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N scale or HO scale

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern CA Bay Area
  • 4,387 posts
Posted by cuyama on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 3:32 PM

Outsailing86
I've been looking at plans and keep wondering, does N scale give you more space to model - or do the layouts get more dense with track and scenery because there is not enough distance between areas?

The answer is “yes”

Some folks use the compactness of N scale to model denser track arrangements. Others use N scale to model large spaces between elements.

In other words, different N Scale builders choose different themes and concepts; just like all the other scales.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,500 posts
Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 12:04 PM

My philosophy is along the lines of taking an interesting, uncluttered HO layout trackplan and using it to build an N scale layout. Same alignments, same curves, same footprint; but maybe decreasing track spacing in yards and multi-mainline stretches to 1-1/4".

Elbow room and the appearance of open expanses and longer runs. Aaahh. Breathing room. Like that.

Robert

 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Pacific Northwest
  • 780 posts
Posted by SPSOT fan on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 11:38 AM

I’d say that N scale is no different from HO scale in that respect, depending on the plan you use you can have nice big scenes with less track or a spaghetti bowl, that’s all up to you.

Now the difference with N scale is you can fit more in the same space, that is structures and track and such. However that does not nessearily mean you get get dense track, in fact I think the opposite may be a bit more common. I like N scale because I can have relatively wide 15” radius curves in less space than an HO loop of tight 18” stuff!

Regards, Isaac

I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 10:38 AM

If you dedicate the same amount of space to an N scale layout as you would to a HO scale layout and resist the temptaion to fill every square inch with track, N scale will give you a much more realistic feel!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • 198 posts
N scale or HO scale
Posted by Outsailing86 on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 10:24 AM

I've been looking at plans and keep wondering, does N scale give you more space to model - or do the layouts get more dense with track and scenery because there is not enough distance between areas? 

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