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Though I am an N-scaler myself, I cannot abide the "sis-boom-bah" cheerleading that seems to be going on here, in favor of N over HO. Every modeling scale has its benefits, and it just depends on your modeling intentions as to which is the best. I know that I am often in awe of the O-scale and larger models that I see, because they have a physical presence that my N-scale locos can never achieve, not even my high-nose SD-45's or mallet steam locomotives. And I am frequently jealous of the wide variety of road-specific equipment and detail parts available to HO modelers. I happen to enjoy kitbashing rolling stock and engines to more closely match my Norfolk & Western prototype, but I get the feeling every time I am doing so that it would be so much easier to do in a larger scale. I also like scenery, and N-scale permits much more realistic scenery in terms of proportion. If I wanted to have onboard sound in my engines, I would be in a larger scale. If I modeled a short line or narrow guage line, I might be in a much larger scale. If I didn't mind using equipment just straight off-the-shelf, I might go to Z-scale for even more sweeping panoramas. I think HO scale remains the most popular because it is the best compromise of all these varied interests, not merely because it has the most products available. N-scale is gaining in terms of the quality and variety of products available, but I don't think it will ever match HO's versatility. I can certainly recommend N-scale to anyone who perceives its pros and cons, and who has modeling goals that are compatible with its limitations (you're never going to have to-scale grab irons and stirrups on all your rolling stock, for example), but I cannot across-the-board declare that N is "better" than any other scale.
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