Does smooth running get better with larger scales?

[darth9x9]

My Z scale Marklin equipment ran a 100 times better than some of Bachmann G scale equipment I owned. My point is that the engineering is what determines the reliability of the equipment. You can buy crap in any scale.....even the prototype. You just have to be smart enough to do your home and comparison shop to determine the best product.

[cacole]

Absoltutely and posilively. G, O, and S scale locomotives run much better than HO, TT, N, or Z because they have room for larger and better motors, and can be heavier so they make better contact with the rail. I know I missed some scales there, but I don't know them all.

Personally, I have HO and G. I belong to an HO and N scale club, and own approximately 90 HO engines, both diesel and steam. Some of the HO locomotives I purchased in the 1960's and '70's don't even run any more, and quite frankly they didn't run good even when they were new. The current crop of HO models, nearly all with can motors and improved gearing, are far superior to what used to be offered, but still don't run as good as a larger scale locomotive with a bigger and better motor.

Several club members have N scale, but I haven't seen a single N scale locomotive that runs as good as a Bachmann HO scale Spectrum, Atlas, Kato, Lionel, or Broadway Limited engine. This is not because the N scale locomotives are no good, it's a simple matter of the laws of physics because of the size of the motor that can be fitted into them and the fact that they are so much lighter in weight.

[Roadtrp]

In my experience, yes. If not better, you at least get smooth running a lot easier.

I remember my 027 Lionel trains from when I was a kid. As long as the track was clean enough that there was electrical transfer to the engine, the thing ran perfectly.

N scale was an entirely new experience for me. I used to push my 027 track together with minimal care and I was good to go. It took me DAYS to get my N track to where it is now; where I can run any of my trains continuously for hours without risk of a derailment.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005
Just think, once upon a time, HO trains were as much a novelty as Z scale trains are today. As technology has increased, making smaller motors available, train size has decreased. The second someone invents a smaller motor, Z scale will be replaced as the lower limit of model railroading.

Hey BigBoy,
Don't forget what happened the last time you called Z scale a novelty. They all came out of the woodwork.[:D]

[Anonymous]

I have run HO for 4 years, N for 2 years and G for 3 years. I definitely notice the weight (mass) of an LGB train. It somehow feels "heavier" to me and I feel more like I am driving a real little train, not just running a toy. Others in this thread have commented on the extra weight, larger motor, slower gearing, i.e. the mechanical advantage of large scale that makes it run better than the little scales, but what I am saying here is that there is a "psychological" difference. Never mind the mechanical side, large scale trains respond more realistically to the laws of physics and (well to me, anyway) they "feel" heavy when I run them. I am aware that I have 30lbs of train leaning into the curve or crossing the bridge. And they don't derail when I sneeze, like my N scale did.

[on30francisco]

All else being equal, yes. The larger scale locos can have bigger motors, more gear reduction mechanisms, more surface area for electrical conduct, and much more weight. They are also a lot less finickey when it comes to dirt or flaws in the track work.

[RhB_HJ]

Yes, no, maybe!

It all depends on the quality of each component that makes up the whole.

Use a lousy power pack to run Large Scale and you'll be surprised how jerky the stuff can be. Forget to clean the track, same result.

Have good engines in N scale, clean properly laid and wired track and things will be humming.
I build for customers in any scale they like and can get it to run well. But I can't rebuild crappy equipment if they like to save money.

[willy6]

NO,
#1plan the layout
#2 use a good quaility track
#3 ensure track laid properly
#4 ensure good electrical contacts
#5 ensure proper voltages to track blocks, the longer the track without blocks, the worst the performance.
#6 use a high quality power supply.
it comes down to DO YOU WANT HAMBURGER OR A RIBEYE.................y'all think about it.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Ever see an N scale steamer "waddle"? [?][:D] 20 years ago that wasn't uncommon.

I agree with the others here. The bigger the trains, the more forgiving they are to the to the imperfections of modeling. By the time trains are reduced to N scale, there is very little tolerence for error. Could you imagine trying to keep them on the track if you had scale proportioned flanges? Of course I get away with murder in 3 rail "O", even though I try to do ti right.

As for smoothness, and slow speeds, it is more a function of motor quality, gearing, and flywheel size. Again, bigger is better, though quality in miniturization has come a long way over the years. The truth is that model train size has ALWAYS been a function of motor size.

Just think, once upon a time, HO trains were as much a novelty as Z scale trains are today. As technology has increased, making smaller motors available, train size has decreased. The second someone invents a smaller motor, Z scale will be replaced as the lower limit of model railroading.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, not sure about this. I'll agree that HO behaves a lot better than N scale in this respect, but I'm unsure as to whether this applies to larger scales as well - I have an LGB 0-4-0 that occasionally runs a little "lumpy" - hesitates on points. This is probably due to needing to clean the track more often, but my HO locos seem to be far more accepting of track gunge. I suspect it's something to do with the number of pickups, as well as the scale. I've also noticed that metal wheels make a difference - I've not had to clean the track on my "running-in" loop layout for weeks, during which time I've been operating a train of Bachmann MK1 (British coach design) passenger cars as a test train. These have metal wheels as do the locos I'm running with them. Traction tyres also appear to cause problems in this area - the track needs cleaning far more regularly if you operate stock with traction tyres.

[IRONROOSTER]

Yes. My S scale runs better than my HO did. Also, I find that less cleaning is required. Not sure how much is due to increased contact and how much due to heavier locos. Also, I think I'm better at building the layout, track laying, wiring, etc., so that is a factor as well.
Enjoy
Paul

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

In other words, is there a progression in smoothness (slow speeds, less jerky starts, etc) as scale size increases from n, ho, s, o, g?

Yes, definite answer is yes. Even my old beat up second generation Bachmann 4-6-0 Big Hauler runs better than my Bachmann N guage stuff or any HO stuff I've used.

Big trains mean big motors + big gearbox reducers + increased electrical contact = better running smooother trains.

Its also alot easier to produce level track, and the trains are alot more forgiving of rough workmanship than smaller guages. But as is the case with all gauges, you get what you pay for. IOW a Bachmann F-3 Christmas tree set loco will not run as smooth as a Bachmann Spectrum series loco. This is true for all scales. But my littlest LGB porter loco can just crawl around my layout at a walking pace, I could never get my little N guage dockside switcher to do that.

[michaelstevens]

Presuming that equal levels of cleanliness, lubrication etc. (as listed by Warren) exist -- then yes, absolutely.
Comparing my friend's N scale operations to my HO scale layout, provides almost as glaring a distinction (to my perception) as does comparing HO to the real thing !

[Anonymous]

I've found that the only way to get smooth operation is to put and keep everything in very good working order. Very clean track, clean locos, locos that have been lubed correctly and have had their inner workings gone over for imperfections, proper weighting of all stock, gauged coupler height, etc.

Warren

[FJ and G]

In other words, is there a progression in smoothness (slow speeds, less jerky starts, etc) as scale size increases from n, ho, s, o, g?