I need your help

[Anonymous]

I need help choosing a scale size. I don't have much room in my house. What do you recommend?[:)]

[lupo]

[#welcome]
scale related to the room you have can depend on what you want to model,
you want to model a big yard: go for N
a small switching layout HO
very high detailing O, or larger scale

but have fun!
lupo

[Fergmiester]

Whooooa! that's a qustion and a half. It all depends on many things namely "what do you want from your empire". Since you've limited space I would be inclined to say N or HO scale. N scale is nice but can be limiting if your looking for certain prototypes, but if your into large scenic vistas and don't mind what you run then N scale is a good medium. HO on the other hand has plenty of variety and can be easily modelled on a 4x8 and even smaller size and is the most readily available in stores. Your best bet is to go pick up a couple of copies of MR and MR trackplanning and a book or two on layouts and see what yopu can do with the space you have. Starting off small is the way to go.

Hopefully my favouring HO hasn't offended anyone. I like N too as it's real cute[;)][:-^]

[Anonymous]

thanks, I was thinking about HO scale. because I like the idea of being able to have more track.

[cwclark]

if you want lots of railroad in a little space then N is a way to go..the only problem i have with N is that i'm getting old and those small parts hurt my eyes from the strain of trying to see them...i'm an HO guy i can still have a fairly large railroad in a small space and to me it's more versitile when it comes to the HO market and what's out there in HO

[AntonioFP45]

Anima,

Help us out too so we can be of further help and ideas. Measure the room in feet that you wi***o put a layout in. For people hurting for space (me too) an around the wall type layout might not be a bad way to go.

Go to this website: www.atlasrr.com

Click on the Layout category. A checkered box will open up. Click on HO and after exploring, then click on N. Great track plan ideas!

Go with the scale that you really want to go with. Once you start spending money on locos, cars, track, etc, it will add up.

Tell us some more about yourself and what about a model railroad would help you enjoy it. (Trains just running, freight and/or passenger service, performing the pick up and drop off of freight cars to industrial customers, running trains on a schedule). Most of us started with just "Watching em Roll".

Looking forward to your replies, we're all here to help!

Peace out!

[ndbprr]

Bad logic for your decision. Why? Think about the future. Where will you be in 5,10 or 20 years. Better idea is to give serious thought to what railroad and what portion you want to model. Then think about the equipment it will take and start buying and detailing the equipment. That way when the day comes that you can fling the empire into a bigger space it will all be ready and waiting for as fast as you can lay track. In the meantime you can have something smaller where you can watch them operate and fine tune them.

[FThunder11]

I like HO because it has the most selection of items

[trainfan1221]

HO has the best selection. But if you are low on room, try nscale. There is enough stuff
now to make it worthwhile. However, if you are really into HO scale, there are always ways to make it work. You can always switch scales eventually, as many of us have.
Not that its cheap. But most importantly, buy quality stuff or you will be discouraged
right away.

[DSchmitt]

Get the book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John Armstrong. It can hepp you determine what will fit in your space. As others have said, choice of scale is a function of what you want to do (including type of "operation" , equipment and the visual effect you want to achieve) and the space you have to do it in.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advice. I look forward to info that you will give me in the future.
also I will post the amount of space I have as soon as possible

-anima[:)]

[Budliner]

check out the N track plans its a good way to get ideas and will work with HO
you can download details

B -[}:)] http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm