I still can't decide if I want to take the N scale plunge mainly because I'm comfortable with HO and it has a large following...so for now I'm sticking with HO.
However, for good measure it reminds me that I want to pick up just enough N scale items to get a table-top (no, not TT scale) layout going just to get the feel of N. If I don't like it, it's no big loss; I tried it out. If I mesh with it, then well, it could be my choice of scale for that dream layout someday!
Speaking strictly for myself as a long time HO guy:
N = Never
S = Someday (maybe)
I think Ill stick with my 1/87th scale world for a long time......Until technology allows us to replicate HO detail in full on N scale equipment.....and they make more vehicles. As funny as this may sound, Aside from having nearly all my childhood money poured into trains, the only two reasons I like HO are
"N Scale? Shucks.. we ain't never tried that before, ain't we Delmer?"
"Nope, reckon we ain't. Better stick to HO... We don't want none of them newfangled N scale trains round these parts... or Daddy'll tan our hides!"
J. Clampett
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
Let me guess, N-scale Convention in Hooterville?
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
wm3798 wrote: "N Scale? Shucks.. we ain't never tried that before, ain't we Delmer?""Nope, reckon we ain't. Better stick to HO... We don't want none of them newfangled N scale trains round these parts... or Daddy'll tan our hides!"J. Clampett
I want these guys on my side when trouble comes. Does someone have their phone numbers? I'll plan on having extra steaks for Independence Day.
Mark
Want I shood get outa da truk and woop em Pa?
(I see that every day at my local Wal Mart...)
Ha ha. You guys are all wet. I would contract with their mama to run any troubleshooting for me. Any gal that could put the fear of God in them critters would earn much more respect in my eyes.
Course, if they don't got no mama......
Yeah, I know how you feel. I do enjoy the challenge of N scale modeling, but it is just so much easier dealing with HO.
Bill
Personally, I started in HO moved to O and then to S. Along the way I built an N scale layout for my son in his bedroom and had a loop of G track in the basement. In these days of RTR, none of these scales requires you to build anything. But you can find challenges in any of them, just some more than others. I'm in S because I like the size - large enough to work with, small enough for a layout in the 600 sq ft I have available in my basement.
Enjoy
Paul
Paul, I had considered S, before deciding I had entirely TOO much invested in O scale to switch.
The nice thing about the Larger "traditional" scales (S and O) is that they are big enough for middle aged eyes to see but "demand" more building skills from the modeler.
S has one advantage over O, in that the "toy" side has given us a good base of conversion items (Gilbert's American Flyer) that for the most part are scale. O scale, well it's kind of hit-or-miss if an item is full O scale, or a "representation" of an actual item.
In a way, I'm glad to be in O scale. I have met a LOT of good friends through the Fraternity Of Cranky Old O Scalers, I have learned a lot of skills (soldering brass locos, fabricating end framing for hoppers, how to get the most out of a square foot, and trackplanning from the Master John Armstrong) and most importantly, I've had FUN!!!
(As I said in a earlier post, I still "do" HO and N, just to keep up with my sons.)
I know EXACTLY what you mean Loathar
The only other scale I envy is Garden Scale.
because you just know those guys ride their train
when no one is looking. and they can use N-scale as
a layout within a layout.
As a recovering O scaler (15 years in O in the seventies and eighties) I do think everyone should have to be in a "minority scale" for a while before they're allowed to model in HO. I remember many times hearing HO guys whine about something costing $5 when the equivalent O scale product cost over $20. Someone who's only modelled in HO can't appreciate the amazing variety of good moderately priced products they have available to them.
wjstix wrote:As a recovering O scaler (15 years in O in the seventies and eighties) I do think everyone should have to be in a "minority scale" for a while before they're allowed to model in HO. I remember many times hearing HO guys whine about something costing $5 when the equivalent O scale product cost over $20. Someone who's only modelled in HO can't appreciate the amazing variety of good moderately priced products they have available to them.
Why Recovering? Embrace the O scale Additiction!!!
A good frined of mine does Z. He used to complain about prices of HO and N, and justified not doing O on the basis of cost. Then, he retired from the Air Force, where he had easy (and cheap) access to Z scale direct from Germany.
I gave him a box of O scale stuff just to get him in a larger scale! Z ain't looking too cheap anymore!
Medina1128 wrote:For me, the decision was simply a matter of 1) my eyes aren't what they used to be, and 2) neither are my hands. It's hard enough to put HO cars/locomotices on the track.
