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changing from Ho to N help please

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  • Member since
    October 2007
  • 38 posts
changing from Ho to N help please
Posted by conrailran on Monday, August 10, 2009 5:01 PM

 Hello,

Due to my recent move with the army, from the Boston area to the Atlanta area, I am forced to change from HO to N scale due space limitations.  I would like to have a shelf style layout about 8-10 feet long and 2 feet wide, with a removable woodland scenic box layout kit at an end.  Here is my problem I have a ton of HO stuff still in the boxes everything from rolling stock, engines, to buildings and track.  Prior to my move, I donated a lot of stuff to the local boys/girls clubs, scouts and other organizations that could use the help.

So here is my ? is their anyone who would like to trade items or has a child starting out ( I would like to help youngster out first) or is better to list on ebay or craiglist (I am not looking to make a profit) just get enough to restart my layout.  If anyone can help or is interested in what i have you can contact via this post or at armyrn62@yahoo.com. 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • 47 posts
Posted by SD Fan on Monday, August 10, 2009 6:24 PM

Knowing from experience, this is a big jump. Honestly, i would test the waters with ebay, and if all goes well with that, go ahead and put everything up. That is if you cant find a youngster. You could also try a local swap meet.

Hope this helps.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, or maybe ballasting some track.
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Bremerton, Wa
  • 540 posts
Posted by jguess733 on Monday, August 10, 2009 6:58 PM

 I'm in the same boat. I just switched from Ho to N because base houseing isn't condusive to model railroading. I'm designing an N scale layout based on the Pike City Belt Line that is in the Track Plan database. You might want to look at building a layout on a hollow core interior door in the 30" x 80" or 36" x 80" size range.

Jason

Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Pottstown PA
  • 1,039 posts
Posted by rdgk1se3019 on Monday, August 10, 2009 6:59 PM

 I have some N scale ftuff I`ve been wanting to get rid of for a few years.......I myself got back into H O scale about 4 years ago.

Dennis Blank Jr.

CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: On the Banks of the Great Choptank
  • 2,916 posts
Posted by wm3798 on Monday, August 10, 2009 9:58 PM

I've been in N scale for 35 years because I wanted to...  I think if I were you, I would hold on to your favorite HO pieces and dip your toes into the N scale pool with some good quality track and equipment.  You can get into an Atlas Trainman train set, complete with track and power pack and a really good GP-15-1 engine (in Conrail, no less!) for about $150.  Try it out.  Get a couple of N scale structure kits, build a little scenery.  If you like it, sell off the HO stuff.  If you really can't get your head around N, then pack it back up, and sell it.

In my observation, scale changes that take place because you "have to" usually don't stick.  You've got to have an open mind, and accept that a new scale is going to be a new experience, not a concession or a compromise.

Lee

Route of the Alpha Jets  www.wmrywesternlines.net

  • Member since
    July 2005
  • 535 posts
Posted by nucat78 on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 5:08 PM
2 feet by 10 feet is enough room for a nice shelf switcher in HO. Make it with modules and a track plan that would fit into a bigger layout later when you have room. Just a thought if N doesn't work out for you.
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • 38 posts
Posted by conrailran on Thursday, August 13, 2009 4:56 PM

 thanks I never thought of that option

 

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