Although the thread is about the N-scale forums on TrainBoard, this has evolved into a lively discussion about the merits of N-scale and the perceived vs. actual number of N-scale modelers. As for this forum, I actually think the growth of the N-scale community on TrainBoard can be attributed to the following: (1) The TrainBoard.com website is well organized and well-maintained. (2) Lots of very good N-scale modelers found (and continue to find) this website, signed up, and participate/contribute in the community. (3) Most of the other "mass market" online forums (Trains.com, for example) don't even have forums for individual scales. I think #3 in my list above is what really helps TrainBoard stand out. I was a member on Trains.com and was a regular contributor to the Model Railroader forums. However, I got tired of having to distinguish all of my N-scale posts on that almost exclusive HO forum. I went looking elsewhere and found the excellent N-scale community at TrainBoard. I rarely post on other forums any more. The helpful advice I have received on this forum has really shaped my layout construction methods. All I ever got on those other sites was advice like, "That will never work." or "Why would you want to do that?" Useless comments like these are rarely found on TrainBoard. The N-scale forum on TrainBoard is the best website on the planet! Jamie
N Gauge :ru-biggrin:" Oh " come on lads. If you live in a small box, you use Z . Go up one size and its N. Next size up HO., and so on.. Size dicktates all for some, like my self. Swing a cat, " big joke" not evan a mouse could be swung.. Evan though i would like to do HO because of my eye sight, i do the next best thing, and enjoy myself.and model N gauge, and thats what its all about, enjoyment of seeing what one can do.
I like the BAR logo ... Funny .. as I'm writing this I am sitting in my office at Derby (shops) Maine Randy
Somehow trainboard is just a happier home for me. I like how newbies are welcomed and encouraged! There is always great advice here. And I like how the seasoned modelers share what they have learned and are always glad to help the newer modelers. I like the variety of forums here as well.
Atlas Forums: N Scale Model Railroad Forum 3673 Topics 58690 Posts HO Scale Model Railroad Forum 3624 Topics 54295 Posts No, we still have them beat there too...not as high a ratio as here, but the numbers prove it. The availability of Atlas' products does not coincide with those figures though.
I would wager to add: (4) The average age of an adult N scale modeler is younger than an adult HO modeler; people in their 20s-40s are usually more experienced at using the Internet than people 50+. (5) N scalers, dealing with smaller-sized objects, are more technologically-savvy than their HO counterparts. (6) Because there are so many HO scalers, their online resources are spread out all over the Internet, whereas in N scale they are concentrated into a handful of sites, one of which is Trainboard.
