Hi all, After being out of the hobby (sadly) for a few years, I'm looking to maybe start getting back in it (slowly). Previously, I had HO scale layouts. I'm still in college so space and money is constrained. With that being said, I've been looking into possibly switching over to N scale. I'd like to get some feedback from you all as far as pricing (compared to HO) for track, buildings, locos, and cars, as well as buildings and accessories. I'm looking at possibly doing a small switching with 1-2 main lines (for continuous running) layout with a small town/city scene in it, modern day. I'm thinking 4x6' is my limit. Any comments would be great or resources to assist! (I'm glad to be back on TB too )
A good start would be an Atlas Trainman GP-15 set. It comes with a great engine and good power pack. The price is right too. woo woo woo Klien has them for 90 bucks (less shipping). Ideal if you're still in school and don't have the space for something permanent. Atlas N Train Sets
You can put as much money into it as you'd like When I was younger, building trains under my bed, HO was all that the toy store carried. That was the scale my older relatives had and gave me their left over pieces as they moved on. It was the scale I lived in. I've thought several times that I should have switched to N. I probably won't because of what I have stacked up in HO. But perhaps there is room for both. N certainly would allow me to build more than the HO dioramas and kit bashes that I'm currently doing. You can spend as much money as you'd like in this hobby. None of it is truly cheap, unless I'm looking in the right spots.
You can find great deals, or spend big bucks in N Scale. I think you will be happy with N Scale. It has improved 100%.
I was in grad school when I decided to get into the hobby 4 years ago. I haven't laid the first piece of track. I waited and collected a little bit here and there, mainly rolling stock and tools. I too was looking to build a small layout for my tiny apartment but reading and slowly gathering materials has improved my knowledge of model railroading, tied me over, and kept me from getting bored with trains going in a circle. Now I am looking to build or buy a house next year and will make room for a large layout. This is just my suggestion. It may not work for you. I on the other hand still have a lot to learn. A small layout would certainly get one's feet wet but the way I looked at it was I wouldn't be satisfied and I would eventually have to move it. I want something I can build on over the next few years so I won't get bored with it.
N-scale prices are on par or better then HO for petty much every thing. The most costly things are Microtrain cars and Kato Unitrack.
I have switched from H0 (German models) to N scale in 1986. Initially it was just for space reasons, after I found out that the then latest N models were running decently and looked okay. Now I have a room in the basement which is 3 times 4 meters. It still could be more space... Sometimes I wondered what I would do with a big basement just for the model railroad, whether I would switch back to H0, but the answer is "no". I would build a layout with long stretches of simple track with very moderate grades through a "simple" scenery, just to run real long trains. At least for the beginning, this would also keep costs down. Later an industrial siding could be added somewhere, a part of the scenery replaced, etc.. I think that making things modular is the best concepts, since it is the most flexible one. Especially nowadays flexibility seems to be the most important thing. Another thing I learned is that you will become accustomed to space. Initially I thought that running 18 freight cars in a train would be real long. Now I got the Broadway Limited, 15 passenger cars plus an A-B-A set of E7s, it dwarfs everything else and is far too long for any siding. Just some thoughts triggered by your post...
I concur with others.My philosophy is spend as much as you want,but spend it as slow as you can......swap meets are supplied by those (myself included)who bought something really cool that didn't fit into the grand scheme of things.I started out modeling the union pacific and HO and end up modeling Missouri Pacific in N,so I ended up with some stuff I didn't need,lesson learned.Good luck,and welcome back to our great hobby
Matt; My wife, Sandy, is a convicted HO-scaler, mainly because between her Grandfather, my late Dad, and her own collection, she has enough HO to gag an elephant! Also, she's a rather - determined - lady. I've learned not to argue with her. On the other hand, having been in and out of N twice before now, mainly because MT couplers drove me to drink (and I quit THAT back in '72, when I left 'Nam!), I came back again because almost everyone has them factory installed, or equivalent ones; I don't HAVE to install them any more! HUZZAH!! And I LIKE having a layout with enough room to swing TWO CATS - at full arm extension! Whereas, with a HO pike, in the same layour room, I can just barely swing one brand-new kitten. Of course, evry time I get Sylvester and his sister up and yowling, the SPCA comes chasing down the cellar stairs with a 'cease and desist' and I have to stop highballing the Challenger and the Broadway Limited, but you get the picture I'm trying to paint here. ELBOW ROOM! Only a Z-scale layout can get better, and my eyes will NEVER be that good - not at 57 years old with bifocals already! Welcome to the Little Big Scale. Keep 'Em Rolling, and remember, MRIF! Jim
Hello UP Challenger 3985. I am delighted to see that you are going to go into N scale. May I suggest that you think about building modules? This way you can work on detailing particular areas (a motive power depot, a station environment, an industrial area, and so on) and when you have more room the modules can be assembled together to form a larger layout. I feel it is always a shame to start on a 4 x 6 board and then be trapped into the oval concept. See if you can find information on N Scale modular groups and then think about starting with very lightweight frames of (say) 4' x 2' (or even 18") than can be assembled together as you grow. Frames need be no more than 1" x 2" lumber for this size board, with cross members at 12" spacings. (Don't be trapped into using L girder construction that you can drive a truck over!!!) I have been building layouts for 45 years and have never had one sag or droop. (You may need to go up to 1" x 4" lumber if you make longer modules of 8'.)
Do any of you have modular layouts that you can maybe post some track plans or give me some ideas to get me started again? I'm looking through all my old MR magazines also Thanks for all your input so far!
