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One of the ways to be a successful layout builder is to chose the size or scale of trains based on the space you have. Usually the reverse happens, the modeller choses the scale, then tries to find the space. "On average" the more simplistic your layout is the more likely it is you will become bored with it. The most simplistic is an oval, with no sidings or passing tracks; you can see how bored you would become no matter how spectacular the scenery with a train only able to traverse the loop in one direction, then the other. Also era can help determine scale. This is something new and many aren't aware of it. If you are modelling the transition era, HO has the most options. However, if you are modelling contemporary trains - trains you see on the Class One RR's today, you might be better off in N scale. An SD90 in HO is a very large engine and if you add to that SD90 long contemporary cars, like articulated intermodals, center beam cars, new Auto Cars, etc., you will have short trains unless you have a large basement sized layout. The same train is very doable in N scale. In fact, in N an SD90 is about the same lenght as an HO F unit, and a center beam car is about the same length in N as an HO box car. IF you are going narrow guage and really want to emphasize scenery over operations, then S scale is a great scale. And if you're a masochist, enjoying punishing yourself, then TT is a good scale as acquiring rolling stock can be a challenge.
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