To N or not to N?

[John Busby]

Hi
The best way to look at space is I think
Like going mad on detail and building lots yourself go small space it keeps things achievable
Like long trains and playing trains OOP!s erhmm operating trains in a realistic manner go big space.[:D]
This is of course reletive to the scale, space avalable and the type of railway you like.
regards John

[Adelie]

I switched over to N from HO about 5 years ago. Space was the reason at the time. We then moved, and I have a 40x14 space with which to work. I had enough invested in N by that time to stick with it. My design for this space was based on what I would build in HO, then scale it down (except maybe the curves) and concentrate on scenery, towns and industries.

I liked that formula so much that if we move again this fall, as threatened, I will try to carry it over, space permitting. It is a good preventative for the tempation to try to cram too much railroad into the available space.

[Anonymous]

I think the toughest part in deciding (I`m in a bit of the same fix) is at what size does space become a factor, When is there just not enough space for a good HO layout to stretch its legs comfortably. Or is the temptation to create a massive N scale layout overshadowing its 1/2 size limitations as apposed to HO. I myself have about 10ft /15ft total. And you know that N scale is going to get better in terms of accesability and options in the future.

[Anonymous]

I would go N. I used to be in HO but swapped. The reason being that you can do twice as much in a layout. The only problem with N is you can't find everything HO has. These would actually be the only 2 scales I would ever model, HO & N. If space is a factor go N.

[davekelly]

Jack,

You are soooooo right. I used to be a Ner way back in the 80's, but switched to HO in the early 90's because of the variety of equipment then available. When looking at the space available I do get tempted to revert back to N - especially given the marked increase in quality and quantity of stuff available since I was a Ner. On the other hand, I don't think I'd be able to fit decoders in a N engine and trying to fit a speaker would drive me nuts.

But, botton line, I think you hit the nail on the head. I just like HO. Just like many like N or O or garden or whatever. You gotta do what feels "right" for you!

[jxtrrx]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CARRfan

Going with whatever "feels" right is the most important way to go, in my opinion.

Carrfan has said something very important. Don't skip over it. You can make logical arguments for N or HO all day, but in the end there is something emotional (not intellectual) that has attracted us to the hobby in the first place... and to many of us, it's how it "looks and feels" as these trains pass through their routes.

I went N scale because of limited space, but the whole thing always felt teeny and toyi***o me. To me. Not everyone feels this way. I would look longingly at the HO stuff in the hobby shop when buying my little N-gines. At the end of the day, I just never FELT satisfied with my N layout. Sold it all on eBay, started over in HO/DCC/Sound. Shorter trains. Less track. More crowded. But happier train-guy.

My wife tells me she liked the N stuff much better. Cuter she says.[:D]

As you do this process, be sure you don't let your head talk you into something that the rest of you isn't that jazzed about.

[Anonymous]

I did HO back in the 70s, just got started again this century in N with an 8'x11' L. Its great for the space. The only thing 'missing' is what's now available in DCC sound for HO -- the speakers just don't fit in small N engines, but there is room in the bigger ones. DCC sound really started going bigtime after we'd invested in N. If the sound was available when we started, we would have strongly considered it, but still not sure if that would have been sufficient to tempt us away from N.

Eventually, we're hoping there'll be a ready to use system on the market with multiple speakers to place around the layout, and a function that locates where the engine is and adjusts the speaker balance accordingly as the engine moves. [8)] That would also allow much better quality speakers for any scale.

Cheers,
Maureen

[Anonymous]

Just some food for thought.

This hasl been mentioned by many others, but I wanted to throw it out there while you're in the "pondering" phase.

If you purely use the "smaller is better" logic, we'd all be in Z scale or smaller. Someone recently said we'd all have layouts etched onto microchips.

You get more track in the smaller scales, but the equipment has less "heft".

Heck, I'd love to be in O or G scale if it wasn't so expensive!

It seems to me HO and N are the "working man's" scales. They're affordable.

I'm in HO, but have been tempted by N many times.

Going with whatever "feels" right is the most important way to go, in my opinion.

[MAbruce]

Beware! Once you start you will never go back to HO. Then the HO modelers in your area will show up at your house one night as an angry mob with torches. [;)][:D]

[Anonymous]

When I made the change, the way I looked at it was N is approximately half the size of HO. So the 6-8 x 36" door my n-scale layout is on translates roughly to 6x16 ft of HO, so that's a lot of train in a small place.

One thing that no one has mentioned here is that it seems easier and looks more realistic to run long trains on N.


m

[pcarrell]

Come over to the dark side...........

[Anonymous]

Ed,

In case you're interested, there are two N scale clubs in the Atlanta area, including one in Kennesaw:

http://www.sodigi.com/mans.htm

http://www.nwgntrak.4t.com/

One of them should be at the train show March 11-12 at the Cobb County Civic Center. http://www.piedmont-div.org/trainshow/index.html

Mike Tennent

[jsutton316]

The best thing about N scale is the possiblities because of the space. You get more "stuff"in N than HO!!!!

