after much thought ive decided to depart from my much loved N scale.
to what scale im not sure yet. i do know even if its just one engine and some cars ill always have trains.i
cannot tell you all how much this saddens me to do as i have been with N for 25 plus years due to my accident leading to this sight loss i cannot even couple cars much less solder terms or rail and i break more than i fix.much more and so very very frustrating .its time to change wether i like the idea or not
i went and reread the “when to hang it up” thread that many of the vets here posted on. I dont want to hang it up yet anyway. if i do go totally blind like they say then i guess ill have to then but no before and even then maybe my gal can run them and i can listen??
im pretty sure HO is not enough of a jump in size. I
would like to discuss the steps up in size and their
particulars. also info on what might be the best ways to part with my N scale.
im sad but also in some weird way glad i finally made the choice. also i know i might never have a heisler or climax within N scale. but maybe i can in O or G
So do you all think im on the right track with my decision? i need guidance and as always i thank you and apreciate this place. John
One of the nice things about 3 rail O is that it is very forgiving, with it’s oversized wheel flanges and couplers. Because they were originally designed as toys, the trains can go around much sharper curves than true scale models can. This means that a basic layout can fit on a 4x8 sheet of plywood.
Even if you have little or no sight it is still possible to enjoy trains. Last year at our one of our local NMRA meetings, we had a speaker who was telling what it was like being blind and playing with trains. He had American Flyer all his life, and slowly lost his sight when he was young. Very inspirational presentation.
I would go with the biggest size that is easily grabbed due to that size, but which will take the abuse if you knock it over or into something else. High-rail or O sounds like a good bet. Big enough to see due to its bulk, easily held, easy for your hands to tell what is what due to the size of fixtures. Also, more easily placed properly on the rails?
You should be able to get that scale cheaply on ebay. There is so much of it. [:D]
Are you by any chance a Narrow gauge fan?? You might consider the ON30 type stuff that spectrum is offering…
Jeff
Being in N-scale from 1969 until 1986 (only razing the last layout in 2000), I have to say that from the first loco and loop of track in G-gauge (1:20.5 scale), I loved it.
I have been an *** since the 1960s but if I were to switch, I think S scale would be my choice. I have a big enough basment now that I could do a really good sized layout. I like the idea of larger trains but I think O would limit the scenery possibilities. S might be a good compromise between HO and O. My only concern would be the availability of equipment and structures. I don’t really know what is available in S.