I am sorta new to modeling and I have a 10x12’ room available and was wondering if I should run N or Ho. I am probaby going to have a logging or mining railroad.
Go with whichever scale you feel comfortable with. Remember that if you chose a scale that is too big or small for you to handle comfortably, your hobby will quickly turn into a nightmare.
Good luck.
HO most likely. N is very hard on the eyes, and there is not as much choices and manufacturers to choose from with N, as there is HO.
Twenty-five plus years ago space considerations motivated me to switch scales from HO to N. When I retired from the Air Force in 1978 I had been in model railroading for a little more than 15 years. Because space and money had always been somewhat at a premium I had not accumulated a terrific quantity of equipment so that decision was not too awfully hard to make. Most (virtually all) of my home layouts had been little more than an oval. The majority were 4X8s but that wasn’t too bad because Uncle had a propensity for packing me up and moving every few years. When I retired and took a close look at the space I had allocated for a layout in my/the banks house I realized that, if I remained in HO, I would have to stay in the great oval environment. N-Scale offered me greater opportunity in modeling and I took it.
I, admittedly, have remained a “closet” *** across all these years but I now have a considerable quantity of N-Scale equipment and to switch from N into another scale (read: HO) would require a considerable economic sacrifice on my behalf.
I am just a few days past my 66th Birthday; the old bod don’t work the way it did twenty - or even ten for that matter - years ago; I suffer from glaucoma (its under control); diabetes (not so under control but it is not in danger of going into Type 1); and I am almost nine years past a heart attack. My eyesight ain’t what it used to be and I grab my (reading) glasses for the simpleist tasks. I am writing this with my (driving) glasses to eliminate the blur. My fingers still function pretty well but rerailing a (N-Scale) car is not nearly as easy as it once was. N-Scale is small but you can get about 50 to 75% more into a given geometric area. (Don’t try to tell me 2 to 4 times. Your geometry doesn’t shrink and unless you raise the layout height to give a more eye-level observation it does look just a little toy like.)
If I say at this time that I wish I were modeling in HO I am not saying that I regret my deci
Hi,
I recently started model railroading and was doing research. It all depends upon what you want to do.
I decided to go for N Gauge because:
- I wanted to have larger layout in my small space.
- I want more features (buildings and scenery) in my layout. In HO it is better to have few features.
- I am not planning a prototype.
In HO the sound s better. That will be one thing I will compromise in my N Gauge, but again I am sure technology is fast coming up with new solution.
Hope this helps…
Cheers,
Ajith
With that much space you can use any scale. Many logging and mining railroads were narrow gauge - mostly 3 foot but some 2 foot. I would consider Sn2, Sn3, On2, On30, or On3. In standard gauge you could do S or O. Even G will fit. A lot depends on what attracts you to the hobby. Smaller scales favor longer trains and higher scenery to track ratios. Larger scales favor building, both kit and scratch, as the pieces are easier to see and work with. Larger scales are less fussy than smaller scales and have more presence on the layout.
For me the happy medium is S scale - large enough to see and work with, small enough for a layout in my space.
Enjoy
Paul
HO is very popular for a reason. If you have the space and money, and want better detail O is nice. If you want a big layout in a small space and am will to sacrifice detail, N is nice. Everything is a compromise. On3 tries to compromise the compromise. Look at some layouts and choose. You will always admire the others, just make sure you are in the right place in the compromise for yourself.
HO 110%, not dissing N scale though, I just don’t have that much patience!
I’ve had N scale before but had to give it up. I had spinal meningitis as a child and anyone who has any knowledge of that knows it can cause nerve damage. On top of that, I have uncontrollable diabetes which has caused more damage. I’ve settled on HO since I have a small space to work with. I have trouble getting the locos and cars on the track because I can’t feel my hands, but if I watch what I’m doing, I can get it done.
Criteria to consider:
1: Can you handle N scale track, locos and rolling stock well.
2: Do your hands shake when your trying to do demanding detail work.
3: Can you see clearly enough to see the problems and hazards which may crop up.
As you consider these, think about the future. Will you be able to use this same list of considerations 15 years from now? It’s better to start with a little larger scale now than be forced to switch to a larger one later because of health reasons. Trust me on this. I know what I’m talking about.
Look at On30 if you are interested in mining and logging. Why even look at it if your are interested in common carrier operation.
It is large enough to see, cheaper than HO or N or S. It has an assortment of logging and mining locomotives and cars. Can be operated in a 10x12 space easily.
The 4x8 Pacific Coast Air Line Railway a On30 layout designed for common carrier operation.
Visit us at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/
Thank you if you visit
Harold
Limiting yourself like that might be a mistake. How old are you? How well can you see? HO gets pretty small the older you get. You can easily run On30 in that space, or even Gn15. There’s alot to be said for larger scales the older you get. Besides all that, you can detail the crap out of stuff.
I may get jumped on for this, but I don’t know if there’s all that much logging stuff available in N.
You also need to ask how much work you’re wanting and willing to do. Building used to be a major part of the hobby because there was a limited amout of commercial material, usually for the Pennsylvania or Santa Fe. If you want unusual equipment, it’s easier to build in larger scales; while HO is more likely to have it as a commercial model or kit. If you like constructing consider that.
Another point: you will need less equipment in larger scales, and a shorter train is more satisfying.
Try making something in a few of the major scales and see which appeals to you.
For a 10 x 12 room, HO should work fine for a logging operation since logging equipment works with small radius curves. In real life, logging engines and rolling stock is often half the size of class 1 railroad equipment. BR is right. Being an N scaler myself, I attest that N scale logging equipment is severly limited compared to HO. ON30 is another good choice as Harold suggets. Bachman carries a very nice line of affordable ON30 engines and rolling stock that runs on HO track.
I’ve had mainly HO all my life. I like the size, but even more due to how popular it has been for quite a long time you can pick up some great deals on HO equiptment at garage sales and train shows. I buy new if I really want something (and shop around for the prices) but I’ve gotten over 150 pieces of used rolling stock (not even to mention the prices of used engines) for no more than one dollar each car. You just have to look for the bargains. But I don’t know your situtation. One mans junk is another mans treasure. Go to shows and stores and brouse, handle all sizes and make your decision on your gut instint. You must be happy with your choice because in the long run, it’s your toy.
I found as I got older the bigger the better. Which is why I switched to O scale. On30 to be exact.
Also there is much more stuff in HO than the others.
If you have the patience and the skill you can scratchbuild in any scale but would be handy in n scale. Another option is to do narrow gauge in HO scale which would use n scale track thus allowing a lot of track in a smaller area yet still being a decent size to work on [structures etc]. Just athought, I hope it helps.