What should I do..? (long post)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Howdy,
I’m planning on starting over in Model Railroading this winter, and would like some opinions on what I should attempt, what scale I should go with etc…

My first trainset was a Lionel I inherited from my older brothers, but ever since then I’ve dabbled in HO scale. In fact about 10 years ago I had an entire basement that was set aside for my layout, so my interests fell into modern Michigan railroading. Auto parts boxes and auto racks predominated. Of course being a lone wolf, this ambitious layout never neared completion before my family moved.

Because of much more limited space, the layout was never restarted, and other interests took over from Model Railroading. In fact, over the years I have slowly sold off most of my HO collection, keeping a few of the smaller, or should I say, shorter, pieces. At the same time I’ve also picked up some N-scale stuff, because I was curious, and the smaller scale would work out better in my now limited space. Because, you see, I knew the MR bug would bite again, and now it has.

If you’re still reading, I thank you!

Now on to my query. I’ve finally determined the space for a new layout. It will be on the top of a shelving unit along one wall of our family room, approximately 15 to 16 feet long. I’d like your opinions on which scale (HO or N) should I go with.

I’m comfortable with HO, like the size of the trains, and still have a few 4 axle diesel locomotives, some (non 89’) freight cars, structures, track, and other miscellany that could be used as starting fodder.

I’m intrigued by the N items I’ve aquired, an in this arena I have again, a few 4 axle diesels, freight cars, and a couple structures. But no experience.

So that is my quandry. I have a clean slate upon which to build. If you were in my situation, what would you choose to do, and why.

Thanks again for reading!
Dave

2

Dave;

That’s a tough choice, but I’d go with HO before N simply because I’ve had better luck with their running abilities. Todays N is far superior to yesterdays, from what I hear. But with my luck, I’d buy a $100 engine that wouldn’t run for beans! Many others, though, love their N-scale layouts. You didn’t say how WIDE your space is, but even in 15 feet by one foot you can make a truly dynamic switching layout (my favorite!) in HO that will keep you busy for hours. I have four early diesels,one 0-6-0 and several mid-range 40’ cars on a 9x2 1950s city layout. I’m amazed at how much enjoyment I get from that tiny layout. Of course there are no passenger cars, cabooses, mile long trains or 2-8-8-2s. On the other hand, it’s managable, fairly low-cost, and keeps you directly involved in the action as you follow your SW-1 or whatever through traffic, turnouts and city buidings. It’s great fun!

Good Luck
smyers

3

Dave;

That’s a tough choice, but I’d go with HO before N simply because I’ve had better luck with their running abilities. Todays N is far superior to yesterdays, from what I hear. But with my luck, I’d buy a $100 engine that wouldn’t run for beans! Many others, though, love their N-scale layouts. You didn’t say how WIDE your space is, but even in 15 feet by one foot you can make a truly dynamic switching layout (my favorite!) in HO that will keep you busy for hours. I have four early diesels,one 0-6-0 and several mid-range 40’ cars on a 9x2 1950s city layout. I’m amazed at how much enjoyment I get from that tiny layout. Of course there are no passenger cars, cabooses, mile long trains or 2-8-8-2s. On the other hand, it’s managable, fairly low-cost, and keeps you directly involved in the action as you follow your SW-1 or whatever through traffic, turnouts and city buidings. It’s great fun!

Good Luck
smyers

4

Sorry for the double post, everyone. My mistake.
smyers

5

I am in N scale and love it but…if you really have that long a shelf but no wider than 10 to 16 inches, you can’t have a decent turnback curve, even in N scale. If you are limited to back and forth switching, I think HO would probably be better.

Now if you can get a 28 inch wide piece on each end to make it a dogbone loop, you could build yourself a “real” railroad in N.
Just my little old opinion.

6

Nodern N scale locos by companies such as Atlas, Kato, annd Life Like run just as well as HO locos, and are almost as detailed. I vote go with N…

7

I would get a copy of 101 track plans and build the 1x16 foot switch back plan in HO.
Enjoy
Paul

8

One question: How far off the ground is this shelving unit?

9

First off, thanks for all the replies!

The shelves will be as high of the ground as necessary and attached to the wall, since I’m planning on building them myself. My best guess right now is a minimum of 48", but that can be adjusted upwards if necessary for the layout. The width will be around 18" or so overall.

Now I may be able to swing a lobe on one end for a 15-18 inch radius turnback curve, which in N scale would work out fine, but there isn’t much hope of doing that on the other end unless I do some creative rearranging of the room and other things it is currently used for. With the one loop, I could at least create a few track staging area to feed a large industry branch line. I’ll have to do some sketching to see how that would work out. Of course, it would still end up being an N-Scale switching layout.

Any experience out there with N-Scale switching layouts? I agree with the comments that for a shelf switching layout, HO may be the best choice, but this does come from my lack of N-scale experience.

Thanks and keep the opinions coming.
Dave

10

I am an H.O. man but for your situation, I’d go with N. This is why:

You can do more with the space you have. N scale, as was said before, has come a long way, and detail to me is superior for that size, so that would be the one I’d do.

11

I second that.