The Best Scale

[Anonymous]

The people who loaded this poll should remember that some people who are new to the hobby may see it and make a scale selection based on your misinformation. That's really sad.

[Anonymous]

The people who loaded this poll should remember that some people who are new to the hobby may see it and make a scale selection based on your misinformation. That's really sad.

[Anonymous]

I think some people are "funning us" with their Z scale responses. I've been in forums for five years and the most posts I've seen on Z scale in my entire five years is on this thread. The last thread date at www.trainboard.com in the Z scale forum is 29th April.

My favourite scale is HO however I model in N as that is the scale which works best in the room I have available. Of course, if I did the same area in Z scale it would be the equivelant of three full basements in HO.

[Anonymous]

I think some people are "funning us" with their Z scale responses. I've been in forums for five years and the most posts I've seen on Z scale in my entire five years is on this thread. The last thread date at www.trainboard.com in the Z scale forum is 29th April.

My favourite scale is HO however I model in N as that is the scale which works best in the room I have available. Of course, if I did the same area in Z scale it would be the equivelant of three full basements in HO.

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johnfidalgo

While reading these posts I see that the majority favor Z.

Here is my question. I am new to thee hobby and just getting ready to start designing my 1st layout. But my 1st step is to decide what gauge. I am looking at either HO or O.

I like HO for the detail of the scenery and the fact that i can replicate a larger area on my layout.
But I feel the trains are a bit small. Also they do not have the same quality of sound.

I really like the size of the O trains, as well as the sounds. But I will need a larger space for the same area to be modeled. But of all the O layouts I have seen, the scenery has not been too nice. They all look like cheap plastic toys.

I would appreciate some feedback on the advantages of each.

thanks
John

S scale is the one you want, it has the size advantages of O for detail, running well, model building and the space advantages of HO for fitting a layout in a reasonable area. size . Check out this web site for more info.
http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html
I settled on S after HO and O.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johnfidalgo

While reading these posts I see that the majority favor Z.

Here is my question. I am new to thee hobby and just getting ready to start designing my 1st layout. But my 1st step is to decide what gauge. I am looking at either HO or O.

I like HO for the detail of the scenery and the fact that i can replicate a larger area on my layout.
But I feel the trains are a bit small. Also they do not have the same quality of sound.

I really like the size of the O trains, as well as the sounds. But I will need a larger space for the same area to be modeled. But of all the O layouts I have seen, the scenery has not been too nice. They all look like cheap plastic toys.

I would appreciate some feedback on the advantages of each.

thanks
John

S scale is the one you want, it has the size advantages of O for detail, running well, model building and the space advantages of HO for fitting a layout in a reasonable area. size . Check out this web site for more info.
http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html
I settled on S after HO and O.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

G... in the backyard. Why? Rivit counters can expose themselves to daylight. :)

[Anonymous]

G... in the backyard. Why? Rivit counters can expose themselves to daylight. :)

[on30francisco]

I started out with Lionel "Super O" when I was a kid. I then got into HO scale. After that I started modeling in On3. I loved that size but I never bought a locomotive because they were (and still are) extremely expensive. When Bachmann came out with On3 I immediately jumped into that scale. I think On30 is the best of both worlds - the convenience of HO and the heft of O. The Bachmann locos run great and they are very affordable. I also love to scratchbuild using wood. On30 is a perfect size for scratchbuilding. If I had the space I'd like to try G scale

[on30francisco]

I started out with Lionel "Super O" when I was a kid. I then got into HO scale. After that I started modeling in On3. I loved that size but I never bought a locomotive because they were (and still are) extremely expensive. When Bachmann came out with On3 I immediately jumped into that scale. I think On30 is the best of both worlds - the convenience of HO and the heft of O. The Bachmann locos run great and they are very affordable. I also love to scratchbuild using wood. On30 is a perfect size for scratchbuilding. If I had the space I'd like to try G scale

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

[Anonymous]

wow, lotta Z responses... seems a lil skewed, but what ever. i have gone through a number of scales over my 19 years. have had seveal O gadge trains, 2 G gadges and now a ton of HO stuff. ever since i decided i wanted to build a model railroad i knew i wanted to do it in HO. and thats what i've done. and honestly i dont think i would ever change. i dont know what it is about HO that i like but its just like the perfect scale for me. i someday may want to try a little bit of narrow gadge G stuff for an outside thing but my main focus would always remain my HO stuff.

but each person is entitled to their own oppinion, and whats perfect for others my not be for me, and vise-a-versa. but yeah... to me Z is jsut way too small. i can work with small stuff but i love to open up my engines and work on them (even when they dont need it). and Z scale stuff woudl jsut be too had for me on this. N is nice for shows and what not, but i still find it too small. to me its acceptable, but jsut not what i like. S scale is ok, but this and O scale all i usualy think of is the tin plate stuff that i really dont care for. (a freinds dad has an extensive AF collections and i have some Lionell. they are both nice, but cheesy looking to me). G and other large scalse are cool for outdoors stuff, but seem way outa place once you bring them inside. so yeah... i ono HO is just like the perfect thing for me i guess =P but thats all a personal thing...

