Model railroading has long been a popular hobby in the U.S. and Britain. N scale trains are one of the smallest scales of model trains found in this hobby, in fact they take a close second behind the smallest model trains in the world; T scale trains.
The popularity of this hobby is increasing, especially in the colder parts of the world where families are forced to stay indoors due to extreme weather. Although model trains come in many different sizes, from matchbox trains to near life-size replicas, the N scale is one of the most commonly used.
The model railroading hobby can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Some of the more avid enthusiasts have turned entire basements into model train arenas. They have spent several thousands of dollars collecting engines, tracks, buildings and countless pieces of scenery for their monstrous layouts.
On the other hand, a model railroad layout can obviously be constructed in a much smaller scale. Some hobbyists actually prefer to create very simple layouts that they can pack away in a cupboard when they aren’t using it.
How Do N Scale Trains Compare To Other Model Trains?
Model trains are sized by scale. The largest models have a 1:8 scale, meaning that every inch of the model corresponds to eight inches of an actual train. On the other end of the spectrum, we find the Z scale trains, which are a 1:220 scale.
An N scale train is built on a scale of 1:160 in the U.S. and 1:148 in Britain. Even though they are larger than the Z scale trains, otherwise known as ‘matchbox trains’, they are still small and compact.
Flexibility, adaptability, and durability are an N scale train’s primary advantages. They are large enough to be handled and operated, and fortunately small enough to allow their layouts to be constructed in small spaces, which makes them just right for apartment dwellers.
You will discover that you can also build longer track runs with these smaller models. You may also be surprised to discover how many accessories there are available that complement these train sets, the most popular accessories being buildings and figurines.
Commonly available buildings include depots, warehouses, coaling stations, farmhouses, stores, barns and churches. The figurines available include all kinds of animals, and people in various outfits performing different actions.
Other available accessories include power poles, roads, constructions crews, billboards, bridges, tunnels and the list goes on. Your local toy store, for example, should stock a number of possible accessories, such as benches and barrels, miniature cars and trucks, trees, bushes and other landscaping features that can all be added to your layout.
For the perfect final touch, which can make a train set and its layout look entirely life-like, there are a number of manufacturers that produce super realistic decals for model trains and accessories.
Because of their popularity, there are also a number of N scale trains available. Popular manufacturers include Kato USA, Classic Metal Works, American Flyer, and Atlas Track, to name but a few. You will find that trains manufactured by companies like these may be purchased as sets or ‘piecemeal’, meaning ‘one car at a time’. These sets may or may not come with tracks and electrical components, depending on your requirements and what the manufacturer has to offer.
Add A Collection Of Legendary Trains To Your Collection
The 4-6-2 Pacific steam trains did a great job in their day. They transported commuters along railways in America and other countries for over 40 years, only to be replaced by the Hudson 4-6-4 steam locomotive, purely because the demand for public transportation via rail was growing rapidly and the 4-6-2 simply lacked the power needed to meet these demands.
They were not removed from the railroads entirely; instead they continued to run along lines transporting commuters, who perhaps weren’t in such a hurry. The designs of these trains were exquisite, and they really did ‘grace’ railways with their color schemes and markings that represented the lines they frequently ran.
As a model train manufacturer wanting to replicate one of these trains; it must be difficult to determine which ones to replicate. You see, the 4-6-2 Pacific was the name given to a group of trains. Within this group, specific trains ran on specific lines.
The first ‘true pacific locomotive’ was ordered by the New Zealand Railway Department, from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1901. It would be difficult to determine exactly how many 4-6-2 pacific locomotives were built between 1900 and 1960. Although the production of these trains slowed down towards the mid-sixties, some train manufacturers continue to design Pacific steam locomotives still today.
Historic Rail offers model train hobbyists a chance to collect a number of models of the 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locomotives in the N scale. Some of these are:
All of these trains can be purchased separately. Each train has its own markings and tiny details that make them different from one another. They are exact model replicas of the Pacific Steam Locomotives they model.
Each of these N scale trains features the following:
- A die cast metal body and chassis.
- A powerful motor with a flywheel drive.
- Separately applied detail parts.
- A prototypical tender with a realistic coal load.
- A boiler and tender electrical pick-up.
- And more.
Each of them measures in at a length of 6.3/4 inches.
These are only a few of the model trains that replicate the great 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives of years gone by. Whether in the N scale, HO scale, O scale or G scale, models of these steam-powered beauties are highly sought after, and have a history that every nation can relate to.
In conclusion, regardless of your reasons for choosing to operate N scale trains, today these little locomotives are packed with power, exquisite craftsmanship, and splendid detailing that make them attractive to hundreds of collectors and model railroading hobbyists around the world.