I want to find out the best scale you have ever modeled. Not the one you have now. Yes you can put the scale you have now if it is the only one you have done, or you just like it the best. Plenty of people start in one scale and change to another one for one reason or another. This is the get to the boddom of this, to find out the best scale modeled. [8D]
Just write down the best scale you have ever modeled, and a sentence or more telling why this is the best scale you have ever modeled. Thanks!!!
The replies and remarks from this should be great!!! P.S.Can’t wait to see how this turns out!!![;)]
G as in Gee I can really do some SICK detailing at this scale…
I’ve done N, HO, HOn30, and now G and I like G best even though it takes up a hellova lotta room. Although I might do a small layout and try On30.
S as in Super, Superb, Supreme. This scale works best for me. I have an 11x18’ room for the layout and this scale allows me to have a double track mainline around the walls with a 3 1/2 by 12 foot island for a narrow gauge branch line. This allows me to run 12 car freight trains and 6 car passenger trains (longer if I exceed the staging tracks). I keep it simple because I’m more of railfan than an operator - I love to see them run.
Also I like this size for kitbuilding and scratchbuilding better than HO or O (two scales I have been in before). The pieces are a little easier to see than HO and easier to handle than O. But I must admit that if On30 had been on the scene earlier I might have gone with that instead. Oh well, maybe the next layout. Actually, I think the best scale depends on what you want to do and how much space you have to do it in.
Enjoy
Paul
for the space I have at college N is the best
Tried HO, N, and now Z. From expansive scenic vistas to laptop layouts (well, almost; my current project will fit across the arms of a wheelchair…) Z works anywhere.
HO works for me. I find it the best value for my limited budget. It does have the widest selection of equipment. It seems to be the smallest scale my butter fingers can deal with.
I think the best scale is… whatever works for you!!! Have fun!
Charles
Hillsburgh On.
The best scale is one that fits your budget, room & wife’s patience.
Not necessarily in that order.
Gordon
I haven’t tried all scales in my lifetime. Just G, HO, Lionel, N and Z. But for those of us who live in the “Land-of-no-basements” you can’t beat Z scale for prototypical train length, and miles of scale track.
Bill K.
Houston
I think TT is the ideal scale–not too big, so more layout; not too small for detail. Easier math, too–1:120, so a 40 foot boxcar is 4 inches.
Gary
Z-scale allows me to realize my railroad dreams. Layouts can be very small or contain lots of trackwork in a small space. There is finally enough variety in locomotives and rolling stock to satisfy most modelers. As people tend to graviate toward the cities and smaller living spaces, Z-scale will continue to grow in popularity. A 4’x8’ piece of plywood is 4 acres in Z-scale, in HO it’s barely enough space for a layout.
Well, my experience is HO when I was a youngster, and Z now. I had a 5’ x 8’ HO layout, and I already was suffering of the low radius curves, specially when I was operating passenger trains. After a 15-year gap I reentered modelrailroading, with Z scale this time, because I was interrested with high radius curves in a small place. And for this I must admit I have reached my goal. What a pleasure to see my small locos and cars run gently on broad curves! I’m not a rivet counter but I like the general sight of a scale train nearly looking like a real one on my small display, waiting for my main 12’ x 20’ walkaround layout showing the Tehachapi Pass.
I too was into H0 when I was a youngster. Now I am working on my 3rd Z layout. This Time with 50 turnouts and about 250 feet of track.
Heine Pedersen
Although I model in several scales and belong to two HO clubs, my favorite scale is Z. In limited space you can have a well designed and finished layout, or if more space is available, a layout can be just that much more realistic with greater distances between stations/yards/industries/etc, and curve radii can be more expansive. I also find it more of a challenge to do in Z what ‘everyone’ else is doing in HO, O, or G!
The challenge to kit bash a police car with flashing lights and siren in Z … and have it work. My HO layout was 16 by 20 and took up most of my basement. Now…no basment and a bigger layout in Z. Z size of course. Bill
I admire work done in all scales, and each has it’s advantages. However, I feel the best of all worlds can be found in N-scale - and it keep getting better as more products keep rolling in!
I’ve modeled in HO for years and G for less than one year, but I’ve found Z to be the best for me. Realistic distances, train lengths, curves, etc. It just looks more like the real thing. I can actually feel like the trains are going somewhere. All of the scales have good points and I would love to be able to model in all of them, but I like Z the best.
I can’t believe Z gauge is the most popular, I’d be afraid of my dog swallowing a whole train…
No disrespect but I need a magnifying glass to see them things…
How do you rerail’em without a microscope?
Doesnt a Fly on the layout look like Godzilla bearing down on Tokyo?
What do you use for scale ballast? Talcum Powder?
If your shoelace breaks, can ya just use a string of freight cars instead?
Whenever you look at a Z layout dont you feel like that episode of Twilight Zone where the astronaut find the planet of tiny, tiny people and make himself king?
OK enough Z bashing, yo’all know I’m just jokin’ with’ya… I:-D
Actually I wouldnt mind trying Nn3 which is almost the same thing
But the wife would kill me if I bring more trains into the house…LOL
With Z scale ,I’m able to create LARGE railroading empires. Really BIG switching yards , and Really BIG mountain areas with a multitude of tunnels and ravines,and Really BIG scratch built trestles,and Really BIG scale train consists are at my fingers.
The smallest operating model railroad scale gives me the MOST !
I also have modeled HO and N in the past.
The scale I am modeling in now is the best and all the rest of you are all ignorant heathens.
This isn’t a fair poll, only people that can read and own a computer can vote, and the ACLU wouldn’t like that. Ask Grey Davis.