Welcome to N Gauge - part 1

[@davidparry1968]

Finally; a no-nonsense channel for those of us who’ve been out of the hobby for 40+ years.

[@darren25061965]

Buying a "Train Set" is definitely the way to start. They represent great value, and are priced well below the sum of their parts. Shopping around it is possible to get the whole set for the price of the locomotive alone, so everything else in the box is effectively free. I have been collecting my railway for years ( I will get round to building it this year) and still buy train sets because they represent such good value. I have a friend who owns a model railway shop, and he once told me Hornby uses train sets as a "Loss Leader" for the very reason you state in your video. There to " Hook you in". Nice video and well thought out.

[@SimonsShed]

Darren Marshall Thanks Darren. Well, it seems to work, the train set certainly got me hooked!

[@davidwillard7334]

Considering ! The ! Stock ! Was ! Meant ! For ! Brainless !! People !! To ! Begin ! With !!

[@TheStanford01]

A very helpful and straightforward way of getting into a quite complicated hobby. Thank you.

[@jamesschrom317]

I used to watch your channel when I was in to DJI Phantom Quad Copter. I gave it up probably 5 yrs. ago and it is in a case. It is like new. I want to get into model railroading now that I am retired.

[@mirageinthedesert5448]

Even thought I know a lot about trains I do like your approach of buy locos that you like the looks of. This is the perfect approach for beginners instead of being tied to a specific era/region. My layout I’m planning to build is supposed to be based in the north west buy no reason why I can’t run an SR schools class or LNER B17

[@tsu8003]

I've been lucky because I'm modelling a Japanese n gauge layout and all my favourite trains just happen to be from the same region!

[@cromwellthesynth]

Maybe the B17 'canonically' in your model railways universe is being moved up through that way for an overhaul with SR and is still moving stuff in its LNER colours before being moved into the workshop for its rebrand? :P

[@davidwillard7334]

It's ABSOLUTELY ! AMAZING !! JUST ! WHAT ! RAINBOW !! COLOURS ! DO !! HERE !!

[@tykedopwnz]

Finished my OO gauge layout, and just ordered my first N gauge supplies. Dapol 9F, Dapol Class 22, and a Kato V5 Oval. Looking forward to setting up all the stuff, hopefully everything will work. This video is very helpful, thank you

[@tsu8003]

I love n gauge because it has allowed me to build a full length bullet train station with full length bullet trains in the space of 2 metres! I do have a confession though and that is the bullet train stations and trains in Kyushu are half the length of the rest of Japan but are still full length!

[@StuartJohnModels]

This is great I myself looking in to modelling in N gauge due to space. Wanting to do a preserved branch line with 2 main lines and a third as a point 2 point. This series is going to help me hugely so thanks for doing these. Stuart John

[@SimonsShed]

Stuart John Thanks, thought it would be good to go back to the start and do something for people starting out. Let me know if theres any questions and I can try and answer them in the series!

[@StuartJohnModels]

Thanks Simon I will deffo need some help as there are areas in witch I have not a clue but will keep watching your videos to learn more so thanks for doing these videos. A question on this video are Hornby heading in to N gauge would be good to see what they come up with. Best regards Stuart John

[@davidwillard7334]

@@StuartJohnModels HORNBY ! HAVE ! MARTIAN ! TRIPODS ! TO ! WORRY ! ABOUT !! INSTEAD ! OF !! PITYFUL ! CRAP !! GAUGE !!

[@TheDiomedef16]

A great intro to the hobby, N Gauge is steadily growing in popularity...Ian

[@davidwillard7334]

JUST !! LIKE ! THE !! WHITE !! ANTZ !! ARE !! TOO !!

[@ReaverLordTonus]

I beg to differ on your statement on price, the only trainset I found from Graham Farish (since Bachman has apparently acquired them) was the Castle Pullman train set and it's at least $500.00US. Granted you get everything (track, controller, loco, and two coaches) but a crazy amount of money for just a starter set.

