Arnold Rapido
Arnold Rapido

History Of N Scale Model Trains
N Scale Model trains were first introduced in the early 1960s. Most historians credit the K. Arnold & Company with the introduction of the first commercially available N Scale Models. During the 1940s and 1950s, several companies led the charge to develop a smaller train scale. It was during this period that K. Arnold & Company helped drive standardization through the introduction of its Rapido coupler. By allowing other manufacturers to use the Rapido design, Model Train enthusiasts were able to couple together Rolling Stock from different manufacturers.
N Scale Trains have a large following globally and are only second in popularity to HO scale trains. This popularity can be attributed to several reasons. First, in countries such as Japan, N scale is the most popular scale due to limited space in the homes. Second, other hobbyists actually do not select these trains due to spatial limitations. Instead, they prefer to work with this scale and build a more complex and visually appealing model display.
Recently, this type of model has even become more popular in Australia. One of the reasons contributing to the growing popularity in this country has been the availability of local prototypes. In the past, Australian modelers could only choose from American, British, and European prototypes; Australia had no local prototypes available for the N scale. The creation of local Australian prototypes is now a burgeoning niche market that has been fueling the demand for N scale models in Australia every year.
Another interesting trend is the use of N scale trains and accessories with larger such as HO. For instance, N Scale Train and structures may often be included in an HO or larger model Train Layout to create the illusion that objects are further away than they really are. The smaller objects will be strategically placed in the background to create this forced perspective, creating additional depth to the overall display.
One of the most notable N scale projects was built in 1978 by Gordon Odegard. Dubbed the Clinchfield, this layout measured 6 feet by 13 feet. This layout was especially noteworthy due to its modular design and its use of aluminum and Styrofoam to reduce the overall weight among other features. The Clinchfield layout has received numerous accolades and has been displayed at a number of model train shows.
Although the N scale is not the smallest, it certainly is one of the more popular scales. Since its initial commercial introduction, the N scale model train is one that has provided countless hours of entertainment. Given its worldwide adoption and popularity, there is no doubt this scale will continue to provide pleasure to future generations of hobbyists.
About the Author
Gabriel O. Delaney is a model train enthusiast. For more information on N scale model trains, check out http://www.ultimatemodeltraintips.com.
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Arnold Rapido 0 6 0 Steam Engine | ![]() |
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US $99.99 | 1h 1m |
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17 Assorted Freight and Passenger Car Shells and Underbodies N Scale | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $2.00 | 11h 25m |
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N SCALE 2 80 BOX CARS SP LK LK | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 11h 42m |
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Arnold Rapido 0305 crew car in original box | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.00 | 12h 9m |
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N Scale N Gauge Arnold Alco S 2 BO Baltimore Ohio switcher | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $21.50 | 13h 16m |
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N SCALE 2 BEER BOX CARS BLATZ AND GOLDEN BULL LK LK | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.00 | 13h 18m |
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N SCALE 2 BEER BOX CARS PBR LK LK | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $9.50 | 13h 29m |
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Arnold Rapido track extender with 2 switches | ![]() |
11 Bids | US $20.50 | 15h 13m |
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ASCO REFRIGERATOR CAR w BOX REVELL ARNOLD RAPIDO N GA TRAIN WEST GERMANY N 2528 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 15h 43m |
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BOSTON MAINE HOPPER CAR w BOX REVELL ARNOLD RAPIDO N GA WEST GERMANY N 2528 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 15h 50m |
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OLD STYLE EUROPEAN PASSENGER CARS 3 303 304 305 w BOXES ARNOLD RAPIDO N TRAIN | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $49.99 | 16h 9m |
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N Scale Set of Five Mixed Freight Cars | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 16h 18m |
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6 Old Box Cars Tank Cars in Plastic boxes N Scale Model Train Cars | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 16h 39m |
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6 pc lot N Scale Gauge Train Engine locomotive cars rapido deutsche bundesbahn | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $15.50 | 18h 58m |
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N gauge Arnold Rapido 0 6 0 steam engine good running engine | ![]() |
12 Bids | US $17.50 | 19h 24m |
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N gauge Arnold Rapido Southern 3472 Gondola | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 44m |
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N gauge Arnold Rapido EJE 61127 boxcar | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $5.69 | 19h 44m |
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N gauge Arnold Rapido Caboose SERR 493 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 44m |
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Arnold Rapido N Scale 2 8 2 Steam Engine | ![]() |
20 Bids | US $80.99 | 20h 32m |
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Lot of 16 N Atlas Bachmann Arnold Life Like Trix Con Cor boxcars tank gondolas | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $12.50 | 20h 37m |
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Arnold Rapido 0499 Car Carrier Automobile Transporter n scale vtg NOS train new | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $10.99 | 20h 46m |
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ARNOLD RAPIDO SET NO 78 NORTHERN PACIFIC PASSENGER SET IN SET BOX NP | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $99.00 | 21h 32m |
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ARNOLD RAPIDO UP FREIGHT SET SET NO 68 IN SET BOX UNION PACIFIC | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $79.00 | 22h 4m |
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ARNOLD RAPIDO FREIGHT CARS TRACK AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 56m |
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N Scale Vintage Rapido Freight Cars | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 1d 2h 12m |
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Arnold Rapido N Scale 4 Piece Shorty Southern Pacific Daylight Passenger Car Set | ![]() |
