N Gauge Standards

N Gauge Standards - British

SCALE/GAUGE NAME N Gauge Prototype

SCALE - British 'N' Gauge 1:148 1:1

TRACK

Standard track gauge 9mm 4ft 8 1/2in

Rail profile Code 80 or Code 55 Grooved girder

Groove width, straight track 1mm 1 1/4in

Groove width, curved track 1.25mm 1 1/2in

Minimum radius curve, older trams 75mm 45ft

Minimum radius curve, modern trams and large bogie cars 100mm 66ft (20 metres)

Double track distance apart (track centre lines) 25mm 8ft 6in

WHEELS

Recommended to 'N' gauge commercial standards Commercial standards ------

Back to back 7.51mm ------

OVERHEAD

Minimum height above road 40mm 20ft

Wire type and diameter Nickel silver 0.3mm Copper 0.32in

Length of traction pole above ground 55mm 25ft

Distance apart of traction poles on straight track 75mm average 120ft(maximum)

Distance apart of traction poles on curved track As required As required

Position of overhead wire relative to track, trolley poles. Straight track Over centre Over centre

Position of overhead wire relative to track, trolley poles and pantographs centrally mounted on long bogie cars (like Blackpool). Curved track. Over inner rail To a complex formula

Position of overhead wire relative to track, bows and pantographs over bogie pivots. All track. Over centre Over centre

Ear, frogs and crossings. Use 'OO' gauge commercially available items from Mark Hughes. Use Commercial items. Various

Trolley wheel (actually fitted as non rotating, operating as a skid). Use 'OO' gauge commercially available items from KW Trams. Use Commercial items. Various


SCALE/GAUGE NAME	N Gauge	Prototype
SCALE - British 'N' Gauge	1:148	1:1
TRACK
Standard track gauge	9mm	4ft 8 1/2in
Rail profile	Code 80 or Code 55	Grooved girder
Groove width, straight track	1mm	1 1/4in
Groove width, curved track	1.25mm	1 1/2in
Minimum radius curve, older trams	75mm	45ft
Minimum radius curve, modern trams and large bogie cars	100mm	66ft (20 metres)
Double track distance apart (track centre lines)	25mm	8ft 6in
WHEELS
Recommended to 'N' gauge commercial standards	Commercial standards	------
Back to back	7.51mm	------
OVERHEAD
Minimum height above road	40mm	20ft
Wire type and diameter	Nickel silver 0.3mm	Copper 0.32in
Length of traction pole above ground	55mm	25ft
Distance apart of traction poles on straight track	75mm average	120ft(maximum)
Distance apart of traction poles on curved track	As required	As required
Position of overhead wire relative to track, trolley poles. Straight track	Over centre	Over centre
Position of overhead wire relative to track, trolley poles and pantographs centrally mounted on long bogie cars (like Blackpool). Curved track.	Over inner rail	To a complex formula
Position of overhead wire relative to track, bows and pantographs over bogie pivots. All track.	Over centre	Over centre
Ear, frogs and crossings. Use 'OO' gauge commercially available items from Mark Hughes.	Use Commercial items.	Various
Trolley wheel (actually fitted as non rotating, operating as a skid). Use 'OO' gauge commercially available items from KW Trams.	Use Commercial items.	Various

NOTES

TRACK

The recommended track is either Code 80 or Code 55 solid nickel silver, flat bottomed. Flexible track, points and crossings of both these types are produced by Peco and are recommended.

WHEELS

The width of tramcar wheels are much less than railway wheels, with a smaller flange and flange depth. However, in 'N' gauge to use exact scale wheels would require very precise track construction and wheel setting. To get reliable running, most modellers use normal 'N' gauge commercially available wheels and track, that is to the rather coarse scale railway standards. Although the wheels and groove are much wider, visually it is acceptable. In 'N' gauge it is usual for modellers to use the most suitable motorised chassis available. For example the Bachmann Brill and PCC chassis for bogie cars and Kato motor units for four wheel cars.

OVERHEAD

There are no ready made traction poles available commercially. So make your own from 2mm diameter brass or steel rod. The poles should allow an extra 15mm at the base for fixing to the baseboard. Holes should be drilled in the baseboard to give a push fit for the poles. In "Distance apart of traction poles on straight track" we recommend that the poles are closer than prototype, as this increases the apparent length of small layouts and makes them look more realistic and interesting.

Overhead ears and frogs in 'OO' gauge are made by Mark Hughes. Though slightly too large they are visually acceptable for 'N' gauge.

Working trolley poles will need to be scratchbuilt, though parts from commercially available 'OO' gauge poles can help. These are made by KW Trams. Many 'N' gauge tramway layouts have overhead wiring but dummy trolley poles.

Pantographs used by tramway modellers are always commercially available items from the model railway field. It is not worthwhile trying to scratch build this item.

POWER SUPPLY

The standard power supply is 12 volts DC, using model railway controllers. The recommended controller is the electronic feedback type and the handheld (HH) from Gaugemaster has been used with great success. It requires a separate 16 volt AC supply from a transformer (also available from Gaugemaster). The controller is very small and can be carried around the layout with ease. The usual mode of operation in 'N' scale is to use the two rail system of supply, just like the model railways.

LINKS FOR WHERE TO GET EVERYTHING

Parts are available from KW Trams
Overhead parts are available from Mark Hughes
Materials from Eileen's Emporium

List of TLRS standards for other scales.

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