Hi all...
I have had multiple HO scale layouts, but they just aren't right for me.
ive been mulling over switching to N scale for my next layout. While my trackplan isn't finalize, I like the idea of a single town railroad. I was thinking about the MRT Bay Junction plan for N scale, with staging on the back. My room is 12'x10' i'd appreciate some help on N scale questions...
are working signals available?
do diesel engines come with DCC and sound?
how many intermodal cars is a 7' train or so?
Hi, I have been in N scale for a few years now and really enjoy it. As far as DCC and sound, yes. Companies such as ScaleTrains, Atlas, Kato, BLI and others offer locomotives with sound, in fact BLI only come with DCC and sound. New Atlas locomotives also come DCC and sound ready but have the speakers already installed, just add the decoder which is now a super easy install. If you go to any of these manufactures websites, you can gleen some good information as to what sound/DCC systems they use. Please check out Ron's Trains N Things on YouTube or Mike Fifer's N Scale Trains also on YouTube to have most any of your questions answered. And yes you can have working signals in N scale. I hope this helps you some.
Ralph
For a Intermodal train is 2 40' Maxi I and 2 53' Maxi IV sets (total 16 cars) with two diesel engines.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Are working signals available?
Yes.
Do diesel engines come with DCC and sound?
Many do, yes.
How many intermodal cars is a 7' train or so?
With one locomotive, about 10-11 cars for longer individual well units or 5-6 cars for 89 foot flatcars with trailers.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I think N-scale is primarily a viable alternative to HO if:
While I enjoy looking at N-scale layouts, it would be VERY limited for the road name & era I'm wanting to model: NYC early diesel and steam (early 40s thru early 50s). I also enjoy the greater detail in HO and the "easier" ability to add DCC/sound to my locomotives, if I so choose. Some of my DCC conversations were already tight in HO-scale using N-/Z-scale decoders. I can only imagine how more challenging it would be in N-scale. That may not really be much of an issue for an MRT locomotive.
So, it sounds like your plan is a solid one for what you want to model. Keep us posted on your progress.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
NOOOOOOOOOO, dont do it !
Ok, I just had to get that off my chest...
You can definitely get more trains/ scenery into a smaller space.
If your eyes can stand it ( I cant detail small scale stuff like I use to) there's no reason you cant detail an engine / locomotive to the max.
I haven't built any signals in N, but I have seen beautiful signals built right here on these forums.
As for DCC .....
Its above my pay grade.....
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Hi,
as a modeller based in the UK, I would definitely say go for it.
I'm afraid I don't have any experience of US signals or DCC yet, but the running qualities of the American stuff I've got (Kato/Atlas) are amazing given the small size - far better than anything British I've owned. I don't have any experience with US HO scale either, but I'm absolutely sure you will be satisfied with N scale. Plus the potential for scenic modelling in N scale is vast.
hope this helps
Josh
Fiqure out what you really like. N scale is great for long trains and sweeping scenery. I like short trains but don't realy have enough room for On30 so stayed with HO. O is better for detailed scenes but HO is OK and has more trackage for a given space. So whatever you decide will have its trade offs.
I switched fromm HO to N 50 years ago. As you age, it gets more difficult working on the N scale stuff. I still enjoy it.
DMK
I'm going the other way and Will have a raft of high quality brand new or seldom used N Scale for sale soon. Sound is a big thing for me and it's nowhere near as good in N as it is in HO. Also, N Scale is 1/8 the volume of product at the same price, so just not interested anymore.
I am slowly gathering N scale stuff as i am cursed with a small train room and HO on a 4x8 that is narrowed in the middle for shelf access is just not fufilling. I am using mostly all Kato stuff from their Unitrak(highly recomended) to their wonderful line up of Metra commuter equipment. Their bi level coaches are the bomb once you add their add on LED lighting circuit. The cars already have 8 wheel power pickup, so there is no flickering as long as things are clean. The cab control car come with directional headlights and red marker lights, as do the F40PH and MP36 diesels. N scale in Japan is like HO over here, its their primary scale. What you see on Kato USA's website is but a small part of what they offer when you look at the home market website or catalog. While sound will not be as good in N, I mean come on, the engines are tiny so the speaker is tiny. On a small layout, who really wants to hear sound that never fades away(especially commuter engines that stay in run 8 for HEP power generation). Kato also makes a stunning line of preassembled buildings in their Dio Town series that easily pass for modern city buildings here in the USA. Yes its harder to see, I just turned 48, but I manage ok. Look into the T trak layouts to get an idea of what can be done in small spaces with a layout that fits on a 3x6 table at a show or at home. Its a whole new take on modular modeling. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
MikeHughesCPRLagganSound is a big thing for me and it's nowhere near as good in N as it is in HO.
Sound in G scale is even better!
I only have room for a 4x9 HO layout that I built 15 years ago. About 10 years ago I decided to build a N scale layout on a door as I had just enough room in the furnace room for it.
I chose ME weathered flex. That was a big mistake, at least the weathered part as you have to remove the weathering to get electrical contact. I got the trackwork done fine in the end but it was a lot of frustrating work. I too would recommend Kato. I used it for my HO layout. I understand Peco is great track if you want flex.
I use DCC and did the decoder installs in most of my locos, steam and diesel. I have since sold off all of the steam as I found most couldn't pull much up a grade and to me they just didn't look right compared to HO. In HO I've gone the other way and now have only 2 diesels so it is a steam layout. I love the detail of brass.
As far as the amall size goes I built it in my early 60's and at 73 I don't have any problem with the small size. For once having small hands is an advantage.
Good luck with your adventure.
CN Charlie
CNCharlieI chose ME weathered flex. That was a big mistake, at least the weathered part as you have to remove the weathering to get electrical contact.
The only Micro Engineering flex track I use is code 55 weathered for lightly used sidings. I solder the connections to the ends after I clean them with a wire brush. I hide the ends under dirt and scenery.
I have not had any luck with ME weathered flex soldering to rail joiners or attaching feeders in a normal way.
Scrapping off the weathering is a pain. I used rail joiners with the leads solder to the bottom. Also the turnouts aren't available weathered so you have to apply weathering solution .
I think ME code 55 looks good for mainline Code 80 seems too big, sort of like code 100 in HO,
I find N scale is perfect for running trains but not for a lot of shunting into various industries etc that require a lot of manual uncoupling - they are so light, they are easy to derail when using an uncoupling stick.
Ron
CNCharlieI think ME code 55 looks good for mainline Code 80 seems too big
When I was in N scale, code 80/83 was all that was available.
Painting helped, but it still looked bad.