S or HO,...oh

[Anonymous]

My grandpa models in S...
But I really want to do HO...
I've finished the benchwork but no track.
I want to know how much more S costs.
and how rare it is.
one more thing, how many modelers are in S on the forum?

[Eriediamond]

JCtrain, in my opinion HO is cheaper (less expensive) then S and more equipment is offered in HO. Having said that, there are unlimited reasons for modeling in different scales. One should model in the scale one is comfortable with. Regards, Ken

[Anonymous]

HO is the way to go. S is availible, but not as readily as HO. Plus HO has a lot more to offer equiptment wise. So I say HO.

[Anonymous]

Not to mention you can do more spacewise.

[Anonymous]

I'm doing HO...heh I've already bought HO track so I"ll start laying roadbed.

[brothaslide]

You can have it both ways - Model in Sn3. Sn3 uses HO track but you are still modeling in S scale (although it is narrow gauge).

Sean

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCtrain

My grandpa models in S...
But I really want to do HO...
I've finished the benchwork but no track.
I want to know how much more S costs.
and how rare it is.
one more thing, how many modelers are in S on the forum?

Are you and your Grandpa working on this project together? Do you want to inter-change cars like the prototype? Is this your first layout? You could build a small S scale layout now and model HO later. Yes, HO is the most popular scale, without a doubt.
I've see layouts with multable scales ranging from O to N scale. The larger scale railroad ran in front of and lower than the smaller scale giving it a forced perspective of distance.
Sounds nice for you to be able to collaborate with your Grandpa on a model railroad project. Remember he won't be around forever, so enjoy your time together no matter what scale you decide on.

Here's a link to some information on S scale. There are links for hobby shops that sell S scale equipment and a buyers guide. http://www.s-scaletrains.com/

[Anonymous]

Jctrain- I'm not sure but i think there are only two "S" guys inthis forum Ironrooster and my self. Iron is into the scale side of S and I'm American flyer but am using more scale looking track and changing wheelsets and couplers to look more scale like. My motive power and rolling stock I inherited from my father otherwise I think I would do the HO thing due to space. They claim S only needs 10% more space but I think their wrong in that regard due to prototypical curves and such. American Flyer stuff doesn't look good on AF track! HO does have a much higher availibility in local trian stores here. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

HO is the way to go

[IRONROOSTER]

I'm in S as carpenter matt says. In terms of cost, individual items cost more in S than HO. But when you compare ready to run HO from Kadee at $25 to S Helper at $39 it's not that much more. HO does have lower cost/ lower quality items for which S doesn't have the equivalent - Athearn blue box comes to mind. But when you look at the cost for a given layout space they aren't that different because you can fit in more HO items S is about 1/3 larger than HO in each dimension. In two dimensions S is almost double HO. This means you buy twice as much for HO for a given space.

Cost issues aside, the advantages of HO are: a greater product line, carried at most hobby stores, and you can run longer trains in a given space with more buildings etc. The advantages of S are better electrical pickup, bigger enignes, cars etc to look at., and bigger pieces to work with. Product availablitiy in S has increased dramatically in the last few years but I admit not to the extent of HO. It is easily available via mail order and at some train shows. See this web site http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html to see what is available.

Personally, I started in HO and I'm now in S for the reasons above. Building a kit in S for me is a lot more enjoyable and is the main reason for switching plus as I get older S is easier to see. In the end of course it's what you prefer. All scales have advantages and drawbacks you have to decide what's which ones are important to you. I guess that's why there are 6 major scales plus some others (although I'm not sure about Z since I've never seen it even in stores that claim to carry it[:)][:)])

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Regarding what Gsetter said..
My grandpa is very young. Only about 55 years old, and I am doing the project with him but we live 180mi apart! Though I do see him every other weekend.
And he is very set in his wasys. "I have no intrest in HO, not now then or ever"
but I do like the idea of having two scales on the same layout.