I remember when I was a kid, I got an N scale train set for X-mas... this was long before N was popular, it was the 70's, and the loco I got must have cost a small fortune, it was a steam Loco, and I think the trucks on the tender had springs in them. I didn't persue the hobby. Well some years later, I caught the bug! I wanted to go into HO at first, because I remembred how small the N scale was. I wanted to make a somewhat large layout in a small area. and I liked the Micro Trains cars I had seen...so, the rest is history. what about you? ------------------ espee2 Home: www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
I chose N scale because I enjoy long trains, but don't have the space for anything bigger! ------------------ Cya own the line! The one and ONLY Dash!!
The main reason I got into n scale/Ntrak was to prove to the menbers of the club I belonged to at the time(1992) was that we could model railroad without a pernament home.Well I'm no longer with that club(didn't care for all the politics) but I'm still in n scale. ------------------ Catt!
My grandfather built a 4'x8' N scale layout in the mid-70's as well, and I still have some of the rolling stock from that same layout. When I started to build my own layout, I chose N scale because of the limited space I had available to me. I have half of a two-car garage in which to build a layout, and N scale offers the greatest ability for a decent sized main line loop-styled layout. My layout is (will be) a "C" shaped (or flat "U") benchwork layout that is 16 ft. by 3 ft. At one end is a 4 ft by 3 ft benchwork extension, while the other end has a 5 ft by 4 ft table extension. With this size of layout in N scale, I was able to design a simple continuous loop track plan with some passing tracks and industrial spurs along the way as well as an elevation change of around 6 inches. A lot of flexability in a relatively small space.
I think it was about 1978. I had had a HO scale layout which had started from a christmas present I had recieved. One day I recall going to the hobby shop and purchasing a N scale Bachman F7 and three cars and a 9 inch radius loop of N scale track. This stuff was great and I was bit with the N Scale bug. That year or the following year Model Railroader magazine built the Clinchfield Layout. Wow!! This was the greatest thing I'd ever seen. I think the Clinchfield layout articles was what sealed my decision to go into N Scale. N Scale was in its infancy and there was not a great deal of equipment available at the time. I was excited, however, about the potential of N Scale. One could fit so much into a little space. Later when I had more space available I marvelled at the high scenery to track ratio. ------------------- The future of N Scale is so bright I gotta wear shades. ------------------ Grant grantha@Canada.com CEO Wascana Sherwood Lines
What moved me into N scale was Micro-Trains release of the 89' TOFC flat. I kept staring at their ad in Model Railroader and thinking that it was awesome! I had been in HO (collecting for the future layout) and knew I'd probably not acquire enough right-of-way to run my Athearn 86' all-purpose flats... so the seed was planted. The Atlas(Kato) SD7/9's were available too, and I marveled at their detail as well. So, I sold off all of my HO and went into N scale and have never looked back! Chessie
Without a doubt, to get as much railroad as possible into the available space. ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO!
I really want to do a LARGE part of Sandpatch grade.I know that I'LL not have the space to do that in larger scales(I love O scale) unless I hit those seven numbers.I've been in model railroading since 1965,and I've never had so much fun railroading.The N Trak group I'm in is a blast and the new items coming everyday(including the Trainmaster)makes this a great scale to be in. ------------------ THE B&O ROCKS!!!! ROYAL BLUE
LONG TRAINS!!!!!!!!!! ------------------ Craig Martyn BLMA(best looking models around) Custom painting and detailing **Soon to come, N scale detail parts!!!
I didn't. But I still like N scale. ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!!
I like smaller better. I almost went into Z but the selection is too small. N it is then ------------------ Robert Ray The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad
In 1991 a friend of mine drug me to a Bendtrack exhibition and I was offered the opportunity to do both mainline running and switching in their yard. WoW color me impressed, all the stuff that could be done in HO could be done in N also! The hook was set! I sold all my HO stuff and started over in n. A decision I have never regreted. I think the massive appearance and long trains is what did it for me
Becuase I was in HO, and relized my alyout would be two sheets of 4 by 8. I also liked some of the new quality stuff coming out, sure it had already been in HO, but it seamed old, but new and fresh in N scale. Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com AIM me at TAMR2860!
More trains and scenery on in a given area compared to HO. Plus the quality of Kato and Atlas engines. I too have sold off all of my HO gear. Now if I can just get my benchwork done
When I was a kid I had a HO layout which my mother used to help me with then I found out another hobby "women" lol so the HO layout got ripped up so my father could get his car back into the garage. 15 years later and now with a family an old friend gave me some N scale track and a few locomotives I was hooked and I've been busy catching up for the past 5 years. I enjoy modelling N as you can fit so much more railroad in limited space and the quality is great. I get a lot of enjoyment when friends and my childrens friends visit and enjoy the layout. My wife also enjoys my modelling as she says "as long as I can afford to keep buying trains then she doesn't feel guilty spending money" lol. ------------------ http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/index
The Clinchfield project kn Model Railroader was what "clinched" it for me! Sorry but I just couldn't resist. But WOW what a project. Stopped buying H O and got a Bachmann F9 and some cars but was disappointed. Then one day in the hobby shop the owner showed me an Atlas RS11. I was impressed. It was superior to the Bachmann. I went back bought another one. Then the NMRA convention came to town and I saw the Ntrak layouts. Bought some more Atlas engines then Kato and here I am today.
I chose N gauge to get closer to the scale of scenery compared to railroad. It has done that well for me in the space I have. Now, if space wasn't an issue and I had a lot of it, my preference would be to do the same thing in O scale. Detailing would be fun and realism would be closer but that is not to be so I stick with N scale. I just wish there was more affordable steam in N scale. Robin [This message has been edited by Robin Matthysen (edited 12 June 2000).]
Well being a recent convert I can say that N scale is the way to go, as you can have more train per foot of homasote and benchwork than in most scales. Other than more trains, the Atlas SD50-60, Kato "best lookin' SD40-2" on the market, and long runs of NS coalporters are just what I wanted, and not attainable in my modest space allocation. The only regret I have is the abundance of HO diesels and rolling stock I have and cannot part with, Oh well the almighty buck will get to me sooner or later and isn't that why Ebay was created? Y'all have a good one, Justin
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inkaneer: The Clinchfield project kn Model Railroader was what "clinched" it for me! Sorry but I just couldn't resist. But WOW what a project. Stopped buying H O and got a Bachmann F9 and some cars but was disappointed<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So glad to see yet another convert due to "The Clinchfield". The future of N scale's lookin so bright I gotta wear shades. ------------------ Grant grantha@Canada.com CEO Wascana Sherwood Lines
Like so many others here, I started in HO (I still have all of it. I can't bear to part with it...yet.). About one year ago I started buying N-scale stuff and I haven't quit. I also wanted more layout in the available space. I believe the scenery possiblities are superior to HO because of the size. What really made the difference for me though was when I discovered that N-scale engines can pull more cars that their HO counterparts and they run equally well. I always felt that N-scale engines were inferior to HO engines, but not anymore. I also wanted to have modules that I could take to railroad events. NTRAK pioneered the concept of modular railroading, so I decided that I would take the BIG step and go SMALLER. http://canyonmtngineers.homestead.com/CanMtNgineers.html ------------------ Rett
