Newbie: N or HO scale?

I'm planning on setting up either an HO or N scale. The location I have to do this is a corner of my garage. I will have room for a 30" by 78" module with another 30" by 78" module butted up to it to for an L shape. The back run will be 108" and the side run 78". Depth of both tables is 30". I have room to eventually add another module across the other end to make a U shape. My question is whether this is enough room for a good HO layout or if I should go with N scale in order to be able to work up to a fairly extensive layout. I think I'm leaning toward N scale to allow some long runs with longer trains. Any input will be appreciated since this is all new to me. I don't want to get started down a scale size path that I may regret later. Once I make this decision I will get some equipment and start playing around with layouts.

Tnx, Jim

 

hi jim and welcome you would have to go n-scale with the dimentions you gave unless you want a swithing layout thats why I chosse n-scale so I can longer trains and of them rich

 

Hey welcome on board. i'm a HO fan all the way. But any scale of railroad is nice. Yep i agree with u if u want lots of trains in a small area u go N or u have a point to point with HO. To do a dogbone or loop in HO u will need a minimum of 36" plus 4" out from the wall, 1/2 that for N. Is this your first layout? U know u have On3 and HOn3 scales too.

 

I may go to hell for this, but for the space available I think you may have to go N scale. I'm an HO scale bigot, but it's also my expierience that unless you can devote AT LEAST 40 sq. ft. to an HO layout you end up being defined by your limitations rather than your capabilities. My current layout is 15x18 and I'm still finding this to be true, though to a lesser extent. Many people are going to loudly disagree with me, but it's my opinion that small layouts aren't worth the hassle. You spend more time trying to get it to do what you want it to than you spend enjoying it. Just my $.02

 

You should go with N. Long ago I used to have a H0 layout in a 9' by 12' room, and always the curves were to tight and trains too long.
So now I have the same space and will go for N. Running quality of N seems to be good, or at least sufficient, it depends on what kind and brand of engine you have.
If you want to scratchbuild and superdetail your cars and engines, then you should use H0, and live with the space restrictions.
That's what I can say about it right now, if I have started the real layout, I might know more...

REgards, Christoph

 

I have just recently begun to build a modelrailroad and with the limitations, I had choose to go with N scale, due to the amount of room that I had available, a small apartment.

my brother, a big HO scale modeler( told me with my limited room to go with N scale) started me off with a starter n scale kit and some rolling stock I now have a lil more rolling stock about 16 cars, 3 engines and a switcher ( still relatively small amount, a lil at a time will do though. )
Im now in a big house with a train board of 48 x 75 inches which gives me alot of space to play with

From a stand point of actually starting to collect N scale locos and cars 3 years ago.
The details you can add and do with N scale is close to that of what HO scale is now, coming a long way with the popularity of N-scale growning, more and more, it has come along way, and Im sure it will imporve as has been.

I just use small brushes and patients to get the results I want .

good luck in makeing your desision and getting started

[ 17. November 2002, 18:49: Message edited by: Wolv_Cub ]

 

I am in N because for the space available I could have an empire. The same space in HO would have been more than half reduced because I could double deck in N but couldn't in HO (not enough room given wider radius turns).

 

I switched from HO to N about a dozen years ago, and anything said to discourage me was wrong! Runs great, the MT uncouplers work for operations, scenery and structures good and getting better, etc.

The newest is "My eyes will get tired of N Scale"

Well, my eyes aren't what they used to be, but I can still see the 30 car trains going around my layout!

 

I've done N and HO, and I agree that for the space you listed. N is the way to go. You could definatly make an Interesting HO layout in that space too. It depends on your focus. for instance, if you want to run trains, then you have to go N. If instead you want to super detail the scene and make a small little switching type layout, then HO may be better, becaus eyou can get more details in.

