N Scale Pike

A site for my N scale model railroad interests

See the Build Blog page for the latest updates.

This site will document the development and construction of my 5th N Scale layout over the past 35+ years. I have a history of building a layout up to the point of getting trains running and then other priorities cause the layout to fall into disuse and eventually be dismantled. This time, there is a dedicated space for the railroad which is a workshop built on my property in beautiful Oregon. It is climate controlled and suited to year-round operations. Details of this process will be posted on the build blog.

Model railroading is one of those multi-faceted hobbies that encompass many disciplines including historical research and historical fiction, electronic design and wiring, applying software to control real world devices, railroad operations, woodworking, model building, artistic design, etc. No matter your interests, there is probably something for everyone.

This site is primarily for my own use as a way of taking notes on the evolution of the layout and to document what I have learned while designing and building (if anything!). If you find it useful or enjoyable, so much the better. Please feel free to email me with comments, questions, and suggestions for improvement. My email address is at the bottom of the page. Thanks and happy railroading!

N SCALE — models built to a scale of 1:160. The letter "N" was chosen because N standard gauge track has the rails laid 9 mm apart and since the scale originated in Germany, the N signifies "nine" in German, English and several other languages. The gauge has since been changed to 8.97 mm or .353". One foot in N scale = 1.90 mm (.075").

PIKE — A model railroad. The term is meant to encompass the entire layout, not just the trackwork. It is derived from turnpike, as in "Look what's coming down the pike!" The term “pike” was in much more common usage in model railroading between the 1930’s and 1960’s than it is today, where the term “layout” has almost totally replaced it in the hobby press.

"I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin' bushwackin', hornswagglin' cracker-croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter!"
—Gabby Johnson