Relative Cost: HO compared to N

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be constructing a shelf layout - about 18 inches wide x 7 feet Long.

The last time I did any model railroading was with my Dad as a kid - mostly HO, some N.

I'm curious as to whether N scale locomotives, etc. are generally still more expensive than HO. It's been about 15 years since I've been in the hobby.

My Dad and I had great luck with Athearn products. Is there an N scale equivalent these days?

[Anonymous]

I asked readers here a similar question when I contemplated switching to N from HO. I'm staying with HO, but my brother is a big fan of N and feels that the gap has narrowed considerably between the two scales. I don't know if Athearn has N scale equipment. Most N scale locomotives, etc. that I've seen and liked were from KATO. BTW, good luck on your layout!

[Dough]

I was about to scream go with N, but now I'm not sure. I have no clue as to costs, but the great thing about N scale is that it has a tigher radius. I have a shelf layout with HO and my major problem is the curves in the corners. I had a hard time making a radius wide enough to run long 89' cars. It also made double track difficult.

On the other hand, I really do like working with my HO much better.

Tough choice, I wi***hat I could help more.

[Anonymous]

Going for space: N
Goung for price: HO
N is slightly more expesive on average, depending on what and where you are looking. at least from what I have seen. they are closely similar markets though. same products, close price, etc. Also i would say go with HO if you want good detail.

[CP5415]

I was at my local hobby shop yesterday.
I briefly checked out the prices on N scale stuff & it was basically the same price as HO Scale.
Athearn does make N scale products. Check out their website ---> athearn.com

Gordon

[IRONROOSTER]

For a given space you'll probably have more N rolling stock, track, etc. So your cost will be higher. Of course if you're like me and buy more stuff than you can use anyway that may not matter so much. Sometimes I think I'm stockpiling for a warehouse layout.
Enjoy
Paul

[bluepuma]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevlar9296

I'm going to be constructing a shelf layout - about 18 inches wide x 7 feet Long.

I'm curious as to whether N scale locomotives, etc. are generally still more expensive than HO. It's been about 15 years since I've been in the hobby.

Having purchased lots of N, it looks like the prices are not very different, qualities, blowout prices. With N, tempting to buy more locos, more storage in same space.

18 inches is a bit narrow for turn-around, 11 or 12.75 radius would be minimum, so would allow for about 30 inches at the ends or really short locos. Small layout, I want
to be able to run continously, loopbacks are a must, even if the back half is hidden.

If loopbacks are removeable, less an issue. I love the interplay of a two moving trains
dancing, one passing the other slowly, and I love trains of 12-24 cars, so whatever else
goes on, must be able to run a train without stopping for a while.

If I was doing switching layout, would go for HO over N. Small locos are better for HO, large locos better in N. Matter of how much weight fits in loco skin.

[lupo]

in N scale you have a brass UP "big blow" for app $800, compare that to the brass HO models . . .

[Anonymous]

N scale has a lot of modern equiptment, so if you're modeling a modern era you should have no problem getting locos and rolling stock. On the other hand, I think steam locos are more expensive than in HO..........

[Anonymous]

I should have also mentioned I definately want to handlay all of my track. I've seen some impressive N scale handlaid track online, and will be checking out the San Diego Society of N scale layout in San Diego this weekend (www.sdsons.org).

I'm having a hard time imagining scratch building, track laying, etc. working out as well for me in N scale.

I will be mostly modeling modern equipment, but want to super detail everything since I have such a small space available (literally in a closet under the stairs!)

[mls1621]

I'm in N scale, so I'm prejudiced. The one thing that would lead me to HO is the avaiablilty of peripheral epuipment, ie: vehicle and figures.

The availability of these items, in good quality and era versatiliy, in HO is much better than N.

But, and ithis is a big BUT, the space restrictions you have lend more toward N. The ability to pack almost twice the layout in the same area can be a huge inducement for N over HO.

Prices and quality of motive power and rolling stock has reached parity between the two scales. Kato and Atlas have the highest quality ready to run locomotives in N scale. Micro Trains makes the absloute best rolling stock, followed by Atlas. Almost all of the current crop of equipment comes with automatic knuckle couplers and, thought they may not be to exact scale, they look and work tons better than the Rapido style couplers.

The only question you really have to ask yourself is "Can I fit my vision of the layout into the available space.

