Is N-Scale the New "Big Dog"?

My LL gp20s really run well, I was very impressed. If LL continues in this direction we may have our n-scale Athearn!

 

My main reason for moving to N scale is to be able to create massive scenery that makes scale model railroading a little more like the real thing. I find that the lack of fine detail doesn't degrade from the hobby as N can be somewhat forgiving. Good track laying is a challenge though. If I had the space and money then O scale would be my choice. N scale is satisfies my needs for now.

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

Is N-Scale the new 'Big Dog'?

NO. It isn't, and probably will never be in Australia or the US, at least. But Europe, it is getting closer and in Asia, particularly, Japan, N has the greater share of the market due to space constrictions. Colonel mentioned it in his post - 'with the cost of property worldwide it is certainly easier finding space for a nice sized N scale layout.'
For most, the dream of a huge home with abundant space for a layout is just that - a dream. Sure, we can go into debt to the eyeballs to get the home, but then there's little left to indulge in our hobby. But with N, you can get closer to making the compromise.
I've been modelling in N for over 20 years. The last 15 years have seen a quantum leap in locomotive and rolling stock availablility and quality. Yes, limited production runs stir the ire of many, but anyone who has had the fortune to read any of George Johnson's (deLuxe Innovations) replies, amongst others, to the N-List regarding supply and demand, and production concerns, will have a better idea of what the manufacturers have to deal with when planning in advance.
N has come a long way and now is in the forefront of releasing new models. Whether loco, rolingstock, or structure, great models have bcome available recently that has stirred the collective annoyance of the scale crowds.
Righteous indignation? Maybe, but 'they' have had the good times for a long time and now the shoe is on the other foot. N currently is a more dynamic market and I feel will remain so. We, as a collective, are more vigourous in our efforts to create and produce. The number of N specific forums out there is noticeable and the members more vocal - it could be said we are more passionate about our scale. It has been the also-ran for a long time, and is considered in some circles as merely a 'toy'. Well, the toy has gotten a little serious, huh?
So, is N-Scale the new 'Big Dog'? Nah... it doesn't need to be. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.

Apologies for the long-windedness... soap box is back in the closet

 

"To be the Big Dog, you have to get from under the porch..." {Big Dob Clothing Inc.} I think the "Size Matters" argument is squelched here. Like you said, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog!" To me, that makes N THE BIG DOG! And I think you're wrong, N will eclipes HO in % popularity in the US, it's just a matter of when.

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MAX-RAILROADER

 

if i were to start out in model railroading now i would concider N scale but i still think i would have chosen HO as my main scale as getting a collection of N scale items would be very hard as everything is limited run, i have been doing n for a few years now and i still have not yet seen a Kato GP38-2 for sale, dont have that prob in HO, until the manufactures stop doing limited runs people will be put off...

just my thourghts

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wheres all the C636's????
http://www.stickymonk.com
http://monkhome.homestead.com

 

I agree with StickyMonk on this one. Limited runs of good quality models is a big problem in N. I understand the business logic behind limited runs, but I don't have to like it as a modeler. About 90 percent of my models are N and the rest HO and O. There are models available in plastic or resin in the larger scales that I won't see in N for years (if ever).

The strength of the larger scales is the availablility of quite a variety and number of good equipment and kits like Westerfield or Red Caboose. Although I see limited run fever in the larger scales as well.

The strength of N scale, right now, seems to be modern (post 1980) equipment. Also, I think N scalers, through N-Trak/module meets, have done a great job in showcasing model railroading to the general public.

One weakness of N scale is good quality steam (non-brass). There are plenty of nice kits and RTR freight and passenger rolling stock for the 1920s and 1930s, but just try to find a nice light Pacific or light Mike to pull those trains. Yep, there's Kato's heavy Mike and some articulated's out there, but we need some more of the common workhorses from the first half of the 1900s (0-6-0s, 2-8-0s (coming), 2-6-0s, etc.)

I'll keep supporting N manufacturers when they produce good models (particularly for southeastern US railroads). But, I'll keep my fingers in the larger scale pot as well.

Look Ahead, Look South

 

I'm not saying it will not happen, or when if it does, but I can't see N in the forseeable future eclipsing HO as the major scale. It's still too esorteric. And that is what I like about N.
It doesn't need to be the big dog - I'm more than happy to see it be the smart dog.

Gary.

 

Issues Max you have plenty of Issues <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant:
"To be the Big Dog, you have to get from under the porch..." {Big Dob Clothing Inc.} I think the "Size Matters" argument is squelched here. Like you said, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog!" To me, that makes N THE BIG DOG! And I think you're wrong, N will eclipes HO in % popularity in the US, it's just a matter of when.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

hi, Colonel, I was wondering when I'd get a bite.
No, not a politician. Maybe a Cat.1 liasion officer? (Don't let that get out!)

esoteric = intended for or understood by only a particular group.

Maybe not the best term for describing where N is but we should all get the drift.

Gary.

