N scale popularity poll

Please select what best fits your opinion on what would help N catch up to HO in popularity. You may select up to two choices.

 

Three of the shops in my neck of the woods have told me they don't like to stock stuff that doesn't sell and N-Scale is not selling right now. One of them has decided to no longer carry Micro-Trains (he carried them since day-one) because he over stocked on it regularly and he'd prefer not to order any other brand either. If this keeps up I'll be down to just one dealer soon and only because if you want it he'll try to get it for you (if you've got a good "track" record with him).

 

I think that you should have added one more option ... "More acceptance and purchasing of N-Scale by the modelling community". I think the quality of N-Scale cars, engines, tracks, and structures is now equal to that of HO. The price for top-of-the-line N equipment is probably right where it should be compared to top-of-the-line HO. You have to consider that the cost of research, design, tooling, and manufacture is about the same for the two scales. The cost of materials is a little less for N than it is for HO .... not half though.

I think the major problem is that our hobby is expensive. Many of us have a lot of money and time tied up in older HO equipment. We can not rationalize scrapping hundreds or thousands of Dollars and years of work in HO just to start again with N. I expect it will take another 15-30 years before today's 15-30 year olds who are getting big into N will outnumber the older HO'ers who are starting to die off. Magazines are beginning to pick up on the increased population and interest in N-Scale and that should speed up the transition.

It takes time for major change to occur, especially when it involves "Hobby Money", which is harder to come by than "Rent Money" or "Food Money".

[ 02 March 2002, 02:57: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]

 

Well, I was going to vote but I think N-scale in alot of ways has surpassed HO. Prices might be a little higher for N but its extremely popular with everyone I know. No offense, but it seems that mostly the older generation is into HO and stay because they do have so much time and money tied up in it, not to mention the ones I talk to say their eyesight is going.

I feel very well supported in N-scale. There are more than one magazine dovoted to just N. There is a huge variety of products and detail parts. Quality in the last few years has definatley increased. Prices are decent. I havn't found anything yet that I can't do in N that can be done in HO other than some types of locos and that is being taken care more and more. On top of it all, my two local train shops carry just about any N scale item you can think of and if they don't, will get it for you.

To me, the questions in the poll makes it sound as if N is very lacking and sure, there are tons of item we Nscalers would like to see but the same can be found anywhere. I dare say Nscale is in its time and has taken over popularity already.

[ 02 March 2002, 05:25: Message edited by: John Barnhill ]

 

Hank, you bring up some very good points - I was mainly looking at this from a product standpoint - Until attitudes at local clubs and LHS as well as mainstream press coverage stops looking at N with the old attitudes of disdain we will have an uphill climb.

And John - you are right as well - there have been amazing advances made in quality and variety - but we still have a long way to go to catch up to our HO brothers in terms of product availability and variety. HO still commands over 2/3 of model railroaders, while N is only 15-20% - I was looking at it from this aspect - not necessarily that is not popular among N scalers. It sounds as though you have a good LHS, but my experience says otherwise - most LHS in my area and travels (with a few great exceptions) only carry a token amount of N - some dusty model power buildings, a few packs of snap track and a limited variety of Bmann rolling stock.

 

John, Good point.

I have found that a magnifying lamp is great for working on N-Scale equipment. The lamp has a circular flourescent bulb with a 6" magnifying lens in the middle, and clamps to the workbench. They have been used in labs and electronics repair shops for years, but now they are sold in places like Home Depot and Lowe's, and I think I saw some in Office Depot.

I also agree that N-Scale manufacturers are now developing some great products. Kato set the mark for locomotives originally, and now Atlas, Bachmann, Con-Cor, and Life-Like have become very competitive. Also laser manufacturing techniques have revolutionized the quality of structures.

I think N-Scale will eventually surpass HO for popularity, it just may take 10-20 years to overcome the inertia.

[ 02 March 2002, 15:23: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]

 

Great poll!

Yes, N-scale still has some uphill travel to catch HO. However, in reading my last post on what scale everyone started in, there are many former HO modelers in N-scale now.

It would be very interesting if a poll can be taken to find the average age of modelers in both N & HO. I suspect (and I stress "suspect") that a majority of those in HO are at an age where working with a smaller scale like N is difficult. The other thing I suspect is that those who have been in HO for a long time have a significant investment in that scale, and are therefore reluctant to take on the trouble & cost of switching scales.

But that's all theory at this point. I could be wrong.

 

Ya know, based on early results of my "What Age" poll, N-Scale may become the dominant scale sooner than any of us think.

 

I could still argue that N is the equal at least of HO on any given day. (if anyone would like to, email me privately) I guess I just happen to live in an Nscale rich environment and should count myself blessed.

Just one more thing though to make my point though, just look at the number of topics and replies here on Trainboard and do a little comparison, and thats just one example.