Yes, yes and yes. N scale is really the optimal operators scale, if you ask me. You can build a decent size yard in a reasonable amount of space, your industries can actually be larger than the cars serving them, and your distance between towns can be more reasonably realistic.
New N scale equipment is every bit as reliable as HO. Sound is a bit more difficult, but for most of us, that's a side show anyway. The main compromise will be the level of detail you'll want to add to your equipment. Detailing can be done in N, but the result might be a little more fragile than in the bigger scales. But honestly, in most cases the 3-foot rule works strongly in your favor...
To see an operations oriented N scale layout, I invite you to visit my website.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
I switched in 1980 from N to H0, one point was the poor running.
But when I nowadays look at our americaN group, they do a lot of switching.
But I like sound and critters. This will be a problem with N.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
I am a 42-year old N-sacler for life (well, so far!). If you want to get a feel for N-scale, try a hollow core door layout. Buy a 36" x 80" hollow core door, some folding buffet table legs and a few sheets of blue/pink foam. Well under $100. Now get some track, buy a loco or two and some rolling stock and of course some kind of power pack. This is the setup I have had for the last 10+ years while I have been planning the big layout that I finally started last year. For just an oval on a door, I can get lots of fun out of that and it definitely gives a good feel of how the scale operates. I went DCC two years ago and that dramatically increased the pleasure of working with N (as it would with any scale). BTW my eyesight is not good but I can install decoders in N locos without any problems. Of course, a magnifying glass helps, but I use that for working with any kind of electronics jobs, not just N scale DCC stuff. Hope this helps! Jamie
EDIT: Dang I didn't really answer your original question! On my new layout (first track goes in this weekend), I will be doing very intensive operations. Through trains of all varieties, unit grain trains unloading at feed mills, unit coal trains unloading at a poer plant, local jobs switching small industries, even a shortline extending into an adjacent room (future). I can't think of anything in N that would limit operations as compared to any other scale.
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Don't let anyone tell you that N scale "doesn't operate".
I'm 60 years old and for the 1st time in my life I'm completing a model railroad layout.
It's a switching 23" X 12" N scale micro-layout.
N scale, go for it.
Jacques
here is a picture:
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I have a small HO layout and expansion isn't a realistic proposition so I decided to try N scale. I purchased a Model Power Pacific and my test on whether or not N would work for me was fitting a MT coupler on the tender to replace the Rapido. I did it eventually even with those tiny springs.
I'm 61 by the way and use reading glasses. I just used a cheap magnifying visor and think that it just takes a little more patience.
Therefore I agree with the other posts about trying it out. I am currently collecting some rolling stock and a few other locos and plan to build a small N layout. I will go DCC and am buying only locos that I can put a decoder in without too much trouble.
We plan on moving into a condo in a few years and I was worried that there wouldn't be any space for my hobby but now with N that is no longer an issue.
CN Charlie
Here's a suggestion/thought. Buy some track and an engine and few cars, and make a micro switching layout--maybe a TimeSaver or maybe an Inglenook Sidings. And see if your eyes and patience can handle it. I have a Highland Terminal layout (Scot Osterweil's plans) I did in N-scale that I like to switch. It's great fun most of the time, and I'm even currently using Rapido couplers (because I ran into troubles retrofitting some cars with Microtrains trucks) to do it. If my track is clean, I have no problems. It operates wonderfully. But honestly, the only way you can truly know for sure is by trying it yourself. A tiny switching layout is the best way to do so, IMO.
Hey,
Excellent question about N-Scale. Fortunately many people here give great advice and that trend continued. One thing you can check out is one of the editors for MR, David Popp has an N-Scale layout and has many articles about it in the magazine. Should be able to search through the website to find them, you may have to be a subscriber. Being an N-scaler myself, still building I follow articles about it pretty closely.
Good luck
Rob
I switched to N scale a few years ago. At the time I just started wearing bi-focals and have since graduated to tri-focals. I too, was in HO, but space was limited for what I wanted to do.
