I am debating which scale I should use to build my railway empire. At this time, I'm working with HO. I just acquired a 10'x20' space in the basement and I'm torned between the level of details that HO allow you to model, however, N would allow for more trackage. I would like to run long trains, i.e. passenger, intermodal, etc. however I'm afraid that HO would limit this activity... What would be the advantages/disadvantages of HO vs. N (DCC, availability, choice, quality, cost, etc.)? Thanks in advance for your comments. J-Marc
Good questions, J-Marc. Unfortunately, there really are no clear-cut answers without getting personal. (I'll add my disclaimer here - I am a N Scaler through and through. I enjoy the challenge of working in a smaller scale.) You are right about the limiting aspect of long trains in HO, though you do have a reasonable area to work with. The running qualities in N have come a long way in recent years and would be on a par with HO given the physical constraints of N Scale's size. Depending on the prototype or free-lanced road you intend modelling, there could be similar availability in HO and N. Remember N has had more new releases in recent years than HO and has a good selection for most eras and situations, with more slated to come. Current releases have been coming DCC ready, and installed, and there are now several decoders available specifically for N so availability is not really an issue though cost (compared to HO decoders) could be. What it comes down to is what you really want in a layout. The level of detail available in both scales is not that different these days and there are N Scale detail parts available from Sunrise Enterprises, Detail Associates, JnJ, BLMA, and others. So; [*]If it is super-detailing locomotives and rolling stock then HO is the way to go if you wish to do it relatively easily - it's simply bigger. On the other hand, N Scale has a great range of detail parts available off shelf, though not as profuse as HO, if you can handle working with the size. [*]If it's long trains and greater distance you desire then N wins out decisively. Of course, we don't need to add the greater scenery to model ratio aspect. [*]If it's quality of mechanisms and models then you will have no problems with N Scale models produced over the last 10 years or so. In summary, I see no real disadvantages with either scale. Advantages do exist in both. Your call! Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree!
just a tip. you can detail n scale as much as you can ho.and you also can run big trains in the space you have also. ------------------ those who know me know my sense of humor,dont take me seriously. bnfan99
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bnfan99: just a tip. you can detail n scale as much as you can ho.and you also can run big trains in the space you have also. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> ...unless it's it's on the "Blue-Branch" Line on a N-Trak Layout! NOT! Go with N! You won't regret it! Big Trains in little spaces. "N-Scale BIG?" you say. I used to do HO and thought the N stuff was small. Now the HO looks too BIG and the N looks just right! Go figure... ------------------ BNSF RAILFAN-TO-THE-MAX! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 and a N-Scaler to boot!
the blue branch line (home of the hundred car local) and four car martian express!!!!!! hey look under the brdge for a surprise kiddies. ------------------ Norfolk Southern The Pack Mule of Transportation Mo-Pac RULES Heritage N-Scale Group, Joliet, Il.
Gary's reply is so comprehensive and sensible, I have little to add. But I would certainly go with N, as someone said you can do anything in N that you can in HO these days. The quality of modern equipment in N is superb. But the longer trains and longer runs make it N scale for me! ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant: ...unless it's it's on the "Blue-Branch" Line on a N-Trak Layout! NOT! Go with N! You won't regret it! Big Trains in little spaces. "N-Scale BIG?" you say. I used to do HO and thought the N stuff was small. Now the HO looks too BIG and the N looks just right! Go figure... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I am also a HO convert to N-scale. I have experienced this same thing. The HO stuff just looks huge to me now. Heck, even Z scale does not seem as flea like as it once did to me. N-Scale is truly great and I have no regrets dumping HO. Now if I can just get off my but and some funds together, maybe I will actually start my empire
This will be probily the first oppion from someone who started in HO tryed N and stayed HO but still likes N. Advantages of HO 1. Many Models Avalible. 2. Athearn 3. Easyier to detail units (it is possible to acheve the same detail in N scale but HO scale stuff is a little easyier to work with because of the size.) Advantages of N 1. Price (I find the N scale stuff is a little cheaper than HO) 2. Long Trains 3. More area to work with Disadvantages of HO 1. Less area to work with. 2. Need a Large Layout to run long trains (I have a short layout but run long trains anyways) Disadvantages of N 1. Avaliblity of items (thats why I listed Athearn as a advantage of HO scale) 2. Harder to work with (people with bad eyesight/bad cordnation could have problems. However I have heard the longer you work with it the better it gets) My HO layout was limited to 18" curves because of the lack of avalible space. This limits what I can run and have look realistically. The real life equivalent of 18" curve in real life doesn't exsist... anywhere (except on some logging companys and some short industral spurs) In N I would have been able to have made a realistic curve and run whatever I wanted to. Anther thing you may want to look at is the avaliblity of some eras of models. In HO theres a gap (unless you go RPP) betwen the SD40-2 and the SD70M the 45-2/50/60s have not been made RTR ever. this creates a problem for modelers who model a modern era like me (the same is true for the GE 4 axle -7 and some of the -8 lines) In N scale the problem exsist with the GE ACs and anything beyond the EMD SD60M. However the problem could really be considered with anything in N because everything in N scale (excluding the LL F40PH LL GP38-2 and bachmann GE -8s) is limited run. Athearn is hands down one of the greatest Model Companys around. They make a wide range of locomotives and cars and they are always avalible. (even the Athearn Genisis line of locomotives which they said they will make new runs as demand ask). They have always been a class act to deal with. REALLY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. The only problem with Athearn (this does not apply to HO guys like me) is that they are HO scale only (they also make trucks for O scale cars) there have been rumors around that Athearn will come into the N scale market soon but condsisdering how long people have been saying this (a few years) I consider this highly unlikely. (I will eat crow if I am proven wrong) My personal recomendation. eather. They both have there strong and weak points. ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!! I looked at DCC... and stayed DC!
I was an HOeean, but switched scale to N. Here are/were my reasons- -Drop in DCC. Although it is in HO too, I find it easier in N for alot of units. -Space!! I would have had 6 car freights if I was HO scale! I will be running 12-15 cars freights soon. -I am modern, so I have found a better selection of some of the units I like in N. Of course, saying that, now all the stuff that attracted me to N is coming out in HO (i.e. SD60) -Micro Trains! well, Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ BC Rail King BCRailKing@Canada.com InternationalRegion@tamr.org for TAMR info. Dane_Nicholson@tamr.org http://www.tamr.org "I was DC, and went DCC!"
