Simple analysis of Pro's and Con's of popular scales

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was trying to post the following in a topic regarding model RR scale choices but got a data base error message. Here it is:

N: Pros: more train per room area, longer trains, more scenery etc.

N: Cons: Less detail (generally) than larger scales, less selection than HO but still good. Hard on 40 or 50+ year old eyes!

HO: Pros: best variety out of all scales for types of rolling stock available, still able to fit into a good sized room or basement/garage. Excellent detail on many models.

HO: Cons: Can’t fit as much in to a room, especially if you have only a tiny space. Less scenery to train ratio, but still good.

O: Pros: Freaking huge and hefty! More detail. Able to fit a layout in a large basement or barn!

O: Cons: Not very much variety in rolling stock. Expensive.

G: Pros: Well, kind of cool, especially if you have a Christmas tree or live in California or Florida!

G: Cons: Really to big and not enough variety to make a serious attempt at modeling a real RR.

2

I think that John Allen could take Tony Koester in head-to-head fast-clock timed operations (especially if they use John’s clock.)

Sorry.

3

G and O cons-$$$ (nuff said…)

4

how about S scale??? Just to throw up a question.[:-^]

5

On O, not nessessarly that much more expensive than HO or other scales.

If one shops smart O scale CAN be done on a budget. Sure, you will wind up fixing, building from scratch, and other skills, BUT O scale is cost effective with HO.

BTW priced any of the latest offerings from Athearn, Atlas or Kato? Right on a par with their O scale counterparts.

Another thing about O scale, is you don’t need as “much” as in the smaller scales.

6

I think the OP’s first post is over-simplified. There are many, many other factors in choosing a scale and when you choose a scale (and stand behind it), then your opinion will change towards the other scales. Everyone will have a different view point that is heavily dependant on the scale they are currently involved in.

David B

7

First, all the popular scales - Z, N, HO, S, O, and G have more stuff than I can buy or use. And all of them have enough commercial support to be viable.

Second, if you limit yourself to what you can actually use on the layout you’ll probably find Z scale the most expensive followed by N.

Z or N is best if you want a lot of railroad in your space and/or long trains.

One of the G scales - 1:29 for mainline, 1:20.3 for narrow gauge, etc. is the way to go if you want to build super detailed models and/or just like the presence a big train brings.

S is the happy medium between the two. Big enough to enjoy building in. Small enough for a layout in a garage or an average basement.

HO is the way to go if you are really a collector.

O is for you if you really want to build the picture you saw on the Lionel catalogue as a child.

Remember what each scale designation means:

Z stands for Zero

N for nothing

HO for How Ordinary

S for Spectacular, Supurb, Super

O for Outrageous

G for Grossly oversized.

In the end of course they are all fun.

As to cost, I like what I heard John Armstrong say once “They all cost the same, all you can afford.”

Closing thought: If all that was available was HO Pennsy, it would be dull hobby.

Enjoy

Paul

8

I went with N scale due to lack of space, and because it was the first scale that attracted me to the hobby in the first place. But, as was mentioned early on in the thread, at 44, my eye sight isn’t what it use to be, and I’m having to use a magnifier now to do any work on my locos or detail work on my rolling stock. I’ll always admire HO, but just don’t have the room for it. Oh well. Maybe one of these days when I win the lottery…

Tracklayer

9

In a most cases, every pro for one person, is a con for the next person, and vice-versa! There’s a reason there isn’t just one scale!

10

Don’t overlook the variations in scales too - such as On30. It has the O scale largeness, but the rolling stock isn’t all that big like Lionel equipment. There is a really large variety of resonably priced rolling stock available by Bachmann - a Shay, Climax, etc. Try finding these locos in most any other scale at similar prices! So actual costs can also be taken into account.

11

Ya forgot TT scale - 1:120!

12

Like many of us, I started with Lionel in the mid '50’s. In the late '50’s I went to HO for the realism. In the late '60’s, after the Army, I started with N scale to fit more rr into an area, but the running characteristics were terrible!! - back to HO. Still in HO, but the eyes wish I were in G!![:)]

13

Wow…this really opened a can of worms… [;)]

N scale can have almost as much detail as HO, and the selection is actually almost as good. (all this is coming from an HO scaler, BTW)

14

At the risk of starting something, I really have isues with that all encompassing statement.

That said, when most modelers think O scale what they are really seeing in the mind’s eye is Lionel.

O scale is SO much more than 3 rail Lionel. Atlas O is making many of the same items in O scale as they are making in HO and N. Weaver, still being produced in Northumberland Pa., and there are many “cottage industries” providing scale items to the O scale faraternity.

O scale is also the victim of some myths. “It’s too big” is the one I hear the most. No, O scale is not all that much bigger than S and really wide radius HO scale.

“It’s too expensive” is another myth. Weaver’s cars and locomotives are in a price point close to modern HO scale, Atlas’ stuff is a little more expensive in O scale, but this is also the case in HO and N.

One big advantage of O, is you don’t NEED as much “stuff.”

On an HO layout, one needs a lot of locomotives and cars. Fill up space, add operational variety, and make the layout “look” busy. O scale layouts tend to be somewhat smaller prototypes (I do know a gentleman who models the PRR’s main but he’s the exception) such as short lines, or small sections of large class 1s. No need for 100 locomotives, and 1000 cars.

My layout is 7X16. Feet. Yes, it’s two loops, but is demonstrates what can be done in O scale.

(For the puropse of this discussioin, I have not mentioned 3rail O gauge. The traditional Lionel style of toy trains.)

Paul you hit it on the head with this comment

15

As I am sure you recognized, there was tongue in cheek there. But also this truth, when I was a child I used to pour over the Lionel part of the Sears Christmas catalogue wishing I could have the layouts pictured there. I have some Lionel trains now and a future project is building a Lionel layout with all the action pieces I can afford.

I also have some 2 rail O scale trains from a time when I was interested in that scale. Eventually, if I have the room I’ll display them, perhaps with a small shelf layout.

Enjoy

Paul