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anyone running N scale regret doing so

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Posted by theodorefisk on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 9:01 PM

I went from 027 to N gauge in the mid sixties, while about 10 years old. I have had several layouts since then and now almost into my sixties, still have N gauge and am expanding my layout. With the investment I have in N gauge and the availability of reading glasses, I shall always have N gauge. I see no reason to change. :)

Ted Fisk

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Posted by BRAKIE on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 11:08 AM

davidmbedard
Or does Brakie continute to read between the lines, make assumptions, or does he just has a chip on his shoulder?

No chip,old Brakie is just tired of hearing what you can or  can't do in  N because its to small by those in HO that may never been in  N or when you get old you can't see it..We both know that's not true because there is a lot of elderly modelers in  N Scale just like HO. 

Had that blood pressue pill not caused my eyes to blur I would still be in  N Scale and sold my HO instead..

Larry

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Posted by wojosa31 on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 9:18 PM

I definitely regret staying with HO, and not switching to N, back in the '80s. I'm more into operations than detailing, so I would have a larger layout in the same 20'x23' space.

Having said that, I acknowledge that there is more available in HO, and that I would really prefer to at this stage of my life, to move to semi-scale O, but that's not going to happen either.

 

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Posted by CNCharlie on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 8:33 PM

I'm 67 and I model in both N and HO. I have small layouts in each. I didn't start the N scale layout until I turned 61. 

I find HO models to be very large after working with N but N isn't more difficult except for trackwork. Getting the track level and smooth for good operations is very 'fussy' work. I find that installing the grabirons on an HO kit is just as hard as anything in N especially as there aren't many details any smaller than HO grabirons. Also loco pickup is more of an issue in N. 

I like steam and no question HO is better for that but if you like diesels, then N is good too. All my HO locos have sound but for the N scale I installed a couple of decoders, steam and diesel, under the layout which works well. I tried a steam decoder in a tender and the sound wasn't very good with such a small speaker. 

I am enjoying working in both scales and each has its merits.

CN Charlie

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Posted by forester6291 on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 8:13 PM

I've been going through the offerings of different companies. It seems less of steam available and even less of that in dcc and sound in N.some of the prices too Oh well, i need not make any decision yet.

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Posted by groundeffects on Sunday, August 16, 2015 11:45 PM

No regrets from me.

When I decided to get back into model railroading (after being out of the hobby for 20 years), I went with N scale.  Living in an apartment, making an HO scale layout was out of the question, but I was able to model a credible N scale layout in a coffee table.

When I returned to model railroading (and N scale), I decided that engines and rolling stock that I bought would have to look at realistic as possible, or I'd pass on buying them  Toylike track was out too, so I went with code 55. 

Back in the 80's I worked at a model shop (architectural as well as technical models).  Some of the architectural projects I worked on were as small as 1/200 or even 1/400 scale, so N scale doesn't seem that small too me.  There are some advantages modeling in N scale that you don't have in the larger scales.  You can also "imply" there is detail on the model without actually having to do it.

So, no "ragrets" (not even a single letter).

Jeff B

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Posted by forester6291 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 7:46 PM
see my follow up 8-14
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Posted by csxns on Sunday, August 16, 2015 7:20 PM

Uncle_Bob
sneak new equipment past his eagle-eyed wife

Know somebody that had to walk his new trains around back to a basement window to get past her.

Russell

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Posted by Uncle_Bob on Sunday, August 16, 2015 5:30 PM

An acquaintance (now deceased) started out in N.  One of his favorite aspects about N was that he could sneak new equipment past his eagle-eyed wife by putting it under his hat.  IdeaWhistling  Later, his eyes started to go, so he switched to On30.  His only regret was that the engines and cars didn't fit under his hat!  Crying

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Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 4:16 PM

Hi,

May I add....  back in the late '80s I built a 4x6 tabletop N layout.   I was previously in HO, Lionel before that. 

Anyway, by the time the track, wiring, and plaster scenery was all in I realized N was just too small for me to produce a quality layout as I have done with HO.  I was in my mid 40s at the time, and even then my eyesight and manual dexterity was just not up to my standards working with "N". 

I sold everything, and then jumped back into HO, and have been there ever since.

