IRONROOSTEROh come on - there's humorous nicknames for all the scales.
Absolutley..Every N Scaler knows HO stands for Horribly Oversize and N stands for the Normal size..
I was told the AF in American Flyer stood for America's Favorite.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
tstageSorry I wasn't clearer on both points, Larry. Tom
No worries Mate.. Some of the best N Scale detail parts was made by BLMA now Atlas has those parts.
Even though I'm in HO I still attend Ohio N Scale Weekend IIRC this is the 9th show and I have attended every show to date exception being the coming show in May..I also still read N Scale Magazine and N Scale Railroading Magazine.
And yes,I wished I kept my N.
Larry where does one find these N scale detail parts. Al
If I didn't get my fathers eyes I would do N scale.
Since they are not going to get better and more likely worse as I get older I just stuck with HO.
If the peepers were better now, I would have went N and had an empire lol
Track fiddler Larry where does one find these N scale detail parts. Al
Al,Atlas bought BLMA and has a list of parts on their web page.
http://shop.atlasrr.com/c-1405-blma-n-parts.aspx
So,the parts can be ordered by a LHS,direct from Atlas on any on line shop that carries N Scale.
Now if I may. This was one of my "go to" N Scale shops.
http://www.nscalesupply.com/BLM/BLM.html
Funny how we all select our modeling scales for as many different reasons as there are modelers.
I started with a Lionel O-27 train set. Made a mistake when I sold it many many years ago, but at the same time I didn't really regret it. Got into HO solely from building BB level kits, and I still have all of them. My late FIL gave my son a small N scale set, and MOH started buying him extra cars, etc., but for some reason I never got enthralled with N. I can definitely see the space advantages with N, but otherwise no.
The one thing that bothers me about both N and HO is the units of measurement. HO has 3.5 mm per foot with a ratio of 1:87.1. N has a ratio of 1:160. These ratios require a scale rule to build models in those scales. On the other hand, S scale has a ratio of 1:64, or 1/64" = 1", and 3/16" = 1'. One can use an ordinary Architects scale to build models with.
I've been in HO for years and will stay with it even though I could probably have a layout in N better suited for my living space. But, if I were to make a change, I think I'd go with S, for a variety of reasons.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
It would be nice to have a scale rule I could probably build things quicker For now I've been going with 1 inch in N scale equals 13.333 feet multiply that by 12 to get inches and it comes to 160 which is N scale so I can determine any measurement off of that
Larry. I checked out that link you gave me looks like a good resource I'm sure I'll use it I got to admit it I'm kind of a computer idiot but need to get more familiar with more sights I purchased a great northern F7 A/B and a GN 4-8-4 at the hobby store and found out I could have saved 130.00 on a site online too late I didn't have the heart to return them because I know everybody at the hobby store These stores are having a hard time because of this. I know where to go next time I need a loco How can you not with that kind of savings It's unfortunate though Hobby stores are dropping like flies. Thanks Al
BRAKIEI was told the AF in American Flyer stood for America's Favorite.
That's a new one for me. But being in S, I like it.
Paul
I have a lot of respect for N scale guys because I know I could never work in it. I get frustrated enough working with small parts in HO scale. I'd probably end up in a nuthouse if I had to work in N scale. If I was starting over I would seriously consider S or even O. But I'm not starting over and I have too much invested in HO to think about changing now. I remember my first HO layout back in the 1960s and I thought it was a small scale because my previous exposure had been to Lionel and American Flyer. I didn't even know there was an N scale until the early 1970s. I thought HO was as small as it got.
I went from HO to N back in the early 1990's. Modeled in both scales till 2008 then went into Z scale.I have both N and Z show layouts and home layouts.I will be starting a home HO point to point switching layout next fall (if I'm still breathing ).I am 72 and definately enjoying all three scales.
NYBW-JohnI'd probably end up in a nuthouse if I had to work in N
Russell
csxns NYBW-John I'd probably end up in a nuthouse if I had to work in N Same here.
NYBW-John I'd probably end up in a nuthouse if I had to work in N
Same here.
I am about as blind as a bat without my glasses, but I find working in N scale less challenging than handling those minute user applied detail parts in HO scale.
I admit I have to give up on Z scale, though - let alone T gauge!
CattI have both N and Z show layouts and home layouts.I will be starting a home HO point to point switching layout next fall (if I'm still breathing Big Smile ).I am 72 and definately enjoying all three scales.
I think that's a good point. I know a lot of folks prefer to stick with one scale, but I see no reason not to enjoy multiple scales.
