NEW to AUSSIE N?

We’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you navigate Australian N Scale with the help of experienced modellers.

Track Starter sets

We like starter packs! Although please keep in mind the two common PECO start packs in Australia have points / turnouts that are very tight for larger Australian locomotives and rolling stock.

It is advised that medium radius or large radius PECO points are used instead.

For a more fail safe option, we recommend Kato starter packs M2, V1 or V3.

Kato and PECO
Rail profiles

Track CODEs

The Code is the height of rail in thousandths of an inch.

PECO Code 80
Maximum compatibility with older locos and rolling stock; easy to use; recommended for beginners; compatible with PECO Setrack.

PECO Code 55
More realistic appearance; greater range of points and crossings; suits all layouts

Run your trains often

Track Cleaning

PECO Track Rubber
This popular rail cleaner effectively removes heavy tarnish and other oxidation products. It is recommended to vacuum up the powder left behind. It is best followed up with a product such as Inox MX3 or CRC 2-26, applied sparingly with a microfibre cloth (glasses cloth) or a piece of cork.

DC or DCC?

train Control

DC is the simplest and cheapest way to control your train.
A DC controller changes track power (voltage) to control speed and direction of locomotives – all locos on the layout will respond in identical fashion.

DCC sends digital commands individually to each locomotive fitted with a decoder – allowing independent control of speed, direction, sounds and lighting per loco.

DCC has advanced now to the point where you can control your train from your phone.

Consider a circuit breaker to stop a short circuit damaging your DCC chips.

Consider a circuit breaker to stop a short circuit damaging your DCC chips
Curves

Track design

One of the major advantages of N Scale is the ability to use larger radius curves on your layout, to provide greater realism. In addition, Australian rolling stock, especially modern era equipment, is more suited to the broader curves.

Kato sectional track is used for T-TRAK layouts. The curves in the animation are Kato track codes.

Blue = Good
Red = Bad

Locomotives

  • Auscision Models

  • Gopher Models

  • Aust-N-Rail

  • Lyndon’s Trains

Manufacturers making ready to run

Rollingstock

  • Auscision Models

  • Gopher Models

  • Aust-N-Rail

  • Buckambool Model Trains

Manufacturers making ready to run

Resin Kits & 3d printing

Small manufacturers making kits

There are many local people out there making speciality items the overseas manufacturers aren’t making in bulk.

When it comes to kits there are things to keep in mind. Is it a resin casting or 3D printed? Resin casting is stronger and easily worked, whilst 3D printing can be more brittle but provides superior detail.

  • Lyndon’s Trains

  • Gopher Models

  • Aust-N-Rail

  • Spirit Design

  • Frate N

3D printers have become very affordable, but before you race out to purchase one there are few things to consider.

  • Filament printers (strong but less detail)

  • Resin printers (fine high quality)

  • There is a limited number of 3D files online for you to download, especially of Australian items.

Accessories and details 

Small manufacturers and suppliers

  • Vision N Scale

  • West Edge 3D

  • The Scale Model Supply

  • Will James Railways - Model Trees

  • Spirit Design

Here are a few small businesses making or supplying top quality products to help make your layout great.

Baseboards

We recommend using plywood for your baseboard over other materials. Bunnings will cut your boards to size for you at most stores.

Stuck for ideas? The T-Trak standard is a great way to start. 

Timber Base
Foam (Extruded polystyrene)

We recommend using the blue or green foam from Bunnings.

This foam is great for carving terrain. A hot wire foam cutter is recommended.

Standard white foam from packaging is very messy and won’t cut cleanly.

Scenery material

Real dirt which has been sifted, washed and dried is very effective. It can be mixed with grout to get the desired colour. There are many YouTube videos which will help show this technique.

Pick something like Dulux Vogel as your base paint colour before applying your dirt layer.

Woodland Scenics do a range of products which can be found in most hobby shops. Keep in mind that our colours aren’t as rich and dark as other countries.

Ground Up Scenery do a fantastic range of Australian coloured static grass. 

Dirt and Grass