Last Updated: 9 June 2025

N Gauge Train Camera 1080P HD (DCC)

This page is all about our high definition N Gauge camera train project. Other attempts at building one of these have been made before, but the resulting footage quality was always poor, and many did not fit within the track gauging. Another issue was the reliance on battery power, rather than taking power directly from the track.

Our train camera is, as far as we are aware, the highest quality miniature N Gauge camera available anywhere in the world. It records at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 30fps. It is based on a high quality Panasonic camera unit, and comfortably fits within gauge so should easily fit through your tunnels, round your corners and under your signal gantries. It can pass trains on neighbouring tracks without issue. See below for exact dimensions if you're worried about it fitting through your tunnels and under your gantries.

• Panasonic HD camera unit
• Resolution 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)
• Single channel AAC audio recording
• Based on a Dapol Mk3 coach chassis
• Custom electronics to convert the DCC (AC) track power to a suitable DC voltage
• On-board, removable 128GB micro SD card for H264 MP4 recording
• Rechargeable battery backup to provide realiable power over dead spots or dodgy track
• Onboard battery rechargeable using standard micro USB cable
• Live 'driver's view' via phone app
• Remote still capture and start/stop recording via phone app
• Video, still image and slow motion modes
• Red track power OK status LED
• 26mm (widest section) x 32mm (highest section)
• 170mm long from the front of the camera lens to the buffers at the other end

Note that our camera train currently cannot run on DC layouts - it is DCC only.

Hire Our Camera!

This unit is available for hire for £30 per week. A refundable deposit of £150 is required, this will be returned upon safe receipt of our unit back. You will be provided with full instructions on how to use, a 128GB micro SD card and a USB adapter so you can copy your footage over to your PC or laptop. The instructions also describe how to install the app on your phone should you wish to try the live 'driver's view' feature, remote still capture and remote video record features.

The unit is unpowered, so you will require a loco to push or pull it around your layout. The camera module has a battery to ensure it keeps recording if power is lost temporarily for any reason, this will charge by simply leaving it on your track with the power on. You can also connect the supplied micro USB cable and charge it using any USB adapter or socket.