North shell utilizes Nine millimeter gauge track ("N gauge'), and a scale of 1:160 for most of the world. In the United Kingdom where a scale of 1:148 is used because of problems early on in fitting mechanisms into smaller British trains. In Japan 1:150 is used for most trains and trams, to proportion the trains correctly for Japan's 3'6" track gauge, when 1:160 is utilized for standard gauge Shinkansen (Bullet Train) models.

Although trains & accessories of similar gauge and/or shell existed when early when 1927, modern N shell appeared within 1962. Unlike more scales & gauges, which were de facto standards at a best, iNorth 2 years N shell defined a gauge, voltage, & polarity of track, likewise when the height & nature and severity of coupling. Electrically North shell utilizes a equivalent voltage & power levels when HO scale, that is 12v dc for train control and 16v ac for accessories like point motors. the standard coupling is referred to as a 'Rapido' coupling & supports automatic coupling & uncoupling. U.s. modeler come progressively applying the different coupling technique by Microtrains which also permits delayed uncoupling.

North shell is 2nd just to HO shell in popularity as a modelling scale worldwide. Inside JapaNorth within which space in homes is other limited N shell is the virtually all popular shell & HO shell is considered big. The average little North shell model railway occupies astir Ii' x Tierce' sustaining the layout capable of treating big naturalistic train lengths occupying astir Six' x Deuce'.

North gauge track & components come as well utilized sustaining big scales, particularly HOe and 009 scale for modelling narrow gauge railways.

2 mm scale

The fair total of modeler in the United Kingdom utilise 2 mm scale, an older standard than N shell. Deuce millimeter shell, when a title implies, is scaled at Deuce millimeter to the foot (Ace.152) using the Ennead.42 millimetre track gauge. Accurate shell track & wheels come utilized like thaNorth a somewhat harsh N gauge standards.

OOO models

Around 1961 Lone Star introduced some of a super number one (1:160) North shell system branded when Treble-O (OOO) into the United Kingdom. A original system were click along however electrified system followed shortly later on. These utilized the different coupling according to the shrunken OO scale coupling. A OOO couplings & specifications keep close at hand lang syne beeNorth replaced by N shell.