to N gauge have been around since 1927 although this scale only became to be produced on a commercial scale from 1962. N gauge model railways were unusual in that instead of a predefined set of standard being introduced from the outset differing manufacturers came up with their own ideas then these were then brought more or less into line over a couple of years. Since then N gauge model railways have built a large global following. Some heavily populated countries like Japan have less space in houses and therefore N gauge model railways are more popular than their HO cousins who thought to be too large. It will be interesting to see how T scale catches on now that it has been launched. This scale is 1:450 and is supposed to be small enough to fit a layout on a tabletop.

Space isn't always the prime driver for choosing the scale that goes with N gauge model railways as it is possible to build a complicated and visually stunning model train layout at this scale and therefore the choice is made on the type of layout that is being made.The Australian market has been catching on the N scale over the years with US, British and European prototypes being popular on N gauge model railways. The market for local prototypes is now expanding and as such N gauge model railways are increasing in popularity on an annual basis.

Modelers of more traditional gauges such as OO or HO are also taking N gauge model railways to their heart. This is because they can include an N gauge model railway on their layout and provided it is done properly can add tremendous depth to the layout. For instance if there is a mountain feature at the back of an OO layout then an N gauge model train going up the mountain will give the illusion that the railway is further away than it is. N gauge model railways are therefore very popular for a number of reasons - they can make good use of a small space, they can create a complex layout in what would be an ordinary space for an HO or OO model and they can allow a modeller to create forced perspective with the N gauge model railways on a large scale layout.