The Best Scale

[Anonymous]

While reading these posts I see that the majority favor Z.

Here is my question. I am new to thee hobby and just getting ready to start designing my 1st layout. But my 1st step is to decide what gauge. I am looking at either HO or O.

I like HO for the detail of the scenery and the fact that i can replicate a larger area on my layout.
But I feel the trains are a bit small. Also they do not have the same quality of sound.

I really like the size of the O trains, as well as the sounds. But I will need a larger space for the same area to be modeled. But of all the O layouts I have seen, the scenery has not been too nice. They all look like cheap plastic toys.

I would appreciate some feedback on the advantages of each.

thanks
John

[Anonymous]

I've always modeled in HO but if i could start over i would switch to n scale

[Anonymous]

I've always modeled in HO but if i could start over i would switch to n scale

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robmik

Brent Moore;
What's with your snide usage of the grammatically non-existent term "eh"?
Is it supposed to be funny, or just a general put-down of Canadians ?[V]
I don't use the term myself.

I'm glad for anyone who likes Z scale, but it isn't popular, and "loading up" a poll to pretend it is, is not going to make it popular. The poll result is bogus. [xx(]
Z is too small and too expensive to appeal to most modelers, so try to live with that.
Z does have, and may well expand somewhat, in what will continue to be a "niche"market. ( That "niche" word is actually French, Brent, so try not to let it upset you...some of us up here know some French, eh ?)[8D]

regards / Mike

My personal case: I'm french, but I don't think I'm at the center of the world. But I should like seeing here people not laughing at others with their home country.......About Z scale, that's true that it for the time a "marginal" scale. But I don't agree with the idea it's not popular. It's only quite unknown. Most people think it's only good for desktop or briefcase layouts, ie unserious things....But keep in mind you won't expense more when purchasing Z scale Micro-Trains stuff than N or HO stuff from most manufacturers.....So it's not our fault to us Z-scalers if we look at polls with a greater assuduity than others scales buffs.......
Cheers
Dominique

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robmik

Brent Moore;
What's with your snide usage of the grammatically non-existent term "eh"?
Is it supposed to be funny, or just a general put-down of Canadians ?[V]
I don't use the term myself.

I'm glad for anyone who likes Z scale, but it isn't popular, and "loading up" a poll to pretend it is, is not going to make it popular. The poll result is bogus. [xx(]
Z is too small and too expensive to appeal to most modelers, so try to live with that.
Z does have, and may well expand somewhat, in what will continue to be a "niche"market. ( That "niche" word is actually French, Brent, so try not to let it upset you...some of us up here know some French, eh ?)[8D]

regards / Mike

My personal case: I'm french, but I don't think I'm at the center of the world. But I should like seeing here people not laughing at others with their home country.......About Z scale, that's true that it for the time a "marginal" scale. But I don't agree with the idea it's not popular. It's only quite unknown. Most people think it's only good for desktop or briefcase layouts, ie unserious things....But keep in mind you won't expense more when purchasing Z scale Micro-Trains stuff than N or HO stuff from most manufacturers.....So it's not our fault to us Z-scalers if we look at polls with a greater assuduity than others scales buffs.......
Cheers
Dominique

[Yampa2003]

Before I moved I had a live steam layout in the backyard albeit radio controlled. It was great fun to be out in most weather (snow - yes but rain - no).
Brian

[Yampa2003]

Before I moved I had a live steam layout in the backyard albeit radio controlled. It was great fun to be out in most weather (snow - yes but rain - no).
Brian

[Anonymous]

Well, I've primarily modeled in N Scale, at least from a scenery standpoint. Have tried making some z-trees and some landscaping. I have found Z to be very challenging on keeping things in scale. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be.[:(] Would like to try my hand at HO just because of the scenicing opportunities. There's just so much more stuff available. Maybe someday.....

[Anonymous]

Well, I've primarily modeled in N Scale, at least from a scenery standpoint. Have tried making some z-trees and some landscaping. I have found Z to be very challenging on keeping things in scale. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be.[:(] Would like to try my hand at HO just because of the scenicing opportunities. There's just so much more stuff available. Maybe someday.....

[Anonymous]

Brent Moore;
What's with your snide usage of the grammatically non-existent term "eh"?
Is it supposed to be funny, or just a general put-down of Canadians ?[V]
I don't use the term myself.

I'm glad for anyone who likes Z scale, but it isn't popular, and "loading up" a poll to pretend it is, is not going to make it popular. The poll result is bogus. [xx(]
Z is too small and too expensive to appeal to most modelers, so try to live with that.
Z does have, and may well expand somewhat, in what will continue to be a "niche"market. ( That "niche" word is actually French, Brent, so try not to let it upset you...some of us up here know some French, eh ?)[8D]

regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

Brent Moore;
What's with your snide usage of the grammatically non-existent term "eh"?
Is it supposed to be funny, or just a general put-down of Canadians ?[V]
I don't use the term myself.

I'm glad for anyone who likes Z scale, but it isn't popular, and "loading up" a poll to pretend it is, is not going to make it popular. The poll result is bogus. [xx(]
Z is too small and too expensive to appeal to most modelers, so try to live with that.
Z does have, and may well expand somewhat, in what will continue to be a "niche"market. ( That "niche" word is actually French, Brent, so try not to let it upset you...some of us up here know some French, eh ?)[8D]

regards / Mike

[Martin4]

I prefer HO because of the quality of detail, the availability of quality items and the ease of painting, decaling and detailing cars and locos of this size. Smaller scales lack these qualities and larger ones don't have the same degree of precision. I can't believe why O scale engines don't have see-through grilles all-around and still have a pilot that rotates with the trucks !

