Model Railway N Gauge
Model Train Tips To Help Keep Your Dream Railway Right On Track
If you search online you will be able to find all kinds of different hints and model train tips, from how to choose the right model train scale, to how to create realistic looking model train scenery.
In this article I am going to bring some of the lesser known tips to your attention though. Now, in the introduction I mentioned model train scale and by typing those words into any search engine it's relatively simple to find tips as to how to determine model train scale and what the difference is between scale and Model Train Gauges.
However, do you know what the implications of these size differences are? Now I'm not talking about the fact that different scales can't be used together (well, not without modification, but that's a different whole different story!).
Instead, I'm talking about a consideration that is rarely thought about with much level of detail by newcomers to model railway building, which is the curve radius or your model railway trains. More importantly, I want to look at how to avoid derailment, which let's face it, is an extremely frustrating problem.
It comes down to calculating the tightest turning circle available that allows the locomotives and carriages to get round safely. A simple guide for this is that the layout width must equal at least the minimum turning circle your train can make without derailment. For example, in HO a tight 180 degree turnaround takes 86cm / 34", whereas on a TT scale Model Railways, a tight 180 degree turnaround takes only 53.4cm / 21".
Another tip that I feel is worth mentioning here is that many people who are new to model railroading (and even some experienced ones too!) are unaware that model train track curves can be bought with different radii, with track pieces possibly be available in 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degree arcs, depending on manufacturer. This means that sharper or more gradual curves are possible with the same amount and length of pieces.
The trick is also to making sure that you trains are designed to work within a certain turning circle, with four axle trains being able to get round tighter turns than those with six axles. It's also worth noting that older trains and freight wagons which, often have shorter wheel bases are going to be able to handle tighter turns much better than newer, more modern passenger trains. Therefore, if you are designing a layout for small space with tight turning circles, this will lend itself better to a freight yard theme than an Intercity passenger set up.
My final tip is to remember, although we want to make sure that our model railroads are as realistic as possible, we also have to remember that we have to be realistic about the amount and size of space that we have available. Just because you may not see a turn of such radii in real life, if your lack of space dictates that you must then there really isn't much you can do to change this.
If it is something that bothers you though, I've learnt a neat little trick and that is that you hide this in your scenery in some way, such as in a tunnel or behind a hill, row of trees or building for example.
A word of warning though, relating to the point I made earlier about derailments and that is that even though you may have managed to hide the tight turns, your longer locomotives will still not be able make it around these turns and this may limit the choice of train available to you. You will therefore have to choose between more rails and smaller trains.
Of course these are just a few tips and tricks that are available and there are obviously far more model train tips than can ever been written in a single article! However, if you follow the links below, you'll be taken to the www.ModelRailwayTrainsTips.com where will find a lot more useful information and handy tips to get you going with your model railway.
About the Author
Tim McCarthy is a model railway enthusiast with many years experience in the field of Model Trains. For further information on model railroads, including more on model train tips, please feel free to head over to http://www.modelrailwaytrainstips.com.
John's 'n' gauge model railway
 |
 Model Railways N Gauge Railway Warehouse Card kit $7.88 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $7.88 Buy It Now |
 N GAUGE MODEL RAILWAY FIGURES x 30 $1.56 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 11h 17m |
 Peco Scenic Backgrounds for N Gauge Model Railways Choose from list New $2.05 Time Remaining: 13d 14h 40m Buy It Now for only: $2.05 Buy It Now |
 Coal for Model Railways locos wagons scenics N gauge or similar $1.56 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 23m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Concertina Gangway Connectors Model Railway Item Farish Bachmann Dapol $5.13 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 17m Buy It Now for only: $5.13 Buy It Now |
 Peco NB 34 N Gauge Double Track Bridge Sides Walls for Model Railway Layouts $6.71 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.71 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Model 2 67 4 British Railways Locomotive W Box Wrenn Lima $12.00 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 43m |
 Model Railways N Gauge 1800s Farmhouse Buildings card kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 15d 23h 42m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD DIECAST 1 148 SCALE MODEL GLASGOW TRAM NTR005 N GAUGE RAILWAY MODEL $9.08 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 47m Buy It Now for only: $9.08 Buy It Now |
 Metcalfe PN110 Model Railway Buildings Station Platform Cardboard Kit N Gauge $11.69 Time Remaining: 13d 16h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.69 Buy It Now |
 Model Railways N Gauge 1980s Office Block card building kit $6.30 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $6.30 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Hornby Lyddle End Country Post Office Model Railway Layout Item $15.78 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 46m |
