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
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.
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,
Richard
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.
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
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/