That is not a knock on N, for I feel strongly that each scale has its plus & minus, and I was attracted to it as I could run long trains and have a sizeable layout operation in the room I had available.

I am very happy in HO, and have no regrets leaving N (although sometimes I miss the Lionel).

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, August 16, 2015 3:56 PM

carl425
No, they are too small for me to see.

Then put your glasses on..Whistling Laugh I'm 67 and can still see  N Scale without my glasses..

I've seen photos I couldn't tell if it was  N Scale or HO..

A thing about HO its becoming a open the box hobby..In N there's still a lot of modeling to do if one chooses.

Larry

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Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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Posted by EMD.Don on Sunday, August 16, 2015 3:11 PM

No thanks Russ...I am good.

Happy modeling to you though!

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

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Posted by csxns on Sunday, August 16, 2015 3:08 PM

Don is not it supper time.

Russell

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Posted by EMD.Don on Sunday, August 16, 2015 2:46 PM

csxns

? who said it did.

Huh? It was a simple statement that was not directed at anyone...........

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

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Posted by csxns on Sunday, August 16, 2015 2:25 PM

EMD.Don
. It doesn't diminish the level of detail or quality of the modeling.

? who said it did.

Russell

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Posted by EMD.Don on Sunday, August 16, 2015 1:20 PM

Of course...in person you can tell N scale from any other scale. It doesn't diminish the level of detail or quality of the modeling.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

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Posted by csxns on Sunday, August 16, 2015 1:04 PM

Big Smile

EMD.Don
swear was not N scale at all but a much larger scale.
Only in photos in person you can tell

Russell

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Posted by carl425 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 12:32 PM

BRAKIE
Maybe for those that look at N Scale with closed mind and eyes-no disrespect.. Have you seen the locomotive detail parts available today?

No, they are too small for me to see. Smile

BRAKIE
Have you seen some of the top tier modeling that will rival HO?

No - not if you compare it to "top tier" HO. (which btw, can't compete with top tier O)

BRAKIE
Seen the scratchbuilt steam  N Scale locomotives? How about a kitbashed SD18 in N? Seen fine sale  N Scale modeling that uses Code 40 hand laid track and switches? How about Nn3  modeling? Ever watch a operation session in  N complete with waybills/car cards?

Nobody disputes the fact that a few exceptionally talented guys have done some very impressive things with N-scale.  That doesn't change the fact however that there is a physical advantage to working in a larger scale. If your goal is to produce the most highly detailed model possible, bigger will always be better.

...not that there is anything wrong with N-scale.  "Ya pays yer money and ya makes yer choices" - can't remember who said that.

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

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Posted by EMD.Don on Sunday, August 16, 2015 12:18 PM

BRAKIE
...Have you seen the locomotive detail parts available today? Have you seen some of the top tier modeling that will rival HO? Seen the scratchbuilt steam  N Scale locomotives? How about a kitbashed SD18 in N?

...There's far more happening in N  then those with closed minds and eyes can see again no disrespect meant.. 

Completely agree. I get N Scale magazine and it is astounding the level of detail many many folks achieve, not only on their locomotives and rolling stock but also structure wise etc. Skys the limit really. There is a gent named Chris Ditmar who is a regular contributor to the magazine that does phenominal work...absolutely mind blowing. He does many Canadian Pacific and BC Rail stuff from my chosen era that you would swear was not N scale at all but a much larger scale.

N scale is a really exciting scale to be a part of now that we have access to details, quality, and choices once only available to our larger scaled brethern. Is it the best scale? The only best scale is the scale the individual modeler deems best for him/her. Its all good.

Happy modeling!

Regards,

Don.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, August 16, 2015 11:44 AM

riogrande5761
 
BRAKIE

 

 
davidmbedard
Someone once said that is you want to model trains, go with HO....if you want to model vast scenery, go with N.

 

That's fodder for the garbage truck..I would have agreed with that 30-40 years ago but,not with today's finer  N Scale models.

 

What Dave said was not a bad thing.  It's always been a hallmark of N scale that you can get a much higher scenery to train ratio and that is true.  

 

Maybe for those that look at N Scale with closed mind and eyes-no disrespect..

Have you seen the locomotive detail parts available today? Have you seen some of the top tier modeling that will rival HO? Seen the scratchbuilt steam  N Scale locomotives? How about a kitbashed SD18 in N?