[Anonymous]

I'm into modelling today's equipment and for that N is a superior scale to HO. Don't get me wrong, I probably would prefer HO engines and rolling stock, BUT the area you need for a decent size layout running HO SD90's and autoMAX's is very large, much larger than your average sized basement layout (which usually occupies about half a basement).

Steam is just "coming alive" in N scale, so there will soon be many more releases of new steam engines - a good time to enter if you are interested in steam.

Scratch building really isn't as hard as you might imagine. I never scratch built in HO but I found N not to be as bad as you might image. So far I have scratch built three structures. I'm currently working on a "modern" Alberta Granary that ran in MR about two years ago.

Widening your layout at either end will give you a good area for loops. An HO track plan you might want to look at (its 4 by 12 feet in HO) to inspire you is the Chippewa Central that ran in supplement about one or two years ago, and ran in an MR mag about 6 to 8 years ago.

I wouldn't let "cost" determine what scale you are in as there is another important concept that rules the day - "disposable income" - in other words, the amount you can spend on your hobby in one year. No matter what scale you are in, it is your disposable income that determines what you get. If you are in G scale, you might only buy one engine per year, but in N scale you will want more so buy them. So lets say you spend $500 a year on your hobby; what you get will dependent on that figure more than anything else. The larger scale modellers tend to have less rolling stock and engines, the smaller guys more engines and rolling stock, but though the yearly spent might be the same.

[BRAKIE]

When I started to go back into N scale from HO I found that N scale runs about the same price as HO even at discount..That made me stop and think about N scale..If I am going to pay say,$18.00(discount price) for a quality car why not stay in HO? Then there was the matter of adding DCC decoders to N scale locomotives which requires milling of the frame in most cases.So,I thought it was better for me to stay with HO.Now in all fairness I have seen some great modeling done in N scale and todays quality N scale engines and cars is far better then those of old and are very smooth runners..

[Anonymous]

Larry,
The newer engines don't need to be milled, with the exception of Life Like who seem to want to remain in the dark ages when it comes to DCC ready locomotives in N scale (to the non-DCC literate crowd, before the flames start - DCC ready does not mean DCC decoder equiped).

There are some who are naturally attracted to N scale because of its "jewel like" mechanics. I was attracted to it because I could have an N scale empire or a medium sized HO layout - I opted for the empire - glad I did. At the time, I didn't know I would "fall" for the really modern stuff, like AC4400 and the larger three axle SD series of engines.

Again, you can only spend what you can only spend, you money doesn't scale out unfortunately (that would mean I could buy more in N scale). So my one year budget would hold true whatever scale I was in. I tend to spend on average around a $1000 a year so that would be spent on model railroad goodies regardless of scale.

[locomutt]

[#offtopic]
Well guys,
It really doesn'tmatter what scale you model in.
If you like "N" go for it. If you like "HO" go for it.
Personally, I'm in "O" scale. Have been since '75 or so.
The cost is outragious!
I learned to "scratchbuild"real fast!!

Keep the FAITH Guys! Just stay modeling.

locomutt

P.S. I went from "HO" to "O"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevlar9296

I'm going to be constructing a shelf layout - about 18 inches wide x 7 feet Long.

The last time I did any model railroading was with my Dad as a kid - mostly HO, some N.

I'm curious as to whether N scale locomotives, etc. are generally still more expensive than HO. It's been about 15 years since I've been in the hobby.

My Dad and I had great luck with Athearn products. Is there an N scale equivalent these days?

I am a big N scale fan because of space considerations. However, I'll be honest with you. The only scale that will allow you to have any prototypical running on an 18" wide shelf layout is Z scale.

With such a limited depth, you might want to consider creating a switching layout. On this type of layout, N scale will work nicely. You can get more industries in the limited space than you can with HO.

The costs of motive power are comparable if you are buying quality equipment: Kato, Atlas, or Athearn. I also think the rolling stock in N scale is better than in HO.

I used to model in HO; but when I saw the detailing in MicroTrains' rolling stock, I switched to N scale. This was back in the late 80s and I had never seen an HO boxcar with reporting marks on the ends of the cars, or the level of detail in the reporting marks. MicroTrains was using laser printing to get the detail, while makers, like Athearn, seemed to be applying decals. I think it is because of the details in MicroTrains' cars that HO manufactures improved the quality of their rolling stock.