here is the problem.. I really want to do HO but I only have room for N. I tried N about 5 yrs ago and it was so fiddly it drove me nutty... Has it got better? I want to build a little shelf switching layout about 12" x 6 or 8' I know with HO I won't get hardly anything on there but N will be perfect, but am I going to have check myself into a white padded room later on? just a bit of background of me, I'm 46, eyesight is good and when I was much younger I had a descent n scale layout and loveed it, then I did a little in HO and really loved it... now I'm thinking about getting back into it again. sell me on N
It is not so much about the scale....I is about the layout. What do you want do model. Cities, industry, scenery, etc. Also operations enters into the equation. Do you want to watch trains run around a circle or operate a layout? For me I ended up with a 12’ x 5’ layout with “L shaped ends. I have a ward and sidings, city area, farm area, industry area etc. Good Luck!!!
Only you can answer your question since you know what you like and want. As far as eyesight that is a feeble excuse to enter or leave N Scale since there is many of us old dogs in N-in fact that's the same age old excuse HO guys been using for years to justify the switch from HO to a larger scale. The key to N Scale is to use quality locomotives,cars and Micro-Train couplers. Believe this or not HO is far more forgiving then N Scale will ever be when it comes to track work that's why I will stress the need for smooth track work..Take your time while laying track. BTW..I have built HO layouts on 1x6 footers using snap track and #4 switches but,it was very limiting like 0-4-0T or 0-6-0T or 4 axle diesel switchers and 40' cars.
Third times charm as they say. If it was track that was 'fiddly'...try Unitrack. If it was some older, cheaper locomotives...try the newer, better stuff. If you are gonna be switching...be sure to go with body mounted couplers on everything. Can't sell ya on it...but can relate...:tb-wink:
These days N scale can be as easy to work with as HO. Equipment is far and away better than when I started in N forty years ago. The base of knowledge which can be tapped for help and ideas is nothing but excellent. Take your time, invest in quality and it will be just fine. I speak as one with eyesight not what it was and hands which are not as able, due to illness and injury. I love model railroading. I cherish my years in N and those friends made therefrom. It's a bit more effort for me nowadays, but I'm sticking with N as long as I am able.
Hello, also, not sure what you mean 'exactly' by 'fiddly'...locomotives?...track?.... I'd have to agree that, in the last decade and a half, the N scale locos and rolling stock produced by Kato, Atlas, Athearn, Intermountain, and even the last few LifeLike releases, have no apologies to make to any larger scale... ...and, IMO, finescale track, in HO as well, is always subject to proper planning, tolerances, and application...if that's a problem, then Kato unitrack can come to your rescue...I'm continually amazed at what I see done here in improving the appearance of Unitrack (painted rail, seperately applied ballast)...and the track itself is very robust and bulletproof in performance... Eyesight 'could' be an issue, but, like above, i know plenty of folks with very limited eyesight that still enjoy N scale. I could definitely see problems with trying to operate the 'older' stuff...Arnold, Minitrix, ModelPower, older Bachmann...I'm fortunate that I don't have the older Albatross locos hanging about my neck...it's very difficult for me to want to leap to a larger scale after seeing the performance and detail that come standard on releases these days... Sincerely, Bruce
And if you need to rid yourself of your fiddly n-scale trains, I'll be outside waiting at the dumpster... :tb-tongue:
I had bought some cars and then put on some good MT trucks and couplers and they didn't match up heighth wise and was miserable. However, they were not body mounted. I need to look into that.
I'm 60 yrs. old, have been "fiddling" with "N" scale for close to 20yrs. now, and here are the sometimes expensive lessons I've learned - and the purists, and the more patient among us may disagree, but this is what works for me............. 1) Stick with the newer DCC friendly mechanisms that "Atlas" or "Kato" put out, because it's all going that way before long. I buy only "Atlas" or "Kato" - some of the others are improving, but not there yet. 2) Avoid Steam, unless you are of good eye-sight, and mechanically inclined, as "N" scale steam is better, but still "fiddly". 3) Treat yourself to some "Unitrack"..........( no, it's not proto-typical, and drives the rivet counters nuts, but it is great quality, fun to use, and works wonderfully). Plus, you can have even a room sized layout "up & running" in an amazingly short time. I built a 13foot staging yard, and it took me less than a day to lay track, 1/2 a day to wire & done. If I wasn't disabled & younger, it would have taken less. My two cents.........if you don't agree, that's your prerogative, like I said, this is what works for me
*GASP!!*:tb-shocked: I wouldn't say avoid steam at all! While there are certain specific models to avoid, specifically any Bachmann Plus offerings, the overall quality of steam is right up there with anything else. It's true that being mechanically inclined is a big advantage but you can also get a huge advantage by forming a great relationship with your retailer. Almost all retailers will quality check your locomotives (steam and diesel alike) before shipping them to you or letting you walk out the door. Be sure to ask for that. I think the most important thing to get a reliable layout in N is Trackwork Trackwork Trackwork. No locomotive can operate better than the track it's running on allows. Unitrack or Atlas True-Track is 98% foolproof.
Okay I am going to commit Heresy. Try HOn3. Okay now I said it. It's probably banishment back to the cave of isolation in the back of the Zendo. But it does use N scale track. And there is a whole little fleet of neat steamers and geared locos, not to mention some neat critters and of course quite a few cars and kits for same. And it operates in less space than HO, oops I said that horrible two letter word again, Iknow Iknow back to the cave now.
I have probably 30 or so steam engines and about ten transition era diesels. There will be less trouble with the diesels, but with carefully laid trackwork, as brakie suggested above, you will have smooth running without hangups. If you have powered frogs, there will be no issue whatsoever. Unitrack looks worse but operates better than traditional track. As to eyesight, you only really need more eye power when working close. Optivisor will fix that problem. I chose N because of more bang for the square inch. I am 64 and am happy with my choice.
Mr. Moore used the "H" word. He should be banished to the part of Trainboard populated by those people who don't write so good (or frequently) and need larger toys.
Well...I hear ya' on the older rolling stock converted to MT trucks and such...i'm in process of converting some old 'Atlas/Rivorossi' Heavyweights (combine and diner specifically as these cars were specific ATSF modified prototypes)...and I'm still not completely happy with their performance-they still don't approach the latest releases of passenger cars-lightweight and heavyweight- but...the same types of issues certainly pervade HO scale and larger...so, it boils down to 6 0f 1-1/2 a' dozen of the other... i also echo the 'trackwork-trackwork-trackwork' comment....! Sincerely, Bruce
Okay I accept your banishment. Far better than the cave at the back of the Zendo, and being fed thin rice gruel once a day by the mad monks, that was prepared by the Zendo head cook Kung Phuoey.
upon much thought, I've decided to go to HO, sorry, but thanks.. I just know I'll enjoy it more, in my case less is more. I found an area where I can put a 14-16" wide x 12'6" layout in perfect for an industrial switching layout with a lift out cassette or a fiddle yard for getting cars on/off... oooohh I'm excited.
The OP's decision notwithstanding and which would send this thread straight down the list of active threads- Mr. Moore's cave reference certainly indicates that he has actually spent some time in banishment thereat. How was the gruel? Was it seasoned to your taste? Was there enough voltage in the cave to enable you to continue your fine railroad work?
Good lucky with the HO. Come back in here now and then and let us know hows its going, We dont bite...may bark a little now and then...but no biting...lol :tb-biggrin:
