I certainly agree that space is the big impediment.
Coming in second and third:
There's less available in O scale. That's a problem if you are an off-the-shelf type of person, and you want to follow a particular prototype. I don't know about the availability of parts, O compared to HO, because I don't work in O. I do suspect there are more parts available in HO, though.
There are more people working in HO. Which means if you want to have a play-date, there are more people who share your scale. In particular, I am in Free-mo. It is HO scale. There are about 8 people in Northern California active in Free-mo. What do you think it would be in O scale?
Someone could suggest a fourth: cost. But O scale people seem to have fewer pieces of rolling stock. Thus "saving" money.
Because of all of the above, I am happy staying in HO.
All that said, I LOVE O scale. It is grand. It is glorious. Years ago, I bought my one O scale locomotive (and caboose). Brass. 4-8-4. It sits on the mantle. It's never run. But it IS a sight to behold. Which explains its placement.
Ed
traindaddy1 I'd really like to know why, in your opinion, there isn't more interest is the larger "O".
How do you know that there isn't? On what, are you basing your statement? Maybe spend some time in the classic trains forum, and ask the members there why they don't show more interest in HO.
My grandson's O scale is in my basement, along side of my HO. Lately, I've been running it more than he has. He's a teen now and has many other interest, and we only have him for a short time each summer.
This is a forum centered around HO. I just don't get your off-the-wall question???
Are you asking why O isn't a main topic on this forum? Or are you asking why members in here model in HO and not O ?
I don't get it.
Mike.
My You Tube
Unfortunatey new O scale (2-rail) is now very scarse in Americia. This is especially true of locomotives. O is harder to find than even a few years ago, and there is very little selection of types of locomotives and cars. Most O made today is 3-rail O gauge.
http://www.oscalekings.org/
Proto48 which uses the correct track gauge is even harder to find, it is basically a scratchbuilders scale.
https://www.proto48.org/
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
snjroy-I can't stand the appearance of 3 rails
I think we are talking about O scale, not O gauge model railroading.
Space is certainly the number 1 reason for the rather low interest in this scale, but most likely followed by the lack of scale locos and cars.
In Europe, things are quite different! 7mm scale has been always strong in the UK, both SG and NG model railroading. In Germany, O scale is experiencing a renaissance since a few years, mainly driven by Lenz (the DCC people). Having said that, HO scale is still the dominant scale.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Hi there. I have a portable 2 rail O scale in construction, but my main layout is HO. Why not O scale for my main? Here is a list of my reasons:
-I can't stand the appearance of 3 rails
-O scale is expensive. 2 rail equipment is more expensive!
- HO takes less space
-HO has wider road offerings
-HO equipment is better adapted for operations
Simon
In a simple phrase - "space required."
For a given amount of railroad, the space required for a scale O layout (not tinplate) is about four times that required for HO, and about 16 times that required for N.
I had the pleasure of seeing a large O scale layout in California many years ago. An O scale Big Boy came chugging around a large radius curve, and it looked absolutely incredible! But most of us don't have the kind of space needed for something like that in O.
Then we also get into the cost (that Big Boy, way back in the 1980's, cost several thousand dollars), availability of models and all that as well.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Please "don't shoot the messenger"
Seems like (to me) that the "Model Railroader" guys and gals concentrate on HO and smaller gauge/scale projects.
Before you "send me to the other forums like the Classic Toys etc., I'd really like to know why, in your opinion, there isn't more interest is the larger "O".
As always, many thanks.