I am already a small HO modeler (4x8) and not very developed ( tyco stuff and a new bachmann diesel still in the box and a new car). I found a person trying to sell “thousands of dollars” of n scale stuff. I don’t know what it in tails but I haven’t layed track yet and could probably get some money for the unreturnable track and cars as well as the tyco stuff. Is it worth switching to n if it’s a good price. Also what is the largest minimum radius for n. I have 18-20" radius curves already and would keep them.
The “largest minimum radius”? It can be as large as you want, if you have the space and you use flex track.
Do you mean, what is the largest available sectional track? I know Atlas N has traditionally had 19 inch radius sections. It is commonly used to match the curve side of a turnout to make a parallel siding with a reasonably close track center spacing, but it could also be used as a mainline minimum radius.
You might want to look up available track sections on www.walthers.com. They carry a number of brands.
Before you jump on a “good deal” do yourself a favor and do some research on what is available and what is it’s value. The “thousands of dollars” may just be the seller’s idea of value and not be what reality dictates.
Joe
And is he trying to sell it for thousands of dollars? You sound a little inexperienced to me, so my advice (although not directly related to your question) would be to make a thorough investigation into what is being offered before you buy anything. Those thousands of dollars of stuff could be thousands of dollars of junk.
I don’t know what he trying to sell it for and don’t know what he has yet. As far as largest minimum radius, I mean’t like locomotive radius. Such as for 4-8-8-4’s
Be very wary of ‘high value’ deals on Ebay or any other auction site. Many times what you can end up with is a bunch of junk. Sometimes I come away from Ebay with a big box of junk but I went in looking for junk. I use it to build locos and cars. You have some fairly descent HO stuff already. Don’t toss it aside for a ‘great deal’ that probably isn’t. Research the stuff you’re looking at very carefully. Many times I see sellers laughing all the way to the bank while the buyers wonder what the heck just happened.
TRUE THAT
It’s through a privatized work website and there’s not to much buzz of trains there so I have time. Things there usually go for cheap.
Both N and HO have several economy lines that have almost no resale value. At train shows I see used HO and N for under $5 a car for used stuff - sometimes as low as $1. Unless you understand the market and brands I would pass. When you’re starting out, go slow, develop you interests before committing a lot of money.
Both HO and N have advantages and disadvantages. But price really shouldn’t drive your decision. Go with the one that most appeals to you. You can find bargains in both on a smaller scale that let you gain experience.
Good luck
Paul
There really is no such thing as the largest minimum radius. There is largest radius, and minimum radius.
The largest radius and minimum radius will be determined by your trackplan. As an example, a simple loop around your 4 X 8 table can have a maximum radius of around 23 inches, allowing for some space along the edge of the table. If you come up with some other complex plan, the minimum radius will be determined by the smallest radius you need to get the track plan to fit your space.
The other criteria for minimum radius is the minimum radius required by the models you purchase. Most of the models being sold will have a listing somewhere as to the minimum radius required for the model to operate properly. Note that operating properly and looking good going around a curve are not necessarily the same thing. So your hypothetical Big Boy will have some minimum radius required, and that minimum radius will be more that what a little switcher would need.
So, you have to make a decision. If you want to run large locos, then the track plan you arrive at will need to have a minimum radius equal to what the loco requires. On the other hand, if you come up with an interesting plan that fits your space, then the minimum radius of that plan will limit which locos you buy.
Unfortunately this is not Burger King and you can’t always have it your way.&nbs