Scale of choice?

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a little while trying to glean some info and learn a little from you all. I think I've noticed that a large portion of you (we say y'all in Nashville) are modeling N Scale. Other than the obvious space saving aspect, what are some other reasons for choosing N Scale?

I'm still in the planning stages of my future layout, and haven't bought a single piece of track or rolling stock. I'm researching layout books, LDE's and operations, all in the quest to try to do it right the first time. I plan to have a small shelf layout modeled after the Tennessee Southern RR short line that will be DCC controlled with sound.

I prefer HO, but N offers much more bang for the square foot. Obviously, opinions are like....

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning tons of info from and with y'all!

 

Adrian - Welcome aboard! I modeled HO for years only because that is what I knew. There were many more options available in HO, but that is changing. I have a limited amount of space in my basement and had a vision one evening of changing to N Scale. I sold off all my HO stuff, bought N, and have not looked back.

I for one model N Scale because of the space factor. I also like the idea it takes about half as much lumber and other building supplies to put together a nice-sized N scale layout. If I had the space and time for an appropriately sized HO layout, I'd at least consider it. For me now, though, N Scale is the perfect size for my time restraints, funds and space. Good luck and take care.

BTW, glad to hear you researching prior to your decision. That will be a huge help.

 

I would prefer HO due to arthritis. But because of space and finances I have a small N scale and am planing a larger layout.

 

Welcome to Train Board Adrian.

In my over 60 years in model railroading, I've modeled in O, HO and now N scale.

For the past 10 years I've enjoyed modeling in N scale. You can create so much more detail wise in the space you allot for a layout. You can also run much longer trains.

N scale has made great strides in the past 8-10 years .

You can see what can be done in N scale in my new website below.

Have fun making your choice... N scale is a great option.

 

Hi Adrian,
Welcome to the Trainboard, we're happy that you chose to become a member.

I prefer N-Scale because of its size, also because the technology provided by today's manufacturers is excellent. I like the size of N-Scale because I'm modelling a small rural branchline that includes five small towns, each with their own distinct industry and economy, much like I assume you are thinking about from what you say.

I don't find N-Scale's size a problem to work with in spite being 73. I use a circular workbench lamp with a magnifying lens in the middle for close work on locos, cars, and structures. However, I recommend that you ask your dentist if he/she would be willing to give you any old/dull dental tools that would otherwise be thrown away. The size of these tools is excellent for working with N-Scale models.

Edit - I just re-read your handle, vr6Dad, and realize you may have small chidren. If you do, and assuming you'd like to include them helping with the trains, scale becomes an important consideration. N-Scale can be difficult to handle by kids below the age of 10-12, and HO can be a problem below the age of 5-6.

 

Jolly's Choice

I have been into train from when I was a kid, I can recall lieing to my mom about going to the school playground for the day when I was out watching trains. Anyway when I started collectiing trains, they were in HO scale, as a teenager I figure I mite as well start buying Locos as they would only go up in price before I ever got a railroad built, so that is what I did. I would buy them in twos, I had some ice stuff that you just can't get anymore. well being I was moving around a lot, I had all my stuff stored away in the attic of my parents house. so one night in 1986 their house burned to the ground.....so much for all those years of collecting power for my future layout, it was all gone!!!

So a few years later I join a train club in my local area, they are starting a N-Scale module group, so I sign up. this is how I came to be an N-scale modeler. for a while I had some HO stuff building up in my collection just because I wanted it, but later I made the move to sell off every thing HO scale. I was just going eBay the Autorack car I got as a door prize before I came up with the ideal of the AutoRack Bridge for N-Scale.

Now I'm trying to get a N-Scale club started here were I live now.

.

 

Old eyes and shanky hands?

Those are my 2 reasons for switching from N to HO.... so if the reverse is true, then N scale should be just right!

And Z too, if you're up for that. :thumbs_up:

 

Thanks for the warm welcome

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. :tb-biggrin:

As the screen name implies, I am a dad with little kids. One boy is 3 and the other is on the way. I got my little boy a Lionel Thomas the Tank Engine set and Troublesome Truck expansion set before Christmas to go around our tree, and for the versatility of my boy(s) being able to play with it. I thought of O Gauge, but I just don't have the money or space for that. I'll definitely build on the O setup for my boy to really play with, including adding some switches, etc. cool:

HO, because of its universal availability and my familiarity with it, seems like a great option. However, the short line that I want to model after has about 120 miles of trackage in southern Tennessee and northern Alabama, connecting to CSX just south of my home. There are some good and diverse industries that it serves, as well as a river barge port.

