Duncan.

I am a life long modeller. Apart from childhood OO Hornby  trainset I have always modelled in N, both continental and UK. I have been a member of the N Gauge Society for about 30 years. I held various posts including Trade Liaison Officer and Journal Manager/Editor.

So why N? I like modelling, well what used to be the modern railway, 1970 to 2000. The only way to do this authentically in a reasonable space is with N scale if you are modelling a main line.

I have strong views on how to go about  modelling in N scale. I have never believed that you can take a plan designed for OO/HO and reduce it down to N- your hands remain the same size! To fully realise the modelling possibilities of N I believe you need to take a fresh approach.

I believe that a flat baseboard in any scale is will make a flawed model with few exceptions.  The real world is seldom flat and I don't believe the railway is ever exactly on the same level as the surrounding land. I think the surrounding land will nearly always be a few feet above or below track level. I guess the flatest area of the UK are the Fens, but even here the smaller waterways or drains are below the level of the land, these being drained by pumping into the large rivers that are held in earth banks above the general level of the land and the railways are often at or above that level... I'm sure you get my point.

I don't really like any model that just takes a number of items straight from the box and places them on a baseboard, I am impressed when the modeller makes from scratch or modifies an item, be it a piece of rolling stock, building, bridge or tunnel. I think it is essential to follow prototype practice when designing your imagined layout, avoidance of facing pointwork for example.

Time to depart my soapbox now, I hope you have not got too upset. At the end of the day please enjoy your modelling whatever you do.

Cheers