Starting over

[Anonymous]

As a kid, I started with O-27 (and my buddy's S) then switched during high school years to HO where I've modeled ever since (some 40 years). If I didn't have so much time and money invested in my HO layout, I'd think seriously about switching to S. It seems just right to me and while HO has the best selection of products, S is beginning to offer enough to make it fun.

Then, like many others, I build a 1" layout in the yard (if our lot had any flat places, which it doesn't).

[Anonymous]

Even though I've been in several scales, I really would like an outdoor large scale layout.

[Anonymous]

I have done both HO and N, found that I like HO more, trying to do details in N was frustrating. I am just starting over again after moving and gave the idea serious thought before starting this time, as I have limited space. I plan to make the best use of the space available and stick with HO.

[Anonymous]

Given Lionel when in High School, soon switched to HO, and that was 40 Years ago. Have too much equipment and related items, with much left to build, so too late to change now.

[Anonymous]

With all that I have invested in the HO equipment and such, I wouldn't switch now. But, if starting over and turning back the clock, I would go with N scale. There are some very good locomotives coming out now. Being a RIo Grande fan of the 70s-80s, the need for Tunnel Motors is very great. Which is why I went with HO in the first place.

[krump]

I'd stick with HO - after 20 yrs in a box it needs some attention.
I really like S scale, however I don't currently have the skills / knowledge to scratch-build everything.
In the future I'd like to add a separate indoor G scale - suspended from the ceiling of my home office

[Anonymous]

Started out with HO beginning of the 70's. Switched to N for space reasons in the late 70's. Went back to HO in the mid 80's as more room became available. Am thinking to going to O. Would like more comments on N of 30 years ago versus today's N product. Thanks.
J J Andrew
Maine

[Anonymous]

I model in Ho and am glad I do. I like N scale and the equipment and accessories are getting better. You can get a lot more railroad into more space with N, but to me HO is as realistic and easier to handle and there is still a bit more variety available. I am also fascinated with ,the garden rairoad, but,it would not be practical in my climate

[Anonymous]

I love my HO stock, but because of space limitations I think I would (if I were to start over) switch over to N. But because of my investment, I will stick with HO.

[sparkingbolt]

Although I'd at least take a good look into S and O, I'm pretty sure I'd stick with HO.

[Anonymous]

My eyesight is no longer as good as it once was, and my fingers are pretty big. That leaves out N & Z. Space in the basement is still a problem, which leaves out S, O and larger. HO is what my dad started me on in 1953, and it's what I'll stay with. My next big locomotive project will be superdetailing my dad's John English pacific to resemble the Pere Marquette pacific # 725.

[ausietex]

I model in American N and enjoy the amount of scenics that can be laid out in the available space. The club layout is British OO which is run on open days but on club running nights, we run OO/HO British, American and Australian models. I am going to build a small OO/HO layout in the near future but for now I'm happy with N scale.
Keep 'em rollin'.

[decapod39]

I enjoy building in HO scale, and will continue to enjoy it for the rest of my life. However, should the layout burn down, a tornado drag my house to Oz, or any other natural or man-made disaster strike, and I had to start over, from scratch, I would choose 1.5" to the foot scale. Riding on your models is an outstanding way to enjoy their operations. There are several outstanding operations oriented railroads where I live that tempt me every day! How about timetable/wayfreight operation on 50 scale miles of signalled, single track with sidings, model railroad? Hard to pass on this. WAN

[Anonymous]

I started in N in the 70's and as stock / engines wasn't that good, I gave it up for a while. Now I'm back, equipment is much better and my layout fits quite well in my daughter's doll's house ... Still in N, with Digitrax DCC Empire Builder, operation is great fun.
Renato Andrade, Brasil

[Anonymous]

The main component of everyone's participation in this hobby should be FUN. For me that equates to S gauge since American Flyer is a connection to my youth (half a century ago), is easy to work with as the eyes age, has more visual appeal than 3 - rail, is more durable around grandkids, does not require precision scaling techniques with accessories, and is supported by many more manufacturers each year. No one has ever told me I'm in the "wrong" scale and most seem to envy my choice. If I HAD to do something else, it would probably be HO since it's everywhere and you can buy anything you want fairly cheaply. That does take some of the fun and creativity out of the hobby, though.