I think I'd really enjoy a shelf-style point to point switching layout, but the smaller scale will obviously let me fit more into the scene. My real hangup is that I'm going to need to kitbash or heavily modify my motive power to refurbished NREX GP-10's. The rolling stock should be a piece of cake, with steel coil covered coil gondolas, box cars and hoppers. I don't want to read too much into it, and have fun.

I've joined the Tennessee Central Railway Museum and their associated NMRA Cumberland Division, so I should have a good support system with lots of experience for either scale I choose.

 

I've been running trains for around 50 years. These were O and S scales. In 1984 my brother in-law gave my son (7 years old) an old/used N-Scale set. My son wanted a layout so one was designed and build (2X4). He lost interest shortly after that, I on the other hand fell in love with N-Scale.

Gary

 

I was given an HO Scale set as a kid for christmas and I have been with HO for the last 15 years. I dabbled in N scale for a short time, but never found my niche in it. I enjoy researching prototypes and assembling/detailing freight cars and locomotives....... at least until I have a layout again.

 

:rotfl: :rotfl:
You must be good

That certainly sounds like HO then

Of course the downside of N (and Z) is the same as the up - you get more into a given space. So the same (say) 4' by 2' area may contain 4x more scenery, buildings, track, etc, which all need buying, building and setting down. That is potentially 4x more work and perhaps 3x more cost.

Seriously, don't be too swayed by other people 'selling' their scale. The reason there are at least four or five major (popular/common) scales is that we all have different desires, abilities and priorities AND those change as your life proceeds. Any of your current possibles will work to a point and give you pleasure, so just try and pick one (or even two) that feel right and get on with having fun. If it turns out in a while that you think another scale would suit better ... change. At the end of the day it's a hobby and worrying about it is not the point.

 

Which Scale?

HO has been the scale of choice since 1959. The first train was a Lionel Scout set my parents bought me in 1951. When Revell came out with the NW2, caboose and some freight cars in 1958 I bought the Union Pacific version.
HO was the scale for me. I'm still in HO after all these years.
As for space. Build your layout to fit the space and still use the room. The layout here is a shelf layout sixteen inches deep around the walls of the room.

 

I have two children, ages 9 and 4, and I model in N. I chose N originally because I could fit more in a smaller space, but now that I have a larger room to dedicate to a layout (19x9), I am sticking in N. In fact, if I had a massive basement I would still probably stay in N. It is in my blood now Jamie

 

If you go to my TB Blog I have a lengthy discussion of this but...I have modeled in G, HO, and N. I finally found what I love in On30...O scale narrow gauge on HO scale track. Its fun, affordable, and I can model the place and era I like: Colorado in 1899. If you llike narrow guage, try On30 (come over to the Ddark Side )

 

If you want good sound it's HO or larger.

I am an N scaler. If I had the space and money I'd do O scale.

Check out some of the nice HO layouts on the ho forum. They will take your breath away.

 

Thanks for all the opinions.

I'm kind-of interested in SoundTraxx Surround Trax system that uses external speakers instead of on-board speakers. The engines have electronics installed in them with sensors placed around the track, so that when a train approaches a new speaker it gets louder, "fooling" your ears into thinking the train is in that area. Plus, it allows for a subwoofer for that deep rumbling.

 

Nice prototype...lots of activity

Adrian,
That is a interesting railroad and would be fun to develope a trackplan based on LDE's. The engine will be a challenge to model unless these guys make some progress.

Santa Fe Prototypes

They are developing a 'Topeka cab' and low nose kit for HO Scale Proto 2000 GP7's & GP9's
The original owner of that GP10 was the Santa Fe and they did the low nose conversion and unique 'Topeka' cab in their Topeka Kansas shops.

That paint scheme on the GP10 will give you a babtism in the realm of custom painting, not impossable but surely not for a first time project.

If you are indeed leaning towards HO the Proto 2000 Geeps have been converted to sound by several people so there is info on the web of how to do that.

You may want to get the Model Railroad Planning 2009, this years issue covers track planning using LDE's. Good luck! keep us posted and if you've got questions this is the place to get answers......welcome aboard

2slim