Need Advice Please-HO VS N Scale

[Anonymous]

Hopefully you experienced folks can help me make the decision between N scale and HO.

Here are the facts:

Space available is along two walls-one wall is 15 feet-the other is 9 feet. I can go 4 feet wide if needed.

My preference is to have lots of switching and dropping off and picking up cars, as well as a yard. I am not that interested in long runs or long trains. I want to model industries as opposed to scenics and people.

I know from the reading I have done thus far I can have much more in N scale in that space than HO, but I am concerned because I have big hands whether the small size of N will frustrate me. I also like the size (look) of HO better but I don't know if an HO layout in the space I have to work with will provide enough switching etc; I know that N will.

What would you all recommend given the above?

Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

HI, I would go for the HO.. much easy to get around with, yeah a yard of trains the HO will look much better and for your hands to touch.

I am doing a lay out right now, had it all boxed up when we have to move, now I am trying to set up some where to enjoy it, but again later will have to move.. so I will fix it easy to take apart with out having to take every thing apart..

[dehusman]

Slow speed operation had been a problem in N scale many years ago when I was in it, but its better now. If you think you would like to go with DCC it can be a little easier with HO. HO is also a little easier if are not as delicate with your modeling skills, but in N scale separate details are not as visually apparent. I know people who have successful switching layouts in both scales so a lot of it boils down to personal preference of size, ease of detailing, ease of structure and track building, availability of equipment, etc.

Dave H.

[ShaunCN]

I would go with HO. N scale is just too small to see what you are doing. Trying to repair a n scale locomotive or freight care would be a nightmare. Loosing small parts could be a problem too. N scale will allow you to have more trains in a small space but HO would be better with someone with big hands(or bad eye sight).

ShaunCN

[Anonymous]

I would go with HO, I love watching N, and have had opportunity to run them, but find they are too difficult for me to place on the track if they derail. I have been in HO and find that for me, it is a much easier scale to work in.
If you are interested in a bit of variety for your operations, you may consider building module type of layout where you could shuffle the tables so that you layout will present new challenges. I've done this in the past where the yard was permanent, but I was able to move the tables to different positions for different action. I even built extras that I could take out and replace with something new.

R. Hauck

[Anonymous]

RMP:

I would try a few designs for the space available in both N and HO scale to see which fits your operational notions better. If you can get sufficient operational variety to suit you in HO that is the way to go for the reasons you state. If not, then its N scale. Either way good luck and have fun.

Randy

[trainfan1221]

Im in n-scale, and its great for many purposes and looks really good, but it can be very small and difficult towork with. Or work on for that matter. If you are just beginning and have the room, I`d say try HO. But make sure you spend the extra money for good equipment or you`ll be discouraged fast!

[Anonymous]

For me the biggest issue would be how well you can see and whether your hands are really too big to handle N. Why not go out and buy an N scale kit and see how you are at assembling it, installing couplers, etc?

I'm not sure low speed operation is an issue anymore. The technology has improved so much over the years that everything runs better now, no matter what the scale.

Good luck!

[bluepuma]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rmpjr7

Hopefully you experienced folks can help me make the decision between N scale and HO.

Here are the facts:

Space available is along two walls-one wall is 15 feet-the other is 9 feet. I can go 4 feet wide if needed.

My preference is to have lots of switching and dropping off and picking up cars, as well as a yard. I am not that interested in long runs or long trains. I want to model industries as opposed to scenics and people.

I know from the reading I have done thus far I can have much more in N scale in that space than HO, but I am concerned because I have big hands whether the small size of N will frustrate me. I also like the size (look) of HO better but I don't know if an HO layout in the space I have to work with will provide enough switching etc; I know that N will.

What would you all recommend given the above?

Thanks for your help.

I like the space, keep in mind that against the wall, you got a reach of maybe 24-30 inches. I'm in N scale, but a all switching layout doesn't sound much fun, hard to avoid the problems at the switches/turnouts. N scale is lightweight, small locos light, 9 mm rail is hard to smooth at turnouts. HO may be less fussy. N scale is most easily railed with re-railers. If I was to try it, MT magnetic couplers/uncouplers would be a MUST!

Based on my N scale experiences, would not recommend N for primary use as switching, but if switching was part of run through, could do some neat industry and yard in that space.

[Anonymous]

Well, now that you have had a glut of HO responses, I'll take the N side. First one of the more well known layouts in Greater Vancouver, BC is an N scale layout. It is known for its operations and switching. People fly in from all over North America to run on it. It has been in several mags including MR.

I prefer HO but I switched to N to get the empire I wanted. Latter I learned to really enjoy the scale. One person I know with the biggest hands I know runs in N scale, she is also one of the most qualified in taking apart just about any N scale engine and re-assembling it - hand size doesn't need to be a deterrent.

The one frustration with the scale is seeing the numbers on cars so people use different methods to identify rolling stock. I'm not a fan of the coloured "thingies" on top on rolling stock to identify them but I know people use that method and are happy with it.

[Anonymous]

I started modeling in N-scale because I just "liked the look" and "feel" of N-scale locos and rolling stock. I like working in N-scale because I'm used to working in small spaces (I'm a dentist!). Sooooo.....if you like the look of HO, and think that HO would "fit" better in your hands, I would go with HO. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

I say go HO. In my opinion, there's more availability in HO than there is in N. HO is perfect for switching and yard work, while N is great for running long trains. HO is also easier to see and handle. So, HO is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

N Scale will allow you 15 inch radius that would be equal to a 24 to 36 inch radius on HO. Given your space, unless you intend to only "spur" your line, with no dogbone, etc... I would get comfortable and accurate with N scale. The warnings from the HO lovers are absolutely accurate. It can be a true nightmare at first. But once your in, your in.

I switched from HO and miss the ability to "fudge" the trackwork. The equipment was easier to handle, rail up, and repair. However, if space is tight, you can literally model the world in a small n scale layout. You will look back at HO and it will seem like a garden railroad.

If you want a dogbone, and if you like big cars (modern double stacks, or big passenger cars,) then skip HO and get deep into N Scale. If you have arthritis, vision problems, or anything else that would prevent you from working with the "little trains," then re-think your space, and look at HO.

[AntonioFP45]

You've gotten some excellent imput from our fellow modelers. Both HO and N have their positives and negative facets. Using "common sense psychology" I can only humbly add in saying it's very lkely that YOU ALREADY KNOW what you want but you NEEDED to hear some pros and cons of your 2 choices which is a very good idea. This way you get to see points that you might not have even considered. You're definetly a good thinker. Go ahead and go with "WHAT YOU REALLY WANT" because it will be you that will be enjoying as well as maintaining your railroad system.

One more thing: Regardless of scale, be sure to the typical headaches by going with good, solid electrical connections, metal wheels on your cars, and good high quality power packs. Use flex track where you can. Use quality "turnouts". Hope This Helps!

[n2mopac]

Here is another consideration, you can get about 2.5 times the layout (yard and industries) in the same space with N scale as you can with HO. I see many coplaining about switching in N scale, but with a Rix uncoupling device and well laid track I have no problem at all. I switched to N scale shortly after beginning in model railroading over 10 years ago and I would use nothing else.
Ron