QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by mrgoozy QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER I'm not sure what you meant by 2 types of HO unless you mean HOn3. HOn3 is narrrow gauge - the scale is the same as HO but the tracks are closer together. All scales except Z have narrow gauge. G is a special case, it has several scales running on the same track, most of which are narrow gauge. Enjoy Paul http://www.atlasrr.com/ shows HO Code 100/Code 83 Layout Gallery and HO True-Track Layout Gallery. not sure what the differance is. All HO scale, but different types of track. First, the "code" of the track is the rail height. Real railroads use several different sizes of rail, usually measured in pounds per yard, which is of course, different heights. Modellers have simulated this by doing the same thing. The code of the rail is how many thousandths of an inch tall the rail is. Code 100 is .100 inch tall, code 83 is .083 inch tall, etc. Most snap track you already have is probably code 100 rail. Recently, several manufacturers have brought back a track with ballast detail added, similar to the old American Flyer track with the rubber snap on "ballast" called TrueTrack, Ready Track, and several other brand names.
QUOTE: Originally posted by mrgoozy QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER I'm not sure what you meant by 2 types of HO unless you mean HOn3. HOn3 is narrrow gauge - the scale is the same as HO but the tracks are closer together. All scales except Z have narrow gauge. G is a special case, it has several scales running on the same track, most of which are narrow gauge. Enjoy Paul http://www.atlasrr.com/ shows HO Code 100/Code 83 Layout Gallery and HO True-Track Layout Gallery. not sure what the differance is.
QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER I'm not sure what you meant by 2 types of HO unless you mean HOn3. HOn3 is narrrow gauge - the scale is the same as HO but the tracks are closer together. All scales except Z have narrow gauge. G is a special case, it has several scales running on the same track, most of which are narrow gauge. Enjoy Paul
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
QUOTE: Originally posted by mrgoozy QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack Outdoor G scale is 12 months out of the year. There are guys that have real working snow plows, live steam, battery/RC controll, and many other methods of operation to work the trains year round. Even if you get 14ft of snow and can't find the railroad, there is still lots to do in constructing buildings and rolling stock. Just an option you might want to check out. Click on over to the garden railways forum and browse around a little. http://www.trains.com/community/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=7 i was over there before looking around. i have to say this is going to be a tough choice. a am a landscaper and the though of outdoor modeling is very appealing. i also love the construction and everything that goes into making the trains run on an indoor plan. i find the wiring and such, interesting. i don't know much about how to get the senic stuff to happen seeing as i am not very artistic but i am sure that will work out somehow lol.
QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack Outdoor G scale is 12 months out of the year. There are guys that have real working snow plows, live steam, battery/RC controll, and many other methods of operation to work the trains year round. Even if you get 14ft of snow and can't find the railroad, there is still lots to do in constructing buildings and rolling stock. Just an option you might want to check out. Click on over to the garden railways forum and browse around a little. http://www.trains.com/community/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=7
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QUOTE: Originally posted by fiatfan Hi, Mrgoozy First off, [#welcome] to the hobby and the forum. About the porch, you didn't indicate what area of the country but from the comment about working outside 8 months of the year, it sounds like using the porch shouldn't cause too many problems. About the choice of scale you may want to take into consideration your age. Some of us have been know to switch from N to HO because of the difficultiies in working with those invisible details. [:o)] One of the books you may want to consider is John Armstorng's Track Planning for Realistic Operation. This will give you some idea as to what you can put in the space you have available. Here is a link to some some good inforamtion that you may want to file away for future reference. http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36405 Again, [#welcome] Tom
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QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack Why wait? Why not build a small 2x4 ft module, in HO scale, just to get your feet wet and learn a few track laying techniques and develop some scenery skills? Later on you can incorportate the module into a larger system, or start over. Do you have any yard space? If so, why not try G scale outdoor. You can get started with one of the wonderful Bachmann Big Hauler sets for under $120 in most places. Don't use the B'mann track outside, it's crap, but get some Aristocraft track that is designed for outdoor use. Trust me on this!