As far as operating, eyesight hasn't been much of a problem. I use waybills (car cards) and switch lists. Most of the reporting marks and numbers are legible to read for switching. The few cars that are hard to read in my fleet are mostly one of a kind (road name wise) that stand out because of that.
My engines are DC, so I don't have any experience with installing the DCC equipment. Most of my upclose maintenance issues have more to do with my fat,clumsy fingers, than my eye sight. Most of my equipment operates just as good as HO. Some are better than others, but that can be an issue in any scale.
Once in a while I think if I ever get more room I would change back to HO. In reality, I would probably stay in N, even if I did get more real estate. The only thing I miss about HO, is that HO is so much more readily available at the hobby shops and train shows that I am able to visit.
Someone else posted about getting some equipment and track and seeing if you were comfortable with N. I think that's about the best advice someone can give.
Jeff
JTG Just noticed my original post was censored. I used the term "HO" plus the suffix "er," and apparently offended the watchdog's sensibilities. Hilarious.
Just noticed my original post was censored. I used the term "HO" plus the suffix "er," and apparently offended the watchdog's sensibilities. Hilarious.
Do you know what a female dog is called? Don't try to use it. I got by with bee-eye-tee-see-aitch in a posting way back in aught six!!!!!
I could address this operations issue I suppose.
I'm approaching 69 years of age; I have been in N-Scale for more than a quarter of a century and I have accumulated a considerable amount of motive power and rolling stock over the years. My eyesight is certainly not what it was 25 or so years ago and my hands are beginning to stiffen up--I don't suffer from painful arthritus or anything but it is becomming more difficult to claw my fingers to handle N-Scale equipment. For reasons which I have expounded on in other postings I am currently out of the layout business. I had intended to use this sabbatical--rhetorical expression only--to superdetail and paint my lokes and body mount couplers on all my rolling stock. However I find myself giving more and more attention to HO-Scale advertisements in the magazines and am giving serious thought to returning to HO-Scale.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
My comment wasn't directed at you personally, Mr. Madog.
Obviously, if one has poor eyesight or difficulty with fine parts, N scale may be a challenge, but so may be HO. Personally, I wear variable "progressive" bifocals and am thankful for the Optivisor for fine work.
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Now, Byron, that is not nice calling your fellow model railroader HO bigots...
I guess you are much younger than I am so eyesight problems and trembling fingers are unknown to you ...
But you are right - the quality of N rolling stock and locos has improved dramatically over the last decade. By the way, 10 years ago I did venture into Z scale - how´s that?
JTG Just wondering how many of you are running operations-intensive layouts in N scale.
Just wondering how many of you are running operations-intensive layouts in N scale.
More and more all the time. The better-quality engines run very well, MicroTrains couplers work as well or better in N scale than do their Kadee counterparts in HO. DCC is widely available factory-installed or as a drop-in, if you are interested.
But while a growing number of people find N scale works fine for them as an operating scale, not everyone is comfortable with the size (just as some eschew HO for larger scales).. If you don't have a nearby N scale layout to visit to get a feel for it, it might be worthwhile to buy a few quality pieces and enough track to build a small switching layout. Don't let the HO bigots scare you away without taking a closer look.
ByronModel RR Blog
JTG,
stepping down in scale is certainly some task - I just go the other way, as my eyesight is getting a little impaired due to age. Currently, I am still modelling narrow gauge (European prototype) in HO scale, but find it more and more difficult. As the space available to me does not allow to go for O scale, I will be "going back" to HO, so I don´t have to use magnifying glasses to put two tracks together!
I was operating in N scale back in 1989, and I can only assume it has improved since then.
I personally don't do ops at all, yet, but by all accounts modern N scale models are quite suitable for operations. The best place to ask your question would be at either the Atlas N Scale forum, or the N Scale forum on Trainboard.com Folks there can give you details.
I'm a longtime ***, but am frustrated by the lack of room for a satisfactory layout. I like the look of HO, but I'm wondering if I may be better off with N. My main concerns about making the switch (other than to have to start buying again) is the compatability of N scale and aging eyes, and whether N scale equipment performs well enough for an operations-centered layout.
Any knowledgeable input would be appreciated.