[@JohnAnthonyMcKenna]

I had "N" gauge about 40 years ago. they're good little trains but back then the system was newish hellishly expensive to buy now I have "00" gauge. Tony from Liverpool. UK.

[@richardtarr2745]

Well done Simon, a very clear video with a lot of useful information for beginners.

[@SimonsShed]

Richard Tarr Thanks Richard, guess what..I've been insulating the shed today! only done about 1/3rd so far though, seems to be a really time consuming job.

[@richardtarr2745]

Simons Shed Well, credit where it's due. I look forward to your finishing the shed insulation before long - maybe then you will get going on building your next n gauge project lol

[@1TexasAllyn]

Great presentation Simon. I've started with a small set from Bachmann and have been collecting various pieces when budget allows. Thanks for your many film clips. Allyn

[@999skipper]

Nice introduction, Simon. Looking forward to the series. I am about to start a layout in N and I am now in the process of major reorganisation of my garage to accommodate a 6x3 layout. I think your advice to buy a train set is sound as within minutes of unpacking the box you can have a train running and visualisation of the proposed layout becomes easier. The cheaper way of getting started by buying second hand is problematical. Jimmie.

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks, yes the train set is the way to go, I did feel like a kid at Xmas opening mine! Good luck with the layout.

[@pim1234]

Few years ago I had a 1964 Morris Minor, great cars !

[@WesternCenturion]

Great to see you back Simon, and with the perfect introduction to the delightful world of n gauge, got me thinking about my loft space now... Mark

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks Mark, you may as well make use of that space in the loft, be a shame to waste it :-)

[@WesternCenturion]

You're dead right there Simon, the loft will be another project of mine for the n gauge layout after I've done the garage oo scale, something to keep me busy when I retire ..... yippee.... :)

[@jahvyn]

Great stuff. Thank you. I know this comment is many years after your video posted but it's still relevant! It seems there aren't many/any GF train sets at the moment. Does anyone know what's going on with N gauge train sets at the moment? There seems to be a real lack of them on the market!

[@stestewart1119]

Hmmmmm watched your videos and I honestly didn't realise yours was N I've just started modelling again and I've stuck with OO ......and now I'm aware of the different scales/gauges it's hard to choose....might look into N now tho 👌

[@tonycox7114]

Nice, friendly jargon-free intro for us novices Simon. I'm designing my Mablethorpe Loop at the moment. It'll take a while to incorporate the three stations I've chosen into my 5'x3' space, so I hope your beginners' wiring clip catches up with me. Already trying to get my head around running DC with a double loop and sectioning the various yards and sidings to represent freight working and up and down passenger lines!

[@SimonsShed]

Tony Cox Thanks Tony, good luck with your layout. I'm more at home with DCC wiring but will try to do a bit comparing DC and DCC wiring in a future video perhaps.

[@aplinewalker]

Well done Simon,,, very well thought out and presented video,,, size and scale well demonstrated ,,, some lovely stills and very nice shots of Bodenham Woods ,,,, and basic options laid out clearly,,, im sure a lot of viewers will appreciate ,,, something like this ,,,, again well done,,, and I look forward to watching these videos,,,, even though you first build got me started,,,,, many thanks,,,,,, Alan

[@SimonsShed]

***** Thanks Alan, thought it would be good to go 'back to basics' and hopefully get some new folks interested. Got some building foam by the way, finding it much quicker than my original method, especially for the roof, its really good stuff.

[@aplinewalker]