[ehowe]

Thanks, guys! I think you've sold me!

Hal, thanks for sharing pictures of your Mokena RR. Your scratch-built buildings look great! Coincidentally, I live in Sandy Springs, GA (well, part of my house is, anyway).

Nevin, it sounds like I've got a good decade of N-scale enjoyment ahead of me.

Thank you, everybody!
Ed

[NevinW]

How old are you? If you are in your late 40's, you can anticipate your eyesight deteriorating and then N scale will not be very much fun. If you are younger, then the advantages of N scale for the space you have available outweigh the disadvantages. - Nevin

[John Busby]

Hi ehowe
The only other thing you may loose is your sanity[:D]
I have modeld in OO N and currently G in the garden
The most usefull tool for N is an optivisor with 20X magnification
This will allow you to really have fun with the level of detail you can tackle
and in 9X6 you can fini***rack work quickly in both scales go mad with details in both scales and still get a reasonable level of progres
You will never fini***he railway there will always be that one more thing to add or improve.
The only diference apart from size is that in N you get reletivly more space.
Dont fall into the trap of packing it in that temptation must be resisted.
at all costs or the railway will be spoiled
regards John

[jnichols]

If you are a modern era modeler, N scale is a great way to go as there so much quality equipment available for you. If you are trying to model the steam era, you will find it much more difficult to purchase a large variety of good running/looking equipment outside of brass. Track is another issue of concern as even code 55 is on the large side for a steam era layout, but again if your tastes are more modern you shouldn't have any problems here. DCC is actually quite easy to deal with (in many cases it's easier than HO scale), but sound is a tough one especially in narrow hood diesels.

As I model in many different scales and have a smallish N scale layout at home, honestly I don't think you give much up to HO scale and based on the dimensions you've listed as a "room size", you would be better served with an N scale setup.

Jeff

[Tracklayer]

I am and always have been an N scaler, and though I've had to look a little harder than HOers, I usually always manage to find what I'm looking for. My problem lately has been that my eyesight isn't what it use to be, so I'm thinking about moving up to HO, but I have the same room problem that you do...

TL

[Bikerdad]

You can have a much better scenery to track ratio with N scale. What you sacrifice is a little operational ability (automatic uncoupling isn't as good), small steam, incredible range of products available, and superdetail level. What you get is more of a sense of a railroad, longer trains, lower rolling stock cost (individually, but in aggregate its probably the same).

[mokenarr]

I have been in N scale for over 25 years. Had a HO layout but had a space problem. I have never regretted doing N scale. I to have a room about 6x9 with a door to work around, but I feel I have a lot of train action in this space and am happy with the results so far. There is a lot more HO stuff out there, but companys like Athern are now getting on the N scale bandwagon. And the running quality today just blows away stuff from years ago. If you want check out my web site . Maybe it will help you decide

Hal

[SOU Fan]

QUOTE:

Can anybody who has gone from HO to N comment? Are N-scale products as widely available as HO? What am I losing, if anything, by going with the smaller scale (other than my eyesight [:)])?

Thanks!
Ed

There is not as much N scale ready to run products but htere is still alot. Here are a couple of sites to check out. www.nscalesupply.com ,and www.blwnscale.com , www.4nscale.com . You aren't losing anything there will be one more Normal model railroader.[:)]

[accord1959]

Hey, I'm in a similar boat, I only have a 21' by 13' room for my HO layout and I find it quite restrictive. I recently purchased a couple of Atlas N scale box cars to check out the quality and I have to say I am impressed. There seems to be an ever growing supply of N scale equipment available. I am thinking of selling my 13 thousand + dollar HO stock on eBay and starting over again in N scale, it"ll be a though one to decide because I love the detail of the newer HO equipment.

[RedGrey62]

As an avid HO scaler that has dabbled in N for modular layouts i can say that you give virtually nothing up. Since it sounds like you haven't got alot invested in the HO, changing should be less painful! The quality of the N scale locos and rolling stock is very good, especially the Kato, Life-Like Proto 2000, Atlas, Athearn, and of course Micro-Trains. The true N scalers on the list will definately let you know of other companies they like as well.

The nice thing is, a 3X9 space in N roughly equals 6X18 in HO, you can have fairly large curves and a pretty long run.

Rick

[ehowe]

I have a bit of a space issue. My "land grant" is only about a 6'x9' area with walls on three sides. The 9' side is open, but 3' of it would have to be cut back 2' for a door. I originally wanted to go HO, since that is what I grew up with, and still have a bunch of sectional track for. However, I'm quickly concluding I won't be able to do anything fancy at that scale. Therefore, I'm considering going N scale to increase my possibilities.

Can anybody who has gone from HO to N comment? Are N-scale products as widely available as HO? What am I losing, if anything, by going with the smaller scale (other than my eyesight [:)])?

Thanks!
Ed