[Anonymous]

wow, lotta Z responses... seems a lil skewed, but what ever. i have gone through a number of scales over my 19 years. have had seveal O gadge trains, 2 G gadges and now a ton of HO stuff. ever since i decided i wanted to build a model railroad i knew i wanted to do it in HO. and thats what i've done. and honestly i dont think i would ever change. i dont know what it is about HO that i like but its just like the perfect scale for me. i someday may want to try a little bit of narrow gadge G stuff for an outside thing but my main focus would always remain my HO stuff.

but each person is entitled to their own oppinion, and whats perfect for others my not be for me, and vise-a-versa. but yeah... to me Z is jsut way too small. i can work with small stuff but i love to open up my engines and work on them (even when they dont need it). and Z scale stuff woudl jsut be too had for me on this. N is nice for shows and what not, but i still find it too small. to me its acceptable, but jsut not what i like. S scale is ok, but this and O scale all i usualy think of is the tin plate stuff that i really dont care for. (a freinds dad has an extensive AF collections and i have some Lionell. they are both nice, but cheesy looking to me). G and other large scalse are cool for outdoors stuff, but seem way outa place once you bring them inside. so yeah... i ono HO is just like the perfect thing for me i guess =P but thats all a personal thing...

[twhite]

Started with Lionel O as a kid, switched to HO when I was fourteen, been with it ever since. Built a G-scale backyard railroad about five years ago, use it to transport drinks to the pool and condiments to the barbecue. Company gets a real kick out of it, so do I. However my main scale is still HO. But I've seen layouts in almost every scale and have been mighty impressed with them. As to the best--well, whatever turns you on, go with! Even if that Z-scale GS-4 you just paid the National Debt for looks like a cute meal for the cat.

[twhite]

Started with Lionel O as a kid, switched to HO when I was fourteen, been with it ever since. Built a G-scale backyard railroad about five years ago, use it to transport drinks to the pool and condiments to the barbecue. Company gets a real kick out of it, so do I. However my main scale is still HO. But I've seen layouts in almost every scale and have been mighty impressed with them. As to the best--well, whatever turns you on, go with! Even if that Z-scale GS-4 you just paid the National Debt for looks like a cute meal for the cat.

[MAbruce]

What impresses (maybe even scares) me the most about this is that “on30francisco” reached back OVER A YEAR to resurrect this topic. My question is did you read through ALL the topics back to that point in order to get to this one??? [xx(] [;)]

[MAbruce]

What impresses (maybe even scares) me the most about this is that “on30francisco” reached back OVER A YEAR to resurrect this topic. My question is did you read through ALL the topics back to that point in order to get to this one??? [xx(] [;)]

[Anonymous]

No offense, but this is not even a good question. Best for what? Best for detail is probably one of the larger scales, best for selection of equipment is probably HO, best for amount of layout in a give space is most likely Z, etc. I was once talking to a man with no real electrical knowledge about electricity. We got onto the differences between AC and DC. He actually asked me "is DC worse?" What the heck does that mean?worse than what, worse for what purpose, etc. Ask a real (as in specific) question to get a more meaningful answer.

[Anonymous]

No offense, but this is not even a good question. Best for what? Best for detail is probably one of the larger scales, best for selection of equipment is probably HO, best for amount of layout in a give space is most likely Z, etc. I was once talking to a man with no real electrical knowledge about electricity. We got onto the differences between AC and DC. He actually asked me "is DC worse?" What the heck does that mean?worse than what, worse for what purpose, etc. Ask a real (as in specific) question to get a more meaningful answer.

[Anonymous]

I'm really a pro HO guy, but I would like to start collecting some N scale stuff as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm really a pro HO guy, but I would like to start collecting some N scale stuff as well.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

Elliott

I aint worried, whadda they gonna do? Send a fleet of 100 z-scale F-7's to run me over! [:p]

Besides, havent any of them seen Godzilla? [;)]

Train vs Big Lizard, we all know how that turned out...[:D]


HOLY CRAP, I just realized my last reply to this was almost exactly a YEAR ago!!![:0]

Man, I need a life! [:o)]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

Elliott

I aint worried, whadda they gonna do? Send a fleet of 100 z-scale F-7's to run me over! [:p]

Besides, havent any of them seen Godzilla? [;)]

Train vs Big Lizard, we all know how that turned out...[:D]


HOLY CRAP, I just realized my last reply to this was almost exactly a YEAR ago!!![:0]

Man, I need a life! [:o)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

Elliott

I aint worried, whadda they gonna do? Send a fleet of 100 z-scale F-7's to run me over! [:p]

Besides, havent any of them seen Godzilla? [;)]

Train vs Big Lizard, we all know how that turned out...[:D]


HOLY CRAP, I just realized my last reply to this was almost exactly a YEAR ago!!![:0]

Man, I need a life! [:o)]

Well Vic, they could bury you up to your neck in an ant hill, smear you with honey, and run their trains around you until you're dizzy. Now that would be torture.[swg] Of course the ants might cause derailments.[:0][:p][:D][;)]

This is the topic where I got an ear full and an education last time.[:I]

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16291

OMG, I didn't even notice the date on this thing. Somebody has been waking the dead.[;)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

Yeah Vic, be careful what you say. A couple of months ago I said a few things about Z out of ignorance, and suddenly I felt like Gulliver. Those Z scalers really stick together, and every once in a while they come pouring out of the woodwork, especially if provoked.[swg]

Elliott

I aint worried, whadda they gonna do? Send a fleet of 100 z-scale F-7's to run me over! [:p]

Besides, havent any of them seen Godzilla? [;)]

Train vs Big Lizard, we all know how that turned out...[:D]


HOLY CRAP, I just realized my last reply to this was almost exactly a YEAR ago!!![:0]

Man, I need a life! [:o)]

Well Vic, they could bury you up to your neck in an ant hill, smear you with honey, and run their trains around you until you're dizzy. Now that would be torture.[swg] Of course the ants might cause derailments.[:0][:p][:D][;)]

This is the topic where I got an ear full and an education last time.[:I]

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16291

OMG, I didn't even notice the date on this thing. Somebody has been waking the dead.[;)]