 

Tnx to all who replied, I've learned a lot. The biggest thing I've learned is how much I have to learn. I've really enjoyed looking over your site Paul, it's given me a good idea as to what can be done. I'm presently going through all the past layout threads as well as others and am finding a huge amout of info. Once I firm up my scale (more than likely N scale) I think I need to build up a small layout to 1). Learn how to build a model railroad and 2). learn how to run a railroad. I will definitely be back here to gather info on the best small layout to get the feel of running a railroad.

Tnx, Jim

 

I have just in the past 3 years gotten back into the hobby. I'm working on a N scale layout. I built a 4' x 8' HO kit from Woodland Scenic after my first 4' x 8' looked kind of sad. I learned so much by doing the Woodland scenic kit. I'm going after the 12' x 7' N scale with much more confidence now. Geez, sounds like a sport.

 

Jim,
I have taken a post from the Atlas forum for you. I didn't used to agree with purchasing a layout. But after I did it myself, and realized how much I learned from it, I thought you might want to consider this option. The problem with building a larger layout is that it takes time to come up with a "sophisticated" track plan. I am talking about the skills acquired to get into a great plan that will with stand the test of time. I kept discovering a new "final" track plan, which I out grew in a short period of time.

I bought a 2 by 8 in N scale and used it for a two years while developing skills and a more sophisticated taste for what I was after in layout design.

I don't know this company, nor am I related, or even in the same country, but you might want to check it out. The layout would give you years of entertainment, as you "grew" in the hobby. Then you could sell it and start your "final" layout. The following is not written by me.

I travel a lot, and spend 6 months in an apartment and then 6 months at the beach house, so you can imagine that puts certain constraints on my Model Railroad.

When I got back into active MRRing, I got and assembled a Terrain for Trains layout. This has pluses and minuses but I think my money was well spent at the time. However, after doing the following, I no longer think the TforTrains is a good way to go.

There is an ad in the December MRR page 158 for Model Railroads by Chris. The one he is showing in that ad is 2x4 for $110 - a super buy. His website is www.rxrchris.com he has a flyer to email you with many other options.

Mine is a larger one - the 3x8 Midland, and of course more expensive. The price is pretty modest, however, less than a brass articulated for example.

I put some pictures up on the Epson site.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1670467&a=30441885&pw=

Incredibly the time to unpack this, assemble it, insert the missing track sections and test it was less than 2 hours!

It is so easy now to "run trains" that nobody can really justify sitting in the "Armchair"!

Now I need to start on the scenery and structures!

Michael Hewitt

(back to me) PS. You might want to email him for newer plans, as I didn't see the one posted by Michael Hewitt on his web site, which leads me to believe there might be others not advertised, but available.

[ 02. December 2002, 19:06: Message edited by: rsn48 ]

 

I am also limited to an L shaped layout in the garage. My space is 196" x 84" and only 24" to 30" deep to still allow room to park the car. I didn't have a scale decision though as it was always N scale. I wanted to show you my plan so that you can see what can fit into that size space in N scale.

Here is my trackplan.



Here is where I am today. I am currently in the track laying stage. All benchwork is done (2" foam) and cork roadbed is down.

 

Mike and I have lunch together monthly, or so, and talk trains, plus we only live five miles apart, but I haven't been over to see his layout.

He is so modest, it makes it sound like he has made no progress, but its clear he has good looking progress. Mike, I want to run my three NS engines on your layout this year!

 

Jeff, Thanks for the comments.

I hope your NS engines have rubber tires as I have no track laid yet!!

Maybe in a few months. I am busy building my code 55 turnouts. I have built three so far.

It is time for another lunch!!

 

I'd say it's an overwhelming victory for N Scale! I have a bunch of small N Scale starter layouts on my web site (see the link that trainboard includes by my name). I built most of these in a matter of weeks... they are simple plans, but there's also a U shaped larger design that may tickle your fancy too.... with pictures and track plans and eveything. Just go to the "layouts" page and look at the Lodi Junction or the Pennsy on a Shelf. Good luck and have fun!!!!!!