Having just returned to model railroading after four decades, I chose N scale without hesitation. I'm wondering, now, where it's headed. Are N-scale sales and product releases increasing, holding steady, declining? My sense is that N is well established and is showing modest increases (in sales, product releases, etc.), but is still a niche player when viewed against HO. (I don't regret my choice; I'm just wondering.)
I believe it is growing and there are many, many more products available. The only regret I have is the lack of a wide variety of manufacturers with out of the box reliable steam engines. I have only found one- MDC/Roundhouse Athearn.
Welcome Bryan. N scale's a great choice that you won't regret. Besides, once you visit these pages you'll quickly realize this. So get ready for the thrill of your life. verse
Trends? More and better N scale steam, more manufacturers are diving into the N diesel market, (Atlas, Kato, Intermountain, LifeLike, Model Power, ER Models, Micro-Trains, Athearn, and more that I have missed) bringing highly-detailed, accurate models of many mainstream units. F units have been well covered by Intermountain, and Kato, Modern stuff is handled by Kato, Atlas and Athearn; Atlas, Kato and LifeLike have second-gen engines covered pretty well, and Intermountain has made a grand slam with their Tunnel Motor series. New accurate passenger train consists have come out, and many bazillions (it seems like that many) of styles of freight cars have come out. From RTR, to craftsman kits, to simple assembly kits, nearly every era and road can be modeled with off-the-shelf stuff. From the 1880's to now, N scale has it made. Track continues to get better, from our roots with code 80 for years, to newer code 55, and some folks getting into handlaid code 40, track is reliable, and robust. DCC has become mainstream, and many manufacturers made their engines DCC-ready, if not equipped with a decoder, from the factory. Dimmable headlights, oscillating headlamps, ditch lights, class lights, acceleration and voltage can be tweaked to match your units' speed characteristics--among other things can be controlled thru one little decoder, many of which are drop-in styles, no wiring required. Structures have improved in spades, too. From Laser craftsman kits to assembled buildings, N has it all from Denny's to a blast furnace. Detailing in N has never been easier for us that count rivets, or just want their engines to look better than their buddy's units. BLMA, Sunrise Enterprises, Plano, Gold Medal Models and many others continue to raise the bar for what can be detailed on an N locomotive. Efforts of N scalers in detailing their engines are legendary--see Craig Martyn's chopnose Santa Fe Geep7/9, or Jerry Debene's ATSF F45, or Rich Yourstone's Alco Centuries (the list goes on and on--I'm just hitting a few off the top of my head), and you'll see what I mean. In short, it's never been a better time to switch to N, to to join the club of great modelers and become one yourself!
Welcome To TrainBoard! I've been N scaling for a fair time now. This is my 34th year. It's grown a lot. In quality, numbers of participants. By no means is it a niche. Hasn't been for a long time. NTRAK set the standard for modular railroading in all scales. There's plenty you can do. And lot's of neat stuff available. So, settle in, and have fun! Boxcab E50
N scale is Great ! Just be sure to model railroads that do not have a fleet of GE U-boats or SD-40-2's - as they are not readily available ?
I have modelling in N scale for many years and have seen it grow from strength to strength. Engines now come with better motors, detailing, coupling and lighting. Kato, Atlas & InterMountain lead the way with a good variety of good running engines. Unfortunately for those modelling steam, the makers tend to churn out more diesel models. There seems to be a dearth of good steam engines, otherwise products made for N are as good as HO or even better. Cheers, Cliff http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html
I started with N Scale in 1972 (coming direclty from LEGO trains) and I still hava ll my original engines. There is a huge ongoing improvement in quality, selection and variety in every aspect of N-Scale: Engines, track, cars, you name it. We all know that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. So though we have seen huge strides so far I am confident that the manufacturers will deliver even more improvements and better products. Examples are sound and better US steam engines. It is the best time ever to be in N-Scale, but watch it, it will get even better!! Cheers Dirk
I'm amazed how far N scale has gotten in the past 20 years. I started with N scale in 1986 with a Bachman F9 and a few Atlas cars. Not only have the manufactuers produced more diesels, but the choice of roadnames has increased greatly. 20 years ago Atlas stuck with the most popular RR's, UP, SF, BN ect. Now we have B&M, MEC, SP Kodachromes and even shortlines! The advent of laser cut wood buildings has vastly served the N scale market as well. Companies offer specific buildings rather than the plastic generic buildings that were offered in years past. In 1992 I was detailing HO models, detailing an N scale model ment adding number board decals and painting the handrails, both now standard on most engines produced today. The only lack I see in N scale today are a better selection on N scale vehicles, cabooses and I would really like to see more 1920-1950 era heavy steam. Based on the short history lesson, I'd say we will be in for some great products in the future.
