Resizing track plans from a larger scale to a smaller scale

[jimmp55]

Right now the aisle isn't a problem. I currently have the hollow core doors in a u shape in a cubby hole in the basement. Each door measures 80 x 30.

[DSchmitt]

Actually going from HO to N, most people just use 50% and call that close enough.  Generally works well for island type (table) layouts.   However when shrinking a layout, one must also consider access.  If ther are interior aisles, access opening, or operating pits, they will usually end up too small to be useful. In some cases they can be eliminated, but if needed major revision (distoration)  of the plan will be requires.

Better is to shrink the layout 67% to 75% range, but even then the aisles, etc may be to small.

Best build the N scale in the HO scale space.. Perhaps adding additional yard tracks, sidings and spurs to the plan.

[Steven S]

HO scale is 1/87th, and N is 1/160th scale.  So divide 87 by 160 and you get 0.54.  Which means N scale is 54% of the size of HO.

 

Steve S

 

 

[Anonymous]

The factor for scaling down from HO scale to N scale is .54375 or, as a rule of thumb, divide by 2 and add 10%. Remember that you have to apply this factor for each dimension! A 4 by 8 HO scale layout has a footprint of 32 sq.ft, the scaled down N version 9.46 sq.ft.

Not all track plans can simply be scaled down - you have to observe a minimum width for aisles. 

[jimmp55]

I remember a few years ago whenever a track plan was published in the magazine you would publish a chart that would tell what percentage you would need to reduce a larger plan to a smaller one (ex. ho to n). I miss those numbers and I am hoping someone could tell me how to do it.