N scale trains on HO curves

Read this N scale column from the July 2012 Model Railroader

By Jim Kelly

Published: May 21, 2012

An N scale 89-foot auto rack, at bottom, is longer in actual inches than a standard HO scale 40-foot boxcar of the 1940s and ’50s. As prototype railroad equipment gets larger, N scalers need to think beyond 9-3⁄4"-radius curves.

In 1968 Aurora and Revell gambled that N scale train sets would be a big hit in the toy market. Aurora struck a deal with Minitrix, a German company, to produce its Postage Stamp line, and Revell turned to Rapido (also German) to manufacture its offerings.

For N scale product reviews, track plans, and videos, visit the Model Railroader N scale page.

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