Think that is bad? Try adding Kadee G gauge couplers to a USA Alco PA longer than the workbench. I do HO and G, and would rather work on the HO equipment anytime.
Bob
Better man than I Gunga Din!
And I think an E-9 is long in O scale!
After I visited John Widmar's Royal Gorge and Western, any notion that N scale cannot be super detailed left my mind forever. His ability to build and attain high quality N scale models is remarkable. The entire layout is a joy to the eye. His creative abilities cannot be understated. And there is an N layout at the Caboose that is really excellent too. N Scale can look fantastic and be on par with the HO layouts I've visited.
However, the other half dozen I've seen at train shows etc, fall sort of the results I typically see in HO. When I compare the operating quality of N and HO on the layouts I see, HO wins hands down. I am not saying they cannot be made to operate equal to HO, but I am saying that I don't generally see it. It seems to me that the average modeler gets better results with HO. Perhaps it is a combination of the larger size and the plethora of excellently detailed product available in HO. It is for certain that I am no John Widmar!
I'm blessed with a large area for my railroad. I don't take it for granted though. If space were an issue for me, or was living the nomadic lifestyle as I did in my younger years, then N would have been my choice. As I write this, I recalled the results that John Allen obtained in a very small space with HO. LIke others have said, rerailing and being able to replace a Kadee knuckle spring in HO can be a challenge for my old eyes and clumbsy fingers.
Only my 2 cents
Joe
Follow this link to view a John's work. His brass bridge over the Royal Gorge is quite nice.
http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-widmars-royal-gorge.html
wjstix wrote: As a recovering O scaler (15 years in O in the seventies and eighties) I do think everyone should have to be in a "minority scale" for a while before they're allowed to model in HO. I remember many times hearing HO guys whine about something costing $5 when the equivalent O scale product cost over $20. Someone who's only modelled in HO can't appreciate the amazing variety of good moderately priced products they have available to them.
Another reason I'm considering On30 is the cost is fairly low for what you get. It's really right in line with good quality HO equipment.
Once upon a time, I had dreams of a facility which would accommodate a series of exactly parallel layouts in every scale from Z to G, all based on an HO 4x8. Then the mundanes could come in and see (and run, after depositing a coin) all the different scales.
Of course, those layouts would all be in the lobby of my theater-size HOj layout...
Reality check. The theater is a 2-car garage, and the equivalent space I could turn over to the other scale displays is about a notebook page each. So much for dreams.
The main layout (now the only layout) is still HOj - and is very unlikely to change.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
loathar wrote:Another reason I'm considering On30 is the cost is fairly low for what you get. It's really right in line with good quality HO equipment.
Good call. Next thing you know, O scale Std gauge will start to creep in!
I've seen it before
Just remember, an O scale building is SQUARED in volume from HO scale!
(The resident O Scale slinks back under his 2X6 framed benchwork, to mend a welding cable power feeder)
Midnight Railroader wrote:HO is too easy.You want a real challenge, try Sn3 or Nn3.
HO is too easy.
You want a real challenge, try Sn3 or Nn3.
A real challenge is TT scale... unless you live in Europe and are modeling European prototypes. It all just proves that the manufacturers don't care to get more people into the hobby by meeting the needs of people with less space to build a layout.
tsgtbob wrote: loathar wrote:Another reason I'm considering On30 is the cost is fairly low for what you get. It's really right in line with good quality HO equipment. Good call. Next thing you know, O scale Std gauge will start to creep in! I've seen it before Just remember, an O scale building is SQUARED in volume from HO scale!(The resident O Scale slinks back under his 2X6 framed benchwork, to mend a welding cable power feeder)
One of the reasons I am in S scale is that the area reqruired for buildings is only twice that for HO versus 4 time for O scale.
If you like the size of On30 trains, but like standard gauge you should consider S, they are about the same size.
Excellent point Paul!
Over the past few months, I have been on a structure building jag, one of the first in the que was a Gloor Craft "Bryan's Farm Supply" kit, that takes up a 12X10 (ish) footprint on the layout. This is approx. the style building many coal patch towns had for the company store.
Just a point of curiousosity, but for me, in O scale, a 40.5r is about the minimum that a 50ft modern era car will negoitate with out looking stupid. What does that equal in S?
As for the earlier poster mentioned about TT, I have some pieces of old HP TT scale, where does on get track in the States?
Midnight Railroader wrote: HO is too easy.You want a real challenge, try Sn3 or Nn3.
Zn2 model of a Maine logger.
Remember boys and girls:
N is for NO!
**just kidding**