Why N?????: or Z Scale Over Other Scales

After modeling in HO for some 26 years, I switched to N, mainly because the 18" radius curves on my old HO layout were woefully inadequate for the trains I wanted to run.

I had been itching to switch for over 15 years, but I never liked the selection of N scale trains and track at the time.

What reeled me in was the availability of Code 55 track, and that most of what I desired in modern-era trains was already on the market.

I have no plans to switch to Z since that scale is kind of where N scale was 15-20 years ago. Also the size difference between N and Z isn't as great as the difference between HO and N. I do feel that N is the scale for me. Small but not TOO small!

 

I went with N because of space restriction, But Z was just a litlle too small for my fat fingers and bad eyes.

 

I chose N because you can pack a lot in a small space. If my layout was HO, it would be lame, too tight of radius', scenery not able to dwarf the trains, etc. I like long trains and you need a warehouse sized layout for that in HO.
I've always thought of trainboard as mainly an N forum, with Z not that far behind. It is by far the best forum out there. Lots of good guys here with good tips and info.
If you want an HO forum , go to modelrailroader.com. Bunch of grandmas and old ladies over there.They assume every post is dealing with HO without even stating what scale they are modeling. They all seem to be looking for a pat on the back after showing their layouts. And if you post anything that the moderators don't like they delete it. I can't stand it over there any more. Trainboard is where its at.:thumbs_up::thumbs_up:

 

I think there are some good points here. I find the N scale section here on Trainboard to be one of the most active N scale communities on the net, whereas over at Railroad Line Forums the On30 section is much more active than its small scale counterpart (the fact there is a single forum for On30 versus a combined one for N/Z/TT is indicative of this). I'm not dedicated to one forum and spend more time reading than anything else. This is the only forum I have created a login for though.

I'm currently a pretty dedicated armchair modeller, so I spend a fair bit of time reading and dreaming. I realise if... I mean... WHEN I get back into modelling I'm going to be a rubber gauger. I was heavily into N scale in childhood and still really like it, but I've always had a thing for HOn3 and in my long absence On30 has exploded in popularity and I have splurged on some locos and sets in that scale and really like the heft of them. The steamers look great and building in that size seems like it would be good fun. Plus, Bachmann's equipment isn't that expensive on the street, which is another big factor for me. I've also been accumulating various bits and pieces in HOn3 (which is a lot more expensive). And I've also bought the Bachmann and Athearn N scale consolidations... and some kato mikado chassis and shells. The cupboard is starting to look a bit eclectic.

The huge advantage N scale has is the scenery/train ratio. There was a train show here a few weeks ago and there was a really nice n scale layout there that had mountains on it that must have been about 3 feet in height, they really dominated the scene. In HO they would have needed to be nearly 6 feet to get the same effect and in O over 10 feet. Thats a lot of headroom.

And as previously mentioned, you can run much longer trains in the same space. I mean, the Kato Super Chief set has 8 cars in it. Again, that would chew space in the larger scales. A lot of people seem to like longer trains - I don't really care too much one way or the other as I'm more into the steam engines themselves, but I can understand the appeal, particularly for modellers of more modern periods.

The previous negatives against N scale were the running and reliability of the engines, and from what I've seen the progress on this front is incredible. DCC seems much more usable in N scale now, which would have been a challenge in 1994 when I stopped with the hobby. Drop in decoders are widespread in N for diesels if they aren't already installed.

If I had to be honest, the layout I am most likely to build if/when I build another one is an N scale one, about HCD size for a couple of reasons. One, its small enough I might actually get the track down and I can see trains run around. Two, being honest with myself my progress would be incredibly slow regardless and attempting to build a room sized layout would end up with a pile of wood - with N and a HCD I might actually end up with something with actual scenery resembling a layout. And lastly, I still love N scale. It was the scale I built my own layouts in as a kid (my father had some OO British stuff but N scale was mine alone) and never underestimate sentimentality. ;-)

But one day I'll also build an On30 layout, and one day I'll build a HOn3 one... one day.

I'll go back to lurking now.

 

Reply!!!!

WOW!!! 24 posts in 24 hours - that is why I like it here. Scale aside, you want information and everything pertains to model railroading and the promotion of the hobby here. Yes, I have it too, railites!

First off I model in HO and with the size basement I have just moved to and all that I have collected over the years I don;t plan to change any time soon.
Dieselfan1 thinks I am an old lady and don't belong here. But he repeats what most of you have, and that is "Size does matter". I guess I am an outcast for DC instead of DCC too? (I guess there should be a sticky for a DC thread.)

Well I am staying because I like the information, help and response on Trainboard.

My question was because I wanted to know what drew you to N besides size and my question was answered in many different ways. I thank you all.

Back in the 80's when I started collecting odds and ends, N just didn't have IT. My LHS at the time loved N for it size and was an old timer who liked to scratch build. The price at that time was quite high also. I went down the HO track.