 N GAUGE MODEL RAILWAY LAYOUTS PLANS TRACK AND MANY MORE $7.11 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 1m Buy It Now for only: $7.11 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD WALLACE ARNOLD BURLINGHAM SUNSALOON BUS NBS003 N GAUGE RAILWAY MODEL $8.67 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 25m Buy It Now for only: $8.67 Buy It Now |
 Metcalfe PN109 Model Railway Station Buildings Cardboard Kit N Gauge New $10.27 Time Remaining: 20d 19h 19m Buy It Now for only: $10.27 Buy It Now |
 Marsh Model railways N Gauge Scale NGT68 Gas powered fork lift truck new in box $7.34 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 26m Buy It Now for only: $7.34 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD BRITISH RAIL ALBION HORSEBOX NAH001 N GAUGE 1 148 MODEL RAILWAY MODEL NEW $7.11 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 22h 39m |
 HORNBY MINITRIX N GAUGE EVENING STAR MODEL RAILWAY TRAIN 92220 N209 RCU $110.59 Time Remaining: 21d 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $110.59 Buy It Now |
 Peco NB 39 N Gauge Model Railway Plate Girder Bridge Sides Pack of 4 New $5.06 Time Remaining: 8d 19h 35m Buy It Now for only: $5.06 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD B R SCAMMELL SCARAB VAN TRAILER NRAB001 N GAUGE 1 148 RAILWAY MODEL NEW $9.40 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 36m Buy It Now for only: $9.40 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Southport $3.14 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Metcalfe PN115 Stone Sheets N Gauge Model Railways Scratch Building Paper New $8.69 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD 1 148 SCALE MODEL LONDON TRANSPORT TRAM NTR001 N GAUGE RAILWAY MODEL $9.40 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 33m |
 OXFORD DIECAST CIVIL DEFENCE LAND ROVER 88 NLAN188002 N GAUGE RAILWAY MODEL NEW $5.92 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.92 Buy It Now |
 Metcalfe PN135 Stone Station Platform Cardboard Kit N Gauge Model Railway New $11.69 Time Remaining: 4d 18h Buy It Now for only: $11.69 Buy It Now |
 Model Railways N Gauge Low Relief 1930s Shops Kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Frys Tuck Shop $3.14 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 34m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Model Materials Gravel Car Union Pacific Railways $4.00 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 28m |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Cadburys Dairy Milk Chocolate $3.14 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Old Gold Cigarettes $3.14 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap $3.14 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge British Railways Loch Etive $3.14 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Model Caboose Santa Fe Railways Bachmann $4.00 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 16m |
 Model Railways N Gauge Low Relief Oriel Cinema card kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
 OXFORD LONDON TRANSPORT Q1 TROLLEYBUS NQ1001 N GAUGE RAILWAY MODEL NEW BOXED $9.40 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 23m Buy It Now for only: $9.40 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge New Route to the Isle of Man $3.14 Time Remaining: 15d 4h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Yorkshire Coast Near Whitby $3.14 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 DAPOL MODEL RAILWAYS 2008 CATALOGUE N OO GAUGE $0.79 Time Remaining: 18h 28m |
 Ratio Plastic Kit 211 Telegraph Poles Pack of 10 N Gauge Model Railway New $5.37 Time Remaining: 22d 16h 46m Buy It Now for only: $5.37 Buy It Now |
 CARDIFF TRAM NTR006 N GAUGE 1 148 SCALE MODEL OXFORD DIECAST RAILWAY MODEL NEW $9.40 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 21m Buy It Now for only: $9.40 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Bognor Regis $3.14 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge East Coast Craft $3.14 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railways N Gauge 1950s Terraced Houses kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
 MODEL RAILWAY LAYOUTS TRACK DESIGN PLANS N GAUGE $7.88 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 21m |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Malvern Travel by Train $3.14 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Metcalfe PN107 Warehouse and Mill Cardboard Kit N Gauge Model Railway New $9.95 Time Remaining: 13d 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Senior Service Cigarettes $3.14 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railways N Gauge 1930s Shopping Parade Flats Card Building Kit $6.30 Time Remaining: 15d 23h 42m Buy It Now for only: $6.30 Buy It Now |
 Wire Mesh Model Railway Fence Fencing with Wood Posts Suit N or OO Gauge $1.56 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 14m |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge LMS Conway $3.14 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Collect Green Shield Stamps $3.14 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Great Northern Railway $3.14 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 British Railways Leyland FG Flatbed B T Models N Gauge N001 Base Toys UK $7.89 Time Remaining: 8d 10h 47m Buy It Now for only: $7.89 Buy It Now |
 N Gauge Model Reefer Car Rio Grande Railways $4.00 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 34m |
 Model Railways N Gauge Victorian Houses Shops Pub kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Rowntrees Jelly $3.14 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Model Railway Advertising Billboard N Gauge Southern Railway Bude $3.14 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 Peco ST 3 N Gauge Model Railway Track No1 Radius Standard Curve New $1.90 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.90 Buy It Now |
 Interwoven Model Railway Fence Fencing Unpainted Suitable for N or OO Gauge $1.56 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 6m |
 Model Railways N Gauge Tudor Market House Card Kit $4.72 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 33m Buy It Now for only: $4.72 Buy It Now |
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
