HO probably has the most things available for it. N would be a strong enough competitor to HO as far as stuff available, that if you are limited in space, N probably makes the most sense. Still all of this depends upon what you’re really interested in doing. Do you want a small switching layout; or, do you want to run mainline? Since I don’t know that information, I can really help you.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
As far as stuff is concerned, in a practical sense there is as much available for N as for HO. There is probably a bit more in HO, but often somewhat duplicative. When I was in N, I had no more problem finding what I need than I did in HO (not saying I could find everything, only that the scales have similar problems). I also did a good bit of scratch builing structures in N. I eventually moved back to HO not for lack of equipment but because I was more interested in scratchbuilding and in the feel of being the railroader on the ground. Pick the scale based on what you want to do rather than perceived availability of equipment.
jim
Here's what you do. Go buy yourself a Walthers N/Z-Scale catalog and look at what is available in N-Scale. If there is enough, then you are good to go. I chose N-Scale and every once and a while I wish there was a little more selection, but there is enough to keep me going.
Richard
Welcome to the forums.
It's good that you are thinking before acting. In the long run it should save you both time and money.
A couple of other things to consider: Your motor skills, now and in a few years, N is half the size of HO. How much detail you want, both on the trains and on the layout, tiny details are more difficult to do and don't show as much. Yes, HO has the widest selection of trains and accessories, but if you don't have a prototype in mind, will that matter? Or if you have a prototype, what is available to fill your needs, in each scale?
Have fun,
I think it depends on how much detail you are willing to accept. This is especially true if you want to do a lot of scratch building. The smaller the scale the more you really have to limit fine detail. I was in the ultimate scratch building business as a contractor. I can't do the kind of detail I did as a builder in even HO scale. If you want lots of scenery, N scale would seem to be the way to go but for details and scratch building HO may be a better bet.
Brent,
There is more HO equipment, but as an N Scaler I can mostly find what I need (including scratch building supplies) but I have to order them on line. Most hobby/train shops aren't going to carry a lot of N scale on their shelves unless you are lucky enough to live next door to one of the super train stores around the country! If you work in N scale and realize you are missing something you need for a project, you might have to wait 5-7 days to get it!
You might want to check your local shops to see what they carry on their shelves in both scales before you make a decision.
Good luck,
Tim
The limited availibility of N scale accessories seems to be one of those eternal myths. True, there is less than in HO scale, but still plenty to choose from. The only limitation I see is when you are a steam loco buff. Aside from the ubiquiteous UP Big Boys and Challenger, there is not really much to choose from. If you are a PRR fan, things get even worse. Aside from early Minitrix K 4´s, there is only the brand new BLI M 1a.
Sir MadogThe limited availibility of N scale accessories seems to be one of those eternal myths. . .
There is at least one place where there is some truth to the rumor--automobiles.
FWIW when I decided to leave O scale in 1987 I looked at both HO and N. I chose HO because there was more available and HO was much better running than N at that point. I'd say if I had to start over again now I'd probably go to N. There's a lot more available, and with DCC with "keep alive" decoders and such, N scale now probably overall runs better than HO did back in the eighties.
I model N Scale in Conrail, Union Pacific and BNSF and let's not forget about Amtrak.
I started in 2006 with buying plain Amtrak than UP and BNSF. In the beginning of 2014 I started collecting Conrail.
After getting Amtrak off and on. I think about HO Amtrak equipment and how fast I would model it from the start 1971 to present without the SDP40F and P30CH.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
For me it was more about the look of models than the availability of stuff. Go look at some of the models. Get down on their level and look at them closely. Do you enjoy getting your eye down at track level and watching the train go by? Does the smaller model look less like a train to you?
When I look at really good photograghs of really good models in HO I often wonder if I'm looking at the real thing. Best case for N I wonder if it might be HO. If you don't share this experience, or it doesn't matter to you, go with N. For me how I felt looking at the models themselves was more important than how many I could find to buy or fit in a square foot of layout.
I'm now building a single track secondary line in HO in a space that could have accomodated a double track main line with a division point yard in N.
Another thing to keep in mind regarding stuff is that a layout takes many years to build. If what you want isn't available today in one scale or the other, it likely will be at some point in time during the life of the layout.
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.
I used to stick to HO because back when I was in High School, (circa 1976) N scale was pretty much junk that you could just run around in circles with. I have always leaned toward switching.
I got back into model railroading after the kids grew up and moved on, and my wife liked the look of N scale. Well you just can't throw away any support from the CFO! So I made a small test layout to see if I could do switching operations and work with the smaller scale. I quickly learned that things are much improved with DCC and the equipment is soooo much better than it was in 1976! My test layout is the first phase of my 'empire' and is only a 2'x8' sheet of plywood with a 6"x6' staging yard that has 6 tracks on it. There are now 100 cars on the layout and they all get switched in an operating session that now runs 5 hours, industries get multiple spots and some cars require respots. Try doing that in HO!
It does take a more gentle touch to work with N, but you will adjust. I can read the car numbers just fine, the trick is to have enough light.
So for an intensive switching layout, it still works just as well as HO. Of course any scale can just run trains for long distances or in circles. (which begs the question, why would you want to run trains around? After a couple laps,, then what?)
sevenbrewer Of course any scale can just run trains for long distances or in circles. (which begs the question, why would you want to run trains around? After a couple laps,, then what?)
Of course any scale can just run trains for long distances or in circles. (which begs the question, why would you want to run trains around? After a couple laps,, then what?)
Just running trains around in circles, was not a part of what the O.P. was asking about.
