Do you think this is a hobby only for millionaires? None of us is rich. I know if I was i’d hire someone to build my layout for me. [:-^]
But I’m not so I have to do it myself. It really doesn’t cost much money to dream and draw. In fact, I suspect alot of layouts get built based ona dream and few dollars here and there.
Irv
I have to agree here, to wait for all our responses then say heck I have no money seems to cancel out the whole reason for this thread. You have an all right amount of space and I get a lot out of N scale in a lot less space than that. If you go by the no money to do anything mindset you won’t get anything accomplished. Start with only a few things as you can afford and go from there, it can really amaze you how much you can acquire by just getting something you want occasionally when you can afford. Basically I think most of us are encouraging you and would like to think you are taking it seriously.
Hahaha …Who the heck does? Not me, I’m known as Mr Poverty in my scale, my hobby budget is about $50 a month. I do Large Scale, indoors BTW, now you wanna complain about space and budget challenged? [(-D]
Com’on Guys, do I have to think of everything here?[;)]
There are always options, dont get discouraged - get creative and think outside the box.[swg]
Eliminate 1/2 the width of the penisula to allow for a workdesk with a return under the layout, this needs the use of only one chair, which can be doubled up at the workbench in the closet. With the tabletops at 29" and the tracks at 48" theres plenty of room for a computer, printer, bookshelves, etc, and other storage under the tracks and for shelves above the tracks as well that could double to house a lighting cove. Plenty of room for both functions IMHO, granted a smaller layout in HO, bigger in N but still doable… now, you have to decide what do you really want?[%-)]</
Hopefully we convinced WW to give it a try, it’s a great hobby and really there is no reason to limit yourself, or think of a reason to. I buy a new loco once a year sometimes, but what the heck it’s still an addition and makes my layout that much better. And I am FAR from rich…
I was just reminded of all this in another thread.
I never meant to waste anyone’s time or to come off sounding like a whiny bee-otch… sorry.
In my own defense I will say that when this thread was going on previously, I was very money frustrated for a number of different reasons. I have since gotten over that frustration. The money problems continue (wife still hasn’t gotten a decent job) and it will still be a while before I can build anything, but at least I don’t let it get me down anymore. [:)]
In reviewing this thread, I’m still trying to figure out what to do…
One part of me thinks “ah hell, go On30” but truth is I’m not that interested in logging or mining operations.
Here’s another N Scale question: How does the availability of stuff for N Scale in 2008 compare to N Scale 1998? I was into N Scale for a while back then, so that’s a good reference for me.
My final question… is scratchbuilding rolling stock and buildings easier in HO or O ?
thanks again, I do appreciate everyone’s time, thoughts, and suggestions.
Neither am I. But I model in On30 anyway. No one says you have to like either of those industries to use it, and there’s plenty of rolling stock unrelated to them: standard boxcars, vent boxcars, refrigerator cars, tank cars, flat cars, passenger equipment, etc., etc.
Either **** or get off the pot [:)]
Scratchbuilding is scratchbuilding, it doesn’t matter what scale. I’d like to see a plastic building you put together and weathered. You g
My take on scale is that the larger the scale, the more detail you need to provide to make it pleasing to the eye. So smaller scales can look better to the eye since you will gloss over the small, missing details. However, if you’re into taking realistic photos, everything ends up being the same scale to the camera lens, so those missing details jump out at you in the photos.
-Tim
As far as availability goes, I think 2008 is remarkably better than 1998. If you like DCC, there wasn’t much available back then. Now you can buy good locos already equipped, some even with sound. Plus there are a lot of after market decoders for those engines that are DC. Most of the major structure manuafacturers offer an N scale version of the same building. For those that don’t, you can always scratchbuild. There are several track manufacturers that offer code 55, which is much better than the code 80 I grew up on. There are a plethora of good, quality freight cars, too (Atlas, Micro-Trains, Intermountain, Athearn, etc.). I think N scale has more available now then it ever did.
And Happy New Year to All…
Scott
I don’t think I’d ever go N scale even if I didn’t have the room for HO. I’ve seen good layouts done in N but it’s seldom that I see it. HO is small enough for me.