N-SCALE RULES!!!
I am just starting a 4x8 N-scale layout. I am using all PECO Code 55 flex-track and #4 Peco Turnouts. Everything will be power routed( i like the challenge).
KEEP THOSE LOCO’S ROLLING
GJMRR
Though I am an N-scaler myself, I cannot abide the “sis-boom-bah” cheerleading that seems to be going on here, in favor of N over HO. Every modeling scale has its benefits, and it just depends on your modeling intentions as to which is the best. I know that I am often in awe of the O-scale and larger models that I see, because they have a physical presence that my N-scale locos can never achieve, not even my high-nose SD-45’s or mallet steam locomotives. And I am frequently jealous of the wide variety of road-specific equipment and detail parts available to HO modelers.
I happen to enjoy kitbashing rolling stock and engines to more closely match my Norfolk & Western prototype, but I get the feeling every time I am doing so that it would be so much easier to do in a larger scale. I also like scenery, and N-scale permits much more realistic scenery in terms of proportion.
If I wanted to have onboard sound in my engines, I would be in a larger scale. If I modeled a short line or narrow guage line, I might be in a much larger scale. If I didn’t mind using equipment just straight off-the-shelf, I might go to Z-scale for even more sweeping panoramas.
I think HO scale remains the most popular because it is the best compromise of all these varied interests, not merely because it has the most products available. N-scale is gaining in terms of the quality and variety of products available, but I don’t think it will ever match HO’s versatility. I can certainly recommend N-scale to anyone who perceives its pros and cons, and who has modeling goals that are compatible with its limitations (you’re never going to have to-scale grab irons and stirrups on all your rolling stock, for example), but I cannot across-the-board declare that N is “better” than any other scale.
Avendale,
I almost agree with you, until we start talking about today’s prototypical equipment. For the average guy with the average space, N scale is the best scale size. For the transition era, I’d vote HO and for narrow gauge, I’d vote S.
Contemporary equipment is long; an SD90 is long, centre beam cars and auto Max’s, and other goodies out there are long. In HO, those large layouts are shrunken if you want to run one SD90 with 25 longer equipment cars.
The “presence” you talk about, I would agree with for much in HO. However again with the longer equipment, that “presence” difference in the HO/N scale visual impact is disappearing. For example, I was looking at the West Coast F59PHI engine hooked up to the Bombardier West Coast cars in N and you know what, they had “impact.” Or get an SD90 and buy those auto max cars for a long unit train, and it has “presence.”
If you go by all the statitics of RR hobbyiest, I should be modelling Jasper Alberta in the spring of 1957. But to be honest with you, I love today’s engines and cars and I enjoy modelling them. If I were modelling Jasper Alberta in 1957, I would model in HO; but for today’s goodies, N is a better choice (for the average guy).
I’ve got too much money invested in HO to make the switch