N gauge growing in popularity...

[Steve Brassett]

I agree with the comments made on the quality of the models.  When I started last year, I bought a few older Farish wagons just to get me some stock cheaply.  Whilst they run ok, they really look like toys compared with the modern wagons.

[Bealman]

I am in an old age quandry.

My eyesight is going, so 0 gauge and (hand over gob) 00 looks more attractive.

However, every show I go to makes me think they all look like toys. The bigger they are, the more toylike they look.

In the electronics world, smaller is the order of the day, so my aging eyesight is learning to cope.

N is THE gauge. 

[Ian Morton]

Certainly of the people who cross the threshold at my shop those who are starting afresh, for whatever reason, tend to be looking at N gauge rather than anything else.

[Chris Morris]

But if you look at the model railway magazines N gauge hardly exists. It is up to us here to push it more by sending potential articles.

Those of us who take N gauge layouts should consider if we could do more to get visitors into N gauge modelling. Maybe an NGF or NGS leaflet stating the adavantages of N to give out? Must confess I have never given promotion of N gauge to others any consideration, but I think we all should.

N gauge exhibition layouts should look more realistic. A 2 foot deep scenic section in N would have to be 4 feet deep in OO and over 6.5 feet deep in O to hold the equivalent amount of scenery. This is why O gauge exhibition layouts tend to be less convincing. The models are better due to their larger size but there usually isn't enough depth to create a complete scene. This is not knocking those who model in O, just saying how I see things. There are some truly excellent larger scale models but for me there are too many that have plenty of track but very little depth to the scenery.

[BobB]

The recent increase in detail allows realistic models but (it seems to me looking at you tube and so on) the tail chasing round and round layouts waste that extra detail. With Dapol's magnetic couplings and conversion kits, N gauge can become a realistic modeling alternative to 00 if only we allowed it to. As for smaller houses, it seems no matter how much space you have, it's never enough no matter what scale you choose !

[trkilliman]

Chris m said;

Those of us who take N gauge layouts should consider if we could do more to get visitors into N gauge modelling. Maybe an NGF or NGS leaflet stating the adavantages of N to give out? Must confess I have never given promotion of N gauge to others any consideration, but I think we all should.

                                      ---------------------------------------------------

The NGS members of the West Cornwall MRG have approached the committee of our society on the very subject of how they could help us promote N gauge at our future shows. We are currently awaiting a response when they have had time to consult each other and consider our thoughts/requests.

Steve Davidson

WCMRG.

[JasonBz]

The recent increase in detail allows realistic models but (it seems to me looking at you tube and so on) the tail chasing round and round layouts waste that extra detail. With Dapol's magnetic couplings and conversion kits, N gauge can become a realistic modeling alternative to 00 if only we allowed it to. As for smaller houses, it seems no matter how much space you have, it's never enough no matter what scale you choose !

I agree with that post, but I must add that over the last few years at shows and in the various media there are a lot of N layouts to much higher standards than appears to have been the case 15- 20 years since.

It people can see what quailty can be achieved they may well be tempted to have a go themselves.

[kirky]

Not much N gauge in the Grosmont model shop, and none at all in Redcar Models and Hobbies!

But plenty of N in Peter's spares, in M'bro.
Redcar models have had N gauge stuff in the past, but probably only second hand. Don't know about you tho Oscar, but I don't regard it as a proper train shop anyway?

(Not seen you for a while btw. Are you well? Did you know we (CMRC) are building a large steam layout based on Stockton, in N?
Might we see you at the exhibition in August?)

Cheers
Kirky

[jrb]

Those of us who take N gauge layouts should consider if we could do more to get visitors into N gauge modelling. Maybe an NGF or NGS leaflet stating the adavantages of N to give out? Must confess I have never given promotion of N gauge to others any consideration, but I think we all should.

A very good suggestion. But it should be purely to promote the scale, rather than merely promoting membership of a society or forum, or a manufacturer. Given that, I'm not sure who would be prepared to pay for it.

[jrb]

On a related note, I've heard quite a few traders say that N gauge is pretty much non-existent on the second-hand market, and has been for some time. Prices of such are very high on eBay & the like, too. Maybe that's because of the increase in N gauge modellers - more modellers chasing the same amount of SH stuff available?

[Webbo]

But if you look at the model railway magazines N gauge hardly exists. It is up to us here to push it more by sending potential articles.

It looks like it may very well be up to us. Here is part of an editorial by Joe Fugate, Publisher and Editor, in the May edition of the Model Railroad Hobbyist:

Our greatest struggle is to get more N scale article submissions. We're at a huge disadvantage here for several reasons. First, the N scale modeler population is only about a third the size of the HO modeler population, so right away at best that tells us to expect only one N scale article for every three HO articles we get.

But it's worse than that because there are two, count them two N scale-specific model railroading magazines. That means 90 percent of the articles on N scale topics go to those magazines and not MRH.

At the end of the day, we only get about one N scale article for every 30 articles on HO scale modeling projects.

We're desperate for more N scale modeling project articles.

Can you N scale guys out there consider sending a few more N scale articles our way? Please? Pretty please?

Webbo

[gc4946]

On a related note, I've heard quite a few traders say that N gauge is pretty much non-existent on the second-hand market, and has been for some time. Prices of such are very high on eBay & the like, too. Maybe that's because of the increase in N gauge modellers - more modellers chasing the same amount of SH stuff available?

Nearly every time I visit a shop or exhibition, second-hand OO scale models far outnumber those available in N.
I also suspect people hang onto their stock because of the higher cost of new replacements, also N gauge takes up less storage space so it's less of a burden to transport and store stock if individuals relocate or other personal circumstances change regarding their hobby.

[mr bachmann]

Not much N gauge in the Grosmont model shop, and none at all in Redcar Models and Hobbies!

I live in town and he's even reluctant or extremely slow to order items for N gauges . also catalogue prices apply.

[oscar]

Not much N gauge in the Grosmont model shop, and none at all in Redcar Models and Hobbies!

But plenty of N in Peter's spares, in M'bro.
Redcar models have had N gauge stuff in the past, but probably only second hand. Don't know about you tho Oscar, but I don't regard it as a proper train shop anyway?

(Not seen you for a while btw. Are you well? Did you know we (CMRC) are building a large steam layout based on Stockton, in N?
Might we see you at the exhibition in August?)

Cheers
Kirky

Hi, Kirky, thanks for asking. Been really under the weather since the accident and have had to bring my layout downstairs and half the size of it! I'll be there in August, though, all things being equal. Didn't know about Stockton, we lived next to the station when I was a kid.

Reason I forgot about Peter's Spares is that we hate the 'Boro, so very rarely get there. And £4 postage is not on.

[kirky]

Hi Oscar
Looking forward to seeing you in August. Come and have a play on Northallerton by all means.

Stockton is a layout in progress and I believe it will be at the exhibition.

Cheers
Kirky