Simons Shed Hi there Simon ,,,, again well done on the first video ,,,, lots in there that I honestly would not have thought of ,,, Great to hear the buiding foam is working for you,,, once you get used to working with it im sure you will see its so strong for its weight that you don't need a lot to hold it in place even if you do have a bit of a cock up, And you will find its got lots of other uses on the layout as well,,, if you feel its useful include it in one of your videos,,, again my video was from my point of view having worked with it,,,, (You dont need to mention me) do it from how you found it and how you got on with it as a complete beginner,,,, thats what I liked about your first videos,,,,, I knew nothing about wiring and track etc,,, and neither did you,,, and so there was no right and wrong,,, I don't know if you saw the clips of my wood carvings,,,, but when I was demonstrating at the woodworking shows ideal homes etc ,,, I had some good stuff on display ,,,, but I would be carving some Mushrooms,,,, something really simple,,, and it took away all the intimidation so on lookers thought,,,, flippig heck I could do that,,,, I even said don't buy a load of expensive chisels get a couple of cheap wrasps or surform ,,,, and can do what im doing,,, then as you get a feel for it ,,,, then you can experiment with other tools ,,,,and 9 times out of ten they bought tools by mail order after the show,,, it was a matter of taking away their self doubt.... and making it so simple they could not fail then they trust you, you basically did the same by saying get a boxed train set,,,, Now perhaps you can see what I was getting at when I said have a fiddle yard on the scenic section of your base board ,,,,, then you can have a sheet of building foam going over the sidings with the scenery on,,, ok its not a perfect solution but if you could come up with something like that it would be a real bonus ,,, (I am still going to see if that whole fiber glass section of hillside will hinge up to give me access to my fiddle yard,,,, Cheers Simon ,,, best regards,,,, alan

[@Tobystoysneca]

Just subbed ! New to n gauge..just wondered if can have smaller turning circle as seen some ppl showing n gauge layouts around 30cm x 40cm supposed 6 x 2 feet? Any advise be appreciated 😊

[@melvyncox3361]

Very helpful Simon!After many years,l shall buy a train set,even though l have some locks and rolling stock.Easiest way to get up to date!😎👍

[@22megaton29]

I started with a cheap Bachman train set. I went to a train show this year and got a track set and ordered a controller to go with it. Now I want to make a full on train table in the garage

[@davidcutts2650]

Hi Simon. Great video. I am just starting out down the N gauge track with a Cornish Express.. looking forward to following your series further.👍

[@pontyperv]

I really enjoyed your other videos simon so I was very pleased to see you doing this new line. Ive read loads and even got as far as building my baseboard and backscene so really looking forward to them. You do explain things very well. Colin Pamplin

[@SimonsShed]

Colin Pamplin Thanks Colin, sounds like your layout is coming along nicely!

[@paulbolton1071]

Hello simon . As a complete beginner this is exactly what ive been looking for. i know quite alot of people do go for oo gaugue layouts but i much prefer the n gaugue and as you have explained we dont need to have a large layout and can do so much more in a lot smaller space ? As i was someone who was brought up when steam locomotives were the norm i would like my layout to be british rail steam so my first thing now is to watch all your videos and take notes and then order the latest graham farish catalogue . i have liked and subscribed regards Paul

[@stephenpurchase4482]

Thanks Simon for yet another interesting and informative video. I have decided to go with N Gauge mainly due to the space I have available...approx. 9ft x 5ft. Even so I should be able to build an interesting layout based on the advice from both yourself and Everard Junction; who sadly uses OO gauge (boo hiss) :) I have seen most of your videos by now and feel I have to make a positive comment and again to say "Thank you." Finally, keep up the good work

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks for the kind works. Yes you can do a lot with that space in n gauge, good luck with your layout!

[@Oorail]

Great video Simon, this is a brilliant intro to N Gauge. I've shared the link on our twitter page for you. Keep up the good work!

[@SimonsShed]

Cool, thanks for the mention!

[@Oorail]

Simons Shed You're welcome. Its a very good video, looking forward to watching the next parts! Keep up the good work!

[@foxcell]

Good video Simon a train set would be a good way to start :-D

[@mychemicalbromance97]

Don't know if you've heard of them but Kato are a Japanese company that does mostly N guage, Most of the models I've seen are american, honestly the best I've found so far, I saw that they released a Class 77. I really look forward to seeing more and more modern cars and scenery since my layout is modern passenger mostly

[@SimonsShed]

iamnotgeoff Yes, have heard good things about the quality of Kato products, but don't own any yet. Will have to have a look at their current locos. Was thinking of getting a loop of Kato track so I can play trains in the house!

