N Gauge
N gauge is based on a scale of 2mm to the foot using 9mm track. This is where the name is derived from: Nine millimetre. Several scales are used throughout the world. 1:160 is used worldwide, with the exceptions of the United Kingdom where 1:144 is used, to allow for the the mechanisms to be fitted into the smaller british trains, and 1:150 used in Japan.
N gauge is second only to HO gauge for its world-wide popularity. It allows modellers use create layouts in much smaller spaces than HO or 00. A longer run or greater detail is also possible in the same space as an HO or 00 layout.
N gauge was initially seen as early as 1927, but did not appear in its present form until 1962. The standard was quickly adopted and includes standards for gauge, voltage, track polarity and the height of and type of couplers.
Adapted from thefreedictionary.com © 2004
