hello, this is my first post and i was wondering if you people could help me. I have read model railroader but it doesn’t really help[:(] can ya’ll please tell me the pros and cons between the scale sizes? That would really help me in choosing the right size to get started with. Thanks![:D]
welcome aboard. As far as the pros and cons go…
G scale --Big stuff usually for outdoor garden railroads Can get EXPENSIVE
O scale-- Slightly smaller takes up a fair amout of room can get EXPENSIVE
HO scale-- Most common, you can have a real nice layout on a 4x8 sheet of plywood accessories are readily available very wide selection moderately priced
N scale- Small, you can have a real nice layout on a 36"X80" interior door has a wide selection but not as wide as HO
Z scale the smallest of them all, stuff is usually hard to come by, you can have a nice layout on a coffee table.
I model HO and would reccommend it to anybody who is just getting into the hobby. I will tell you this, if you want a good train set buy an athearn train set for around $100. Do not buy bachmann or life like their stuff is of poor quality and not very realistic.
I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to email me.
Jeff
The above post leaves out S scale.
In general the larger scales are easier to build, to see, and have fewer operational problems. They also focus more on the trains and buildings at trackside. The smaller scales favor longer trains and more scenery.
Cost tends to be the same for a given amount of layout. That is if you have say a 10x12 foot room for your layout you’ll spend more per loco or car in the larger scales, but have have fewer of them. If you collect more than you can actually use then smaller scales tend to be cheaper.
G is track gauge not a scale. It uses at least 5 scales (1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:29, 1:32). The primary focus is outdoor railroads although some nice indoor railroads have been done. The amount of products available is good, but because of the different scales, mixing has to be done carefully. Many hobbystores stock at least some G. Most cars are RTR and the buildings tend to be plastic kits, but there are parts etc available.
O scale (1:48) has a large toy train following (Lionel, KLine, MTH, etc), but does have a scale following. The focus is primarily on the trains and some trackside buildings. Availability of products for scale (as opposed to toy train) is good. Most hobby stores carry the toy train products and some carry scale as well. This is an excellent scale for building cars and structures and a good number of parts and kits are available .
S scale (1:64) also has a toy train (American Flyer ) following, but again does have scale. The focus is balanced between the trains and tracks and near track buildings. Availability of products is good except for steam locomotives (although that is improving). Not as many hobby stores carry this scale as the two above. This is an excellent scale for building cars and structures and a good number of parts and kits are available - usually through mail order.
HO scale (1:87) has the largest following. The focus like S is balanced between the trains a
Welcome Aboard!
Nice explanations. Should you have an opportunity to visit a local hobby shop browse through
the www.walthers.com reference (catalog). The HO edition has over 1,000 pages and the N edition
over 400 pages of accessories.
Should you have room restraints N may be a good fit.
The very best advise I can give you is to chose the scale that best fits the area you will be using for the next ten years or more. Most chose the scale first, then often try to force a scale into an area that really is too tight a fit.
For example, I wanted an “empire” and I had a 9 by 13 foot room. Realistically I planned and planned and planned. After two years of planning an HO layout in that room, I knew what I had to do - abandon HO and move to N ( an believe me I wasn’t in love with N at the time). When I moved to N and developed a multi-level plan, I knew I could have my empire. Like an arranged marriage, I realized the positive attributes of my new partner (N) and I have slowly grown into love with it.
So consider your area first, then your scale - life will proceede much easier.