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US $59.95 | 4d 7h 10m |
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Arnold Rapido Railroad office station N Scale Gauge Assembled Building | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 1d 19h 46m |
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Arnold N European Beer Boxcars Limited Edition | ![]() |
7 Bids | US $65.99 | 1d 19h 54m |
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Arnold Rapido N 5104 Amtrak Locomotive 902 Excellent condition | ![]() |
3 Bids | US $47.00 | 1d 20h 22m |
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Arnold Alco S2 DRGW119 n scale with DCC decoder installed | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $31.00 | 1d 22h 48m |
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Arnold Alco S2 DRGW107 | ![]() |
9 Bids | US $26.58 | 1d 23h 31m |
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N ARNOLD RAPIDO 20 PIECES 8 RAD CURVED 90 DEG TRACK | ![]() |
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US $5.00 | 15d 20h 50m |
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VINTAGE N SCALE ARNOLD RAPIDO TRAILER TRAIN ATLAS CAR LOT SOME FOR REPAIR | ![]() |
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US $13.00 | 2d 10h 13m |
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Vintage Arnold Rapido N Trains Engine Tender 5 Cars Made in West Germany | ![]() |
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US $49.00 | 2d 11h 50m |
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N Scale Box Car Arnold Western Pacific HW 104 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $2.53 | 2d 11h 54m |
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N Scale Vitage Rapido GG 1 Locomotive | ![]() |
3 Bids | US $56.55 | 2d 13h 10m |
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N Scale Pair of USRA Pacific 4 6 2 Arnold Rapido Locomotives Custom Painted | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $36.76 | 2d 20h 46m |
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N SCALE TRACK TURNOUTS ACCESSORIES LOT | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 2d 21h 8m |
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Arnold Rapido N Scale El Capitan PLUS PARTS | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 22h 7m |
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Micro Trains Line 1049 N Scale Gauge Magne Matic Coupler Conversion Kit NOS | ![]() |
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US $6.00 | 2d 22h 14m |
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Arnold Rapido N W Coal Car 52364 N Scale | ![]() |
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US $7.99 | 2d 23h 18m |
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Two Vintage Arnold Rapido N Gauge Western Maryland Flatcars | ![]() |
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US $15.00 | 2d 23h 27m |
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N Scale Rapido GP 30 Diesel Locomotive | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $20.00 | 3d 9h 10m |
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ARNOLD RAPIDO N SCALE WESTERN ATLANTIC PASSENGER TRAIN 361 CAR MIB W GERMANY | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 3d 15h 52m |
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N 1 160 sc ARNOLD rapido 0472 Undecorated UNDEC UND Boom Car AS IS | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 3d 18h 3m |
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N Scale Gondola By Arnold Rapido | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 19h 37m |
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N Scale Rock Island Gondola By Arnold Rapido | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $3.84 | 3d 19h 38m |
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N Scale Ann Arbor Covered Gondola 61 By Arnold Rapido | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 19h 40m |
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N Scale Arnold Rapido USRA 4 6 2 Pacific with Kadee Couplers Custom Paint | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $27.00 | 3d 20h 23m |
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Arnold Rapido EJ E Boxcar N Gauge | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $2.99 | 3d 21h 49m |
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DCC Parts 10 pk 3mm Rnd Bright White LED w 1k ohm Resi | ![]() |
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US $5.00 | 29d 6h 13m |
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TRAIN ARNOLD N SCALE 9MM RAPIDO VOLKSWAGON CAR CARRIER | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $40.00 | 4d 5h 4m |
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N Scale Vintage Steam Era Freight Cars Set of 5 Kadee Coupler Equipped | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 4d 9h 22m |
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N Scale Arnold Riverossi 3 SP Passenger Cars | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 4d 11h 12m |
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Retired WATER TANK PUMP HOUSE by ARNOLD N Scale Penny Auction | ![]() |
7 Bids | US $13.95 | 4d 11h 35m |
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N ARNOLD RAPIDO 20 PCS 17 RAD CURVED 30 DEGREE TRACK | ![]() |
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US $5.00 | 15d 19h 57m |
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VINTAGE ARNOLD RAPIDO SANTE FE SMALL TRAIN CAR RED IN GOOD SHAPE FOR AGE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 4d 21h 12m |
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N Scale Arnold 6 Passenger cars Excellent Condition | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $34.00 | 2d 20h 38m |
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DCC Parts 10 pk 3mm Rnd Warm White LED w 1k ohm Resist | ![]() |
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US $5.00 | 10d 10h 5m |
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N SCALE ARNOLD RAPIDO MILWAUKEE ROAD 3 HEAVYWEIGHT PASSENGER CARS 0555 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 5d 22h |
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ARNOLD RAPIDO N SCALE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR SHORTY CORRUGATED PASSENGER CAR SET | ![]() |
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US $25.99 | 2d 13h 15m |
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N GAUGE ARNOLD RAPIDO DB GREEN PASSENGER CAR GOOD CONDITION N SCALE 1160 | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $1.56 | 6d 7h 2m |
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N GAUGE ARNOLD RAPIDO DB GREEN LUGGAGE CAR GOOD CONDITION N SCALE 1160 | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $1.56 | 6d 7h 47m |
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ARNOLD 2 8 2 BR41 SMOKER WAR TRAIN PAINTED WINTERCAMO | ![]() |
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US $425.00 | 12d 20h 1m |
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N Scale Crates Barrels Figures and Broken Freight Cars including Arnold Rapido | ![]() |
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US $15.00 | 6d 12h 37m |
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N ARNOLD RAPIDO 20 PIECES 9 RAD CURVED 45 DEG TRACK | ![]() |
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US $5.00 | 15d 21h 42m |
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