Why did you choose HO scale? .......

UnionPacificBigBoy Aug 9, 2001

  1. UnionPacificBigBoy

    UnionPacificBigBoy Profile Locked

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    I choose HO scale cause it's there and it's more detailed than any other model train on the market. And I can put more on a HO scale platform,it's easier to pack away, and the quality is superb. Plus you can recreate your town in miniature!
     
  2. bnsf4354

    bnsf4354 TrainBoard Member

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    I like the selection in HO---there is an unlimited amount to choose from. I also have old HO stuff from years ago and it is easy to add this stuff to the new items coming out now. The detail is unsurpassed and the huge number of after market parts and detail options is staggering. If you can't do it in HO scale, it probably can't be done.

    Personally the steam selection is the clincher. P2K, Rivarossi, and Athearn offer wonderful replicas of popular prototypes with detail that N scale could only hope to match.
     
  3. UnionPacificBigBoy

    UnionPacificBigBoy Profile Locked

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    [ 25 August 2001: Message edited by: UnionPacificBigBoy ]</p>
     
  4. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    I wouldn't say HO is the 'most' detailed - S and O have much better ability to make exacting scale models than we do in HO.

    I am in HO because O is too big and N is too small. HO is 'just right' if you know what I mean. I do give S scale long looks however. If I ever decide I must have a narrow gauge or some sort of old time steam railroad it will be in S or O. But for my current modern standard gauge modeling HO is just right.
     
  5. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I am in HO because my dad started HO in 1935. He started me on Lionel, then when I was careful enough, he started me on HO in 1937. I got Birthday and Xmass presents of HO ever since. So I have way too much HO to convert to some other scale now, besides, I enjoy it! :D
     
  6. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    I'm going to follow Watash, for the millionth time!!! I got my first HO scale train as a Christmas gift.. That was in 1980.. I was 2 and I ended up geting trains for Christmas and birthdays ever since... This Christmas will be my 21st year collection.. So I got HO and stuck with it.... I doubt that I'll ever change scale was Watash said... *Quote* I have to much to change scales *Quote*.... Gotta love the detail and all too and whats on the market as well......... :D Have fun guys....

    [ 09 August 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>
     
  7. Jeff Lisowski

    Jeff Lisowski TrainBoard Member

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    I guess I'll throw my two date nails in this. I love HO, it was what I got started in when I was born, and been with it ever since. Like said earlier, O is too big and N is too small. HO just seems right for some reason. I also have too much to start over, and I don't have the space for anything bigger. Smaller yes, but, money to start over...eh, I like my HO. I know we discussed prices before, but, I really think we're coming into the best times for details. Things are really looking up in this scale. Finally manufactuers are hearing are cries; "Give us something that actually looks real, to the road I model!" HO all the way, I say!
     
  8. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">Cause its the best! :D

    Well ok, I chose HO because of the amount of different stuff availble , you can get decent locos to start with (Athearn) with out having to fork out piles of cash for Atlas and Kato like in N scale.

    it is small enough to get into a smallish space and large enough to detail with out using a microscope (n scale).

    oh and also because the first loco I ever got was a HO RS11 (even though it was a Model Power one that has now been converted into a RS18 and has been upgraded in everyway).

    I do have a bit of N scale but im selling most of it, HO will always be the scale for me [​IMG]
    </font>
     
  9. rrman48

    rrman48 E-Mail Bounces

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    [​IMG] As for me I love O scale but dont have deep
    pockets.N scale is too small,(cant see it unless
    I've got my walgreen specials on).So HO is right
    for me doesnt hurt your backpocket to awfully
    bad.And the wife doesnt holler; you paid WHAT for
    that?,its not even cute.. :D
     
  10. CNWFan

    CNWFan E-Mail Bounces

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    I was introduced to HO as a six-year old back in 1963 and it stuck for 15 years. For me too, it always had seemed the "right" size.

    I reentered MR just this last spring, and rethought that decision. The recent article on "The Hoosier Line" (in N) was really well done.

    So I tried building some freight cars (all "X" and as close to the same as I could get) in different scales - N, HO, S, and O.

    For me, it turned out that HO still feels "right".

    As I'm getting older I find I have less visual clarity and manual dexterity. I literally can barely put an N scale boxcar on the track; I don't mean to imply that N is too small in general but it's too small for my hands and eyes. I have a nephew and niece that are interested in MR, and after watching them work with the cars I've built it seems to me that they can work with HO...

    There's a friend of mine that started his young nephew with some American Flyer S gauge from the 1950s and he's really having a good time, but it's hard for us to find replacement parts for that stuff.

    All in all, I would say the reasone I chose HO is because it's how I got started in the early 60's; it still seems to be the "right size" for me to work with, and the younger folk I'm trying to help get started are able to handle the rolling stock without too much trouble.

