To answer the second question, I do not plan to convert from HO to N scale. I think the advantage of N scale is the ability to run long trains through sweeping vistas or cities, attractive in its own right, but its not my primary interest.
HO provides the blend of space and detail that goes well with my short train switching interest.
As my need for reading glasses increases, I’m more likley to switch to O scale. I’ve seen some of the “hobby quality” highly detailed O scale stuff, and its amazing…
I ventured into O scale (On30 to be precise) for the same reason and had to find out, that the larger the scale is, the greater the need for detail is. Don´t you believe that this detail is any bigger than in any smaller scale. Things you can omit in N scale can be represented by a single small piece in HO scale, but need to be composed of several even smaller parts in O scale. In G scale, you even have to think about using actual scale nuts and bolts instead of castings!
Adding to that, don´t forget that most of the detail is visible in photographs alone, not when you look at your layout from a normal viewing distance.
I’ve been into N years ago and liked it but switched back to HO in the mid-late 1980’s because key engines were available in HO and not N.
During the past 15 years my close up vision has gotten worse - normal for middle ages and N being smaller, thats a disadvantage. N scale as others have noted is generally less detailed and some of the loco’s can have pretty nasty big gaps or openings in the pilots. I don’ care for truck mounted couplers either. In summer these are the things that hold me back from N:
small size is harder for me to see with my older eyes
bigger gaps in the pilots of diesels and ends of freight cars to handle the swing and size of couplers.
less detailed - I’m spoiled with the details on Moloco, ExactRail and Tangent rolling stock, and those details are big enough for me to see too.
I am not surprized to see the age old sentiments against N scale being repeated here, as this is more or less an HO scale alone forum. There are a few who dare to sneak in N scale topics, but the attention they get is minimal.
I’m too fully invested in HO scale to convert to N scale. I do have some N scale equipment, as does my daughter. We run it on the dining room table with Kato Unitrack. It is a winner. She also did a school physics project demonstrating DCC with Unitrack, Unitrack, and her DCC equipped engines. Funny, her classmates wanted her to crash the two engines together…
I’m not surprised either, but then again, I see the same ol topics repeated here with non-N-Scale stuff month after month as well - it’s a bit wearisome as an exercise to teach the long suffering patience.
That said, MR forum could benefit greatly if they could segregate into a few scale forums because, as you rightly pointed out, HO is dominant as it is in real life and thats what people tend to assume unless some one states their scale clearly, and that almost never happens.
Dominant? I guess it depends on one’s definition of the term. I think if you look at any number of measures, HO is certainly the largest proportion in real life, but perhaps double or triple the size of N scale – not 10X or something.
And the large number of N scalers on other forums shows that this forum happens not to be proportionally reflective even of online activity.
Personally, I think Balkanizing a forum into scale divisions (or era, or geography, etc.) closes out a lot of discussion and potential learning.
No offense meant, but HO scalers who say they “can’t see N scale” and simultaneously deride its “lack of detail” seem to be arguing both sides of the same issue.
Hmmm, I had not considered that. Looking at the displays at a couple of hobby shops, the advancements in paint, lettering, number of details, etc that have been made in HO scale have certainly been made to O scale products over the years.
However, it might be more detail than what I would want to spend my time with.
But the displays were beautiful. And I think about $450, IIRC.
I’m sure this has probably been discussed at length a number of times, but here’s what I’d consider.
Pros
The ability to put more into the same space.
Being able to run longer trains through impressive scenery.
Generally, N scale equipment costs less than the HO equivalent.
Cons
May prove more difficult to work with because of the smaller size.
Lower level of detail compared to HO.
Although, a look at some of the recent releases by BLMA and others mean this is becoming more debatable. See-through walkways, wire grab irons, coupler cut levers, intricate piping, air hoses and body mounted couplers. Take a look at the Trinity 5660 PD covered hoppers on the BLMA web site.
There isn’t always as much available, although this may depend a great deal on your time frame.
The point is, at the end of the day I believe the only thing that’s going to really help you make a decision is to give N scale a try, on a limited basis.
Get some Unitrack and flex track and try something.
You’ll know soon enough if you’re comfortable working with it and whether or not it’s what you want for your layout.
I have a small HO layout and I used Kato Unitrack on most of it with some Atlas in a yard (no built-in roadbed). It has performed flawlessly for 10 years.
I also have an N scale layout on a door that I started 5 or 6 years ago. I intended to build it with Unitrack but ended up doing it in ME flex largely due to the appearance of the track and turnouts. I also liked the spring loaded feature of ME turnouts as I don’t use any electric turnout controls. I am using DCC.
If I had to do it over again I would go with Unitrack and stick with DC. Unitrack turnouts are power routing which is an advantage. I found that getting N scale track level and smooth for good DCC operation was a real challenge. Also I found N scale locos have more power pickup problems than HO so for me DC would have been a better option, not to mention lower cost. I like DCC for HO as I like sound but not in N scale. I tried it but the speakers are just too small for decent sound.
I like both scales and find advantages to each.
As far as layout height goes, I think N scale needs to be closer to eye level. It is hard to see those tiny rods on N scale steam unless you are close.
Thanks, CN Charlie, your comments really have me thinking about the pros and cons, especially the DC versus DCC issue. My HO scale layout is DCC with sound in most of my locos. I had not even thought about the issue of keeping N scale track level and smooth for good DCC operation.
Just one last thing, I really like the clear plastic stackable storage cases that my locomotives and single cars come in (Kato multi car sets come in cardboard boxes with styrofoam trays). They are easy to store space wise and protect everything well and my Kato locomotives and single cars slide in and out easily time after time without damage, even those in styrofoam trays which can be stored on end like a book. So if you don’t want to leave you equipment out on the layout or want to store it for any reason that can be a big plus. Also if you want to go the dcc route I think you might consider Kato Kobo Shops with the TCS dcc installed for a $40 list price difference can be worth it when it comes to the screwless split frame of the sd70ace, nw2, or some say f units because of having to remove the front coupler before removing the shell.
As Byron recommended, ask this question over at TrainBoard, it’s 90% N scalers (guessing) whom do amazing things. You may see some examples of what can be accomplished and some real advice from the folks that are doing it.
I didn’t read through the entire thread so I don’t know if this has been mentioned already or not. While it’s undeniable that one big advantage of N-scale is more acreage for the same amount of space, the one big minus - for me - is the limited amount of steam locomotives available, as compared to HO.
Modeling the NYC in the early 40s in HO, I have quite a number of choices when it comes to steam - e.g. Bachmann, BLI, MTH, Proto 2000, Trix, and brass; some better, some worse than others. With N-scale, it’s mostly Bachmann and a couple of offerings from Con-Cor and Proto 2000.
If I were going modern it could be tempting to make the switch to N-scale because the quality is really quite nice. That said, I love steam and early diesel and New York Central…so it doesn’t make sense for me to change my focus.