I had modeled some basic layouts in HO scale many moons ago and I’ve recently renewed my interest in the hobby. I had decided on N scale, with one of my reasons being “I have no desire or interest in having sound in my locomotives”. Well, I watched a couple of videos showing sound equipped locos and now I DO want sound (shouldn’t have watched those videos to start with). My room is big enough for HO (it’s T shaped and about 250 sq. feet total), but of course, I can get a lot more in with N scale.
So, now I’m leaning towards HO scale, just because there is more sound equipped locos and decoder boards in HO (if there are even any in N scale). I won’t have as much track work, but I think with the sound, the increased variety of locos, rolling stock, etc., and the increased ability to opeate (with bigger and easier to see equipment) it will be worth it.
Sound is a neat parlor trick but gets kind of stale sometimes. I have N scale; none of my sound systems are mounted in the locos; instead they’re mounted seperately under the table, yet share DCC addresses with certain locos so it seems like I have sound. At 3’ x 6’ 8", my layout’s not big enough such that the sound is noticably “stationary.”
But most of the time I turn down or off the sound system. If I’m switching cars or something, it’s cool to hear the steam sounds or the diesel rev up and down, but when I’m out on the main, the sound gets monotonous to me after awhile.
It’s up to you, obviously. I like sound – sometimes. But sometimes I want some peace and quiet, and the sound of metal wheels on the rails is a nice peaceful sound.
My point is that you may find out later that what was important to you is less so. Oh, and we do have sound in N scale now; PCM makes sound-equipped E7s. MRC has N scale sound decoders, and Digitrax and Soundtraxx are supposed to be coming out with a bunch here soon to.
N scale sound won’t be as good as HO, though, because of the physical limitations of speaker size and baffling.
Thanks - that really gives me the perspective I was hoping to receive. I guess my questions is, which I think you addressed, is it better to have more track and operations or things like sound in the locomotive. If I really want sound, I could always do as you have with the sound mounted on the layout.
One other quesition: My main interest in the hobby is in operations. I was in a club years ago and had a blast with operations (in HO scale). Have you ever felt that operations in N scale are difficult or that you are losing (or gaining) anything with N scale? How is the ease of uncoupling cars? N scale would be much easier because of the shape of my train room, but HO is possible.
Yea I agree about the sound issue. I have an HO layout now, but I used to have N scale many moons ago. I have 5 loco’s with sound. And while it was very cool in the beginning, I find myself only operating ONE loco at a time with sound or no sound at all. Its still very cool and I’m glad I purchased several with sound, but I think the next loco I buy will not have sound. It can get annoying after awhile. That being said I will ALWAYS have a few locos that in fact do have sound because it is rather fun. I strayed over to HO though not because of sound, but because they are larger, less expensive (15 years ago) and there was more equipment to be had.
Ops in N are no different than in HO really… I use the same car card/waybill system most HOers use. Uncoupling N isn’t hard either; some people use magnetic ramps, but I use a Rix uncoupling pick. Works like a charm!
I didn’t really lose anything in N, but I gained a double-track main in a space too small for an HO loop! Click on the www button below my signature, or click on my signature block to see what you can do on a hollow-core door in N.
One caveat; N scale trains, being as light as they are, are terribly unforgiving of poor trackwork. Take your time and lay it right - no shortcuts! If you lay your track well and ensure good electrical continuity, N scale can run as well as HO.
I spent many years in HO before switching to N; I can honestly say my current N scle layout runs more reliably than any of my HO layouts. I take my layout to train shows, and the trains go for hours without derailments, stalls, etc. The trick is to accept no defects in the track.
I have never considered running N scale but I do own a few Kato engines and complete trains. They run as good as HO, at least the Kato units and are very good in overall fidelity.
Sound is available in N scale also, but it is more limited and generally costs the same as HO. The Athearn Genesis line has sound, but I don’t reccomend their sound. The loco’s are great. PCM started with the E units in N scale with sound but have not done any recently for some reason.
It will happen big time in N scale but it probably will never be as big as movement as HO is now. We probably have the most sound since it is the most popular and will continue to be so.
Dave, I’ve been to your website many times, especially when I was trying to make my initial decision between N scale and HO. In fact, your layout was one of the reasons I originally decided to go N. Your layout is amazing and looks incredibly real.
Uncoupling with the Rix pick is how I would like to operate - so it’s good to hear that it’s no problem for you. I like the idea of the magnets, but I like the flexibility of the Rix pick.
I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to take my time and do it right, so I’m hoping to get the trackwork right and I’m willing to tear it out if it’s wrong.
With my N scale track work, I can easily have a double main that goes around the room on a couple of levels. With HO, I’ll pretty much be limited to a single main.
Thanks again. You guys have talked me off the edge from jumping back to HO
I can see at the end that you sort of swayed your mindset, but, if you want anything to back it up…
You will get a lot more track in N, N will slowly gain sound capabilites, imo, and, if you want sound real bad, maybe you could put sound in a boxcar or somehting like that. It wouldn’t be coming from the locomotive, but I am sure it wouldn’t be too noticeable. I don’t do sound, so I don’t know how easy it is to do, but it may be worth a try. Goodluck.
Glad I could help. I advocate N scale pretty strongly, but I understand it’s not for everyone. I’ve got a pretty steady hand and some decent fine motor skills, so it’s no biggie for me (pun intended[;)]).
N scale’s size is clearly both its greatest strength and greatest weakness.
I’ll say this, though… N scale has a reputation for being a ready-to-run scale (thanks in part to those wonderful MicroTrains and Atlas cars you see in the jewel boxes in the glass cabinet at your hobby shop), but it doesn’t have to be. Scratchbuilding, kitbashing, etc. are all possible in N scale. You may find styrene more useful than real wood in N (I prefered wood when I was in HO) for certain projects, but the same principles apply.
Here’s an example of N scale having room for build-'em-yourselfers. I kitbashed this N scale PRR M1 4-8-2 from like 4 different locomotives:
N has a lot of advantages in the small layouts most of us build. As for sound, it is rather over rated, ever try operating on a layout where two or more steam locomotives have sound? tis awful
Currently I have mid size HO (15x30), and have removed the sound from the locomotives i had equipped, and if i want sound I run a old tape of steam sounds I made at East Broad Top back in the '80s as background sound
Thanks everyone. This has really helped me solidify my decision to keep planning in N scale. I can see where sound is probably one of those things that can get old quick.
I have my Train Room cleaned out now (which was a big chore it itself) and will start preparing it this weekend with painting, lighting, some minor electrical work, etc. I’ve been working on the plan for several weeks now and took one of my N scale boxcars (I bought two really cheap ones for planning purposes) and went through my operations (in my mind) with it. N will definitely make the layout more interesting.
When I get the plan all drawn up, I’ll probably post it for critiques. I’m really amazed at all the different possibilities for the room, especially considering it’s odd shaped with kneewalls. Now that I’ve opened my mind to the possiblilties and worked with the room’s strong points and worked around it’s short comings, the plan is starting to really gel.
