12.5' by 5.5' room - HO or N?

I settled on N scale for the layout to go in this room, however, since construction has not begun yet, I am not opposed to changing my mind and going HO scale.

I was curious as to how you would decide on the scale to use in the room and what type of layout you would put in. The room (when finished being redone) will measure 12.5' x 5.5' x 7'. I have the dimensions of the room and a proposed benchwork that I can post (it is in another thread I posted), but I will definitley post it later.

I do not want to do too much scenery, but enough to provide some nice scenes.

Thanks!

Nut

 

I have a room almost double that size and I am going n scale. I think it depends on what you want to do. You could probably still make a killer switching layout in HO, but forget the sweeping curves.

 

Hi Nut,
You "could" have a contiuous run HO layout it the room you have but there are limitations. For running big 6 axle diesels or large steamers a minimum radius of around 28" - 30" is about right for what looks good. So that starts to put the squeeze on your opperater space and may cause access and reach problems. It can be done but you need a good track design that works around these potential problems.

Steamdonkey suggests a HO swtcher as a "maybe", it depends on what you want and what you will be happy modelling. I switched from HO to N because I was unhappy with the look of my HO layout in a room only slightly bigger than yours. I could have made a switching layout but my preference is for a continuous run mainline with some switching. For me N scale works.

You could sit down with pen and paper and write up the things you like and dislike about both scales. Then write a list of the things you want to model, things that you have seen and like and have a general brianstorm session on the subject. It will help you to make a decision on you moddelling direction.

I still think that N scale will work best for you, hope that helps.

 

Unless you are open to a duck-under or swing-in/out/up/down, I'd have to say N. About 25 years ago I started an HO layout in a coal bin about 5'x11'. I never got beyond the wiring phase before I had to move...which probably turned out to have been for the best. My back hurts just thinking of that duck-under, and I cringe at the thought of 20th century passenger cars on those 22"r & 18"r curves.

 

Wow, a coal bin? That is what the room I am going to put my layout in was used for! Directly under the concrete, enclosed porch. It used to have the oil tank for the heater, but we converted to gas heat and "acquired" a bigger room.

And with the way the poll is going, N is running away with it!

I am working on a layout on the RTS 7.0, trying to get feel for it. I am using sectional now, but I want to use flex and am having trouble with that feature. Such fun!

Nut

 

When I suggested possibly a switching layout in HO, that was a big "if" as I am an N-scaler and I don't have a realistic idea of how much space HO scale layouts REALLY take up.

Adam

 

Well, since Friday, there have been 30 votes for N scale to zero, zip, zilch, nada for HO. I am glad to see I am thinking along the right lines.

I did a lot of contemplating while cleaning up the leaves and reading at night this weekend. I am seeing more clearly a point to point line, with a few industries on each end and a nice yard/town in the middle, maybe another industry or two in the town. I think it would be more fun and a lot simply to build.

If I do decid to put a "loop/half circle" on each end to make it a roundy-round, would 11" be suffice? I will be using smaller cars as it is a shortline that will focus on logging and mining, with some mixed goods coming in to be switched and sent out on the next outbound. I want the yard in the town to be another industry, so it can serve other lines.

Nut

 

I voted for N, but I wouldn't discount HO completely. As somebody wrote, what do you want to do? I think you could do a pretty nice HO shelf switcher in that space.

A few things to consider:

How's your eyesight? (Yes, yes, we can all use magnifiers, etc but maybe the OP doesn't want to deal with that.)
Do you want to superdetail? (Yes, you can do that in N also, but for beginners, I think HO would be easier.)
What's the availability of the equipment you want to run? (I'm thinking straight off the shelf, no futzing with repainting or decals.)

I'm currently in N but I've done HO also and they each have advantages and disadvantages which have been well documented here.

 

Strasburgnut, I have the same decision to make (been trying for a month to make it). My room is 9x12. I have room for a 4x8 HO layout or if i go N scale, it will be more like 42"x96" to save a little space. Obviously N would be the overwhelmingly popular choice in my situation because it would allow so much more track and a better radius with my curves. Unfortunatly I have some eye and hand issues and N scale is just a little too small for me. Also, I have the advantage of not at all being picky about things being prototypical. If I have to stick with 21-5/8 unitrack curves, 4 axle diesels, the smallest steam, and 50' cars that is fine with me. If you can see and handle the N well, then you should probably go for that. I have not ruled it out completely for myself yet. Goodluck with whatever you choose!

-eric

 

I want to "model" a fictional short line associated with Pennsylvania Railroad that has mining and logging on the layout. I envision seeing a bunch of different roadnames, Reading, Western Maryland, Louisville & Nashville, Lehigh Valley, Erie, etc...

I do not see much more in Pennsy in one scale to the next, but that is why I expanded to having this line being an "interchange" shortline and to have a yard that serves other lines so I can include more rolling stock. N does provide a decent amount of stock and I can switch to my hearts content.

I just still have engrained in my head that a train must go around and around since I had trains under the tree at Christmas. Which I think is the reason I want a roundy-round too.

