I am considering switching from HO to N scale and basically using the same layout. So what issues am I going to run into that aren't so obvious? I am running DCC. I am thinking of using Kato track if I move to N scale.
Look forward to hearing of your experiences.
Cheers, Rustyken
In general, this should work well. Note that the track-to-track spacing would be narrower in N scale, so this might look a little odd if you kept the exact same locations for all track in moving from HO to N.
KATO Unitrack is great in terms of easy construction, but the fixed configuration of the components can make track planning a little more challenging versus flex track. The adjustable-length sliding section available in N scale is a very helpful component.
It may not affect you if you already have benchwork built, but when converting HO plans to N scale, one must take into account that the humans in the aisles don’t shrink as the trains do – so one must allow for adequate aisle widths.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I think it will be a trade off - can you work in such a small scale? Eye sight - manual dexterity? I bought an HO loco - beautiful model in the roadname I wanted ... ran great out of the box on the store test track... took it home and tried to install the couplers - I was all fingers... talk about frustrating! Returned the loco to the store for a credit towards O Scale... and now i am modeling in 1:29...
All the best! I f you can accopolish what you want in 1:160 - more power to you!
Based on my experience, it is easier to go to a smaller scale than switch to a larger one. I switched O to HO many years ago, but find myself still pleasantly surprised to see that I have more room than I pictured for a building or scenic element. I reused the basic benchwork, so it was nice to find those formerly tight 36-42" radius O scale curves were now broad to "super-broad" HO curves.
I'd definetely look at Kato Unitrack. As someone who uses HO Unitrack, I'm envious of the much larger line of track products Kato makes in N scale. They have single track and double track straights and curves, bridges, even track for light rail street running. They also make some interesting buildings.
RustyKen I am considering switching from HO to N scale and basically using the same layout. So what issues am I going to run into that aren't so obvious? I am running DCC. I am thinking of using Kato track if I move to N scale. Look forward to hearing of your experiences. Cheers, Rustyken
If I could find the road names in N that I model in HO, I might just do it too.
Rich
Alton Junction
I could never consider switching to N scale. I have enough trouble working with small parts in HO. I'd be a basket case in N. If I were going to switch, it would be to S. If I were starting from scratch I'd probably go that route but I have way too much invested in HO to switch to any other scale.
The one big advantage that I see in switching from HO to N is the ability to nearly double the layout in the same footprint.
RustyKen,
I guess my main question is: What era do you model? Or, which one are you interested in?
If you're primarily interested in steam then you are going to be pretty limited in N - i.e. unless you don't model a specific road. If you like more modern locomotive and rolling stock then switching to N should be quite doable.
While an N-scale layout would be intriguing, I would miss the detail and the road options (model NYC) that HO gives me. Also, if you are interested in on-borad sound then N will be limiting, as well.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
jecorbett I could never consider switching to N scale. I have enough trouble working with small parts in HO. I'd be a basket case in N. If I were going to switch, it would be to S. If I were starting from scratch I'd probably go that route but I have way too much invested in HO to switch to any other scale.
Actually N Scale pretty well takes care of its self with very little maintenance. Building and detailing structures isn't that hard.
The better line of cars come with MT couplers and even if you have to change them its a matter of switching out trucks or coupler boxes-not that hard to do...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
When converting from HO to N, do not convert the layout just use N scale track in place of the HO.
Rustyken,
I too switched from ho to n scale several years ago because of a downsize in space. For me it has worked out really well. I do plan on building a ho switching layout inspired by what Brakie has done with his. I also choose Kato Unitrack and it has worked out really well also. HO can really spoil you as far as details on locomotives and equipment, but n scale has came a long way and is getting much better, my Fox Valley gp60m and the latest atlas, blma, and blueford shops freight cars are just a few examples. I would strive to stay with body mount couplers when ever possible as they make switching a whole lot better. I also like the price advantage, I feel I can purchase locomotives and freight cars for less in n scale than I did in ho. And I can run larger equipment and longer trains.
Good luck, Ralph
Hi rustyken
I went the other way due to eye sight issuies
As long as the eye sight can cope with it and you have a good optivisor and the right small tools none
You can if you chose go down the real detail path if you wish just a bit easier with a good optivisor.
The only thing to watch I can think of is that you can't halve the space of that really nice HO track plan you like its more like two thirds of the size.
That way you keep the big advantage of N scale its small size and looking good in the landscape with a little extra running room.
Don't restrict your self to set track componants if you dont have to no matter how good the quality of the track is.
regards John
John BusbyI went the other way due to eye sight issuies
John,I had the same problem and my eye problem was caused by medication..
Of course this came to light after I foolishly sold my N Scale
richhotrain The one big advantage that I see in switching from HO to N is the ability to nearly double the layout in the same footprint. Rich
or even better, use the same footprint for a much more generous layout with big radius curves and long yard tracks.
I started with a small HO layout which I still have and run often. It is really a switching layout with a circle for continuous running. I love steam and the detail in HO so I decided to stick with it.
I like building and couldn't expand the HO so I built a N scale layout on a door. Although I have both steam and diesel I find steam in N scale not nearly as satisfying as HO so I sold off some steam and now run mostly diesel. I used ME flex for my track as it looks so much better than Unitrack but it is fussy work getting smooth running. My HO layout is Unitrack and it does work well. Although the track planning is more difficult to get the pieces to fit, once done it goes down very quickly and well.