[@mychemicalbromance97]

I would completely recommend it I replaced a lot of my normal set track with it and it holds together much better and has put the old set track off to the side. Also the switches are fantastic and come with a motor mounted onto the bottom of the switch completely hidden below the road bed come wired up ready to connect to an external switch its rather nice, especially when it comes to double crossover track piece that is wired up and motorised and ready to snap in

[@DudleyCentral]

Great video Simon! I look forward to your upcoming videos!

[@rich3316]

Great video thanks for the information 👍

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@chrisbayliss321]

Good afternoon, I am after some thoughts/advice. When I was a youngster I had an OO gauge set which has long since gone. Recently, some form of madness has taken over my usual sane demeanour such that I would quite like to start building a model again. My question is: TT120 or N gauge? What are your honest thoughts.? Many thanks!

[@steamdieselrailwayvideosfi4296]

A great video Simon but one problem i have is trying to buy spare parts for N gauge locomotives ? where can you obtain such spare parts like gear wheels as these nylon made products just don`t seem to last i myself have about £600 pounds worth of locomotives doing nothing that require this small part ,,,,,, can you help please

[@brianpearson8782]

Hi Simon. I lost my trains in the Australian bush fires 2019/2020. Not insured as I had them off site being stored for a month. Bugger! I cried. So now on my disability pension I am planning to start again. But this time N scale. Last one was OO. So buy a set first you said. I want several 1940/50/60s locos British heritage types and mainly passenger rolling stock. Garish is good quality and reliable?

[@howarth004]

good video to introduce would be modellers to the hobby in N gauge Simon ..well produced ..Dave

[@IanMaude]

Indeed, I am still looking forward to part 2 :). I adjust starting to think about my railway which won't start until next year. I am currently enjoying building some Metcalfe and Scalescenes kits and learning loads from KZbin. Oe question I have is about running in a DCC compatible loco. Does it have to be done using DC and is it safe todo so if a decoder is installed etc. Part 2 please :)

[@SteamintheNorthWest]

A brilliant intro to N. One idea would be where to get all the scenic stuff from as my layout is currently very bland and I can't seem to find where to get minor stuff like signals, benches, lamp posts etc.

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks, good idea, about the scenic stuff, will try to include it in a future video.

[@danielbothamley5843]

If I was to buy the country coal one for instance would j be able to run much older trains on the track ??

[@olliedefigable]

Surely the N gauge locos are far more expensive,bet the track is too...Although I do understand the scale down to compactness...?

[@AymanTravelTransport]

Depends on what you buy; in general, some locos can be bought cheaper (especially on the used market) for OO gauge compared to N gauge, but I've seen a lot of N gauge locos (especially the modern locos / coaches / multiple units) cheaper than their OO gauge counterparts. For example, the Northern Class 150 is £250 in OO gauge and £185 in N gauge. Also, the Class 800 will set you back at least £400 in OO gauge but only £175 in N gauge (both 5 car sets). As for loco hauled sets, sure it may be easier to find good locos (especially diesel) under £100 in OO gauge, but the coaches are generally more expensive than N gauge; a typical Mark 3 carriage would be £30-50 in OO gauge (average around £35), but only £20-30 in N gauge (average around £22).

[@jesusmarrerohernandez2832]

Hi Simon, I’m starting an N set and I wonder if I can use an old Arnold N set of loco and wagons carriages with the Unitrack N by Kato...

[@FarlandHowe]

Goods idea. I am not "N" nor a beginner, it will be fun anyway.

[@christophpenny4291]

If you only had space for a board that was 130cm by 80cm and was using N gauge, is this enough space for a basic oval track please or maybe with points and other track please?

[@MrMal1956]

Sorry but not N gauge related but is the background music Django Rienhardt and Stephane Grapelli ?.....M

[@SimonsShed]

+MrMal1956 It's something I found on the youtube audio library kzbin.infomusic I think its the one called Gypsy Dance.

