N a state of flux

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m in the process of considering one of those tricky questions:

Should I stay with the scale I’m in (N), or move to another (HOn3)?

I’ve been modelling in N scale for 5 years, and have built 2 layouts in this scale. These were my first attempt at modelling a prototype, and I think I went a bit overboard. My current layout is a bit maintenance-heavy, and operating sessions are about 3 hours of the same thing over and over. I think that trying to do mainline modelling for a single operator is a bit much to chew on, hence the desire for something a little more laid-back.

There’s also a feeling of frustration, that I’ve got a bit of space to fill in N scale and despite what I’m doing (structures, etc.) the layout doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The space available in N scale is one of its’ advantages, yes, but it’s also a disadvantage in some ways.

I figure HOn3 will give me the best of both worlds, without having too much scenic space to fill, and still allowing the tighter curves. I’ve already got a buyer lined up for most of my N scale stuff, so there’s my budget - and it should be enough.

2

You pose an interesting question, but I don’t think scale is the problem. It sounds like you have a dull layout. It doesn’t matter what scale you model in, if the track plan doesn’t provide some “play value” you’re going to experience the same thing.

Before you pull the plug on N scale, really think about what might be missing from your experience that would help you enjoy it better.

Now, when you discuss HOn3, or any narrow gauge, you’re talking about a whole different “flavor” of railroading. You could do a Colorado silver mine theme, an Appalachian coal and timber road, the East Broad Top… You have a lot of options. That being said, you’re also pretty limited in the types of operation… It’s always going to be the same thing. Empties to the tipple, loads to the interchange. Wash, rinse, repeat. BUT, you can scratch build fun structures, model threadbare, raggedy rolling stock, rugged scenery and lots of other interesting things.

But there won’t be any crack passenger express trains, no piggy backs, no unit grain trains…

Do this:

Post your track plan, or at least some sort of panorama shot of your layout so we can see what kind of operations you’re struggling with. Then we can offer some suggestions that might make your layout a little more interesting to live with.

Next, see if there’s a club near you, maybe an N trak group. Visit some home layouts, see what other guys in your area are doing, and see if there’s some lessons to be learned there.

Don’t give up, it may just be time for a fresh look at it.

Lee

3

I agree with what Lee stated. It is not the scale, it is the type of operation you have chosen to model. If you want thrilling operation in a tight space, go for a switching layout in HO scale, with all the works, including sound.

But before you do part from N scale, do as Lee suggested - post your layout here, maybe with a few smaller changes you will be able to get that pizazz you are looking for.

4

I played around with N Scale for nearly 10 years back in the 80’s. In the end it was the lack of feeling in my hands and the small amount of space that I had available that made up my mind to go with HO. I was actually considering going to O Scale but I don’t have the room for the type of layout that I would like to have.

5

HOn3 is a very different world than N.

There are no RTR locomotives in the N tradition except the Blackstone K-27 and coming C-19 (end of 2010). Both are going to cost $350+ in the US, I’m not sure what the cost would be in Australia. The Blackstone locomotives are models of some of the bigger power used by the D&RG. They do have sound and DCC; the non-sound versions go for about $50 less.

Nearly all other locomotives are brass (which invariably requires some tuning to run well in HOn3), or MDC/Roundhouse kits (out of production and have to be assembled). There are a few other kits like the Keystone and Hoffman Shays - the latter an improved Roundhouse Shay.

Minimum radius for the Blackstone K-27 is generally considered to be 18", although it has been tested on 17" and Shinohara #4 turnouts. Many other models of a K-series prototype need 22" radius to avoid intermittent shorts of details on the frames. So if you are going to go for a smaller radius on your HOn3 (like 15"), you will be restricted to smaller locomotives - none of which are RTR out of the box.

RTR cars are available from Blackstone and Micro-Trains, starting at about $40 each. There are plenty of car kits for half that amount.

You didn’t say what type of operations do interest you. I am assuming (perhaps wrongly) that routine, repetitive operations bore you after a while. Which is why I find your choice of HOn3 very interesting. Except for the D&GRW-RGS linkup, every other 3ft prototype I know of was a closed loop operation as far as cars and locomotives go. While the prototypes would periodically buy and sell locomotives and rolling stock to each other as business fluctuated, there was no interchange except with feeder logging and mining lines. There would often be a transfer facility to a standard gauge common carrier or a port to transfer freight to and from ships - but those are still destinations for home road load

6

I would consider a standard gauge shortline. You can operate at a slower pace and do things in sequence rather than by the clock. With standard gauge you can have a lot of variety and there is more available.

If you’re set on narrow gauge, I would do On30 rather than HOn3. Bachmann has a nice line to get you started.

Enjoy

Paul

7

HOn3 is Mucho Expensive and kitbash/scratchbuild heavy, very little RTR, all track is very pricy. so please keep that in mind and please do some investigation before you start buying stuff, just to make sure you truely want to go that direction. I would agree with Paul that On30 is a nice alterate for narrow gauge. I did HOn30 for a long while, never again.

8

… and ultimately you will have to be the one to answer the question.

Having just changed from a 1950 era layout to a 1900 era layout I feel your pain.

I don’t know if you have identified why you want to change yet.

You say the layout is “maintenance heavy”. since HOn3 is smaller in size than N, you are probably going to end up with about the 2/3 to 3/4 the amount of track and switches. Plus HON3 is normally all steam, so that requires more care in track laying and track design, plus some more maintenance.

In narrow gauge you have fewer commodities (most lines tend to focus on a few key commodities and rely on that) and fewer trains, so repetition in operating is problem, it may not be enhanced with HOn3. Plus with narrow guage the variety of engine cars and road names is considerably more limited.

If mainline modeling is too much to chew on then a large HOn3 layout will present the same issues.

[quote]
I figure HOn3 will give me the best of both