My name is Bob & I been in to this hobby since 1960 [born in 1955] & had both HO & N & started out small then big then bigger & now small. My dad past away on 4/26/14 & gave me his HO & N stuff, problem is I have a smaller apartment so sadly I cannot fit all of his stuff. But sort of in need of help; I need to know how to tell wish one to keep [see the truth is I have developmental disabilities, which means I am borderline. I am also very limited in things I can do, the doctors told my parents to get me a train set so to see how my motor sills are], well this small layout [1 round track] became a big village. I have problems wiring lights & soldering, & as far as track goes the only thing that works is ez track with the controls [heard that you can buy buildings with lights in them & battery operated, but do not see anything like that on the Internet]. = N = HO Here is how they are in my small apartment; The problems are; Size of space Wiring of buildings Manager of this section 8 place I know there is an ez track for n too, but I do better with HO, also there is more stuff for HO too. I also have faith that watching my dad do it will make me do the wiring too! Thanks, Bob
I think N scale is better for me for doing lots of big things in small space. But that is for ME, not necessarily everybody. I also believe it is easier to get HO to run reliably. About building wiring. I put lights in many of my buildings when I assembled them. Sometimes I put a battery to light up the interior when taking a picture. But you know what? I never got around to wiring up the building lights on the layout! It was just always supposed to be "daytime" in my little work when I was running trains. I planned to have night operations someday but never got around to it. I got along just fine without it. I plan night scenes on my layout now under construction- even painted a computer picture of it-- But if I never quite get to it, I'm having fun doing what I'm doing. Hope you have fun and your trains run smoothly. Good luck.
Hello Bob. Welcome to TrainBoard! From your photos, it appears that you have done a good job. Stacking layouts is a good idea. We have many who are limited in space available, so perhaps they will speak up.
I also think it's kind of neat to have them stacked like that with the option of switching between. And I do believe that HO, as the larger equipment, may end up being better if fine motor is an issue for you. I would also suggest looking to see if there is a model railroad club in your area; quite apart from socializing with people who you share an interest with, it can give you access to folks who can assist you in wiring and the like. Good to have you with us!
I join the other members in welcoming you aboard, Bob. Your work looks very good. I am not a modeler but there are many here who I am sure will help you in any questions you have.
My dad did the n-scale then saw an ho with one of the other hobbies as pictures of police, so he got me that one too, now that he has passed to heaven, I am getting his n & ho too. But I need to pick one as I am getting a lot [what I do not want my sister & I will sell. The caretaker for my dad took everything, even my money.
welcome to the forum, Bob so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace and comfort in each day knowing that your father is now in heaven and is at perfect peace. sorry also that the caretakers for your father have seemed to be less than honest. that is sad. I trust you will find blessing in the model railroad things you have inherited and will be keeping or selling. if you are happy with your hobby work that is all that is important. enjoy and take good care. kindest regards Gary
Hi Bob, Welcome! I like your layouts. I'm the same age as you and I think HO is much better for me to work with. I have trouble seeing under the cars to get them on the rails. I imagine HO will win out for you. I was thinking about your lights for the buildings. My wife buys those battery tea lights to use around the house. I think you can get them pretty cheaply at the dollar store. Just don't get the kind with timers, those get kind of expensive. The only problem is the batteries are kind of pricy. You could probably find the lights cheap enough to just buy new ones when the batteries do go out. They have on/off switches so if you turn them off after a session, they'd last a bit for you. It would save you a bunch of wiring if you don't like doing that. They flicker a bit which would look kind of neat. I'm sorry for your loss, but just remember fondly the railroading you did with your dad. He will be with you. It sounds like you two had a great relationship. All the best, Dale
