HO or N

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of you out there model in HO or N scale but I was wondering If you could give me some insight on both sides. I can't decide which to go with. i have a relatively small size to work with 4.5 feet deep by 9.5 feet wide I'm just worried with Ho It will be to cramped because I'd like a rather long main line. but on the other hand maybe N being to small of scale. i know there are tons of accesories for ho scale being it is used most often. is it hard to find alot of accesories for N? any help would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Looking at the sizes you have and the fact that you want a long main, N is about the only way you can go.I've been in HO my whole life, there is alot more out there for HO but the newer N stuff is getting much better. How are your eyes and fingers N is very small and much harder to work on. Also you can plan on opening your pocket book a little farther for N. If you wanted to go with switching more I would said hands down take the HO.

[grandeman]

We model in HO, but if I was working with 4.5x9.5 feet, I'd go with N. Now if this is just a "learner" layout that will be rebuild later on a larger scale, I'd recommend HO because you could reuse most of your investment.

No offence to the N scalers here, but model railroading is a visual hobby and HO is the smallest scale that trips my trigger. That said, I've always been intrigued by prototypically long N scale trains. If money and space were no object (perfect world), I'd go to O or even G scale.

[Jacktal]

In such space (like I also have),a long mainline is more of a dream even in N scale but you can still have an interesting layout with good planning.You can still have a fun HO layout too,although much more limited in operational features.

You can now have a lot of very nice accessories in N,nearly as much as in HO,and prices are pretty much the same too.N can indeed be too small for you depending on your sight and your ability to work with very small items,but otherwise,reliability and looks of N scale equipment is comparable.N is more critical of trackwork quality,so more care should be given to obtain very nice and even track joints.

HO is a great scale to work with too,being more flexible.The size of equipments allow for more features like better detailing,sound,etc,on top of being more tolerant to track imperfections but for people with limited free space,N is an excellent option,many times the only option.

[tstage]

Don,

There are pluses and minuses to both scales. I model in HO because I like the size. The parts aren't too small...(yet!)...but I still need to use magnifier headgear to detail with.

N has come quite a ways in the last 10 years, with more and more manufactuers coming out with both structures and locomotives in that scale. N is terrific in the fact that you can layout down almost twice as much real estate in the same amount of area you can with HO. Problems? The parts are almost twice as small. (Except the couplers. They are slightly oversized for easier coupling.)

Don, you don't say in your post. Are you going to be modeling steam, diesel, or both? HO does have a better selection of stuff. That's especially true when it comes to steamers. There's just not a not out there in "N" steam because it can sometimes lend itself to being somewhat problematic. If you are just going to model diesel, N is more accommodating. Kato, Atlas, and Proto 2000 would be good choices for diesel N locomotives.

Hope that's a help...

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donhvac

I know a lot of you out there model in HO or N scale but I was wondering If you could give me some insight on both sides. I can't decide which to go with. i have a relatively small size to work with 4.5 feet deep by 9.5 feet wide I'm just worried with Ho It will be to cramped because I'd like a rather long main line. but on the other hand maybe N being to small of scale. i know there are tons of accesories for ho scale being it is used most often. is it hard to find alot of accesories for N? any help would be appreciated.

With your size of space, a Z scale would be perfect if you could afford the prices for the smallest railroad equipment today. They even have a Cab Forward coming out, but don't ask the price.

Next in line would be N Scale fpr your available space.

[jxtrrx]

Hi Don
I'm a firm believer that there is more to this choice than length of trains, selection of product, price, or layout size. I think grande man said a key phrase when he talked about HO being the smallest scale that "trips his trigger."
Scale size, to me, is as much an emotional question as an intellectual one. Once you think you've decided (intellectually), spend some time at the hobby shop viewing, holding, noticing your emotional response to the different sizes locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scenery. I started in N... but have changed to HO (even though my space is not as large as I wish it was) because I found that -- even though it made more sense for me -- N just didn't "trip my trigger."
Have Fun!

[railroadyoshi]

Grande, if money and space werent an object, we'd all be buildin real railroads![:D]

Don, whatever I say would be a repeat of whats said, so i'm just going to say, whatever you choose, enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

I agree with jxtrrx.

I've chosed N scale intellectually several times, then as soon as I see an HO diesel, I know I'm stuck with HO. I'm sure the same thing sometimes happens with people in O scale, people in G, or people in N or Z.

