well now that I am starting with this hobby, what scale would be the best to start with??? any suggestions??
Depends on your budget, space and desires. If unlimited; 1:1 has been suggested before.
HO is often the compromise choosen, due to cost, enough detail, etc. If you want a switching layout in a small area (say 2 x 10 feet) then On30 offers a great deal at a reasonable price. In the same area, if you want glorious scenery, Z scale may be the way to go.
You’ll have to tell us a great deal more about what you want to put into this hobby, and whay you expect to get in return before we can offer a useful recommendation.
I am in HO scale, and focus on the N&W of 1950 to 1955.
Personally, I think N is the best to start with, but I have a weakness for long trains, beautiful scenery, and bridges. Big bridges. HUGE bridges.
IF you can afford it, I’d suggest that you go out and buy 3 locomotives, all the same loco. Assuming that you’re trying to decide between O, HO, and N, buy the same loco in each scale, then set all of them on your desk or some such. (Heck, if you know some folks who are already into MRR, you may be able to borrow the locos for a bit.) By simply seeing them, pondering them, listening to them whisper their siren call to you, you’ll have a good sense of what scale appeals to YOU.
The locos don’t have to be top quality, but they should be of interest to you. If you like steam, make sure that you get steam locos.
Then listen to the one that whistles in your dreams… 
HO is probably the most practical and economical to start with. HO probably has the largest variety, availability, and price range. If you go to swap meets, HO seems to dominate the tables and there are all kinds of great deals. You can get HO starter sets for as cheap as $25 but don’t expect them to last long. They are designed to introduce people to the hobby to see if they like it. and if you like it, you buy the better stuff.
N scale is priced like HO but it’s awful fussy to work with in my opinion. The advantage is you can run multi lash ups and cars like monster hy cubes in a realistic setting. Or build a layout the size of a coffee table.
2 rail O scale is a great size to work with and pretty awe inspiring to watch. However, it takes lots of room and money compared to HO. The selection is pretty limited compared to HO and you don’t see much in your typical hobby shop. Weaver used to make affordable plastic 2 rail kits built like Athearn HO but they beefed the quality and their prices went up. You can still find older Weaver at shows at great prices.
3 rail O scale (hi rail) takes up less space because the engines and cars take much tighter curves than 2 rail O scale. Stll, hi rail is expensive compared to HO per engine and rolling stock. But, you can’t get as much in the same amount of space as HO so the cost per square foot of layout evens out. Atlas O diesels and rolling stock is pretty awesome in size and detail. But, pricey.
3 rail “toy” or 027 has come a long way. It’s pretty reasonable. The low end stuff is fairly smooth running reliable. Lionel has a docksider for around $85 and freight cars can be had for around $20 each. The docksider is a very good running engine and a bargain. The stuff is on the clunky side I admit but not as clunky as it was years ago.
I like Nigel’s idea of 1:1. You thing modeling is expensive now. And imagine the basement you would have to have . . .
But seriously, to be honest HO offers the greatest variety and is probably somewhat less expensive than others scales. However I started in HO and quickly changed to N because of the amount of model railroad you can fit in the space. You can do so much more with the same basement in N than you can in HO. That is my feeling anyway. I switched to N 10 years ago and never looked back.
Ron
Megmag–hope you talked to that jerk at the hobby shop like I suggested. Now to the question–what scale. Myself, I’d recommend HO, simply for the variety of product out there–it’s an easy scale to get started in, especially when it comes to the wallet. But what I’d do is take a few more visits to the hobby shop and just kind of work by ‘feel and sight’ as to what really seems to turn you on. If you’ve got a well-stocked hobby shop in your area, it will feature more than one scale, and should have at least one demo layout in operation. Then think about the footage you’ll be able to devote to the layout–do you want to do primarily switching moves, or run long trains–think about what really turned you ON to this hobby in the first place. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions, either. Generally speaking, if they see your interest, they’ll answer your questions and give you some good guidelines. Remember, they’re in business, and each new customer brings them sales. Like I said, I’d recommend HO, simply because of the variety of product. And as you get going, once you’ve made up your mind, don’t be afraid to hit this forum for advice. Belive me, you’ll get a LOT of it. Welcome to the hobby, Megmag, I really hope you enjoy it.
Tom
I started in HO, switched to O and am now in S scale. It’s a little bit bigger than HO (1/64 vs 1/87) so it’s easier to work with when building kits and layouts. It also has less electrical problems due to dirty rail. While it does not have the breadth of products that HO has, it does have quite a bit. This site http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html can give you an idea about it.
