This is more an exploratory topic, because I am considering the possibility of building an N scale layout in my apartment right now. I have a sizeable collection of HO, with my ultimate goal of one day modeling portions of the Michigan and Canadian Divisions of the Chessie System in the early 80’s. However, I have read and reread David Popp’s MR article about how he got started modeling the NH in N scale, and it got me thinking about what I could really do in the 10 x 12 space I have in my apartment. For those of you experience N scalers, or for those that have made a jump from HO to N, what are some of the advantages (besides the fact that you can run more in less) and, more importantly, are there any major disadvantages? If I engaged myself in this, I was thinking NYC in the steam-diesel transition era. Are there a decent amount of offerings in terms of motive power and rolling stock? Would a DCC system that I used for N scale be convertible to HO when I ultimately build my Chessie empire? These are just a few of the questions going off in my head right now. Any help would be much appreciated!
Generally the smaller you go, the better off you are going with diesels. I’ve seen some good running N steam engines, but I suspect overall HO is still a much better choice for steam (or transition) era pikes.
I did look in making the switch to N, due to a move the possibility came up that space could be very limited. One thing that I really liked was the Kato N-scale Unitrack. I wi***heir HO line was as extensive !!
Heh. A little background - I had been in HO several years ago and picked up some N-scale “stuff” just to experiment. I found I liked the idea of running long trains in a relatively small space and began acquiring more N-scale but left the hobby for about 8 years.
I’m just getting back into it, in N-scale now. As you said, you can fit more into less and I have less space to work with now than I did before. The disadvantage is that I’m getting close to the big 5-0 and my eyes are not what they used to be. If I have good lighting, it’s not too bad, but reading those fine reporting marks on the end of a boxcar is a stretch.
Here are my experiences and opinions:
I’ve had good luck with Kato diesels. No experience with others although I intend to buy an Atlas Bxx-8 in the near future.
Rapido couplers are uglier than HO hornhooks. Unimates look much better but are dummies. Plan on replacing Rapidos with MicroTrains truck / coupler sets if you don’t want to couple/uncouple cars by lifting them off the track.
I have ConCor, old Atlas and MT cars. The ConCors are much less expensive than MTs but you have to add in the cost of replacing those trucks. Plastic wheels deform easily. Replacing them with metal wheelsets might an option for the future.
I dislike Atlas turnouts. I use Peco Insulfrog #6s with Atlas flex track. It is Code 83 which purists won’t like, but it looks ok to me and is cheaper and easier to obtain. In some places, I use Atlas Snap Track sections just so I don’t have to cut a 2-inch length of flex. The Pecos have a built in spring so you don’t need ground throws or cables to throw them.
I’m using cork on 2-inch pink foam, held in place with caulk. Seems to be ok so far, but there isn’t much track down and I don’t know how noisy that combo will be with ballast. I need no benchwork as the foam can sit on cheap shelf brackets for an around the wall / linear layout.
You might want to try
I am in N sacle because of space issues, and I really like it. For how small the models are they still get alot of detail on them. I have 2 Bachmann engines and they run, and look crappy. On the other side of the scale is Atlas. I have a couple of thier diesel engines and they are quiet smooth runners.
There should be a switch on it some where to switch scales(I know the digitrax empire has one for all scales).
There is a decent ammount not as much as HO scale but still a good selection.
Hope this helps,
dekruif
I have N-scale and I like it. It takes up less space in my hobby room.
You can have fun plus it won’t take up alot of room.
I am slowly getting back into the hobby myself and am going to go with N scale. I had N as a kid in the early seventies and the quality back then was awful both appearance and performance wise, selection of locos and track left much to be desired. Today there is m,uch better variety and the appearance and perfomance is simlar to quality HO equipment. The Unitrack is great for quick layouts but the code 55 stuff looks fantastic. We have a couple dozen engines now all either Atlas or KAto and they run fantastic. Atlas and others are making cars on par with what only Kadee offered years ago and this has helped pricing it seems somewhat.
Sticking to quality pieces is probably more important in N than any other scale, herky jerky coffee grinder engines, so so toy train like track and cheap cars with low quality control will frustrate you quick in N. Stick to the good stuff and you will not regret it.
If you have patience problems, n-scale can get quite frustrating. I accidentally took apart a coupler assembly and spent a half-hour putting it back together. The parts are quite a bit smaller and steady hands are a must.
Good:
I use ballasted unitrack-I like its simplicity, reliability and modular construction. I have a Bachman Consolidation, a Kato RDC and a couple of Atlas Alco RS units -all are good pullers-great detail and paint. All of the rolling stock is standardized with Micro-Trains which I also reccomend. However, out of all of them-Kato quality is outstanding. N scale has come along way.
