I’m just curious to see what the various reasons are as to why each of us chose the particular scale or guage that we did.
I chose N scale because it doesn’t take up a lot of room and because no other scale or guage has ever appealed to me the way it does.
trainluver1
Sam,
I sorta took the “baby bear” approach and chose HO because it’s not too big or not too small. I grew up on S-scale (American Flyer). HO does have the advantage of being the most outfitted and represented of all the scales. However, I can appreciate scales other than HO and understand the advantages (or disadvantages) that each bring. Live steam is REALLY cool! You might want to had that one (1’ scale) to your poll…
Tom
I chose HO because my son got a Harry Potter train set for Christmas. I stayed with it because of the Lilliputians. I like painting the little people and putting them in scenes. I can’t imagine painting Hobbit Lilliputians.
However, I must say I like the idea of N and space.
i have HO scale as my eyes are in HO scale, they won’t work in N or Z, i would have got O or G scale but i am limited with space
I went with HO for it’s availability of steam engines and rolling stock.
I have to admit that though I’m very much into N scale and have a lot invested in it, my eyes aren’t what they use to be, and I’m finding that more and more often I’m having to use a magnifying glass under really bright lighting to do even the simplest work on my locos and rolling stock anymore - BUT I AIN’T CHANGING SCALES !..[:p]
trainluver1
“Mr. tstage”…
Thanks for the advice. Live steam did cross my mind when I was writing the topic, but I kind of wanted to stick with scales that could be picked up and moved around by hand.
trainluver1
You need a box for “other” for us on the lunatic fringe[:0]. I model the 1870’s in OO/HO (4mm/ft running on HO track). I want to be counted[soapbox].
Just kidding[:D]
Harold
HO - most stuff, best compromise between space taken up and ability to actually see details.
HO, IMHO has the most “stuff” available for it - merchandise and information.
Will eventually get into G scale, too… My wife will love that. Not.
S SCALE…not GAUGE. You need to learn the difference between scale and gauge!
S is a size that offers great operation as the slightly larger (36% bigger than HO) engines have plenty of room for larger motors, weight and sound systems. This translates into very good operating characteristics. Cars track better and details are easier to see than with HO or N.
There’s a lot of great items available in RTR and kits. Contrary to propular belief and misconceptions S isn’t just for those folks that like to scratchbuild anymore.
Roger
I chose HO because:
S scale. I started in HO moved to O then to S. I find it to be a better size for building than HO. The pieces are bigger and easier to see. I find it to be better than O for doing a layout because it has a better scenery to track ratio and the layout doesn’t require as much space (or you can have more layout in the space). Operationally, it seems to have fewer problems than HO especially electrical. In many ways I find it very similar to working in HO without the frustrations of HO. The scale has expanded quite a bit over the last 10 years or so. This site can give you a good idea of what’s available http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html
Enjoy
Paul
What trainluver1 said! [#ditto] I started in HO, but went to N to get more railoarding in the same space. But, my eyes aren’t what they used to be and my big fingers don’t always obey me, but like him, I’m not changing.
And not GUAGE as listed. There is no such word. Goo-age?
Bob Boudreau
[#ditto] I would be in N scale, but most of the steamers availible have MAJOR issues.
I prefer HO. WHen I began the hobby two years ago I had no clue and just happened to buy an Athern Genisis Light Mikado in HO to get started. Since then I have realized that with my aging eyeballs and limited space I made the right choice. Availability of HO items seems to be a biggy as well. Of course having spent a billion dollars on HO stuff I am pretty much going to stay HO.
I choose Ho because of availability and the size and cost. And there are more people in that scale to get advise from. I also find some of the other scale do not have the real look to them some of them look like toys and not like the real thing.
Definately HO, even though I model in N scale due to lack of space at home. N scale have really nice locos and rolling stock but in terms of model detailing and range in engine types HO delivers. Not saying, that this is impossible in N, especially with some of the wizards we have in the hobby today.
“N” for me. It could be because I got into such trouble for destroying my Dad’s Lionel trains when I was very small (Please don’t anyone tell him what those would be worth today!) It could be because of all the fighting my brothers and I did with our 4X8 HO layout as teenagers. I think it is because N gives the best bang for the space needed. My layout as planed will have a mainline just over 1 scale mile long. I need only 1/2 as much length to provide a 2% grade for a cross over because I only have to get the track half as high. Maybe it’s just that I never felt right going with the majority.
My eyes are not that great and my hands start to cramp up if I do to much detailed work at one time but I am sticking to N scale.