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"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Wanted to incorporate an N gauge circle amusement ride on carnival part of layout, running next to O gauge trolley cars, and wondered two things:

1 Is N too small for O scale people to ride in?  Too much forced perspective next to O gauge equipment?

2 If N is viable, anyone using Bachmann E-Z Track N track? Considering it  for its rigid snap together and built in ballast. Good or bad results?

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I have had the same thoughts.  Scale wise, N is 1:160 so very roughly about a 1/3 the size of O.  That works well for amusement park style rides.  My biggest concern is how people sitting in gondolas will balance as they will have a high center of gravity.  For power I have an older Bachmann "N" 1870's style American Standard 4-4-0.  The motor is in the tender and connects to the drivers via a coupling.  Very similar to the Tyco and Mantua Generals in HO scale of years past.  Not great runners, but I suspect I'll run mine at constant speed. 

I don't have experience with Bachmann E-Z track but have lots of Atlas snap track and flex track from my N modeling days.  However, Bachmann has been in the N scale world for over 40 years.  Kato makes a similar track system that has been very well received.  They make wonderful product these days. 

Good luck!

Last edited by GG1 4877

I have the old Atlas track (Also from old N scale days.), the Kato track, and Bachmann E-Z track.  The E-Z track basically Atlas track snapped into a plastic roadbed.  Atlas on cork should match right up to it.  It is cheap, and I have a loop of it just for simple running.  It is not rigid, and it does feel rather flimsy.  I bought my son one of the Kata track sets that comes with a transformer, and am sold on it for all future N scale track needs.  If you are just wanting something simple for a simple loop, the E-Z track will work.  But if you want something that looks great and works great, go with the Kato, which would be my choice on a permanent layout.

Last edited by sinclair

I googled both Bachmann and Kato snap together systems.  When I googled for both Bachmann and Kato pictures it showed side by side images of track and its ballast.  It also showed Fleishmann and Tomix systems, however their rails appeared smaller so I was afraid my cheapy engine flanges would be riding the ties than rails.  Asked wife, Kato or Bachmann? and she liked Kato and thought Bachmann looked too big and clunky.

I mocked up an N gauge coal car with some seated O gauge figures and set it on a rail section in carnival area with an O gauge car behind it, and everything looked believable "good e'nuff".

Next step was to create paper cutouts of Kato's 11" radius 180* curves (next size up would not fit space without O gauge "surgery") and fit it into given space to determine straight pieces needed.  If I used the Kato expander straight pieces I can maximize the N layout to fit.

So thanks for advice.

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800-980-OGRR (6477)
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