All scales have advantages and dis advantages. It really does depend on what you like to do and how much space you have. Smaller scales (N and Z) are great for long trains and lots of scenery. Large scales focus (O and G) on the track and trains and require more space. The middle scales (HO and S) try to balance the two.
Enjoy
Paul
I’m in HO but I sometimes regret it as I could build an empire with mountains, bridges and valleys if I had been in N. However HO does afford you the greatest variety at the best cost.
The biggest complaint I hear about N scale is from the older crowd. They complain about manipulating the wheels due to failing eyesight. I should talk as my eyes aren’t as good as they use to be.
N scale doesn’y have as many Steam Engines available.
If you’re into scratch building, HO is a good scale to be in as there are lots of kits and accesories available and it is an easy scale to work in.
Regards
Fergie
When I first got into Model Railroading I went to a hobby shop and just looked around. I thought about N scale just because of the size factor but I chose HO because that scale had more to offer. The detail on some of the engines out there is incredible. Detail is what sold me on HO.
As said above, try to figure out what you like the most about these trains, and go from there.
For me, after visiting a large club layout open house last Christmas, I was hypnotized by the switchers working the yards. So, that is what I like best …switchers doing work.
While it can be done in N, I think that actual, constant switching is much easier in HO, without question.
However, I also like things in quantity. Like huge yards, long strings of empties, long strings of every kind of car, many engines in the engine facility, etc etc. And that means N scale.
Finally, I went with HO because the actually switching of cars at industry is really what I like best. Even if it is with a small switching engine a few short cars.
Jim
O the trains stay on the tracks and have better resale value
Ask yourself the following:
How much room do I have?
How large of an Empire do I want to control?
How much money do I have?
Do I have fine motor skills or am I a klutz with my fingers?
How good is my vision?
I am finding that as I get older, the vision and motor skills questions are becoming more important. I chose HO since I had a bunch as a kid and liked the size. I have dabbled in N and O, but didn’t get too much for one reason or another. Only you can decide what is important for you and how much space, time, and financial resources you are willing and able to devote to the hobby. Good luck in whatever scale you choose.
Take a look at On30, large scale trains, fits in the space of HO.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com
Hope that helps
Harold
a couple of other things to think about is: How good is your eyesight and is your manual dexterity good??
Just something else to muddle the waters. HeHe
As far as I’m concerned, the eyesight issue with N scale is a myth. I also operate O gauge and can tell you that N scale is no more difficult to deal with. I might add that I buy all RTR and assembled structures so I’m sure that makes a difference.
If you’re under six: Brio
If you’re under 10: Lionel
If you’re under 18: HO
Anything after 18 is a tossup. If you have limited space, go with N scale. If you think you want to do a lot of switching, go with HO. If you want to be unique, try On30, S or TT(!). Whatever you do, start with a simple, small-ish layout, and buy mid-quality engines and cars (Athearn, P1K, etc.). Once you’ve gotten your feet wet and know the basics, decide from there what you would really like to do.
The eyesight issue really isn’t a myth–at least not to those of us who are farsighted.
I began in N scale and have never regretted it. It allows me to model more in a smaller space. If I had a basement or spare room of my own I might be persuaded to do HO, particularly because HO has nice steam engines. But then, at one time I had an attic–and kept right on with N scale. Of course, when I began in N I had good eyesight, and now I don’t. But I’ve bought one of those magnifier thingies that you wear on your head over your glasses–and it brings everything right back into focus for me.
Fortunately, N scale turnouts and engines have really, really improved since I began modeling. I have a tiny little layout about the size of a door and have been able to make an interesting switching layout with plenty of room for buildings and roads, thanks to N scale’s small size.
I suggest HO. It’s the most reasonably priced (cheapest of all the scales) and has the widest selection. Although I’ve heard some excellent things about N scale and am eager to try N as well.
Megmag,
Could you tell us what era and road you plan to model if you have decided those yet?
I suggest HO because it has the widest variety of rolling stock and paint schemes, you can find almost everything you need at your hobby shop, and if you’re going with DCC, it’s a lot easier to install decoders in an HO engine than an N loco.
You also might want to go to any train shows in your area so you can see other modeler’s layouts, along with the eras and scales they model. You might find it easier to make a decision about what you want to model after seeing the various scales for yourself.
I would suggest you ask around and locate an N scale group or club and attend their meetings and work sessions. Do the same with a group involved with HO scale. Get a feel for what can be done in each scale in a given space, see if you have the eyesight to work in a smaller scale, then make a rational choice based on experience rather than my, or someone elses, opinion. It might take you a couple of months (or more) to make your choice, but it will be your choice based on your personal likes and desires.
Tom