Would you consider switching?

I was just looking through some old threads and found an HO-er who wanted to go to N scale back in December, which sparked a nice conversation about the benefits of N scale (and "rubber-scaling"). I began in N in the 80's and have stayed with N because of space issues.

But now I tried a thought experiment: If I could suddenly move into a ginormous house with a ginormous basement (in a part of the country that actually HAS basements) and a ginormous budget, what would I choose? I thought about how beautiful the larger scales are, how you really get a sense of weight and power, beautiful in-scale detailing, and so forth.

And I ended up back with N scale. Why? I actually haven't figured that out yet. I just don't want to do anything else. For some reason, I'm really, really attached to N scale locomotives and cars. It's really sort of a mystery to me why that is. I just really think they're great.

How about you all? What if you suddenly had unlimited funds and space? Would you stay with N, choose another scale, or what?

 

Nah, I won't switch. Even if I had all the space, I would just lengthen my trains. I'm 53 but haven't experienced the eye problems with N yet, but I am working out a numberless op scheme, anticipating the inevitable.....

 

I go through that decision alot here lately.I have even thought of doing N scale on my upper deck and HO scale on my lower deck but like you said I keep going back to N scale only and I dont know why.I just love N scale.

 

I would stay in N. If I had unlimited space, I'd have a 50 foot long shelf of a mainline running thru a desert canyon. N captures the largeness of modern railroading like no other scale.
I would add a G railroad in the backyard, though...

 

Thats a great question. I started out in O back in the 60s, then to HO late 60s and 70s. I switched to N in the 80s and been with N since. Like you, not sure, I am just drawn to N for some weird reason. I think it is mainly due to being able to put so much in such a small place. But, after some thought, concerning what you mentioned, if space was not limited, would I change? I have considered switching to HO again, just because of their is so much offered in HO. But then, I have a huge N collection, and loads of money in it, but still, even taking that element out. If someone magically turned all my N stuff into HO and starting from there, Odds are, I STILL would not switch. I am just an "N" person.

That said, I would consider changing seriously if my eyesight failed and could not work in it any longer due to medical, or visual reasons, short of that, no, I am an "N'ie"

 

"a ginormous budget"

That right there would get a lot more in N-scale. There are manufacturers that are always looking for people willing to invest in getting more models out... the only thing some of the smaller manufacturers lack are money.

 

I'm like you guys...I really like N-Scale. Even way back when, I always wanted to be in N-Scale when I was modeling HO. Tried a few times but the frustration level back then defeated the efforts. Of course that was pre-Kato and once I saw the Brand K SD40-2 with DCC it was all over. If I had more room and more money, I would just make longer single track mainline runs through wider scenery, longer sidings and trains, have more staging with more active interchange points, (i.e. more locos and cars to feed the interchange from staging) and as Jerry alluded to I would probably fund a few projects to get some specific models I want.

So I have no immediate plans to leave N, and if I ever do it won't be for HO. I don't feel like there would be enough difference in size to abandon N for HO. If the time comes I will most certainly move to O-Scale, for the reasons you mentioned....the heft, level of detail, etc. Plus the benefit of room for more/better electronics like sound, working couplers...I even have visions of a working R/C trackmobile in O.

 

Ok, if I had the extra space and the BIG budget I would do both. I am now really hooked on N scale, but I still have some nice HO models stashed away that I would love to bring out and run again.

I would still have N scale as the main focus but have maybe a smaller HO point to point layout with some highly detailed diorama style scenery.

 

I'm one who switched to N out of space restriction necessity...and I don't regret it. BUT (there's always a big BUT) if there were no external restrictions I would probably go back to HO...if not all the way to O. Not because of any perceived shortcoming in N, but because of my own shortcomings in eyesight and dexterity.

 

I would probably model Dual Scale if I had the room ... N for me, HO or my dad's old Marx set for the kids ... they have been bugging me to set up the "old trains" but I just don't have the space lol

If the budget would be unlimited ... all three ... Marx , HO, N ... There ya go no fighting and everything gets to run lol ... But the biggest or more like the longest run would be N for sure!

History, size and the future at work together in the same space! That would be great!

Cheers
Adam

 

I guess even that wouldn't stop me. I'm so far-sighted now that I have to take my glasses off or use an Optivisor for nearly all work on the layout--and still I stick with N!

I'm with those who say they'd make 50' of a mainline run...

 

I can't let go of my N scale, but, I have been building in O scale narrow gauge lately. Right now I have a 6' X 30" N scale layout and am currently building a 14' X 4' On30 layout.

If I have plenty of room and unlimited funds, I'd probably change totally to O or G scales.
Check out Tom Miller's layout in the May/June issue of Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. It's 1:20th scale housed in a 4000 sq. ft. building!!!

 

Lets see, stick with N or have my own working train museum.....it is still modeling, and think how easy details would be to add.

 

N scale forever...As someone just recently told me in a PM >>>> N(atural) scale and not H(orribly) O(versized) scale.:tb-biggrin:

 

i have gone back and forth from n scale to ho scale for a while. At present most of my ho is packed away. I and building a couple of n scale Army modules to run with my dads bend track layout. The first show they will be at is the Green County Model Railraod show this Sept.

 

I doubt that I would ever give up N Scale as my main scale to model, however I could see having a HO layout in a Sun Room eventually. I have two dogs so a G Scale layout in the yard doesn't appear as an option. The dog run takes up a major portion of the yard.

 

To add to my reply...Back in the 70's I had HO. There where a lot of things I could get for my layout. A friend had N scale...he didnt have much.

Fast forward to today. I can get just about everything in N sacle someone can get in HO. PLUS... I can fit just about twice as much in the same space. Whether it be a 36 INCH x 80 INCH HC door or a 36 FOOT x 80 FOOT room !

I mean come on...an N Scale Jug Band?

An N scale Hot Dog Cart?

Let alone all the great locos and other rolling stock that can be found ! Nah...give me N scale anyday...all day...ty

 

Those are my thoughts exactly, no matter how much space you've got to work with, you can always fit so much more in with N scale. I'm not enough of a rivet-counter (or skilled modeler!) to appreciate the extra detail of the larger scales. I'd much rather watch a scale length (or close to) train of coal hoppers wind their way thru the rockies, or a long string of double stacks making their way up cajon pass. Just imagine the realistic sense of main-line railroading you could achieve in an 80x36' room!!! (with an unlimited budget of course!)

 

I think it would be fun to build an O Scale trolley complex of 4-6 city blocks with a small terminal/yard. It would have each rail powered separately with a common trolley wire so two cars could run independently. The challange would be in building the overhead wire system so the car's poles could track through switches and crossings from either direction with no problems.

Oops, I forgot, this is the N Scale Forum....sorry.