Editing N scale (section)

== Variants ==
[[Image:Spur N Fleischmann NS DH2 Wattläufer 1 zu 160 und Kato Bernina Express 1 zu 150.jpg|thumb|
NS DH2 in 1:160 scale (bottom) and Kato [[Bernina Express]] in 1:150 scale (top) on 9&nbsp;mm track gauge. Size comparison with a one-euro coin]]

In the United States and Europe, models of [[standard gauge]] [{{track gauge|1435mm}}] trains are built to 1:160 scale and made so that they run on N gauge track, but in some other countries changes are made. Finescale modellers also use variants of normal N scale.

=== United Kingdom === 
In the United Kingdom, a scale of 1:148 is used for commercially produced models.

In Britain, some N-scale models are built to "2&nbsp;mm scale" for "2&nbsp;mm to the foot" which calculates to a 1:152 proportion.  Early N scale was also known as "OOO" or "treble-O"<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50198566/pittsburgh-post-gazette/| title=N-Gauge Chugs Into Hobby Corners| newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| date=October 22, 1968| page=31| first=Russ| last=Barnard| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> in reference to [[O scale|O]] and [[OO gauge|OO]] and was also 1:152, though for an entirely different reason.

=== 2 mm to the foot scale ===
A number of modellers in the United Kingdom use [[2 mm scale]], a closer-to-scale standard than N scale. 2&nbsp;mm scale is scaled at 2&nbsp;mm to the foot (1:152) with a {{track gauge|9.42mm}} track gauge.  Nearer to scale appearance is achieved by finer rail, flange, and crossing dimensions than commercial N gauge ({{track gauge|9mm|disp=s}}) components.
A variation of the 2&nbsp;mm standards is used by the FiNe group for 1:160 scale. It uses the same rail, flange, and crossing dimensions as 2&nbsp;mm (1:152) standards, but with a track gauge of {{track gauge|0.353 in}}, and corresponding reduction in back-to-back. FiNe is dominated by European modellers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp-3.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409052355/http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp-3.html| archive-date=9 April 2014| title=RP-3 Proto-Fine Track (Recommended practices)|publisher=[[National Model Railroad Association|NMRA]]|date=January 1990|access-date=2010-07-11|quote=named "N Fine"}}</ref>

=== OOO models ===
In 1961, [[Lone Star Toys|Lone Star]] introduced some of the first (1:160) N scale models branded as [[Lone Star Toys#Trains|Treble-0-Lectric]] (OOO) into the United Kingdom.<ref name=Smithpart2>{{cite web| url=http://davidksmith.com/postage-stamp-trains/chapter-1.htm| title=Part 1: Beginnings & Introductions| website=All About Aurora Postage Stamp Trains| first=David K.| last=Smith| access-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref><ref group="note" >As an aside on the perennial question of whether British '00' gauges use letters or numbers, Lone Star named their product the 'Treble-0-Lectric' (with a zero) yet described this as gauge 'OOO', with three letters.</ref> The original die-cast metal models were push along and gauged to run on a die-cast trackwork having a gauge that was closer to {{track gauge|8mm}}. Coupling was by a simple loop and pin arrangement.  The novelty of the "Lone Star Locos" line was such that they even found their way to the United States and were sold in the toys area of major department stores like J.J. Newberry.

Electrified models followed soon after. The track gauge was widened to a nominal {{track gauge|9mm}} and rails were isolated with nonconductive ties (sleepers) for [[Direct current|DC]] operation. Gearing between the motor and the axles at such a small scale was done by rubber bands, rather than the usual worm gear. A different coupling based on a shrunken OO scale coupling was fitted.  The OOO couplings and specifications have long since been replaced by commercial N scale manufacturers.

=== Australian N scale ===
Australian railways use several gauges across the states, although in most cases 9&nbsp;mm gauge track is used. Some modellers have used Z gauge track for Nn3 models of [[Queensland Railways]]. N scale modelling in Australia has been a cottage-industry affair, with typically small runs of resin-based models being produced. Some etch-brass kits have also been released. In most cases, the kits have been bodies designed to run on mechanisms or bogies available from overseas. Some very fine models are starting to emerge from various Australian manufacturers with many kits now available.

Manufacturers have started to engage Chinese manufacturers to produce very high quality wagons and locomotives. The Victorian producer Aust-N-Rail pioneered this approach, while in 2011, BadgerBits released Australia's first ready-to-run N gauge locomotive, a 48 class retailing for around A$240. A new manufacturer has arrived on the scene (November 2011) with Australia-N Railways using both Australian locally manufactured detail accessories and top end Chinese factories to produce their new locomotives and rolling stock. Other kits continue to be released using the more usual method of resin-based castings and it is now possible obtain models of railways running in most states, although the coverage is highly variable.

=== Japanese N scale ===
{{see also|T gauge}}
[[Image:N scale Train Scenry.jpg|right|thumb|A 1:150 scale model of a Japanese railroad diorama]]

Since the former [[Japanese National Railways]] and other major private railways adopted a track gauge of {{convert|1067|mm|ftin}}, Japanese N-scale models of conventional railways adopted 1:150 scale with 9&nbsp;mm gauge. But, in the case of Shinkansen, which adopted a {{convert|1435|mm|ftin|adj=on}} track gauge, models are scaled down to 1:160. A small number of modelers adopted a model scale of 1:120 using 9&nbsp;mm gauge tracks to represent the narrow-gauge railway {{track gauge|3ft6in}} gauge lines common in Japan. This is a different prototype gauge and scale to standard N scale with the narrower prototype gauge and called [[TT scale#Gauges|TT-9]].