hylik,
the space you have available will either let you build a shelf-type switching layout in HO scale or a small model railroading empire in N scale. Both scales have a lot to offer, although HO scale is still the predominant one.
You should base your choice on the type of operation you would like to have on your layout. Continuous running is quite possible in N scale, both boards are deep enough for a return loop, but not in HO scale.
Gidday Hylik, I’m into HO but am very reluctant to recommend one or the other. As has already been pointed out in the space you have N would give you a continuous run, though if you were to put a "lift out " at the other door you could do the same in HO.
The advantages for you in HO, in my opinion, is that, with a young son, it is slightly more robust, though with the amount of fine details on the locomotives now that point may be debateable., Im actually thinking of the HO “Thomas” when it comes to robustness and touching.
Secondly HO has more room, (slightly) if and when it comes to fitting DCC encoders.
Any how, some comparison photos of a 40 foot box car.
Hope this helps, Have Fun. [:D]
Cheers, the Bear.
thanks for the comparing photos jabear…that really help us to decide, after much debate…
we are going from N scale so we can have more detailed scenery and will use DCC.
Now i’m getting some reading on building the benchwork, i haven’t done any wood working myself, ever never :)…So i’m planning and getting some tools i may need for that
Hylik:
I have a suggestion that will get you some more layout space. That is to change the door on the left of your diagram to an outswing door (swings ‘out’ of the layout room instead of ‘in’ to the room which is what you have now). That will give you about 30" more benchwork on the lower side of the layout.
Of course you have to have space available outside the train room for the door to operate, so if that space isn’t available then the idea won’t work.
Just a thought.
Congratulations on your decision to go N scale.
Dave
while i get together my tool box and all the wood i’ll need. We cleared the room this past weekend and got ourselves a couple of books to get started…
Post some pictures!
Dave
We dont have much to show…well nothing at all as soon as i get tools and start working i will post. I will need a lot of advice anyway
If you put the layout on casters like I did, you only need 6x10. This also gives better access to the back side.
Ken, that’s awesome, now that I’ve started I WISH I had known then what I know now. But this is my first layout and you guys were right, it’s a learning experience. In a couple of years I will have this entire room to play with which is a HUGE amount of space.
Thanks for all your help by the way. We should talk sometime soon.
Paul