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QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy Rember: human children are the single most destructive force in the Universe.
QUOTE: ...is more derailment prone,.. HUH?? Now that's one I'm going to have to ask you to explain further. Simple physics. It takes less vertical seperation between track members to cause a derailment. It takes a smaller track gap to cause a derailment. It takes less "earth tremors" to cause a derailment. It takes less weight behind the engine to cause stringlining.
QUOTE: But be realistic: N scale is generally too delicate for most pre-teens, and this hobby is pricey enough to not mess with "experimentation".
QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce Sorry - just wanted to comment/request clarification on a couple of things said about N-scale: QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy N is a great modeling scale, but isn't that great when it comes to "play value". Funny, it had plenty of "play value" for me at that age.
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy N is a great modeling scale, but isn't that great when it comes to "play value".
QUOTE: The equipment is more delicate,... The same thing can be said of any scale. It really depends on the particular item you are talking about. I have an old F unit that has survived more than one trip off the table - but I would not try the same thing with most other locos I have.
QUOTE: ...is more derailment prone,.. HUH?? Now that's one I'm going to have to ask you to explain further.
QUOTE: and won't take nearly as much stresses as HO will. Again, it depends on what equipment you are talking about and what kind of stresses. It strikes me if anyone is worried about this with their child, then maybe this hobby is not right for them at all.
QUOTE: Loinel might be better still, but is definitely more expensive. It's also toy train stuff, which will do your son no good if he ever gets the model building bug. Well, I'm not into Lionel - but that's a rather condescending remark about that scale...
QUOTE: I have no ill feelings towards HO (or any other scale), and think it’s a great scale full of great choices and incredibly talented modelers. But some of what’s been said here smacks of classic “old school” stereotyping we've put up with for years by grumpy old modelers [;)] who refuse to accept N-scale as legitimate.
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman orsonroy, do you or have you ran an N scale layout as of late? I have almost zero derailments, unless the car has a problem. Track is on par with HO. If we went with that reasoning, I would say go to O or G. It all depends on the $$ and time you take building or "playing" with the layout.
QUOTE: Dave H: For example if you used two18" wide doors and made the connecting tracks between each door removeable, it would be very easy to disconnect the two halves, set them face to face and then take thin strips of thin plywood or masonite 8" to 12" wide and screw them to the edges of the door, making a very strong, light and secure shipping box.
QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce Sorry - just wanted to comment/request clarification on a couple of things said about N-scale: QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy N is a great modeling scale, but isn't that great when it comes to "play value". Funny, it had plenty of "play value" for me at that age. QUOTE: The equipment is more delicate,... The same thing can be said of any scale. It really depends on the particular item you are talking about. I have an old F unit that has survived more than one trip off the table - but I would not try the same thing with most other locos I have. QUOTE: ...is more derailment prone,.. HUH?? Now that's one I'm going to have to ask you to explain further. QUOTE: and won't take nearly as much stresses as HO will. Again, it depends on what equipment you are talking about and what kind of stresses. It strikes me if anyone is worried about this with their child, then maybe this hobby is not right for them at all. QUOTE: Loinel might be better still, but is definitely more expensive. It's also toy train stuff, which will do your son no good if he ever gets the model building bug. Well, I'm not into Lionel - but that's a rather condescending remark about that scale... I have no ill feelings towards HO (or any other scale), and think it’s a great scale full of great choices and incredibly talented modelers. But some of what’s been said here smacks of classic “old school” stereotyping we've put up with for years by grumpy old modelers [;)] who refuse to accept N-scale as legitimate.
QUOTE: The equipment is more delicate,...
QUOTE: ...is more derailment prone,..
QUOTE: and won't take nearly as much stresses as HO will.
QUOTE: Loinel might be better still, but is definitely more expensive. It's also toy train stuff, which will do your son no good if he ever gets the model building bug.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
- Mark
QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker And now for something completely different... I'm going to be contrary to the other opinions and say that N scale is NOT a bad idea. I think it depends on the boy, is he good with his other toys, or does e destroy things? If he knows how to properly treat his property, then N scale will not be a problem. I was runnig N scale trains at home logn before 8, and by 8 I had my own small N scale layout (we didn't have a lot of room in our house, so the HO only went up from November-January. By building a small N scale layout I had trains all year around). Since space is a major concern, the mentioned dimensions would just not work for an HO layout. A switching layout, sure, but at 8 he will likely loose interest faster than if there is an option for continuous run, which can be easily done in that space in N scale. Kato, Atlas, and Micro-Trains all make top quality N scale locos and cars. For the early go arounds, you might want to consider Kato Uni-Track, it doesn't have to be permenantly fastened down, and can be altered on a whim. It's easy to experiment with different track arrangements until the ideal solution is found. Then it can be fastened down and scenery added, or the layout could be built using more conventional track and roadbed. --Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.