Track lenght

[D Cody]

If you are running N-scale and have 100 feet of track laid down how many miles of real track would that be? Just something I always get asked when kids come over for a visit to the train room.

Dean

 

[Iron Horseman]

If you are running N-scale and have 100 feet of track laid down how many miles of real track would that be? Just something I always get asked when kids come over for a visit to the train room.

If the kids are in 6th grade or higher they should know how to divide, know their measures, and have dealt with ratios, so teach them how to figure it out for themselves. Tell them N-scale's ratio to real life is 1:160. They should know a real mile is 5280 feet. So 5280'/160 = 33' Thirty-three real feet is equal to 1 scale mile. so 100'/33' = 3.03 scale miles.

Sometimes it is easier to explain it to them in the opposite direction. If one considers a real object, it would take 160 N-scale objects to be the same length "real" length. Or 1 real box car is same length as 160 N-scale box cars.

Model Railroading is one of the most educational hobbies available, we just have to use it as a tool.

 

[Selector]

One inch in N = 160 inches in the real world. So, how many inches are there in a mile? 12 inches X 5280 feet, or 63360 inches in a mile of 5280 feet. Taking those inches down to 160th to make it N scale, we simply divide 5280 feet, but using the inches, by 160, and the result is 396". Your 100' come to 1200". How many 396" miles in N scale are there in the 1200" of tracks you have? Simple division tells you that you have just over 3.03 miles of track. That is, 1200/396 = 3.030303...

It's a slightly different approach, same result.

 

[tootnkumin]

Can I have THAT in metric ?

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You want fries with that?

 

[FCL2117]

Can I have THAT in metric ?

Sure, in the metric system, N scale is 1:160, whereas in the US system of units, it's 1:160.

It's a bit confusing, and being in Canada, I use both systems of units, so I'm glad to be of help...

 

[D Cody]

Thanks everyone, I kinda thought that was what it was but it has been a long,long,long time since I figured something like that out.
Just wanted to make sure. Most of the kids that come out are not that old, they just tag along with their grandpa.
I figure that is the excuse the grandpa uses to come out and get away from grandma!

 

[Cjcrescent]

Thanks everyone...
I figure that is the excuse the grandpa uses to come out and get away from grandma!

I use it sometimes myself! After 39 years with an Irish redhead, I know when to disappear!

 

[tootnkumin]

Oh dear, what a pack of wimps we model railroaders are, where's all the testosterone gone?

 

[PaulB]

Oh dear, what a pack of wimps we model railroaders are, where's all the testosterone gone?

Hell hath no fury like a women who has just spotted her husband sneaking in the door with a new model loco under his arm!

 

[Selector]

True story:

Wife corners husband and informs him that the household finances are iffy these months, and that they need to cut back. He'll have to quite buying beer.

He ponders a minute, and then asks here why he has to do all the adjusting while she doesn't cut back on her beauty and spa treatments that cost hundreds each month.

She replies with a satisfied smile that she goes to the beauty salon and spas to be pretty for him.

He replies, 'That's what the beer was for."

Funeral will be at 1400 hours on Saturday.