Scales... N or HO

[Anonymous]

Awsome replies. I should probly tell people what i like. I use N scale mostly because I have limited space but I also like whatching long trains roll by. Thanx for replying and keep the votes coming.

Benjamin R.

[boomer5344]

I model in N, I also operate Hirail O. I model in Nscale because of the great availability of fantastic rolling stock (microtrains),affordable well running diesel locomotives (Steam selection small but growing) and a world class track system. I also like to run long trains with multi unit lashups and I have two Ntrak modules. Operate O only at Xmas.

Boomer5344

[Anonymous]

HO SCALE!

[CBQ_Guy]

I model in HO mainly because most other people do and since it's the most popular scale, it has the most available....Simply stated. [^]

[Anonymous]

Hey thatnx or all the awosme replies and importz2k1 try going to a hobby shop and just compairingthe two scales go with what feels best to you and dont let other people tell you what to do.

Benjamin R.

Rockin in the free world!!!!!!

[Dayliner]

I model in N, but it's not necessarily an easy choice between that scale and HO. I did some modelling in N scale back in the late 70's and early 80's, and swore that if I ever got back into model railroading, it would be in HO. N was just too clunky, unrealistic, and toylike for me. Then a few years ago I walked into a hobby shop and was blown away by what had happened to N in twenty years--so here I still am in 1:160 land. But I have to admit, I drool a bit over the HO stuff in my LHS both for the detail and the selection. For me, the deciding factor, as it probably is for many modellers, is that I can do more in limited space in N scale.

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobchuck

HO, simply because N is too small for my fat fingers and bi-focal eyes.

Yeah! Me too, but not just fat fingers----also stiff and clumsy fingers.

[Anonymous]

Well thank you very much Benjamin R.!!![banghead] lol....
Now I'm really gonna have to do my homework as far as which scale I want to build my first layout. I love the detail I have seen on the HO models, but I would also like to create those mile long trains that I hear people talking about with the N scale. Space is not a problem for me, but whoa......the layout that I could have with N scale[bow]
Somebody please....................just shoot me!

[Anonymous]

I voted HO, but do you realize that a 14000' long building would allow you to creat the LA to San Francisco Southern Pacific track in perfect N scale???? You would need a large pond along side if you wanted the ocean.

We must all dream of the perfect model railroad. !

I visited Balboa Park in San Diego recently and spent a few hours at the six or so model railroads. They have close to a two thousand square foot N scale layout that really is great. The two HO layouts are indescribable without pictures and if you get a chance to see them, do it.

[Anonymous]

I've been in H.O. since about 1959 & have tons of engines & rolling stock & now have a large layout to accommadate all these trains.
I run long trains & a lot of Diesels. I have tried to work on "N", but it is to small for me. I have trouble enough w/H.O. sometimes w/couplers & such.

Larry

[Anonymous]

I am an old fart, but failing eyesight has not yet become a problem. I like HO simply because I scratchbuild all my steam locomotives, or substantially rebuild old diecast locomotives to match a specific prototype. There are scads of detail parts available in HO scale. The gears available to moderate the speed (and low speed operation) are abundantly available for HO sized locomtives. My layout is strictly steam era and is in a mountainous setting. My largest operating (on the layout) locomotive is a small Mike and, like the full sized railroads, this limits the length of train that can be moved over 2.5 percent grades. And the biggest reason I am in HO? I am in the possession of very short, stubby fingers, and HO is the smallest scale in which I can build and be satisfied with the end product. I have made my choice based on what I want from the hobby. I admire many of the modular N scale layouts I have seen at various shows, and I support those individuals who model in N scale. If I had the space, the only choice for me would be O scale, specifically precise scale (exact scale?) modelling.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton

HO.
And even that seems to be getting smaller as my eyes are getting older.....!

I feel your pain! [:0]
I scratchbuilt an O scale reefer a few years back, and boy! What a refreshing thing to build something without magnification!
Problem is, I've got so much HO stuff that I don't want to part with, that getting into O full time would be too much Aggrevation![}:)]!

[Anonymous]

N scale to me is too small, More things for HO is on the market.

[Sunset Limited]

I love both scales, HO and N. I started in HO, and I love the details and the performance. I have a nice collection of HO. But like most folks, I don't have much on space, I have been collecting some N-Scale equipment and just about to build a layout. That's N-scales advantage, large layout in a small space. The equipment has been improving over the years. I'm going to give N-Scale a try, if it don't work out, I still have my HO equipment.

[Anonymous]

HO, simply because N is too small for my fat fingers and bi-focal eyes.

[NZRMac]

I voted HO

I considered selling all the HO stuff and going N just so I'd have more track. but ran the idea past the railroad president and book keeper and she said "after all that work"!!
so I'll stick to HO ( it's easier to see what I'm doing too!)

Ken

[DavidH]

Been in N since 1970, but, if I were starting over today, I'd go with HO just due to vision issues.

David

[CP5415]

HO scale here.
My dad started started out in HO long before I was born, in the 60's by the way & it's just stuck with me.
We had dabbled in N scale, but I never really liked the size of it.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I have both, but prefer HO - you can switch far more easily in HO as the larger locos seem to be more reliable. I do add to my N scale collection sometimes - recently picked up a Bachmann F7B for £6 on eBay to match the A unit I've had for a while. I am slowly working on a collection of European N equipment by Fleischmann, Minitrix, etc - planning to build an 8x2 layout at some point (2 4x2 boards end to end). I think N is better for long trains though, as you don't need a large amount of space to run believeable consists.

[twhite]

I voted HO, because I've been in that scale for at least 30 years. I like the selection, and the variety. I think, however, if I were just coming into the hobby, I'd probably take a good, hard look at N, because of the space factor. I know at hobby shows, I usually hit the N-trak modules first, just to watch those long, LONG trains and the spectacular scenery. But one of the things that might turn me off to N is the fact that I model 100% steam, and there's just not the variety of steam locos available in N scale. But I admit that N scale kind of fascinates me.
Tom

[RedLeader]

My first train was HO, and so will be my last one... N scale is ok, but to small, is like watching a train from an airplane. With HO I'm just the Jolly Green Giant.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

I voted for N because I'm building my layout in N scale, primarily due to space restrictions...

Same here, so I committed to N-scale for now. For a future project, if space allowed, I might go to HO. But it would be difficult to take me away from N-scale now that I'm in it.

---jps

[n2mopac]

I started in HO, but switched to N and love it because of the amount of railroad you can model in the same space.

Ron

[Anonymous]

N scale!!!!!

[jdolan]

Have been in HO since the 1960s too expensive to change now

[Anonymous]

HO is a more detailed scale to me. I also knew in about 15 years I wouldnt be able to see N-scale. but I do have a 2x4 shelf diorama in N scale.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy both. Equally? Yes. Though I've decided the "Empire" will be in N scale for the long runs and big scenery, I enjoy the greater detail in HO layouts and am building a switching layout to satisfy that.

If I had my space for my true preference and had to vote for one, it would be O, which somehow didn't make it to the poll.

Wayne

[Pruitt]

HO.

And even that seems to be getting smaller as my eyes are getting older.....!

[egmurphy]

I voted for N because I'm building my layout in N scale, primarily due to space restrictions. I've got a 3'x 6'- 8" portable layout built on a standard size hollow core wood door that I can lean up againt the wall when not in use.

If I had unlimited space available I probably would be tempted to consider HO.


Regards

Ed