Okay, here is my next question. A 40' box car/ hopper will actually measure how much in N scale versus HO? Using the ratios and basic math, I get 3" in N versus 5.5" in HO. If I extrapolate that math, on an eight foot section of track, I can have 32 N scale 40' foot cars versus 17.45 HO scale 40' foot cars. I am not looking at running long trains, but I go want to have a good sized yard and staging area... Some more things to think about. Great! When I think, I get in trouble.
That's one of the nice things about N scale, it allows you to run small trains. Unfortunatly with my eyes it was a case of, am I better to have a long train I can barely see, or a shorter train I can see well. I have some new PS-1 40' box cars here and as far as the body, they are about 3.25 inches. I have my HO cars buried in a box right this minute. The ting about the Ho cars is, they are not only longer, but wider and taller as well. It's a heckuva difference in size. Weight too....
Speedy, Good point on the width. I did not even consider that. Height is not too much of a factor. Since you are going HO, what radius are you using and what is the maximum length car you can use? Since I am going to be having a coal mine, logging and a few industries in the town, I do not see a roundy-round in the picture right now. I might be doing 24" curves on the "mainline" to have more realism in HO, if I do decide to go that route. Nut
Nut, I am doing a 4x8 layout. I bought a kato "basic" starter set. It is an oval of track with 21-5/8" curves. I will likely be trying to keep my cars at or under 50', though technically I could go a little longer. It becomes a matter of what looks good, more than what will mechanically make it around I think. To that I will be adding a passing siding on one of the inside ends, and then probably a couple of industrial sidings that fork off. Very basic... Once I move in a year or 2, I hope to expand on it. You can do a lot more if you're not concerned with the roundy round action.
I kinda thought you might be dealing with a coal bin when I saw those dimensions...they are pretty common in older homes. Long ago and far away, when I took that tentative shot at a coal bin, it still had coal in it. I had to haul it bucket at a time up the steps...fun fun fun!
I voted for HO because I've tried everything from G to N and keep coming back to HO for the amount of equipment available (although O scale is awesome!). For me, ultimately what you choose depends on what the purpose of your layout is and what compromises you are willing to make. Start with "what your railroad supposedly does" and that can inform a lot of the rest of your decisions. I'm currently moving from an 8' x 16' space to 29' x 31'; thinking about that question has made everything from shelf width and track planning to scenery and operations go much more smoothly.
N is 0.55 times HO size. I often cut HO dimensions in half and add a smidge for a "good enough" estimate. A 40' HO car is 5.52 inches and the same car in N is 3 inches long.
Thanks to everyone who respomded and gave their input. After some deliberation, I have decided to pick...... HO. The reason being, my fingers are not small enough to handle some of the delicate parts that are in N scale. Not to mention, I went to the train show in Aston, PA this weekend and I was able to see side by side what can be done in HO and N. Obviously, you can fit more in N and not worry too much about detail, but it is much more delicate and hard to see. Everyone in my family had to get glasses as they got older, so I made the logical decision with those factors in mind. In addition, I was able to get some Athearn kits to get shortline ready for the mining operations, plus I saw quite a few HO diesel units with sound decoders installed and loved the way they sounded. Those two factors sealed the deal. Once I am able to start construction, I will post pics. 'Nut
Being a HO man myself, that is how I voted. To me, "N" is just to small to work with. Especally when I make my own buildings, fences, etc., etc. Bob