[Anonymous]

Put longer legs on your layout. I did and it looks great. Look AT your trains, not over them. George of Illinois.

QUOTE: Originally posted by djcwardog

I now have a whole basement - would love to switch from N to HO and run long passenger trains in twice the model size - better perspective from a few feet away - avoids the "helicopter" feel to viewing my N-scale layout.

[jbmoran]

I have this burning desire to model some Amtrak named trains (Coast Starlighter, Empire Builder) with as much of King St. Station as I can. I just don't have the room to do it in HO, so I'll switch to N as soon as I hit Mega-Milliions..What? Someone in GA hit it? D@mn.
Guess I'm staying in HO for a while...

[Anonymous]

I model in 1:24 indoors. Only thing I regret is that LGB didn't choose 32 mm track and to model 2 foot engines, instead of mostly 1000 gauge and around. It gets really big when you try create something in small rooms... My big relief is Gn15, which gives me the best from both worlds - finished heavy look and feel steam engines from LGB and small cheap kitbashing from pepper7 and idées from www.gn15.info.

/Henrik Laurell, Sweden

[BRAKIE]

I will stick with HO..I recently tried N scale again and decided that I prefer HO due to the ease of installing DCC and above all on board sound..To be fair,.N scale is great and has come a very long way since I modeled in N scale in the 80s but I been ruin by on board sound in HO.

[Anonymous]

I've modelled N-scale for 30 years with a 34x18' layout modeling the Swiss Alps as a result. But the eyes are getting tired and tiny parts are harder to see.

Think I'll stick with N. But I love the details available in HO. Hmmm. What to do, what to do?

Bob in N.H.

[Anonymous]

I've just switched from OO to HO, so I am starting again technically, since the track gauge is the same.

Jon

[Anonymous]

I started with HO and decided to try N scale concurrently . N scale proved to be too small. It looked like I was viewing a train from atop a tall building. HO scale has the best selection of everything in model railroading, allows good visual perspective, and is the best value for the buck. I'll stick with HO scale, but the 1" scale for the backyard would be too tough.

R.E. Daniel
Odessa, Texas

[cp1057]

I would stay with HO: I find it to have the best selection of equipment and structures and the most for your money. It's the smallest scale my hands and eyes will let me have and it's the largest scale my basement corner will take.

I do envy those folks with the eyes and motor skills to do N scale: all that in so little space, my oh my

Charles
Hillsburgh Ont

[IRONROOSTER]

Having started with HO, moved to O and now to S, I think I've found the perfect size at least for now. I've saved all my HO and O, becuase I might change again if my space changes. So I guess I've started over twice already. But it has been fun all the way.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

My dad had O gauge and bought me my first HO train when I was very young.
It was a PennLine Tuscan red F7 Pennsy A and B unit which is still in my possesion and running.
I enjoy the HO scale and plan to stay in this scale.

[Anonymous]

N Scaleat the beginning, today and tomorrow. When the eyes go bad. bring out the jewelers magnifier.

[Anonymous]

I would switch to HO from N, I started in N for the space it would save me, just to find out I still didn't have the space needed. I like to build structures from scratch, and N scale is just to small for my eyes and fingers.

[randybc2003]

I don't have to "switch" to anything. I have N, HO, On30, and O-27/36. I build in what I feel like, - mostly HO

[allan1]

At present I am running to scales HO and I just got O. As a child I got a Lionel three and with operating cars and enjoyed it for years. Got married and decided to sell it. Some years later got into HO and have enjoyed it over the years with all the new things that have come along. But have gone to some model trains shows in the last year and just fallen in love with what is available in the O scale trains, so I have got back into the three rail, which comes with all the bells and whistles at a big price. I am glad I got into the O scale but i still enjoy my HO too. Conclusion enjoy both but the larger scale has more realisticy features.

[Anonymous]

HO is what my dad bought me over 20 years ago and recently dug it out of the closet after a long rest. I would not change as It seems as though it is the way to go, N scale is simply too small as my hands are big, Lionel (which my dad grew up with) looks silly with the 3 rails and takes up alot of space.

If I had big $$ I would like to build a train exact to the one that goes around the Milwaukee Zoo around my estate (if I had the property) but I do not know what scale it is.

We have a couple of customers whom have this scale of tracks going around their estates but I have never seen them run a train on it.

Brian