Hey guy. I’m looking for a good answer on this topic as to why are N scale structure’s form makers like Kato, Greenmax and Tomix don’t provide the same structure’s in HO scale?
Why I ask is because the structures by these makers are quite nice. Better than Ho structures. (in my opinion) Plus, kato structures comes pre assembled and painted. Not sure about the others.
Here’s my problem, I model in Ho and I need and desire a “Overhead Staion” like the one Kato makes, but for the life of me can’t find a maker that makes them in HO. So I begin to dream and wonder… “Can I get these N scale structures and modify it to Ho” ??? I’m looking fo feedback from people who has already attemped to try this. I’m kind of sure some of you will simply say just built it out of styrene. That’s the last alternative for me because I don’t know where to find any.
Let me know what’s on your mind???
Kato’s primary market is Japanese N scale, which is what the structures are: Japanese N scale prototypes. They likely don’t make the same structures in HO for the simple reason that they wouldn’t be cost-effective (how many HO scale Japanese layouts do YOU know of?)
Of course, our N scale pals have the same arguement: there’s TONS of stuff made in HO only; why not N?
Simple answer: the guy who owns the company feels that for HIS business model, only providing stuff in that one scale (be it N or HO or Gn30) makes the most sense for his business.
Orsonroy:
The only Japanese model railroads that are really HO are called 1:87/9mm and follow 30 inch gauge prototypes.
Most modelers who model Japanese prototype to run on 16.5mm gauge track use 1:80 scale and call the result HOj.
The vast majority of HOj layouts consist of scenery-free modules that have to be stored in mimimum space when not in use. Those big enough and permanent enough to have structures are usually the home of scratchbuilder’s delights.
How do I know? I resemble that.
Back to the original question - it should be possible to cobble together a combination of a suburban station and a couple of pedestrian bridges to resemble a typical over-the-track rapid transit station. Don’t forget the high level platforms and the canopies over them.
Chuck.
Customer Model Railroads sells a passenger station that has an overhead concourse that can be purchased separately. They also sell the platforms. They are not cheap. I bought the overhead concourse and plan to use it with my Walthers Union Station.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, I would suggest looking through the Walthers catalog. I believe I’ve seen some there although I can’t think of the manufacturer off hand.
Orsonroy is quite right in what he says. The Japanese tend to use predominantly N scale, so much so that whereas North America has something between 70 & 80% of the market in HO and about 16% in N scale, the opposite is true in Japan, maybe even more so. Kato in Japan has a very small range of HO scale products in Japanese prototype.
In the UK for example, the 16.5mm standard (in the UK it is 4mm:foot or 1:76.2) is called OO gauge. and it predominates. This dates back to 1921. At some point later in the 20’s or 30’s a range of 3.5mm:foot (1:87 same as US HO) was introduced but Hornby’s introduction of their “Hornby Dublo” range in 1938 sealed the fate of HO. I am not aware of any volume of British prototype HO product (but as an N ‘gauge’ modeller it is perhaps no surprise!).
Faller, from Germany, do a large range of modern passenger facility structures in HO. They do have a couple of Berlin S-Bahn (elevated railway) structures including a station and a bridge. Maybe you could adapt something like that. There are several good sources for Faller but the ones I know are here in Canada ( eurorailmodels in Vancouver is particularly good)
John
Toronto
For the US market, there seems to be twice as many HO kits as N scale ones. You should find one that fits.
THis may be a casualty of the buy it craze. So many kits are available from MP & others as built up units. It’s not so hard to save $$ and do it yourself!
THen you get something not found on any other layout!