Well it's almost the answer to the question. It's not like your parents and your mom's father wants you to run HO. And your father's parents wants you to have an outdoor layout in G. But you like the size of N.
Different opinions on model railroading.
brent_davies Has anyone run into lack of N accessories?
No.
Just to give you an impression of today´s capabilities of modeling in N scale:
Hello. I just switched from n scale to HO, decreased fine motor skills and shaky hands. A product of getting old :D did I mention my eye sight is not getting any better?
I just want a functioning HO layout now. I had my empire in n scale. 60-80 locos (all DCC), several hundred rolling stock, etc. The last several years.
I had an n layout in 1971 and it was all junk! Today n is awesome. Here is a link to the “n scale encyclopedia locomotive page”
http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html
Here is a link to a n scale community that will answer any questions you have.
http://www.nscale.net/forums/content.php
Great folks, just like here :D
I am not trying to talk you into n scale. One of, if not, the best thing about model RRing is it's your railroad, do what you want!!
PS As far as a small selection in steam engines, I had; 2-10-0, 2-10-2, 2-6-2, 2-6-4, 2-6-6-2, 2-8-2, 2-8-0, 2-8-8-2, 4-8-8-2, 4-6-6-4, 4-8-8-4, etc
Good luck!
I am anNscaler since it nearly exist.
I have never considered to change the scale.
I can affirm since the 2000's we never had so many choice of N scale materials, many structures, from plastic to laser one, with price winning details.
Fine track elements, in code 55, the offering of turnouts is great from Atlas or Peco and if you like Fastrack offer a big line of jigs to build your own turnout.
Fine rolling stock from nearly all the companies and fine passenger cars whith exquisite details, Steam loco since 2005-2007 which are fine runner and extremly well detailled too
Atlas and Kato have offer nearly all the diesels which have existed and they are as good performer as their HO sisters.
Nearly all the loco offered are DCC ready, the only lack is sound, but things are changing slowly and there is ready to run sound equiped locomotives.
So I don't see any lack of materiels.
About the choice of scale it's your private choice, take a scale were you feel you comfortable.
N today run as well as HO and in a same space can offer more prototypical curve and track arrangement whith longer trains.
But anyway choice is your.
Happy new year from Belgium
Hi.
The smaller scales become more difficult to work with as the years progress. I attempted Z scale (granted, smaller still than N) for a few years only to find my eyesight limits becoming more evident. Switched to HO scale/DCC and enjoying the ride.
All the best.
Reinhard
Joe F
Not knocking the other scales, but N scale seems "too small," and HO seems "just right" for me. (compared to O scale which seems too big.) There is adequate items available for N scale IMO.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Since you said you are leaning towards scratchbuilding, I would definitely go with HO. It will be much easier and more satisfying with HO than N scale. With N, you would constantly be comprimising and making things oversize, which you will find frustrating. Even in HO, making things acurate to scale can be very hard to acheive, which means in N scale it will be impossible or look very toylike.
Scratchbuilding in N scale works just as nice as in any other scale. In N scale, you can omit tiny detail, which won´t be visible, without getting a toy-like look. The bigger the scale, the more detail you have to consider.
N, HO, S, O, and G (and maybe Z) all have way more stuff than most people can afford or use. So really you need to decide what you want and what scales have it.
If you like scratch building, then any scale will work. It's just what size do you like working with.
Personally, I found HO to be too small for building and O scale too large for the layout I wanted. But S scale is just right. But people scratch build in all three scales as well N and G. Probably Z too.
Good luck
Paul
pirate Since you said you are leaning towards scratchbuilding, I would definitely go with HO. It will be much easier and more satisfying with HO than N scale. With N, you would constantly be comprimising and making things oversize, which you will find frustrating. Even in HO, making things acurate to scale can be very hard to acheive, which means in N scale it will be impossible or look very toylike.
I can agree whith you about compromising whith scale because of Nscale, here following a few example of models I have achevied in Nscale and to answer for one who said as we become older N scale is to small, I'm 55 and have glasses whit a 3 dioptry so...
There's a "matter of perspective" when considering HO or N Scale.
Since HO Scale is almost double the size of N Scale -- Many say there is "more layout space" in N Scale. Another Perspective: Am I satisfied with apx. half the operations (in HO) in the same amount of layout space to run N Scale operations?
Also: A couple of helpful N Scale weblinks...
[1] Dave Vollmer's N Scale Juniata Division on only 2 hardcore doors, and with "built-in" portability to train shows, or occupational assignments.
[2] Spookshow (N Scale Projects & Resources) is like an enclyclopedia of N Scale. Be sure to check out Spookshow's 6 Layout Blogs for frank discussions of what to expect in layout construction.
[3] Plaza Japan is a N Scale eBay store. "N" is the most popular scale in Japan, and its' 1:150 N is quite compatible with the US 1:160 N. Ex.: Note detail quality of structures, and engine mechanisms (used with loco-shells). P.S.: Plaza Japan is "on vacation" until January 4th.
[4] Brooklyn Locomotive Works offers a concise catalog of N Scale engines and rolling stock.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Another good site that gives a notion of what is possible in N is the website of the Modutrak group, whose layout is a popular feature at Milwaukee's Trainfest. They are really into using N's size advantages to replicate prototype scenes rather than cram in lots of track into a small space. They have the admiration of modelers in every scale.
http://www.modutrak.com/
Dave Nelson
Sir MadogJust to give you an impression of today´s capabilities of modeling in N scale:
...and Photoshop
Nope - no Photoshop. The guys layout is built in modules and he moves them outside for taking pictures.