Nn3
I have been modeling in Nn3 since the mid 70's and the diagram to the
left is is the original track standard that I used for hand laid code 55
rail. I modified it in January 2001 to reflect new ideas from the Nn3 group
at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nn3. The NMRA has a set of standards for
Nn3 but they are not reflected in any commercially available products,
but some members of our group use them for their hand laid track. I have
modified it a bit further since them for myself as I found for dual gauge
switches I needed to go to Code 40 rail and so most of the drawing has been
modified to suit code 40 rail.
There has been a very large increase in the interest of Nn3 and other
narrow gauge standards in N-Scale and related scales in the late 1990's
largely in part to the popularity of the internet which allows widely separated
people to get together and discuss their scale. They range from members
of the UK based 2MM Association to other N-Scale groups in North America,
Europe, Australia , New Zealand, and Japan. Most if not all have
based their standards on using Z-Scale track commonly referred to as 6.5mm
and mechanisms from Marklin of Germany and Micro Trains of the USA to model
N-Scale narrow gauge. N-Scale in North America is 1:160 and so the closest
match at this scale to 6.67mm is 3ft 6in narrow gauge. It is one
of the several narrow gauge track widths used in North America, but not
the most popular.
In recent years Kadee and now Micro Trains produce North American profile
standard gauge track for Z-scale which is what most of us use for Nn3 track. The track produced by Micro Trains starting in 1999 is gauged for
correct scale of 3 ft 6 in in N-scale Narrow Gauge not 3 feet. While a little
wider than Peco in gauge it is essentially the same as Marklin Z-Scale track and
most things in Nn3 will run on all three track types without a problem.
The first commercially available rolling stock for Nn3 was first produced
by Nelson Grey in upstate New York. When poor health made it mandatory for
him to quit manufacturing in his basement, the moulds were purchased by
Kadee and continues today under Micro Trains after Keith and Dale Edwards
split the company we knew as Kadee into two separate companies. Micro Trains has produced one engine
a 2-6-0 based on an investment brass casting installed on a Marklin 2-6-0
chassis. They also produce a Z-Scale F9 A & B units and various freight
cars from the moulds originally produced by Nelson Grey.
Besides Nelson Grey, Robert Sloan is the other grandfather of Nn3, he
produced the earliest conversion kits for steam engines using Marklin chassis
and was the author of the two very valuable resource books on Nn3. They
are currently published by Ntrak and are kept up to date by Ntrak. The
first book is Nn3 Manual and was published in 5 editions. The second book was
the Narrow Gauge Data Book. These are both available from Ntrak.
http://www.ntrak.org
The current source of all things Nn3 is Republic Locomotive Works. A labour
of love for Marshall Thompson. He produced a variety of kits for various cars,
structures, Bridges, turntables, engines, and the like. The web site was created
and is maintained by Bruce Hunt.
Bruce Hunt was instrumental in the development of the Nn3 turntable which is
fully indexed. Tom Knapp has produced a new Nn3 3 truck shay that is being sold
through Republic Locomotive Works exclusively.
In 2008 Akia (a.k.a. RealZJ and Plus UP) produced a very nice 10vdc
transistorized power pack and roadbed track system which parallels the Micro
Trains Road Bed Track system. The only thing the Japanese system does not have
yet are switches. The attraction for Nn3 is that the tie spacing on this track
is almost identical to Kato Unitrack and as such is correct for narrow gauge
track in N-scale. I also found with some paint you can make the Micro trains
Switches match the Akia track work by painting out every other tie on the MTL
switch and then painting over the tie that is left with a broader brush stroke.
Republic Locomotive Works
16 Little Cape Horn
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Tel (360) 577-6479
e-mail
Web Site
http://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/
In early 2009 only Aspen is still producing r.t.r brass models as well as kits
for these engines. Micro trains made a 2-6-0 in Z and Nn3 and has not repeated
that offering. LOK14 was quite prominent for a number of years but since
late 2005 has not produced anything new. Their 2-8-2 K27s were highly prized as
smooth runners.
In 2010 Rokuhan entered the Z scale market with a new roadbed track system
for 6.5mm track. Biggest feature is their switches have the switch machine
hidden in the roadbed under the track. It also uses current limiting technology
to hold the points in position. In Japan these switches are sold as power
routing with frog power switches to suit which route is being used. They are
considering a North American Distributor and in redesigning their switch to be
power everywhere like the Micro Track design. However at the Houston Big Train
Event in Mid October 2010 a Director of Rokuhan was present and in talks with
the Z crowd there they expressed an interest in the power routing version of the
switch so not sure which version will come to North America in 2011. This track
system goes on sale in Japan at end of November 2010. It features curves in 25mm
increments from a radius of 95mm to radius of 220mm in 45 degree increments and
245mm and 270mm radii in 30 degree increments, with
straights of 55mm, 110mm and 220mm. It also includes a bumper track. The
switches are the same geometrey as Micro Trains roadbed switches. There is also
R490 curve in 13 degree increment for matching the switch to parallel main line
tracks