    I hope none of the very fine N-scalers are put off by this... I really admire your work; it's just that I can't accomplish the same...
     
  11. Herb Dawrs

    Herb Dawrs TrainBoard Member

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    Realism, cost, alyout space, old tired eyes and old gnarly fingers. Would love to do garden size but.....
    Herb in HI
     
  12. Herb Dawrs

    Herb Dawrs TrainBoard Member

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    Realism, cost, layout space, old tired eyes and old gnarly fingers. Would love to do garden size but.....
    Herb in HI
     
  13. foamrr

    foamrr TrainBoard Member

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    Why HO? Letsee.... N scale don't run... Never did like the 3rd rail in O gauge, and when I started, all the S scale was American Flyer, and O scale was brass.
     
  14. ilitig8

    ilitig8 TrainBoard Member

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    Well, I will add another point of view; why I did NOT choose HO. First, I noticed several of the posts seem to point to HO as being the best period, well I will never agree with that BUT will agree with the posts that pointed to HO as being the best for THEM. SO why did I choose N scale? Was it the small size? No, I have a triple decker (4 if you count staging) 12X18 N scale layout so HO, S or even O could have been done. As far as money goes its about the same per square foot but with a small hedge to HO. No the real reason I went with N scale was/is challenge. I noted with a smile the poster who mentioned N scale was for babies...I must admit this sorta heated me up. The neat thing about N scale is most anything you want CAN be built BUT you can't just buy it off the shelf like you can in HO. I occasionally return to HO to detail an engine or two for friends and am surprised how blissfully easy it is when one is used to adding lift rings in N scale. I will avoid going into a rant but to the person that mentioned N scale doesn't "run" all I can say is the 70's were a LONG time ago! Try running a Kato Dash 9 or SD80/90 and tell me they don't 'run', to the same person O scale has not been exclusively 3 rail for a while (time warp!).

    To each his own, and to be honest there isn't a major scale I would not like to model. The detail thats possible in O scale is incredible, just look at what 1/35 Armor modelers are able to do, 1/48 isn't that much smaller. S scale is a "real mans" scale in my estimation, large, rare and a scratchbuilders haven. HO leaves endless possibilities in most directions and for those that don't want to model its definately the path of least resistance. N scale pushes a modeler to fine detail and good tracklaying skills, has an evergrowing selection (but only if you aren't a steamoholic) and offers that GREAT senery to track ratio. Z is well Z. It will push a modeler to the limits in most directions. Though few people really work in this scale as a primary scale, this is the scale that is begging for someone to build a room size layout and get instant national attention. Z is begging for its own Reid Bros.

    Yes, I do look at HO with a wee bit of disdain, but not because of scale envy (I could sell 90% of my N scale on eBay in two weeks and make a profit and be in HO by the end of the months, as a chainsaw would work miracles on my layout!) but because of the few holier than thou HOers I know (not acusing anyone here of that!) I see it much like the Chevy/Ford or Williams/Ferrari debates each has their strengths and weaknesses.

    Thanks for readin' my rant!

    Vandy
     
  15. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by foamrr:
    Why HO? Letsee.... N scale don't run... Never did like the 3rd rail in O gauge, and when I started, all the S scale was American Flyer, and O scale was brass.<hr></blockquote>

    "N scale don't run"? Any credibility you had went out the window with that absolutely ridiculous statement. You 'like' the Horribly Oversized stuff because your eyes are bad, your fingers are too big and clumsy, you got too much HO stuff to switch over, your modeling skills are minimal and therefore you need a scale that has everything available, Any one or all as well as other reasons may apply but don't say, "N scale don't run." Nobody will believe you.
     
  16. Gregg Mahlkov

    Gregg Mahlkov Guest

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    While I made a remark in the N scale forum about some people in N scale behaving like babies, that was before I read some of the garbage contained in this series of posts. The person who stated that N scale is for babies displayed his ignorance by stating that N scale did not hasve a "scale" coupler. For his information, most N scalers use the Micro-Trains coupler, which was invented by the same brothers that invented the Kadee and is as to scale as the Kadee No. 5. If one wishes to emulate the Kadee No. 58 in N, one has only to use the Micro-Trains Z scale coupler. But, I see the same whining in HO as in N - "Make what I want Mr. Manufacturer, I'm too lazy to learn how to build it." :confused:

    [ 23 August 2001: Message edited by: Gregg Mahlkov ]</p>
     
  17. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Hey guys, before you get into any more of a flame war, let me remind you that there are some very fine craftsmen who are capable of constructing anything they wish in whatever scale they choose. It is not acceptable for one to deride another refering to them as being "Babies" when you yourself are not that old either. It is also not acceptable for someone to deride the older generation just because they may have lost some percentage of sight, or dexterity, that you may or may not even have yourself!