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Gary A. Rose
http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/ - The Unofficial TC&W page
N to the Nth degree!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SD75I:
First of all "N Scale Rules! It is on the rise not only with variety but with detail also. I have been collecting for about 10 years now and have a over a century worth of engines. I still think we need one more manufacturer that is KATO/Atlas quality. Why do we have to wait for things until the manufacturer is ready to give it to us? As me and others thought, Atlas was going to do a SD70 series and now that it doesn't fit on the SD60 frame it at least for now will not be done. The last HO engine they ran with the cantanary? Is there that many modelers that would by that? A SD70 series would sell out in a heartbeat? And KATO? Why can't we have a Santa Fe unit now? Why do we have to wait until they are ready? I personally would buy 4? I know I gripe about these small things, but overall N Scale has a great variety of rolling stock. Anybody buy any alan curtis spine cars? Are they hard to put together? Thanks all and God Bless!

Dave<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

N scale has grown tremendously in the last 20 years. I started out in HO, went to N in the early 70s when N scale locos were pathetic and the "dead frog" Atlas turnouts were even worse, making me push locos thru the turnouts. But now we have better locos, better turnouts and lots of modern equipment. The only thing we still don't have are well performing steam locomotives with high quality motors and gearing. N scale will never rule until we have a greater choice in the "steam" department. Most N scalers have given up and gone to all modern diesel layouts and that's where we're stuck.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Reynard Wellman:
N scale has grown tremendously in the last 20 years. I started out in HO, went to N in the early 70s when N scale locos were pathetic and the "dead frog" Atlas turnouts were even worse, making me push locos thru the turnouts. But now we have better locos, better turnouts and lots of modern equipment. The only thing we still don't have are well performing steam locomotives with high quality motors and gearing. N scale will never rule until we have a greater choice in the "steam" department. Most N scalers have given up and gone to all modern diesel layouts and that's where we're stuck.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
From the stand point of modeling N in the 70's, I feel your pain. But as far as feeling "stuck" in the modern era, I don't by any means. I would love to see you steam fans get a great running loco that didn't cost an arm and a leg. But it wouldn't make me "back-date", no way! I love the glory days of railroading, but to me, the glory days are not what's happening now and that's what I model. Lack of equipment is the only thing that's holding us back. It doesn't matter if it's steam, electric, or diesel-electric, we aren't getting enought. I may barf if I see one more E or F unit released. I know many are screeming for ALCO's and Modern diesel-electrics, what's holding them up? Appathy and a lack of listening to the customer. That's a hell of a way to run a business...It's the same kind of thinking that almost put K-Mart out or business, but they learned. Maybe Atlas, Kato and everyone else will finally learn too. "If you build it, they will come."



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RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX!
Brent Tidaback

 

As a designer of N and Z scale products I have experienced more than pain in researching and developing good products for our customers. Before getting into this business I was just a consumer of these items and had no way of measuring the problems and expense of bringing new products to market. It is easy to look at a picture of a great looking Train Master or a narrow gauge Mikado and say "Why don't they make this?" but man, it really takes a long time and a big pile of money to machine all the dies, molds, develop the gear sets and chassis, set up the paint stations, transfer printing stations, packaging etc. It for this reason that many manufacturers resort to building just one or two engines and then are forever offering the same thing in different paint schemes.

As the decades roll by you will see many gaps filled in the loco department and some of the items will perform very well while others will eventually only serve as a filler for a diorama (ie some plastic 4-4-0 Americans I know). I don't complain about the price of a well performing quality locomotive, in fact I cherish them. They are quite an accomplishment and are well worth the wait and the expense.
--Rey

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant:


I may barf if I see one more E or F unit released.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

you think N-scale has enough F and E's you should take a look at HO....

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wheres all the C636's????
stickymonk.com
Matts Photo gallery

 

Well 20+ years has passed since this topic was last discussed and what, if anything, has changed that may or may not have made N-Scale dominate in the hobby?

What has changed; good, bad and ugly?

 

Bringing back some classics I see!

If we define 'domination' as being equal to market share, I still don't think N scale is there. In HO, even in the last few years, we have seen some groundbreaking new models like the new manufacturer ScaleTrains and Genesis 2.0 from Athearn. Looking at the Athearn catalog, N scale is a tiny fraction of their product offering. Compared to Genesis, RTR, Roundhouse, there are maybe 4 or 5 N scale products per month. Kato and Micro-Trains are the only companies I can think of that are major players where N scale is a majority of their profit. If N scale really was dominating, I would expect to see more expansion with new brands and products. I think that shows HO is still popular and has room for market expansion.

By nature of its size, I feel like N scale has always been playing catchup. Tsunami just released its first N-Scale drop-in sound decoder, something which has been common in HO for years. To get any kind of domination over HO, N needed to ride the shoulders of the technological development occurring in HO. Rapido and a few Scaletrains models have really raised the bar in N scale, but Micro-trains still has truck-mounted couplers and plastic wheels, so I think the fundamental design of N scale is pretty much the same as it was when this thread was last discussed. Groundbreaking new models in N are more of the exception than the norm.

 

I think that we have been victim to the N is for cramming more track in a smaller space attitude. Both David Haines and I were in N for his Raton layout and my cajon layout to be able to get well proportioned scenery. I personally was turned off by the HO layouts where a tree was about a boxcar high. And even greatly shortened train lengths look better in a generous N layout. As more modelers get the idea of train tosceneery proportion, things will boom.