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Module Standards
Rolling Stock
Trouble-free running is critical to the successful operation of a layout, so standards for rolling stock need to be applied as carefully as track standards.
All Locomotives shall be DCC-equipped.
All non-powered rolling stock must start unaided and run freely down a 900mm foot section (i.e. one piece of PECO Finescale Flextrack) of straight track set at a grade of one percent (i.e., one end of the straight track is raised 9mm).
All rolling stock must negotiate a minimum radius of 400 millimetres, and run through both legs of a No 6 point. All rolling stock must stay coupled through this trackwork.
It is recommended that rolling stock be weighted to follow the NMRA recommend practices for N SCALE (not TT Scale). The rationale is that we use 9mm track and N scale size running gear, and that the loading gauge of the prototype NZR is substantially smaller than the typical US mainline, therefore N Scale weights are more appropriate than TT scale.
The standard is 1/2 ounce per vehicle plus an additional 1/5 ounce for each inch of length.
Metric Table
| length | weight (g) | length | weight | length | weight | length | weight |
| 3.8cm (15 foot) | 22.56 | 4.0cm | 23 | 5.0cm | 25.24 | 6.0cm | 27.46 |
| 7.0cm (27 foot) | 29.69 | 8.0cm | 31.92 | 9.0cm | 34.15 | 10.0cm | 36.38 |
| 11.0cm (43 foot) | 38.6 | 12.0cm | 40.8 | 13.0cm | 43.06 | 14.0cm | 45.29 |
Couplers shall be Microtrains standard, both in height and mating characteristics. Non operating but compatible couplers are acceptable. For non-public exhibition meetings only, where a train operates as a unit train (that is, is not intended to be broken during operation), the modeller may use any coupler. Microtrains couplers must be the standard for locos and rolling stock used to head a rake of vehicles. If rapido or other types are used for your home running preference then one wagon will need to be Microtrains equiped (or equivalent automatic couplers) at one end to comply.
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