Martin
Québec City

[Martin4]

I prefer HO because of the quality of detail, the availability of quality items and the ease of painting, decaling and detailing cars and locos of this size. Smaller scales lack these qualities and larger ones don't have the same degree of precision. I can't believe why O scale engines don't have see-through grilles all-around and still have a pilot that rotates with the trucks !

Martin
Québec City

[Anonymous]

Z is the best scale that I have modeled in. As a kid I had a lionel set, when I got older I started a layout in HO. 5 years ago I started in N. N is good for shows but in my 10 X 16 train room that has my work bench and all of the other crap, it doesn't fit. That is why there is NTRAK. My Z layout is 5' wide and 10' long. In it I can model scenes that would take me 50' of modules to do in NTRAK. The ability to model a scene where the trains run through, not over top of gives it a more realistic apperance. If you can't see the forest from the tree it probably isn't for you. Mike eh makes a good point though eh. If I had a ton of money eh and lots of time eh I could really go for some 7.5" live steam.
Brent Moore
Richmond ZTRAKZ
Richmond area NTRAK

[Anonymous]

Z is the best scale that I have modeled in. As a kid I had a lionel set, when I got older I started a layout in HO. 5 years ago I started in N. N is good for shows but in my 10 X 16 train room that has my work bench and all of the other crap, it doesn't fit. That is why there is NTRAK. My Z layout is 5' wide and 10' long. In it I can model scenes that would take me 50' of modules to do in NTRAK. The ability to model a scene where the trains run through, not over top of gives it a more realistic apperance. If you can't see the forest from the tree it probably isn't for you. Mike eh makes a good point though eh. If I had a ton of money eh and lots of time eh I could really go for some 7.5" live steam.
Brent Moore
Richmond ZTRAKZ
Richmond area NTRAK

[Anonymous]

What a BOGUS poll ![:o)][:o)]
Z scale is about as popular as unicycles on the Tour de France, or Ford Pintos on an Indy track.[xx(][xx(].

But, on a sort of serious note, the best scale you ever modeled is likely to be your NEXT one...one you never tried before.
I know if I wasn't too old and " funds-challenged ", I would drop H0 after 46 years, and switch to something new to me, like O, On30, or even a large scale based on G gauge track.
I think it would put a lot of long-gone fun back in the hobby, at least it would for me.
regards \ Mike
Meaford ,Ontario

[Anonymous]

What a BOGUS poll ![:o)][:o)]
Z scale is about as popular as unicycles on the Tour de France, or Ford Pintos on an Indy track.[xx(][xx(].

But, on a sort of serious note, the best scale you ever modeled is likely to be your NEXT one...one you never tried before.
I know if I wasn't too old and " funds-challenged ", I would drop H0 after 46 years, and switch to something new to me, like O, On30, or even a large scale based on G gauge track.
I think it would put a lot of long-gone fun back in the hobby, at least it would for me.
regards \ Mike
Meaford ,Ontario

[Anonymous]

This isn't a fair poll, only people that can read and own a computer can vote, and the ACLU wouldn't like that. Ask Grey Davis.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a fair poll, only people that can read and own a computer can vote, and the ACLU wouldn't like that. Ask Grey Davis.

[Anonymous]

The scale I am modeling in now is the best and all the rest of you are all ignorant heathens.

[Anonymous]

The scale I am modeling in now is the best and all the rest of you are all ignorant heathens.

[Anonymous]

With Z scale ,I'm able to create LARGE railroading empires. Really BIG switching yards , and Really BIG mountain areas with a multitude of tunnels and ravines,,,and Really BIG scratch built trestles,,,and Really BIG scale train consists are at my fingers.
The smallest operating model railroad scale gives me the MOST !
I also have modeled HO and N in the past.

[Anonymous]

With Z scale ,I'm able to create LARGE railroading empires. Really BIG switching yards , and Really BIG mountain areas with a multitude of tunnels and ravines,,,and Really BIG scratch built trestles,,,and Really BIG scale train consists are at my fingers.
The smallest operating model railroad scale gives me the MOST !
I also have modeled HO and N in the past.

[vsmith]

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

[vsmith]

I can't believe Z gauge is the most popular, I'd be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train.....

No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things...

How do you rerail'em without a microscope?

Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?

What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?

If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?

Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?

OK enough Z bashing, yo'all know I'm just jokin' with'ya.. I:-D

Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house...LOL

[Anonymous]

I've modeled in HO for years and G for less than one year, but I've found Z to be the best for me. Realistic distances, train lengths, curves, etc. It just looks more like the real thing. I can actually feel like the trains are going somewhere. All of the scales have good points and I would love to be able to model in all of them, but I like Z the best.

[Anonymous]

I've modeled in HO for years and G for less than one year, but I've found Z to be the best for me. Realistic distances, train lengths, curves, etc. It just looks more like the real thing. I can actually feel like the trains are going somewhere. All of the scales have good points and I would love to be able to model in all of them, but I like Z the best.

[MAbruce]

I admire work done in all scales, and each has it's advantages. However, I feel the best of all worlds can be found in N-scale - and it keep getting better as more products keep rolling in!

[MAbruce]

I admire work done in all scales, and each has it's advantages. However, I feel the best of all worlds can be found in N-scale - and it keep getting better as more products keep rolling in!

[Anonymous]

The challenge to kit bash a police car with flashing lights and siren in Z ... and have it work. My HO layout was 16 by 20 and took up most of my basement. Now....no basment and a bigger layout in Z. Z size of course. Bill