Knowing what you know now, if you had it all to do over again would you still model your current scale or would you choose another?
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N-scale all the way! I only wish I had more $$$ to spend on it.
S-gauge (1/64th) is great, getting better by the year, and I’d stick with it, although trains twice that size (MTH’s new 1/32) scale are tempting.
I now have a whole basement - would love to switch from N to HO and run long passenger trains in twice the model size - better perspective from a few feet away - avoids the “helicopter” feel to viewing my N-scale layout.
As a kid I had O. Then, as an adult invested in HO because of space. Space is an illusion. There doesn’t seem to be enough anyway. I’d rather have O in a given space. This is NOT dissatisfaction; merely an answer to a question.
I would like to start over in HO from N. Have 40" X 12 feet. I’m 76 and my eyes and hands don’t work so well in N. While mag photos of N are excellent, I don’t really view my trains that way. Can hardly appreciate the monkey motion on steam locos. Have been model railroading since 1935. Using MRC Prodigy DCC and like it, but hobby shops leave a lot to be desired installing decoders. I’ve had a stroke so don’t care to to do fine wire hookup, but am forced to because of hobby shop goofs. My 2-8-8-2 was completely ruined by a hobby shop numbskull, and Life-Like replaced it earning my undying loyalty–then another hobby shop installed decoder with stiff wires to the tender which kept derailing the tender on curves. I cut the wires. He charged me $145.00. Ouch! I’ve purchased some ultra flexible AWG 30 from Miniatronics which I hope I can substitute for his “rebar”. Oh well-onward and upward! Bob Hall, Grass Valley, CA
All my track is Kato Unitrack.
I own too many locomotives and pieces of rolling stock to switch now.
N scale to stay
I am perfectly happy modeling in N scale. I love the ability to build structures to full scale and have them really tower over the trains, and I love the ability to have my trains disappear into the trees or countryside. I like to use broad radius curves; my minimum is 24" except in the yards. There’s nothing like seeing a train leaning into a 60" radius curve on superelevated track. I started in N when it wasn’t very good. Now it’s wonderful and I’m sticking with it. My HO equipment from the 50s will just have to sit in a case, never to run again.
Okay, here’s my two cents worth. I have tried several scales in the past. I found N to be too small. G is fine for around the Christmas tree or, if I could afford it, in the back yard. O is too large for a practical indoor layout in a smaller house and too small for outside. HO has the widest assortment of engines, rollingstock, price ranges, quality and accessories. For me, HO is juuuuussst right!
I am keeping my HO scale things.I wouldn’t switch to any other scale.But if I had enough room,money,and time I would make a 1" scale track run through my backyard.
I’ll stick with HO scale. I have the space I need for it & my wife would kill and/or divorce me if I came home with a whole new series of trains.
Gordon
I have had HO most of my life and wouldn’t think of changing. although the larger guages look tempting, because of space I will stick to what i have and enjoy
I will stick to my HO scale. But if I had the room I would do garden railroad & 1"1/4 or so. and the money as well.
Started in N scale in 1970 and switched to HO in 1974 and just would not care to change.Recently visited a friend who models in O and have to admit there is something about the “heft” of O scale, but I would have to have a whole lot bigger house than what I do now.
I model in Australia, specifically the Victorian Railways prototype. Support for HO in VR is quite good and brave, but for other scales, almost zero. You have the advantage in the US that there is a huge choice in many scales, particularly in RTR, but outside of the US that support is very much smaller, and in some countries like Australia is only provided by a brave few who are willing to cater for a small market. Choice of another scale is almost unthinkable unless you want to exclusively scratch build.
I model HO & love it. How ever it seems that model railroading is a retired persons hobby. Like a lot of people these days staying employed means staying mobile. I just get a lay out up & running & I have to tear it down to move. I never have the same space to work with so I have to start from scratch again.
Chuck Hoffman
I have been modeling HO for 35 years or better and would probably try some N if my eyes were better. The older we get the bigger things have to be to work on. Still I have installed decoders on all my locos myself. Isn’t DCC great. Some of my older engines do not perform as well as I would like. Wheel flanges etc, are just not made fine enough to work good on the more realistic rail sizes. And nickel silver wheels help too over brass. But just as long as it railroad I’m happy. May they run forever.
I’d stay with HO. For me, it’s a good choice. Large enough to detail effectively and small enough so I don’t really need a gymnasium. Although it would be nice to have more space.
I started with HO in 1975. Moved and gave it up. Started again in 1993 with Z. It is a better “fit” with apartment living, and I have an obsession for small mechanical stuff, so I’m very happy with this scale.
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