You're gonna be shelling out some bucks over the years, so the scale that makes you happy is most important than any rationalizing of the pros & cons of the different scales.

Get your hands on some equipment to help you decide.

Keep in mind there are many layout options available, from monster layouts to micro-layouts with just a few turnouts.

[Anonymous]

thank you all for your insights[:)]

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donhvac

thank you all for your insights[:)]

Thank you for your insides ?... What are you, some kind of ghoul ?. Oh. Wait a minute. You said insights. You had me worried there for a minute brother railroader... ([:p])

I personally went with N scale because I had limited space back when I first got into it - and much better eye sight. Like I said in another thread, I know the day is coming when I'll have to move up to HO or larger. Meanwhile, I'll probably have to start using a lighted magnifyer like others have suggested.
I have a friend that's into HO, and I've always admired the extra detail of some of his locos and rolling stock that a lot of N scale doesn't have.

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

If you are just starting out and don't have other equipment already purchased, I would recommend taking a good look at N scale products in several Hobby shops and in the Walther's catalog (if you can browse through one at one of the hobby shops). If you find the types of trains that you want to model, and are satisfied with the detail, then I would recommend N scale for the type of operation you are considering. You will get a lot more into your limited space.

On the other hand, if you look at N scale and find that what you want to model isn't readily available, or the level of detail isn't to your satisfaction, or if you already have a significant investment in HO scale, then certainly go HO. For me, I have a limited space and would like to have long mainline runs, but I already had a sizeable HO collection, liked the level of detail better, and most of all, found most of what I wanted in HO scale. Much of what I was interested in just wasn't available in N scale, so I decided to stay with HO. My hope is that someday I will have more room and can then build my dream layout. For now it's just a 4'x8' table, with a layout planned for my 8'x16' storage shed for the future.

-Joe

[ATSFCLIFF]

Having limited space, N scale will suit you. Agree with everyone it is wee bit small, but it is a matter of getting use to it. For a G or O scale modeler HO is comparatively small!
Sometimes to enjoy the hobby one has make do with limited space. I am a retiree, short sighted and chose N because of space restraints. Choose a suitable scale and have fun.
Cliff [:)][:)]
http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html

[trainboyH16-44]

I do both, HO in the train room, and N in the coffee table.
I haven't got any N stuctures, but I've seen good enough selection. The engines now are quite good.
Trainboy

[Anonymous]

HO or N?

N [:D]

I was in the same position as you. I bought some HO cars, and the grilfreind dug out my N stuff from storage. After realizing the amount of N items I had the choice was simple. Each scale has it's merits, and I think you need to maybe build a kit in N and HO, look at the cars, hold them, see how hard or easy you can place them on the track, How or what type of layout are you interested in, will the scale you want offer the engines, cars and buildings that you want to model. Compromise will happen in any scale.

I have grown used to the size of my N scale layout and when seeing an HO in person, I just think wowo is that big! I plan on starting an outdoor layout in G when we move, and already I see restrictions on what I can buy RTR and how much I can place in the "future" layout yard. So I am thinking a small derilect branchline.

So read, look, invest a little and MAKE SURE you are happy with your choice, changing scales I would think can lead to $$ and frustration.

Good luck...

[selector]

Everyone has posted thoughtful replies, and they all reflect current thinking about the choice.

As an amateur astronomer, I have learned that as a person ages, his/her eyes cannot dilate the pupil as readily as when he/she was 6 years old. Visual acuity is principly a function of light and resolution, and both of those are determined mainly by the aperture of the visual instrument...the 'hole' size matters. With wider diameters, you would expect to get more light, but you also get better resolution...the ability to separate two closely-set items amd see them as two, and not a longish blob.

I don't know your age, but if your lighting is a bit on the weak side where you will have your layout, and/or if your eyes have been seeing for more than 45 years, N-scale modeling with be a challenge, and may become unpleasant and unrewarding before long.

If you are young, and space-limited, definitely go with N-scale...if you can find stuff that thrills you, as Grande Man wisely cautions.

[trainboyH16-44]

I almost forgot another, less important point.
Taking photos in N scale is harder, with less depth of field.
This should not discourage you unless you are hell-bent on taking perfect photos. I don't ven bother buying special film for my photos. (A whole roll of a middle sized model railway, vs a few yellow pics)
Trainboy