Personally, my main scale is S, but I am still into HO and O a little bit - in fact recently built an Accurail boxcar just to try it out. I even have picked up some N scale from time to time.
Enjoy
Spent the day with my grandsons yesterday. My son and daughter in law came down from Fargo for a visit. What a beautiful day! My idea of going to the Twin Cities model railroad museum was overuled and replaced with the Mall of America (yuck). We still had a ball though. When it comes to family or friends its all about the togetherness. I enjoyed reading all the new posts in my thread with all the different scales and choices. You know one must appreciate and admire the variety of scales. Diversity is what makes our world more interesting. The unique styles and techniques of each modelers capacities exclusive as thier own signature. I never seen a layout I did'nt admire. A labor of love captured in ones own little world. I believe the only difference between two completed layouts of seperate scales, is the smaller scale layout has a bigger Giant looking down admiring thier work. lol Best Wishes Al
I'm seeing I didn't get any replies nobody remembers the farside in the newspaper years ago it was a way out different kind of humor I always got a kick out of it. My daughter is going to be stopping by in a day or two to help me with Photobucket I'm new to computers and can't quite figure it out then I'll be able to put some model railroad pictures and share a little more interesting posts sorry if I offended anybody with the way out humor. That was not my intention Thanks Al
Al,
I remember the Farside cartoons! I thought they were great. As far as scales, I was in HO until I was relocated to a smaller space and N scale is what kept me in the hobby. Even in HO I could not run a lot of the larger equipment so N scale opened up a whole new world in model railroading for me. I also kept some HO stuff ( too much really ) for a small shelf switching layout someday. From time to time I still pick up a locomotive or freight car in HO for that someday. In fact I just picked up a Intermountain IC GP10 that I ordered about 4 years ago as I was switching scales. I always wanted one of these and was thrilled when it showed up at the hobby shop last week. Now that someday layout can't get here soon enough!
Ralph
Hey Ralph thank you for your reply. I'm glad somebody else remembers the Farside I always got a kick out of it funny stuff I can relate to you that a new locomotive can give you some incentive to kind of put things in high gear I bought a F7 AB unit in the northern 4-8-4 to get things moving along a little better I got to say it's working cuz I just ordered my track. AFA Al
Ralph. I had to step aside and go look up that gp10 I'm not real fluent with my locomotive numbers but my brother had the Illinois Central Gulf of that locomotive in HO when I was a kid this was the old school Bachman stuff in the early seventies I know intermountain is some really expensive stuff you spent some coin on that. Nice-looking loco Al
Wow that was a few years ago. Kookookachoo
Kookookachoo I do to this day wonder what happened to Catt
Track fiddler Kookookachoo I do to this day wonder what happened to catt
Kookookachoo I do to this day wonder what happened to catt
Sadly Johnathan(Catt) Edwards passed in August of last year.
BRAKIE Track fiddler Kookookachoo I do to this day wonder what happened to catt Sadly Johnathan(Catt) Edwards passed in August of last year.
Rich
Alton Junction
Sad news indeed, I always did like his avatar.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Catt frequently posted on the forum when I first joined. Not long after, he was just gone. I often wondered what had become of him, missing his posts. I am saddened to hear.
May he rest in peace.
John
Track fiddler I have to take unwanted breaks because my eyes hurt so bad from cheater glasses strain I've developed a brand new respect for HO but I'm stuck in N (I want my eyes back !) They say your only only as old as you feel. Today I feel pretty old. I used to think mini Loco's looked really neat when I was a kid and still do. Thats back when I could see the detail of a flea through my dogs fur.
First, go to a good eye exam / glasses place and have them make you a pair of "computer glasses". The problem with bi-focals is they usually have far distance and close-up with nothing in between. Computer glasses primarily focus on the middle level, close-up to about 5-6 feet away (some go as far as 20 feet). In HO I had a hard time seeing trains running on the layout with my bifocals, but I got a pair of "20 foot" computer glasses and I can watch a train on the layout right in front of me or 15 feet away with no problem, but can also see close-up to like adjust a coupler or wheelset too.
Second, why are you "stuck" in N? Living in Minnesota like you do, I'm very certain there's no law making you stay in N. It can be hard to switch; I was in O for about 15 years but it got to be really expensive (when I started Atlas freight cars were $5-7 each, RTR and decorated) and I finally decided to go with HO 30 years ago. Ironically, only regret is if I had known how much better the products were going to get, I probably would have switched to N!
wjstixFirst, go to a good eye exam / glasses
.
I bought a pair of good prescription reading glasses after a good eye exam earlier this year and I have never been happier with an inexpensive purchase.
-Kevin
Living the dream.