Switching from HO to N scale

Marc_Magnus · January 30, 2016, 4:55am

Hello,

I’m modeling in Nscale since it nearly exist in the sixties.

I never want to change the scale and even I’m older now I made numerous progress on my Maclau River RR.

One thing I really hate from people who speak about Nscale and don’t model in Nscale, is the eyes problems, which is not an issue and a good reason to say Nscale is unworkable.

For example I need glass whith a 3.5 dioptry to see the end of my nose!

These people forget, if they work in HO or HOn3 in fine scale there is also small tiny parts to work whit.

So forget this reason but speak about the really advantages of Nscale, which are space, quality running and even a big choices now in steam and diesel locomotives whith details and running qualities as good as HO and for cars the choice is now enormous; I just invit you to use only Micro Trains couplers exclusively, the other brand don’t work as reliable than MT couplers.

Ready to run track like Kato or Peco or Atlas are on the edge on the best you can find.

For the more confirmed Nscale Modeler you can handlaid your turnouts whith the Fastrack system and use fine scale Micro Engenering track.

There are numerous kit building aviable now on the market even skyscrappers and the small tiny laser kit whit character.

These are the real reasons I never change my scale.

Anonymous · January 31, 2016, 1:37am

Marc - well said!

The bigger the scale, the more tiny detail is required to be included to avaid a barren look! In O cslae and above, one has to model the pidgeon droppings on a roof ands the weeds (not the one you´re just thinking of) growing between the setts of a cobblestone street!

John_Busby · January 31, 2016, 3:26am

Hi rustyken

A shortage of "N"steam loco’s and general restrictions on what is avalable have been mentioned.

Well as I stated I went the other way due to eye health reasons.

I certainly don’t remember there being any loco or rolling stock shortages buildings where a bit of a problem but that problem doesn’t exist any more.

To say that I went mad with “N” scale is not far wrong one of my friends who is still in “N” scale recond at that time and still does that I could have kept a couple of decent hobby shops in stock for years.

I certainly did not notice any avalabilaty shortages at the time and even if there where or is.

The paint and decals to fix that are avalable so are the detail bits

Sorry but I can’t pass you an “N” scale spanner I gave all the tool etches and mountain of other small detail bits to my friend when I left the scale.

Like I said a good optivisor is usefull if you wish to go down the ultra detail path

Don’t let any one tell you you can’t you just have to know and find out where to get the bits from and have the right tools to do the job.

regards John

orind · January 31, 2016, 10:39am

I went from HO to N recently, utilizing the same space–29 feet long, 3 feet wide. With my HO layout, I did have 4inches at the ends rather than 36 inches to provide for larger radius curves.

Your question seems to be what are some of the issues that can happen–

Going to N means my layout is vastly larger–the amount of landsape and detailing to be done is tremendous. The number of structures to fill spaces is much greater–not a negative (and for me was a positive).

DCC and Sound–I love sound, and while this was easy to find in HO, it is a bit more difficult in N. When I look to purchase engines, I also look to see if they come with sound, or have aftermarket drop in sound decoders.

Smoke–some hate it, some love it, but just not readily availalbe for N scale.

Kato unitrack–I went with it when I transitioned to N–love it. Best part to me–no derailments from the switches, not even my double crossover. The NCE switch Kat works great for DCC control of the switches.

Marc_Magnus · February 2, 2016, 1:26pm

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