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What were Pannier Tank Locomotives used for?
Posted in: Rolling stock
3rd July 2023
Pannier tank engines were small steam locomotives characterized by a water tank mounted on either side of the boiler,...
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How can I mask a model to create curves or spiral patterns?
Posted in: Painting
27th November 2023
When it comes to scale modelling, creating curves or spiral patterns on a model can add depth and visual interest....
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What is a locomotive headlamp?
Posted in: Model Railway
5th January 2021
Lamps have been used on the front of railway locomotives since the mid-1800s. All through the steam years, the lamps...
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What is the purpose of the regulator on a steam locomotive?
Posted in: Rolling stock
23rd October 2023
The purpose of the regulator on a steam locomotive is to control the flow of steam from the boiler to the cylinders....
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Do I need to use an underlay under my railway track?
Posted in: Model Railway, Tracks, Best practices
17th January 2020
It is not essential to use an underlay for your layout, but it is definitely a good idea as the underlay will help to...
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Can you get everything for N gauge that you can for 00 gauge?

One of the fears modellers have surrounding N gauge is that you will not be able to get everything for your model railway layout that you can for 00 gauge. After all whenever you pop into your local model shop or flick through the glossy pages of a railway modelling magazine, there does seem to be dominance by 00 articles and products.

It is indeed true that 00 gauge is the more popular gauge amongst modellers, however, rest assured you can get just about everything for N gauge these days.

We have scoured the internet, publications and model shop shelves to take a look at what products are available for N gauge and split them up into categories.

First up is the track. You can get straight N gauge track in rigid track sections of varying length. You can get flexible track with concrete or wood effect sleepers, bends come in 4 different radii just like 00 and points (turnouts) also come in just about every combination imaginable from regular left and right turnouts to complicated double slips, curved, y and even express points, most come with live, isolated or dual frogs and you can even add catch points, decouplers, inspection pits, turntables, level crossings and tiny N gauge buffers.

There is no shortage of buildings either with every corner of not only the railway world but also the world beyond being modelled in kits, there is also quite a large range of ready-made buildings on the market too.

Just a quick search for N gauge buildings will produce really strong results with plenty of quality recreations available, including, terraced houses, platforms, station buildings, goods sheds, engine sheds, signal boxes, farm buildings and barns, churches, fire stations, shops, cinemas, pubs, restaurants, service stations, industrial units, schools and country cottages.

Then there is all of the little extra touches that help bring a layout to life such as outhouses, bus shelters, bandstands, fountains, huts, allotments, goods yard cranes, bigger container and dock cranes, road signs and a plethora of figures from all walks of life and up to every activity imaginable.

N gauge scenery is sure to look fantastic too with plenty of scenic products being manufactured, including, trees, hedges, bushes, fences, walls, retaining walls, tunnel portals, semaphore and light signals, vehicles, line-side street furniture, farm animals, roads and backscenes.

So if you are thinking of creating an N gauge model railway layout, you can proceed with confidence, you will have no problem sourcing quality model kits that will make your layout look great, and yes, you can get N gauge engines too!

Posted in: Model Railway, Design and Planning

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