Given the following criteria/desires that you mentioned above:
I think you've just answered your own question.
Each scale has its compromises. It pretty much comes down to deciding between two things: Better detail or more layout for the same space.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Or the same amount of track, but with more space in between, so it doesn't look crowded. N gives a better chance (usually) in making the space look large. If you must do 4x8 (by the time you walk around it, it takes a lot of space, and other shapes MAY have advantages without taking more space), N gives a lot more options. I think you should read some, and look at some trackplans and pictures. And seriously look at taking an HO plan and building it, without rescaling except for track centers, in N. You might like what you see.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Other secondary considerations:
It's easier to work on HO-scale trains than N-scale. At the age of 60, my eyes are relatively good for an old dude, but I still have trouble with details. I'm happy to say that since I've gotten back into modelling, my fingers have become steadier and more nimble with practice, but that won't last forever, either.
Right now, the sound systems in HO are pretty good, and are rapidly becoming mainstream for new engines. However, the sound option at that level is probably several years away in N-gauge. It will get there, eventually, but if you're buying engines over the next few months you won't find many sound-equipped locos in N. (The experience of many modellers who have started adding sound engines is that once they start running sound-equipped locos, they don't run the quiet ones much anymore.)
If you can, visit a train show with layouts, or maybe take in a couple of local clubs with different scales. Seeing a real layout will give you a different perspective on the relative merits of the two scales.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
If you want a lot of railroad in a small space then N is the way to go. 4x8 is really best suited for shortline/branchline operations in HO or S and trolley operations in O or G.
Enjoy
Paul
railroaderSTL wrote:i have some ho stuff i have a 4x8 table but can't decide what scale to do i would like to do a big yard alot of coal work a lot of track. thanks for the help
N, if you can deal with the smaller details per Beasley's post.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
railroaderSTL wrote:i have some ho stuff i have a 4x8 table but can't decide what scale to do i would like to do a big yard alot of coal work a lot of track.
Having said that, why do you want a big yard? What are you going to do with all the trains that it makes up and breaks down - just loop them right back where they started? I would think two smaller yards would be much more interesting to operate.
I'm now into "O" because of age and eyes.
Was in "HO" for over 50 years. When I started, I had the same question. Back then, "HO" had more options than "N". I don't think that "N" has caught up yet. My choice would be "HO"
All the best.
In the past three years, I've helped build three 48"X80" HO project layouts for the local NMRA Division. One other person and myself did all the track work and wiring. All three have turned out ok, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
In a small space, HO looks like Lionel. The temptation is to get as much as possible crammed into it.
I model in N scale, so I'm opinionated, but the truth of it is that you can get a more realistic layout in a 4'X8' space with N scale.
Your first decision should be what you want to do with your layout. Do you want a switching operation or a railfan layout?
I have a little more space and chose to do a little of both. The local Bureau of Land Management(my wife) allocated a corner space in the basement family room allowing a 10'X14' "L" configuration.
With your 4'X8', you'll need access to all sides, unless you have exceptionally long arms, thus taking up much more space than the footprint of the table. With that in mind, you might consider building your benchwork instead of using a table.
From your I.D., I'm guessing you may be in St Louis. If you email me, I can arrange to show you some examples of what can be done in N scale and I have pictures of the project layouts I was involved with.
There are pictures of the first and second layouts on the Division website www.gatewaynmra.org. There are alot of pictures of the Gateway Central XII, but only one early picture of Gateway Central XIII. No pictures have been posted of Gateway Central XIV yet. You'll notice how we had to compromise, using tight radius curves and compressing the industries to fit the available space.
Here are a couple of shots of my layout for comparison.
The depth of the layout is only 3' except for the ends, that are pumped out to 4'.
To me, HO and N ARE the two choices (unless you want narrow guage, but nevermind that).
Advantages of HO: Lots of items available. If they make it, they make it in HO. Easier to work on DCC installs and couplers. More small steam and DCC available than in N. Models engines and scenes better due to larger size and more detail.
Advantages of N: Fit a larger layout into a smaller space. Great for running looong trains. Lots of diesel only some steam. Adequate diesel DCC but almost no steam DCC (just beginning to see it). Models better in terms of the entire display is more realistic. Models whole trains better than HO. Smaller, harder to work on. Couplers and DCC installs are VERY difficult (I can't do them). Need better eyesight.
For most it is a matter of size. But I had the room and still went N. No matter what you do, its a compromise. HO probably works best where you have access to several sides (like an island layout). It takes a lot more space (loooong reaches) to do a loop in HO (about 48"). You can do a loop in N in about 32". Most people can reach 32" and have a hard time reaching 48".
HEdward wrote:I still haven't found a home for my one piece of N rolling stock someone gifted me in error.
Check out the Hallmark Lionel American Freedom Train Models. Very close to Zscale! Somebody needs to talk to Hallmark about trucks & couplers. While the trucks look nice, the coublers are poor. At least the wheels can be replaced with MTL ones.