I've been collecting and operating postwar Lionel since 1980 and started getting into N scale just over a year ago. What attracted me the most was the fantastic detail and graphics plus great improvements in running characteristics that N scale has experienced in recent years. I also like the fact I can stuff a new N scale engine or $100 worth of freight cars in the inside pocket(s) of my blazer and not get caught. In fact, I forget they are in there when I get home and I have no guilt in my eyes. Chump change finances simpler plastic kits to spend my liesure time bulding. Whenever I sit back and watch my Lionels run, I see them for what they are. Toy trains (because they are so big). But when I sat back and watched my first N scale set (a Lifelike Yardmaster), I felt like I was sitting on a hill watching a real train making its way around the curves. I've been hearing mixed stories from dealers as to how N is growing and I think it has to do with how knowledgeable the dealer is about N scale and what N scale to stock. When I visit a shop that is well stocked with N scale, there is normally one or two other N scalers picking through the stock. I've already gotten into an argument as to who saw that special car first. That wasn't the case four or five years ago. The N scale section was usually vacant. I've noticed the Walthers N scale catalog is much thicker than it was ten or twenty years ago. There are two magazines devoted to N scale and one has only been around a few years and I believe he is seeing growth in circulation plus the magazine comes off as a quality magazine. Model Railroader dissapoints me. As usual, they did a brief review of Model Power's new steamer while devoting several pages to some HO coaches by BLI. Recently, it seems there has been a wealth of new manufacturers in N scale along with a recent glut of F units so it must be growing. The recent hobby quality steam engines by Lifelike and Bachman and the recent introduction of an Athearn Challenger tells me more great steam is around the corner. I think a few things that can be credited to N scale's growth is reliable, easy to use equipment such as Kato engines and Unitrack. Atlas code 55 track really tips the scales for realism and I can see how attractive it makes N scale. It looks better than Peco in my humble opinion.
There have been two mileposts in N Scale. First, Kato arrived on the scene. Before that all was dark, and lo in a flash there was the split frame. The next decade was spent waiting for the patent to run out. The next big thing was the development of computerized CAD/CAM. Presto, push a button and the HO model shrinks and a new mold is born. Suddenly, the cost to make an N Scale model plummeted. The increase in manufacturers is really a side effect of this economy. All the other accessories are really just the manufacturers trying to differentiate themselves.
My local shop, DesPlaines Hobbies, has a good N Scale department. It has a much larger HO stock and is strong in S Scale and O Scale as well. It does not do too much business in Lionel, LGB, etc... as it is mostly a serious Model Railroader's shop. I don't know what the sales figures are but the N Scale traffic is very strong there. I think we have a better distribution of age (it is my contention that more new people getting into the Hobby are going into N than any other scale). I also think, especially if you include NTRAK setups, that there are more scale miles of N Scale railroads being operated today than HO (less armchair railroaders and larger layouts!!!). We are in the Golden Age of N Scale and it is only going to get better over the next few years! Charlie Vlk
Selection has improved in the 22 years I've been associated with this scale. Quality and fidelity to the prototype has never been better. Still, there are some problems with quantities available since most manufacturers have essentially gone to a "built-to-order" method of supplying the market. Steam engine development and quality is not as good as the larger scales... but... may be improving. At least there are steamer models are available that "tinkers" can work.
I don't think of N scale as a "niche". I think N scale has become large enough that there are "niches" within N scale. Manufacturers are bringing out new things all of the time. I don't think they would if they did not have faith in the sales of these items. The market is expanding everyday!
I have to agree with the "not a niche" sentiment. In model railroading, there are three true "niche" markets, Z scale, TT Scale, and S Scale. N Scale, being the second most popular, definitely isn't "niche." I've only been in for a couple years, and while there are some definite deficiencies in N Scale, the quality of equipment available is truly outstanding. Hopefully, some enterprising folks will step forth and address some of the shortcomings I percieve. That said, until I have a layout up and running (rather than doing N Trak modules) and need lots of modern accessories (buildings, motor vehicles, etc) or need Civil War - Gilded Age period rolling stock and such, I'm a happy camper.
The development of Nscale has been going on for 25years. I'd mark the Atlas/Kato split frames as the greatest advance. Now we have better motors, and DCC too. Printing is very advanced. Just look at the Atlas and MTL models! Even Bachmann, LifeLike & Model Power models are getting better. The old junk still lurks on Ebay. Go to a reliable LHS or Etailer so you don't get suckered into that stuff. As more layouts are built into apartments, condos & such instead of basements, Nscale will grow. Eventually, it may get close to HO, at lower prices. Ntrak has produced a fun group of modelers that mostly just like to run loong trains. Go to a convention to see what really can be done. I'd call the niche section of Nscale the narrow-gague or live wire Ncat guys. Don't be afraid to post your questions here!
Agreed! N scale is definately NOT a "niche" scale, however, within each scale there are special interest groups (SIG's) which can be considered niches. Within those niches, one would expect to have difficulty acquiring models that are appropriate; ergo, the Nn3 group lacks reasonably priced motive power and usually has to kitbash or scratch build there own. Same with Ncat. Personally, I'm awaiting Zn3 scale so I can really complain about manufacturers not addressing the modelers needs :~D.