Not So Good
Switching can be a challenge at times-I use uncoupler magnets but sometimes the cars have a mind of their own.Out of all the scales Ive had (all) N takes more dexterity to rerail. I have three sidings I work with an interchange and coupling-uncoupling can be frustrating at times compared to other scales. However, all of this is on a hollow core door that is very portable. so its a compromise.
Order It Now
Alot of short production runs that vanish quickly-unlike other scales I work in.
I agree you get what you pay for.
I model in N scale because of space and have enjoyed it for more than 20 years. I like running long trains and doing realistic scenery. All scales have their advantages and disadvantages like size,smallness but you will get used to it.
I agree that there seems to be a dearth of good N scale steamers but if you like diesels like me, there are many good diesels made by Kato and Atlas.
Cheers,
Cliff
Kato has soooooooooooooooooo many n scale trains, I want to switch!!!
Best selection ANYWHERE.
The steam loco situation has improved somewhat with the Bachmann Consolidation and Mountain, Atlas Shay (if you can find one) and Mogul and the Model Power offerings, but most of these are very much “try before you buy” because, with the exception of the Atlas locos, the quality can be uneven.
Believe it or not, the “entry level” Bachmann steam locos-- the ones that come in the hard plastic boxes, not the “flip top” boxes or the cardboard boxes-- are retooled and run much more smoothly than before. The 0-6-0 with tender comes in at a street price of around $30 and it is a good price/value choice at that price point.
I still rate HO higher in terms of product depth and breadth and availability (in terms of how many places you can get HO vs. N) but N has made a lot of progress in the last 5 to 10 years. Limited runs continue to be an issue.
Check out my pictures of our N scale ‘empire’ to date at
www.jerrard.ca.
I made the switch about 5 years ago because I could not fit what I wanted into the available space. That meant switching from Pennsy steam to a freelanced railroad of mostly first generation diesels (I settled on 1958). My decision of the timeframe was, in part, influenced by the equipment that was plentiful at the time. Faced with the same decision today, I might be able to preserve the Pennsy steam theme.
Now I have a space that would adequately support my givens and druthers in HO, but I stayed the course. We may well be moving again in a few months, and I’ll probably really appreciate the advantages of a smaller scale because I will be giving up railroad real estate.
What spoils me in N? Well, for starters I essentially design an HO plan and then alter the track centers and clearances for N. In my current project, that left me with 27" radius curves that look and operate great in N scale. That number will probably get compromised if we move, but even at 22" it is still a large curve. 27 translates to about 48 in HO, 22 to about 40.
I also tend to like around the wall layouts that are 24-28" deep. What you can pack into such a space in N is impressive. I use the space for scenery and structures mostly, with a few sidings where sidings might not fit in HO.
As for DCC, if it will support N it will support HO. I use Digitrax equipment, which has a switch that changes the voltage from N to HO. I’m sure the others have a similar setting. However, keep in mind that the capacity limits of an entry level system may be a tighter constraint in the larger scale, depending on the current draw of the motors of your equipment. I’ve heard here that HO modelers were running seven locomotives at once on a Zephyr system without issues, if you want a benchmark. Of course, that is locomotive dependent.
Disadvantages are that you will feel like a jeweler when you work on the insides of something. Small parts are smaller. Invest in a good Optivisor, a
I made the switch from HO to N 10 years ago due to space issues and the fact that I was moving a lot at the time. I fell in love with N scale. Now I have space, but I’m just building a bigger N layout. One of my favorite things about N, bsides fitting more in and running long trains, is the ability to “suggest” detail. In scenery and structures, you can often use a small amount of detail in N scale and fool the eye into seeing more than is there. I love this quality.
Ron
I’m a bi-scaler. Most of my railroad stuff is HO, but I have some N scale things as well. However, now that I might be losing my large workshop/train room, most of the HO scale stuff is being packed away. At least with N, I can set up the Kato Unitrack and run trains on the kitchen table 
The only thing that bugs me about N scale, other than the smaller parts…is that some things can be difficult to find.
I do know that after I’ve worked with N scale stuff for awhile, that the HO things suddenly look “huge.” It’s also helped me with the finer details on my 1/24 and 1/25 car models as well. Because the N scale parts are so small, you just naturally develop a steadier hand.
My advice for N scale? Buy a magnifying glass!!![(-D][(-D][swg]
Enjoying the daylights out of S scale
Randy
I have Atals and Kaot diesels and they are great. I am putting DCC decoders inot those that do not have them. N has the advantage of 4 X as musch track and scenery vs HO. In an apartment this is great advantage. It gives you more railraoad in the same space.