First thing I do when I come to this site is press new posts. If I looked down the right side for section and passed over all the N threads without using the walkway as someone said and seeing the heading I might have moved on. I guess Dieselfan1 was right by saying this was a N forum. Well there is a great deal of knowledge here and I can learn from you all.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Bruce, I'm pretty sure Dieselfan1 was trying to inject some humor and fell into the "humor doesn't translate well in email/forum-post/text very well" trap. Please don't take offense.

I can't speak to his experience on the MR forum, though MR itself seems widely criticized in the N scale world for being too HO-focused. As for here, it seems that N may be the busiest forum, but all scales seem well represented with some wonderful, helpful people.

 

I don't think everyone is a gramma over there so sorry if I irked you. It just seems like people on there show their layouts and ask for praise. Then when you critisize it they (the moderators) get all pissy and delete your post. I see none of that here. Another thing I notice is they are kind of condescending of N scalers. Maybe its just me though:tb-confused: BTW I run DC :thumbs_up:

 

I was in HO scale and switched to N scale because I wanted to run super long trains but after a few years I went back to HO scale because I found I liked switching better than running.HO seems to be more realistic than N when it comes to switching.

 

I would like to make it clear that what I like about TrainBoard is that everyone want to help and there are many who join in to teach or give there advise. Even the old Dogs here learn new tricks from time to time. This old dog hasn't learned enough yet so be prepared for questions like this thread.

The business next door just received packaging equipment and I asked him if he wanted the crating and pallets. Now I have stripped out all the nails and have the wood for benchwork. Now if someone has any suggestions on building benchwork? LOL
I just hijacked my own thread!!! LOL

 

You know what else I like about Trainboard is when someone(usually a newbie) asks a somewhat basic question he will get an answer right away by a few guys and thats usually it. On that other forum that same question will get beaten to death for days with everyone giving the same answer over and over and over until there is 3 pages of blah blah blah and guys getting side tracked off the original topic. I think its brutal sometimes :thumbs_down:

 

NSO??? I also left it behind me...

But back to the question: For modular railroading, IMHO (american) N scale is top notch! Since DCC the operation quality of N scale diesel locos is the same as in bigger scales. I don´t really like sound equipped locomotives on modular layouts, so I don´t miss this very much.
Because we don´t have grades on our modules and do not operate very long trains, we can add weight to the cars according to the NMRA recommendation and have also very reliable coupler action (no magnets!!!, only (Rix) Picks).
And because of the the much lower volume per scale mail, I can transport much more landscape and rolling stock in a given trunk volume.
The only thing I dislike is the "strech and shortening phaenomenon" that sometimes occures. It is caused by the construction principle of the Micro-Trains coupler with the spring loaded coupler slack in combination with dirty and/or untrue wheelsets.

 

Just my observations, (I model in HO btw), but some of the N and Z scales layouts featured here are truly the best I have ever seen, none of them to me look toy like (as some of the old N scale large rail, pizza cutter flanges we used to see 10-15 years ago).
The internet, the manufacturers, this forum and the modelers have all made huge strides in the past decade in these scales in my humble opinion. If I was to change eras (diesels) and prototype, I would consider N scale now that they have Code 55, Atlas and Kato.

 

Geared Steam, Thank you for the compliment to Z Scale. As with all scales we have our share of exceptional modelers. Because of Z's size it forces participants to go the extra modeling mile to achieve the realism you mentioned. Also Z perpetuates skills in those who may not have the scenery skills down yet to excel in other sub fields like scratch build a Shay, nano lighting, model making, module presentations and animation devices. It is a wonderful scale, but not for the timid. Lastly as you have mentioned some of us have roomsized layouts that have miles of scale track lai
d. This is a great hobby, and it should be one big happy family regardless of one's skill, regardless of scale. Below is a shot from my layout. Cheers, Jim CCRR/Socalz44

 

Socalz, that looks fantastic, and I take it you scratchbuilt the engine. What a great scene. And I'll bet it doesn't take up a lot of space either... ;-)

Are there any more pics of your layout around?

 

Again you never fail to impress. :thumbs_up:

 

Be prepared Sly :mbiggrin:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/6936/sl/s

 

Geared Steam, Thank you and I accept. Sly, Geared Steam has provided a link to my photos, enjoy. He should have included one for his own great photos and modeling. Cheers, Jim CCRR/Socalz44

 

I just simply fell in love with N scale and it's detail, availability, and layout size. I recently got into Z and am currently doing a antique jewelry case layout (13" x 36"), which leaves lots of room for scenery and such. Z's are great runners (smooth and strong). The only thing I don't like is the availability. Hopefully we'll see more available in Z in the future as interest grows. But like someone else said here, "if it's out now, you better buy it now, it won't be there tomorrow" seems to hold true. The expense of Z is kinda stout too. So, I model mainly N and am lovin' the Z scale project currently on the workbench.

 

As a newcomer to this board, I'm a little surprised at the ratio of N to HO - looking down the list of new posts, N is overwhelmingly predominant. Not to complain really, it's a great site with much to learn regardless of the scale, but I am wondering if there is a site more active with HO?