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Welcome to the web home of 7/8n2 Railway Equipment Co.
Browse our pages for unique model railway products, tips and information, photo albums and useful links.
7/8″ railways are 1:13.7 in proportion, two foot gauge model railways running on gauge 1 (45mm, or 1-3/4″) track.
7/8″ scale is great for scratch builders, live steam enthusiasts, garden railways, and anyone who loves really, really BIG model trains. 7/8 inch scale -because size matters!
Proportions and standards: The proportion for 7/8-inch scale is 1:13.7. This is 50% larger than 1:20.3 scale which represents 36-inch gauge railways, but both use the same 45mm gauge track. Although some parts and equipment from the other large scale sizes may be adapted to 7/8-inch scale, most modelers will find that using the correctly sized 7/8-inch scale wheels and components will enhance the appearance of the finished model railway.
Take your pick….7/8n2 or 7/8n18. 7/8-inch scale may be used with either 1.75″ (45mm) gauge ,standard “garden railway” track size or 1.25″ (32mm) O-gauge track size. The 1.75″ gauge represents 24 inch (60 cm) gauge prototypes such as the Maine two foot railroads, Welsh quarry lines (Ffestiniog, Penhryn, etc), and countless other industrial railways. O-gauge track represents 18 inch gauge prototypes such as small industrial, clay pit, construction and estate railways.
Track, rail and wheels: These are the basic elements of a model railway. For most 7/8-inch scale railroads, the code 332 rail is too large and the standard types of sectional track have ties which are too short and spaced too close together. For improved track appearance, try building your own track using larger wooden ties and code 250 rail. A 6″ square x 5-foot long railroad tie in 7/8-inch scale is about 1/2″ square x 4-1/2″ long, and may be spaced up to 2″ on centers. Some modelers use smaller rail sizes such as code 215 or 197. The important point to remember is that 24″ and 18″ gauge railways are “light” railways and do not need to look like the typical modern mainline of the Santa Fe or N&W. Special correctly sized wheels are available to fit all types of 7/8 inch scale equipment. They feature a wider tread and scale sized flanges.
Ready to run trains and engines: 7/8 inch scale equipment is not currently manufactured by any of the major large scale model train manufacturers (LGB, Bachmann, etc.) Kits and trucks are available through 7/8″ Railways.com, and several other small suppliers. There are a few builders offering limited quantities of live steam locomotives in this scale. We will be placing directions to other 7/8″ scale suppliers in our links section.
We’re here to help! Contact us for assistance with any 7/8-inch scale project. We can help in sourcing parts, components or complete custom built cars and locomotives. Contact us if you are building a 7/8-inch scale engine – we may have the parts you are looking for, or can help you find them.