[@rmrgruncorn8330]

Hi Simon I am convinced about N gauge after seeing your vids.. Just wondering ? Its quite a big list you have regards video footage ! .. do have a website or some way of indexing your list .... trying to find it in the right order and not sure if where things cross over ... All are brilliant very interesting.. Runcorn model railways.. no known project as yet facebook that is.. I do websites and multi media if I can be of assistance shout !!...

[@astrosathya1984]

Thank you for making this video Simon. I am an absolute beginner and love model trains. I am an armchair modeller for now, but I would love to know what the minimum radius you'd recommend for an N Guage coach of say Era3 so that it doesn't look odd when going on the curves (shouldn't overhang). TIA.

[@SimonsShed]

Thanks for watching, tricky one as my coaches are mainly era 4 or later. I'd say 12" radius is gentle enough for anything to go round but 15" minimum will look more realistic 👍

[@astrosathya1984]

@@SimonsShed Thanks for the reply Simon. After having binged on your channel, hatton's channel, and God knows how many more, I am narrowing my choice to N Scale, Era 3 & 4, imaginary layout with 2 loops, a fiddle yard, a station and other stuff. :) I suppose i could use 18" and 22" curves if I do it all on a 2x4 or 2x5 feet plywood?

[@barryscontinentalrailways417]

great very helpful Simon

[@rossmorrow3013]

Hello Simon, I noticed that you were using the Hornby DCC controller, can you do that with one manufacturer off trains and another of controllers?

[@SimonsShed]

Yes a Hornby controller will work with other manufacturers trains 👍

[@reakingringpiece]

simon do you have problems with slow running? or unstable running? alot do in n gauge.. and if you dont how do you avoid this? thanks

[@Admiralhall2000]

Do you know if anyone makes N gauge military WW2 German trains?

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Ty Simon

[@CSXEMDTrainLover]

Awesome train video

[@joshuaharrison699]

I have modelled n gauge for some time now but keep having problems with the big steam engines and there traction tires falling off any tips

[@phillipg1588]

Wow after all these years I found out how N scale got its name 👍

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

@@phillipg1588 yeah it seemed odd that its smaller than o even though it comes earlier in the alphabet

[@joshuaharrison699]

This may sound dumb but how do you create the hills on your layouts

[@hlp142]

Very Helpful

[@tomalog1]

Simon, when are you starting your next layout and their videos? Great video btw

[@SimonsShed]

I have insulated more of the shed, (needs finishing before I can start the new layout) but it's still only 1/3rd done, it's taking forever. Hopefully will be able to start in a few weeks.

[@iandouglas451]

i know this is 8 yrs old but i have only recently viewed it. for some reason i find farish wagons troublesome, uncoupling mostly. In contrast the peco wagons i have behave so much better. Other videos indicate that dapol have a quality control issue. Since I'm consequently put off Farish and Dapol I'm not sure where to turn to for locos. I have an inappropriately outlined tomix which runs brilliantly. where to go from here i don't know.

[@evileyeball]

But N-Gage doesn't have the Steam Locos I want. Sure It has a lot of British Steam but I want H1e 4-6-4 Royal Hudson CP 2860 in BC Excursion Livery, H1d 4-6-4 Royal Hudson CP 2850 In Royal Train Livery , H1d 4-6-4 Royal Hudson CP 2858 in CP Tuscan Red, H1c 4-6-4 Royal Hudson CP 2839 IN CP Tuscan Red, H1b 4-6-4 Hudson CP 2816 "Empress" in CP Tuscan Red, T1c 2-10-4 Selkirk CP 5931, in CP Tuscan Red, T1c 2-10-4 Selkirk CP 5935 in CP Tuscan Red, and U-f-1 4 -8-2 CN 6060 in her Expo 86 Livery. I can't find N gage CANADIAN STEAM so even though N gauge would be the perfect size for me if I built a layout It has ZERO trains I would want to run. And I would want a prototypical consist of Tuscan Red and Royal Train Passenger cars and some Canadian Freight cars as well. There are CP Diesels I could get but why would I want that

[@ILikeTransport]

do you use a Hornby select? fabulous video!

