As most of you folks know, I am in the process of building an N guage empire in my garage . Since I was in HO for several years before I switched, I am realizing what kind of expense is involved in switching scales . Although I think it is worthwhile, I am a bit shocked regarding everything that I will need to complete this layout. Part of the problem is that not only was I in HO, but I recycled just about every scrap from layout to layout, so even when building a new HO layout the cost was not that great. Of course the real question is: am I having fun. I can still answer "yes" and resign myself to the fact that it is just the cost of doing business !! Happy Modeling! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
That's why I would never switch. The costs of everything has gone through the roof in the past 15 years and I don't care if DCC is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I'm not about to convert my aging fleet and ageing railroad to bring it into the 21st century. I will just continue to upgrade parts of it despite the temptation to do something different. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana Railroad ==
When I switched over, I traded almost one for one. I set up a table at a Model Train Show, sold a piece of HO, walked a few feet, bought a piece of N. By the end of the day, most of my HO stuff was gone and I had a TON of N! ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners! The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
JCater, have you sold all of your HO steam engines, cranes, and rotary snow plows? ------------------ Watash #982
I started back into the hobby around 4 years ago I started from scratch and have slowly built my empire to 35 locomotives and approx 300 pieces of rollingstock and not to mention the actual layout. I compare the money i spend to a person who smokes. I would average approx $30 Aus a week on my hobby which really isn't a great outlay but over 4 years I now have a great deal worth of N scale. I suppose it comes down to how soon you want your empire. The actually building of the layout is relatively cheap compared to buying the locomotives and rollingstock. ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
oddly I'm going throiugh the same process as Jcater !?!?! I have lots of HO scale I need to get rid of, but no local trains shows, last one was about 4 years ago. Who knows why they never came back, had a TON of people there. ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER#204 THE WEB PAGE IS NOW UPDATED!! Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
John, I did pretty much the same thing about 10 years ago when I entered N scale. I had some unused stuff in HO that I traded back to my dealer on N scale. The rest I sold by getting a table at a local train show. If you have no local shows to sell at (or have leftovers), there's always eBay! Harold ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
I might be interested in big steam engines, & steam cranes. All HO, and NO DCC! ------------------ Watash #982
I had not even considered selling my HO stuff. I have had it for so long that it is like an old friend!! I'll need to think about that one. Sorry Watash, no big steam engines, just little 4-4-0s, 0-4-0s an unbuilt shay and an unbuilt 2-6-0. Lots of old time rolling stock and of course buildings etc. Happy Modeling!! JOhn ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
While I'm not changing scales (unless I win the lottery and go live steam full scale!) I know what you mean about being sentimental about your old stuff. I've got a bunch of Athearn B&O passenger cars which are about as common as rocks and no match for today's detailed Chinese stuff. But they are old friends,and like your my old dogs, if I don't love them, who will? ------------------ Trails to Rails!
JCater, if the 2-6-0 is a Mantua "8" Ball Mogul, That is the one I need. I have parts to repair it. The only "N" I have is a new in the box Mini-Trix Amtrak Passenger car, and will pay some boot. E-mail me, can we talk? ------------------ Watash #982
Sorry again Watash . I did have that engine at one time, but sold it many years ago. The 2-6-0 I have is the MDC kit version. Let me know if you are still interested and maybe we can get together on it! Happy Modeling! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
