Ho scale has ruled the model railroad hobby in America from the time of its introduction. With its large and visibly detailed models giving a real sense of size, and the sheer satisfaction of the weight of the model cars in your hand, its appeal is obvious. But the smaller N Scale models have long held on as second place favorites. In fact, as many habitancy begin down-sizing, N scale model railroading has no ifs ands or buts increased in popularity. Already, in Japan, where living spaces are ordinarily smaller, N Scale is currently the most beloved scale for model train builders. But n scale is not only beloved with down-sizers even here in the Us. N scale, being about half the size of Ho, also allows the hobbyist to maker longer tracks in the same amount of space, development a more expansive model than they could with Ho, and creating some truly phenomenal slight landscapes.
In N scale - sometimes called N gauge - the length in the middle of the track rails is 9 mm - or 0.354 inches compared to Ho's 16.5 mm - or 0.650 inch rails. N scale began to be standardized in the mid-1960's when commercially produced models started to come to be available. Improvements in create and coupling quickly began to help the scale grow in popularity. Contemporary models have even more improvements. In both coupling, now often magnetic, as well as computerized voltage regulation, the n scale builders are allowed to schedule the speed of their trains as they move through the display model. N scale is also a more definite scale to most war gaming miniatures, allowing some spirited additions and variations to N scale model railroading themes.
N scale models are every bit as detailed as their Ho cousins, but the details are smaller, giving some the impression that they do not seem as "real" as the larger scales. But N Scale model railroad enthusiasts have risen to the challenge of bringing those small details out. With thought about painted "aging" and some "wear and tear" added to the railroad cars, they can be every bit as convincing to the eye as the larger scaled models. And some model railroad builders concentrate the two scales - Ho to the fore, N to the back, to give the forced perspective illusion of great length in the same model. This is especially efficient on large layouts.
So if you're downsizing, or you've held off getting into the model railroad hobby because of the size of your living space, or just want to make a more expansive, spirited model and challenge your abilities, N scale model railroading might be just the "railroad" label for you!
N Scale Model Railroading - More Than a Downsizer's Dream!