[@SimonsShed]

Yes, I mostly use my Roco z21 but I still have my Hornby Select 👍

[@snipergamingtf2167]

Where is the LINK for the Bachmann N scale Trains

[@billvassar7473]

how can i get a grame farrish catoluge as i live in the states u.s.a..

[@urfat2872]

2:27, what is that software you were using?

[@TheClayRailways]

what did u use to make your track plan?

[@SimonsShed]

It was Rail Modeller classic for the Mac...not sure if its still available though.

[@actjacs61]

great video i am also wanting to do train layout in the n scale because of space have a design in mind but not on paperwork would like to find a free web site for downloading ideas and track layouts we will be watching for more information

[@SimonsShed]

actjacs61 Thanks. The SCARM website has some free trackplans that may be worth a look. Just Google "SCARM n gauge track plans".

[@actjacs61]

thank you ill check it out

[@ifukill7538]

Where's the best place to sell my dads n guage?

[@cosmicshadow8466]

where did you get the n gauge tornado?

[@SimonsShed]

From Hattons I think. It's a graham farish model.

[@danieludellybum5163]

Hi Simon when is there a part 2?

[@SimonsShed]

+Daniel Udellybum Good question, been meaning to do it for ages but I really want a train set so I can demonstrate setting it up in part 2, but I'm spending my railway budget on track for the new layout at the moment!

[@graemecollin]

Nice intro - thank you. Would you happen to know if the DCC-onboard trains (esp those in the starter sets) are socketed (ie, easily reversible for those who prefer to go DC rather than DCC - a tiny layout that doesn't really warrant the cost and complexity of DCC, perhaps), or soldered chips? How would you go about testing/running-in DCC-onboard trains if they require running on a DC layout? Many thanks,

[@SimonsShed]

***** Thanks Graeme, I believe all of the N-gauge "on board DCC" trains from Gramah Farish and Dapol are socketed. I guess its cheaper / more efficient for them to have 1 type of circuit board with a socket, rather than 1 socket and 1 DDC soldered in. In fact you may not even need to remove the chip to run it on DC as most of the recent DCC chips have an 'analog mode' allowing it to run on a DC layout with the chip still in the loco.

[@graemecollin]

Simons Shed Thanks for the response/info, Simon.

[@joelweidenfeld471]

So is o gauge one inch

[@alandavis5950]

Either turn the catalogue page, or don't. Please don't just waggle it about in front of the camera!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

How much incline can N scale do?

[@SimonsShed]

Depends on the loco but I've not had any problems with my 1 in 50 gradient 👍

[@joewoodchuck3824]

@@SimonsShed Thanks.

[@austinmilich648]

Why would I chose ho/oo over n scale the British n gauge trains are bloody expensive in Australia A n scale pannier tank cost $340 where a oo Bachmann pannier is $290 I do have both gauges though and I have to say other than the price n gauge is good

[@manda60]

That's odd... I'm an American prototype modeler, and at least for us, N is decidedly cheaper than HO/OO. I wonder why that is?

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

In the big bang theory Sheldon showed how he could fit an n gauge loco in his mouth

[@odalesaylor]

What do you use for the video editing?

[@haawkler3241]

its N - Scale not N - Gauge

[@_chp_]

its how the brittish say it, N scale is the american version.

[@briancaldwell7305]

N stands for the track width: gauge is correct. The scale is 1/160.

[@LawrenceTimme]

9mm like a glock pistol 😎🔫🔫🔫

[@SDEMEDIA400]

sdetv

[@davidwillard7334]

WHEN ! YOU ! ARE !! ROBBED !. OF ! SPACE !! THIS ! GAUGE !! BECOMES !. SECOND !! BEST !!! Ohhhh ! And Nice ! STORY !! BOOK !! TEACHER !! BLAB !! TOO !! HERE !!

[@SimonsShed]

n gauge is number 1

[@josemachorro4716]

Your trailer is ho ... i rhink