Seen fine sale  N Scale modeling that uses Code 40 hand laid track and switches? How about Nn3  modeling?

Ever watch a operation session in  N complete with waybills/car cards?

There's far more happening in N  then those with closed minds and eyes can see again no disrespect meant..

 

 

 

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


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Posted by carl425 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 10:30 AM

Sir Madog
Now that´s a Freudian slip of the tongue, isn´t it?

oops... fixed

Sir Madog
How much detail you incorporate into an N scale layout depends on your own skills and abilities.

Absolutely true, but the same level of skill applied to a larger scale will always have the porential for a higher level of detail.

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 16, 2015 10:10 AM

carl425
but it will never have the potential to be ass good as a larger scale.

Now that´s a Freudian slip of the tongue, isn´t it?

How much detail you incorporate into an N scale layout depends on your own skills and abilities. Just look what a modeler with the nom de plume "Bubule" does - you´ll find his thread in the "layout" section of this forum.

N scale can be a match to HO scale!

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 10:03 AM

BRAKIE

 

 
davidmbedard
Someone once said that is you want to model trains, go with HO....if you want to model vast scenery, go with N.

 

That's fodder for the garbage truck..I would have agreed with that 30-40 years ago but,not with today's finer  N Scale models.

What Dave said was not a bad thing.  It's always been a hallmark of N scale that you can get a much higher scenery to train ratio and that is true.  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by EMD.Don on Sunday, August 16, 2015 9:44 AM

forester6291

does anyone who switched to or started with N guage regret doing so.

Its been a few days with some interesting replies and curiosity has gotten the better of me, has the OP posted the question because they regret choosing N scale or are they new to the hobby and unsure of which scale to choose?

Happy modeling all!

Regards,

Don.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

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Posted by carl425 on Sunday, August 16, 2015 9:04 AM

BRAKIE
davidmbedard Someone once said that is you want to model trains, go with HO....if you want to model vast scenery, go with N. That's fodder for the garbage truck..I would have agreed with that 30-40 years ago but,not with today's finer  N Scale models.

While David may have said it insensitively, he is correct.  Smaller scales have and always worked better for models of larger things.  

And while N-scale has improved in the last 30-40 years, HO hasn't stood still.  30 years ago I was shaving off the cast-on grabs on wider than scale Athearn diesel shells to replace them with wire grabs.  I thought it was great when they just started leaving them off and putting a dimple in the spot I needed to drill.

"Good enough" is a personal choice so N-scale can indeed be "good enough", but it will never have the potential to be as good as a larger scale. If you have one square inch of area to apply details in HO, you'll have about a quarter square inch of area in N.  Therefore, if you aaccept that our ability as modelers is limited by the actual size of the parts, you have the room for 4 times the detail in HO.

But in response to the OP's original question, I had always been jealous of what the N-scale guys could fit in so I started this time with the intention of building an N-scale layout.  I started collecting models and working on trackplans.  When following Tony Koester's advice of doing mockups to determine spacing for the different levels of the layout I realized N was just not for me.  Maybe it is some modeler's version of "muscle memory", but my feeling of what size things were supposed to be had become so fixed over the years with HO the N-scale models just didn't look right to me.

So, having regretted my choice, I took the required beating to sell off the N-scale stuff I had collected, and went back to HO.

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, August 16, 2015 4:01 AM

davidmbedard
Someone once said that is you want to model trains, go with HO....if you want to model vast scenery, go with N.

That's fodder for the garbage truck..I would have agreed with that 30-40 years ago but,not with today's finer  N Scale models.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, August 16, 2015 3:57 AM

forester6291

does anyone who switched to or started with N guage regret doing so.

 

 

My biggest regret is I sold my  N Scale instead of my HO..All the years I was in  N I never regretted a minute of it like I have keeping my HO instead of my N..

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Saturday, August 15, 2015 11:12 PM
No.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Saturday, August 15, 2015 3:08 PM

rgengineoiler

With over 30 years in N Scale and proud of it.  I agree completely with Don.  Doug

While I barely have 30 months in N-Scale, I am happy with the choice, and given the chance to do it again, I would choose N again, hands down.

Richard

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