Hello, all. I've built an HO layout and learned from it. One of the things I learned was that in the space that I have available, HO is too darned big! So, I'm joining the dark side and thinking about switching to N-scale. Fortunately there's a family of friends who got my HO layout when I moved and will likely be delighted to get my remaining HO rolling stock for Christmas. My questions are these: </font> What brands should I look for/watch out for?</font> what should I expect to spend to get some basics? (one loco (preferably steam from the 50's), a few boxcars, two switches and a loop ot two of track)</font> What is a good curve radius in N-scale? I know that 18" was a rule of thumb as the smallest radius to make in HO.</font> is it worth the risk of buying on eBay, or is that a clearinghouse for junk in N scale?</font> Thank you all for the advice.
First, welcome to "N"ormal scale! You will find that you can run even longer trains than in HO in the same space. Now for your questions: What brands should I look for/watch out for? what should I expect to spend to get some basics? Kato makes a great Mikado, and Bachmann has a great 2-8-0. In desiels, Atlas, Kato, and current LifeLike as good. For rolling stock, Micro Trains is the top of the line, Atlas makes good stuff as well. For track, everyone seems to rave about Atlas' new Code 55 track, but I still prefer their regular track, lots available, at a good price, with good operation as well. What is a good curve radius in N-scale? I know that 18" was a rule of thumb as the smallest radius to make in HO. The minimum in N is 9", though anything less than 11 is really going to limit you to short cars and 4 axle locomotives. Consider 11 as a minimum, 15" makes a good mainline radius. is it worth the risk of buying on eBay, or is that a clearinghouse for junk in N scale? It's hit or miss. Stick with reputable sellers and you should be okay. THey are those with lots of positive feedback. Also, stick with buying quality stuff. Most Bachmann isn't worth running, early LifeLike was hit or miss. Atlas is usually good all the time, same with Kato. Hope this helps. Jeff
Welcome Biggerhammer, I always figured N-scalers where the "enlightened" side! I agree with Revnjeff and would add a few comments. I like Intermountain cars as well. For track, add to the list Peco (even though the ties are European spacing, it's difficult to tell) and it's very reliable. For a test oval I use Kato's Unitrack. Their turnouts are quite expensive which was a major factor for not using it for more than that plus I think using ballast still looks better than the molded plastic ballast on Unitrack but it is easy to set up. Good steam locos are in the $100.00 range. Good diesels are $50-$80 range. As Revnjeff stated, stick with Atlas, Kato or late Life-Like on the diesels. Micro-Trains and Intermountain are soon to release some diesels which promise to be very good. I would re-iterate Revnjeff, 11" should be an absolute minimum but I think 15" on the mainline is better. I run modern diesels and freight primarily and the new Kato Amtrak series would look terrible on anything less IMHO. Anyway, welcome aboard!
Welcome to the fuN side.... I'd like to throw out Deluxe Innovations and Red Caboose as good quality freight cars. eBay is a good place to find long sold out engines at reasonable prices, unless you happen to get carried away in a bidding war I always check a sellers feedback profile before bidding, but it's still an auction site. I haven't been caught short yet by a seller and have 20+ previously unabtainable Kato and Atlas engines to show for it. It seems to me that most folks selling N Scale stuff are very reputable and honest. Hope this helps and eNjoy, Brian
Thank you all for the advice! I don't feel alone anymore, which is nice I'll certainly post again when I've had a few misadventures in N-scale.
Welcome to N Scale!! Your post harkened me back to a piece of poetry by Robert Frost that I believe is particularly appropriate: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. While HO is the most popular scale I am sure you will find N scale much more enjoyable. I too made the switch from HO albeit 25 years ago and it has made all the difference.
As a receNt coNvert to the N crowd, I say welcome, brother Biggerhammer! (and welcome to Trainboard!!) The above advice given by Jeff is very good- I second everything he says. Also, while you're checking out switches, I'd recommend the Peco brand, with Micro Engineering close behind. I have Atlas and latter-day LifeLike diesels, and they run like Swiss watches- definitely check them out! Bargains abound on eBay, but remember- caveat emptor. Also, you can check out the online ads for such places as Caboose Hobbies, Brooklyn Locomotive Works, Internet Hobbies, and N Scale Supply (if I forgot anyone's favorite, my apologies- those were the first ones that came to mind). These places usually have decent discounts on locomotives, rolling stock, structures, track, etc. I still do some projects in HO (mostly Frisco-related), but most of my energies are devoted to N. I'm learning as well, and I'll make goofs as I go along, but hey, that comes with the territory. Keep us posted, and don't hesitate to ask if you have questions!
I crossed over to the N-lightened side about 3 years ago. I have hardly looked at my HO layout since. Part of the reason may be my N-scale is DCC and the HO is DC. I've been thinking about selling my HO stuff while there is still a market for it.
I left HO two years ago. N scale has been great! I've bought almost all my Micro-train cars on eBay. I am however starting to buy more of the Intermountains, Red Caboose, etc. There are collectors of the MTL cars, and it drives up the price of lots of the older cars. These are "toys" right? I mean from the perspective that they should be rolling and not locked up. Kato track is expensive, but it's great for a small layout to jump into things. online retailers 4nscale.com and nscalesupply.com have great web sites that I've used a lot for reserching whats available, I haven't bought from either yet, but have heard good things on this board about them.
I have enough things collecting dust in my house- no need to add more! These will be moving trains, running about and doing things like getting my son to giggle and tempting the cats. I do hope to do some fairly detailed scenery work but this will be a 'working' railroad, not just a static display.
Cats and N scale- bad match, very bad match! The rolling stock is just about the size of mice, and cats will try to knock over the cars. Best bet is to have a squirt bottle filled w/ water- when Miss (or Mr.) Kitty gets too close to the layout, hit the critter with a burst of water- won't take long before Kitty decides tha trains equals getting wet! And yes, I own two cats......both trained this way. (o boy, another can of worms opened! )
We're currently catless. I expect more trouble from my son thinking that the cars might taste good. I'm not up to trying to explain to a 2-year-old that trains are not for eating... he was just tall enough to reach onto the desk and grab my best HO steamer last Christmas as it scooted around the tree.
You MUST watch a two year old constantly around your layout! There are way too many things he will choke on when you happen to look away for a minute! Parents Have to think FIRST, and remove things like couplers, headlights, wheels, trees, light poles, bits of rubber foam, and anything the chile can pick up, tear off or get into his mouth! The people figures look like candy, and their spit will rush the stomach of a buzzard!
I have three cats and they've been trained the same way as Friscobob's. Since I haven't started my modular layout yet, I still snap some Kato track together and run trains on a long folding table. The first thing I do is put the water bottle on the table. Our cats will sit on a chair and watch but they won't jump up on the table! Just as a side note, our cats are like children to us since we don't have kids. You could probably consider them spoiled, but they do have bounds.
Both when I was at ConCor and at Kato I would field calls of desperation, "My cat (dog) chewed up the shell on my favorite (name of engine)". My first question (not being a dog or cat person) was "where did you bury the animal?" Also, you wouldn't believe the number of locomotives that come back to the manufacturers as claimed defective for "warranty repair" with enough cat hair in the gearing to build a new cat. Cats and dogs may be good pets but they don't do anything positive for the railroad except keep the mice at bay. Charlie
LMAO at Charlie!!! Several years ago (and a replaced carpet) those despicable good for nothing useless creatures were banned to the garage. Funny, they only poop and pee on MY vehicle, not my wifes'.......... at least my trains are no longer at risk!!! Gotta have priorities!! Have a great weekend!! Ed Dillard [ 17. August 2002, 12:11: Message edited by: ednsfan ]
thank god i have pythons for pets. they keep the dogs, cats, mice and kids away from my trains!!!!!!!!!!!! and they make no noise and eat, well never mind that!
Hey, aren't we supposed to be talking about trains here? Anyway, I've never had a problem with my cats, well, I take that back...NEVER MIND! Anyway, I like all the comments I've seen here about the cars, loco's and track. Noone has been wrong with what hsa been said. We all have our favorites, some bone heads even like Bachmann, ModelPower and old LifeLike. (Right Mitch... ) Well, to each his own...Well, I have to go Kill a cat, she just knocked over my storage boxes full of my MicroTrains, InterMountain, Red Caboose, Atlas, Kato and New LifeLike Cars and Locomotives! Life continues... Hey, Ed. Good to see you post here! Welcome to N-Scale BIGGERHAMMER ! You're going to like it here! [ 17. August 2002, 16:18: Message edited by: Maxwell Plant ]