After working on N scale stuff for a while, going back to HO the pieces seem very large.
CN Charlie
I started with HO moved to O and finally S. Along the way I built an N scale layout for my son.
I think the biggest issue is that the smaller the scale the smaller the tolerances. A small bump that would not be noticeable in a bigger scale will derail N scale. So good trackwork is more important in N.
Another thing seems to be track cleaning, I have not needed to do it in S or O.
Neither of these should stop you from going with N though.
Personally, I just like the bigger stuff and find it easier to work with and see. But it's all about the tradeoffs.
Good luck
Paul
I would suggest to the Original Poster that he not be too discouraged by the posts from others gently (or not so gently) knocking N scale. Many of the most active members of this forum are HO modelers and their preference (one might even say prejudice) often shows through – more so than it seems to on other forums.
If the same question were posted on TrainBoard, The Railwire, or other forums with a larger proportion of active N scalers, more of the replies would have a more positive tone.
Byron,
Given that RustyKen specifically asked "what issues am I going to run into..." switching from HO to N, the responses are naturally going to lean toward the "negative" side of the query. I didn't get the impression that anyone was putting N-scale down, per say; only mentioning the shortcomings, as the OP requested.
Hi Brakie
I wish my problem was that easy to solve and fix.
It has been solved but the lets fix it bit seems to be taking a very long time
for no apparent good reason.
I've recently pondered the thought myself of going from HO to N. My fiancee and I are closing on a house in a few months, and I will have a small part of a third bedroom/office (for now) that I can use for a small layout. At least that's what I'm telling myself. I'm still young, only 29, and have enough HO to have a good start to a layout. My thought process is that the cost is so much lower with N, at least from what I've seen, and I can do more in the small space that I'll have. I like the look of HO more and just feel like the locomotives, freight, and other items a lot more.
I've enjoyed reading this thread so far and will check back. It'd be hard for me to let go of some of the models that I've already bought.
Hello,
I'm modeling in Nscale since it nearly exist in the sixties.
I never want to change the scale and even I'm older now I made numerous progress on my Maclau River RR.
One thing I really hate from people who speak about Nscale and don't model in Nscale, is the eyes problems, which is not an issue and a good reason to say Nscale is unworkable.
For example I need glass whith a 3.5 dioptry to see the end of my nose!
These people forget, if they work in HO or HOn3 in fine scale there is also small tiny parts to work whit.
So forget this reason but speak about the really advantages of Nscale, which are space, quality running and even a big choices now in steam and diesel locomotives whith details and running qualities as good as HO and for cars the choice is now enormous; I just invit you to use only Micro Trains couplers exclusively, the other brand don't work as reliable than MT couplers.
Ready to run track like Kato or Peco or Atlas are on the edge on the best you can find.
For the more confirmed Nscale Modeler you can handlaid your turnouts whith the Fastrack system and use fine scale Micro Engenering track.
There are numerous kit building aviable now on the market even skyscrappers and the small tiny laser kit whit character.
These are the real reasons I never change my scale.
Marc - well said!
The bigger the scale, the more tiny detail is required to be included to avaid a barren look! In O cslae and above, one has to model the pidgeon droppings on a roof ands the weeds (not the one you´re just thinking of) growing between the setts of a cobblestone street!
A shortage of "N"steam loco's and general restrictions on what is avalable have been mentioned.
Well as I stated I went the other way due to eye health reasons.
I certainly don't remember there being any loco or rolling stock shortages buildings where a bit of a problem but that problem doesn't exist any more.
To say that I went mad with "N" scale is not far wrong one of my friends who is still in "N" scale recond at that time and still does that I could have kept a couple of decent hobby shops in stock for years.
I certainly did not notice any avalabilaty shortages at the time and even if there where or is.
The paint and decals to fix that are avalable so are the detail bits
Sorry but I can't pass you an "N" scale spanner I gave all the tool etches and mountain of other small detail bits to my friend when I left the scale.
Like I said a good optivisor is usefull if you wish to go down the ultra detail path
Don't let any one tell you you can't you just have to know and find out where to get the bits from and have the right tools to do the job.
I went from HO to N recently, utilizing the same space--29 feet long, 3 feet wide. With my HO layout, I did have 4inches at the ends rather than 36 inches to provide for larger radius curves.
Your question seems to be what are some of the issues that can happen--
Going to N means my layout is vastly larger--the amount of landsape and detailing to be done is tremendous. The number of structures to fill spaces is much greater--not a negative (and for me was a positive).
DCC and Sound--I love sound, and while this was easy to find in HO, it is a bit more difficult in N. When I look to purchase engines, I also look to see if they come with sound, or have aftermarket drop in sound decoders.
Smoke--some hate it, some love it, but just not readily availalbe for N scale.
Kato unitrack--I went with it when I transitioned to N--love it. Best part to me--no derailments from the switches, not even my double crossover. The NCE switch Kat works great for DCC control of the switches.
[quote user="Marc_Magnus"]
As an answer of the eyes problems which seems classified Nscale of an unworkable scale,
This small water tank is entirely scratchbuild; I build it this week end, the tank and his support using Evergreen plastic profiles and I must admit one thing:
I absolutely need my 3.5 dioptry glasses to do the job