    You want to throw stones, well which of you is without sin... etc?

    I have read many claims here of those who call themselves "Custom Builders" and "Custom Detailers" and the only thing most do is buy a "ready-to-run" model, then re-paint the shell, add a few details, change the couplers, and gripe because the manufacturer didn't do it for you!

    I'll tell you what gents, before you try to criticize, let's see how you compare to this:

    There is one among you who has a Master Craftsman Award, among others. He probably has built as many or more engines out of sheet brass, German Silver, and steel than most of you. And he has painted each one, and decaled them, and had some displayed at exibits, expositions, and in museums, and all are in private collections. He has worked in all scales except Z,TT, and G, but he has also made working scale machinery for companies, prototypes of various machines you probably use everyday. He worked on developement programs for NASA, and has some of his own hand work in outer space right now. He has a BSME, and has been a member of several organizations such as The New York Academy of Sciences. The guy is no slouch in any way.

    You point out to me where he has ever derided anyone, or belittled their opinion! He isn't the kind of person to lower himself to that.

    When you want to call your self an authority think about how much are you.

    You paint something, add a few details and think you are great, that's fine, but don't play David, because Goliath built it out of bar stock and made his own castings before you were a problem to your momma.

    I have seen several Davids get their face re-arranged because the kid made some nasty remark to a Goliath.

    Just think about what you would say, then say it as if you were the other fellow hearing it about you!!

    Jan, on behalf of Watash! (excuse my spelling)

    [ 23 August 2001: Message edited by: watash ]</p>
     
  18. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    Jan (on behalf of Watash)
    I will say that fellow (David?) Is a real craftsman and knows what he wants or wanted to do being he got into all that in a period of his life time.. Sadly not alot understand why a man would get into so much. I can honestly say I can relate to it. He has the knowledge and wants to put it to good use no matter how in what way its being used and not waisting it!!! Thats what matters.. I got the knowledge for alot and done alot but still haven't got "that chance" you know. You get the chance your supposed to take advantage of it which not many do.... If you try then in time you'll be rewardsed if you don't.. You can't say you died trying...

    It all comes down to the fact of if you tried and failed or tried and succeded and if you didn't try at all... If you tried and failed or succeded then you have a little room to take if you didn't even try then don't whine and ball that you didn't go anywhere.. It comes to the old saying... "TAKE IT LIKE A MAN" if your a man or if your girl no pun intended. Its just if you dish it out then you must be able to take it or.. just stay in the shadows..... Thats how I see it... People want to get somewhere in life and be something that people in years to come remember and "AAAAWWWW" that of what they done.... OK if they want it but don't try to get it or try to come close. then they have no reason or no room to talk but to as you said. look onto yourself..... We were all created equal and thats how it is and how it always will be no matter what we've done.... Noone is better then anyone else no matter what we do... Guys.. you whine and cry and Bi**h about any and everything. I'm 22 be 23 .. GROW UP and face life. No one said it was going to be easy or fair so... I mean WOW... Come on here..... Use some common sence!!!

    Everyone has a right to do what they want when they want and have a hobby of whatever they feel happy with and eveyone critisizes them for it.. Why I will never know and honestly I don't want to know, but why can't they let people do what they want and mind to their own life and what they are into and be happy.. I know that will never happen so... But it would be a better way of life if people could get along and keep their mind on their own well being.... We all are in groups in society and in the world of hobbies. Watash and I are classified as HO scalers... and others are in N scale or O even Z scale who cares ITS TRAINS GUYS! Same thing just a different size.....

    So what! I'm in HO scale and i'm called a "Jeweler" every time I go to the local train club being the G scale and O scale guys have BIGGER trains. Oh well I'm a Jeweler just like the N scalers and the Z scalers at least i'm NOT a "Blacksmith" that has to have really heavy machinery to make things like the G,& O scalers do!!! So its back to the never ending saga of "Jewler's and Blacksmith's" We choose the scale for reasons that are between us and are wallets or just plain like the scale.... Why down or belittle someone for their power of choice?..... I rest My case ... Someone else can have my soap box from here....

    [ 23 August 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>
     
  19. Benny

    Benny TrainBoard Member

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    Proof that scale does not matter comes to us from one of our very well known modelers across the great Atlantic in The UK.

    I mean, he has shown us the pictures and I think all of us have been blown away!
     
  20. MOPAC 1

    MOPAC 1 TrainBoard Member

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    "N-scale is for babies!" Just remember guys, size DOES matter. I can pack twice the N-scale action into any space you have. And always remember this: An engine and four cars is a TOY train. Five engines pulling 100+ cars is a model railroad! HO has it's place in this hobby, and so does N-scale. There's no need to name-call across scales. Play nice MOPAC 1
     

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