 

I'm on board with speedythecat's response. Although in a room that size one can have an N-scale empire.

 

I have about a 12' by 6.5' space for my H.O. layout and it works out OK as long as you're willing to tolerate a duckunder. I set the height for mine at about 5', so it's not much of a duckunder, and I don't notice the sharp curves as much.

HOWEVER, It's not in a room that small, it's freestanding with access to the middle and two of the sides, so it's not so confining and that extra 6" makes all the difference.

Also, I came into this layout with a lot more H.O. equipment then N and the knowledge that I'm a butterfingers. If you can handle N-scale in genral, then you'd certainly get more from it.
Heck, go Z and you can do a class 1 main.

 

First off, I am going to tell you that Trainboard is a N scale heavy board. Look at the number of posters on the N scale section vs the HO scale section. Your poll is going to come out very skewed.

What do you want to do is the real question. If you are a scratch builder you might lean more toward a larger scale.

Are you into steam? I'd steer you toward a larger scale than N for one simple reason, sound decoders. Additionally I think the availability of locos is just better in the larger scales.

Do you want scenic vistas, go for N scale. Ho scale makes it harder to have that same impact of a tiny train rolling through giant scenery.

Personally, if I had that space, i'd build a nice O scale layout. I think the clunk and chunk of O scale is very alluring.

My vote is for O scale.

 

My best advice is this... don't let the size of the room dictate the scale you use. The layout linked in my sig is a 130x27 foot HO scale layout. Imagine what you could do in N scale with that kind of space. If there is no real difference for you as far as the equipment goes, then you have to look at what you want to do with the layout.

And as a note, there is significantly more HO Pennsy equipment than N scale (Bowser anyone?).

 

Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!!

:tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool:
​

 

You can use 11 in. radius but try to use the transition curves RTS can produce and you will like the looks a lot better. Tight curves are operational for what you will be running and pretty prototypical.

I believe N is the way to go, especially with a seven foot ceiling height. You can elevate your layout to the 50-60 inch height that most like, and still have plenty of room above for some N scale mountains.

 

You are the first one to ever say that! How much do I owe you? LOL!

I'll tell you this for what it's worth... Like I said, I ordered some of both scales because I couldn't make up my mind. My HO stuff came in today. I put the HO caboose next to the N scale caboose and stood back at normal viewing distance. Then I held them both and compared them in size, weight and detail. Conclusion, Bye-Bye N scale! Now for that I will be penalized by having a very small and basic layout in the space I have available. I myself am absolutely fine with that. I admit that most people would go with N, and I'm not saying they are wrong at all. You have to do what you want. Even though the majority of members here are N, most everyone allow you to be you and are behind you no matter which scale you choose. Just a really nice, helpful bunch of people, period. I think I saw where the Atlas forums looked like they were kinda 50/50 between N and HO. These days they are both incredibly detailed.

I had sort of a special situation with the eye disease and the shakey hands that most people don't have to contend with. The N scale stuff is very nice as well. I plan on keeping a small amount of the N to do a small portable layout just for fun. Also, when we move in a year or two, I hope to be moving to a bigger place and expand my 4x8. It will be good to get my feet wet I guess. I'm not at all comfortable with my abilities in any facet of this hobby yet, so this will be fine to learn on. In many ways it's going to be less trackwork and wiring because it's less space in HO. Simple is good for me right now.

I think N is overwhelmingly popular because people just flat out do not have the space they use to, many I know are in N scale soley for that reason. Nothing wrong with it. I could have a killer N layout in my space compared to the basic HO I will have. It's a tradeoff for me being able to see it. That's no small issue either, LOL

Good luck with your decision, and I feel your pain believe me!

 

These are all very valid points to consider.

Speedy, I may have to try your process of elimination. Not a bad idea.

I do not need to have all Pennsy cars on the layout. I want to have a good mix as there will be other lines bringing in their cars for the goods my line produces.

Now to figure out how much I can fit in that space in HO. The one plus (other than the size of the models and selection) is there would be less scenery.

Nut

 

Less scenery is a good thing for me and something I knew going into making my decision. Some people actually enjoy the scenery work more than the trains themselves. while I think that's understandable, I don't fall into that category at all. I want to have a little bit of scenery, but collecting the engines and rolling stock I like and watching the trains run is more my thing. I enjoy switching cars around, but at times I will enjoy just kicking back and watching them go 'round. I don't feel any pressure to conform to anyones model railroading standards but my own. I once did, but I'm over that and feel much better now! Keep doing what you want to do. After all your the one paying for it, and you have to live with it. I think this hobby is many things to many people, but everyone is enthusiastic about it and we all enjoy it in our own way.

With your space, you not only will have to worry about less scenery, but less track laying as well. For me that's another plus. I was so impressed with the HO rolling stock I bought that I would have went HO even if it was more work probably.

On a side note strasburgnut, I bought an Atlas HO RS-1 engine in PRR colors and that thing is sweet! I'll admit I've not really had anything to compare it to, but it's very nice. Then again, I think Kato Unitrack looks nice so I may not be a good judge...

Have fun!

-eric