Hi am I am pondering changing to Nscale because I am probably moving to a smaller house and have some questions 1. who has the best quality in Nscale? Locomotives Rolling stock Buildings Track/Turnouts 2.how does Nscale compare to Ho running wise? 3. Dcc and sound how does it compare with Ho? I know Ho being bigger can use larger speakers. Thanks August
hey August... i think the answers to your questions will be opinions based on one's own experience. as for me...when it comes to track Atlas locomotives: kato, atlas, life-like, model power all have worked quite well (except with some pulling ability of steam w/out traction tire wheels installed) rolling stock: passenger-rapdio, kato.....freight: micro trains, walthers, atlas, bachman have all been rather compatible perhaps edged out some by microtrains structures: walthers, some of the european manufacturers for churches/cathedrals, DPM, Lunde N Scale cannot be detailed as much as HO, of course, but is a good choice for smaller spaces or more layout in a space than HO would not fit as well, especially wanting broad curves DCC, as far as i know--i am not using it--is a little more constricted in what is available for N Scale because size, but they are making smaller and smaller items as time goes on...possible to think that operation and sound devices will be available for most of N scale locos in the not too distant future. i hope this helps! Gary
Wow - so first off welcome to the N Scale. I can give a thought on some things - Loco = Atlas, Kato, Some of us like Bachmann Spectrum (myself also), if you are going DC, Life-Like/Walthers are good for the $. Rolling Stock - depends on your taste's - I like Atlas, old & new, KATO, also a few Bachmann (very few) and ConCor(old). Kadee-MicroTrains is too expensive for my budget, but very good stuff. Many others out there Buildings = Depends on your interest (Built up only or Build em yourself) I stick with the plastic line, others will swear by the wooden line. Mostly choices are same for HO and N (DPM, Walthers, Heljan, Model Power, some Bachmann, older kits like IHC, AHM) Detailing - as said, less super details in N, but 1) Smaller so easier to makeshift build your own, and 2) Smaller buildings - harder to see inside, less details inside can be an easier choice in N Track = Kato Unitrack for me - again depends on your taste - the unitrack is pretty flawless as far as operation goes, least desired and very limited is Bachmann EZ Track Most engines run smooth and quiet - to me the noisy ones are usually the same in HO and N - usually Bachmann(non-spectrum) leads the noise. Someone else can proceed further
kato and the other plastic based tracks certainly offer smooth run and easy construction...but they are limited due to not having a flex track version. so more complex layouts and multi-level layouts are sometimes more than what kato unitrack or other like sectional track can handle. atlas offers the best flexibility for the $ peco offers the same for more $ microengineering again the same for even more $ ...from my own experience Gary
I switched to N a few years ago after getting out of trains all together. My mother liked N scale and I would up with some of her items. With my conversion still in memory I'll give you some of my thoughts. • Generally more expensive than HO. • Smaller Selection, particularly when it comes to engines • Not the same level of detail • Fewer local hobby shops that carry much of a selection • Maintenance is a bit more fiddly • Easier to break Those of course were the irritations early in N scale. Now for what I enjoy • Can do more in the same space • Vistas look more grand (purely opinion of course) • Manufacturers are better than they ever have been regarding accuracy • More fudge room due to the smaller scale As far as engines.... I really like Kato (including the Atlas made by Kato) and Spectrum (in general). The older Rivarossi's are decent as far as runners. Rolling stock.... I like Micro Trains, though I tend to buy used for the sake of price. I have many Atlas cars that I am rather fond of as well. Almost all of my passenger cars are Con-Cor. Not 100% for accuracy but with some MTL couplers (newer Con-Cor can come with dummy couplers) and some doctoring they look pretty alright. The fudge factor I mention earlier really helps out here. Buildings... a lot of the typical. If you want out of box, Kato has some really nice buildings, though they are technically 1/150 but the fudge factor really makes it a non issue. Track.... I started with unitrack and I have to say I love it. However on my final layout I am using Micro Engineering as I like the way it looks and it can also run larger flanged wheels without striking the ties (code 55). Unitrack though is a tank. You are just limited to how it runs, and it can be pricy to get the pieces you need.
For question 1, it depends, what era do you model? Once we know that, be easier to answer. 2, N can be better than HO, I mean how often can you run 100+ car trains in HO? I used to do it regularly on the NTrak layout we had in Las Vegas, normal set up was something like 12x20, HO guys had a similar size layout and they could only get 30 or so car trains. 3, DCC is DCC, as for sound, I'm not a fan, most people seem to keep the speakers too loud for my taste and I end up with a headache...but as you said, HO is easier due to larger speakers. Also, N locos, don't have as much weight as a comparable HO unit, therefore you lose alot of weight when you add sound, well for a hooded diesel.
Hey August, Glad to hear you're considering N. As far as engines go, here's just about all you need to know: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html It's a website created by a character named Mark who has tracked down and tested just about every N gauge engine ever built. (Lots of other great stuff on the site, as well.) I switched from HO to N 2-3 years ago. I've only purchased engines Mark has graded an 'A,' and he hasn't steered me wrong yet. I have probably 8-10 different models, and they all run superbly. I favor MicroTrains cars (although I have some Atlas, too). Their prices probably aren't out of line with other manufacturers, but new rolling stock can get spendy. Visit the Train Store page here and check online auctions, and you can usually find a lot of used MT stuff for $8-$10 a car, sometimes less. My only experience is with Atlas code 80 flex track and turnouts, and I have no complaints. The Atlas code 55 stuff is certainly a better looking product, but I haven't used it myself. Lots of people rave about Unitrak. If you hang around N scale forums for a while, you'll run across people moaning about a lack of new product coming from the manufacturers. And that's certainly true, at least compared to HO. But there's plenty of great stuff being produced for N. If you're more interested in buying stuff than building a layout, then N may not be your cup of tea. If you're looking to build a great layout in restricted space, N is the ticket. My only experience with sound in N is a Broadway Limited Imports E7. I love it, and certainly look to add sound to more locos in the future. But as I'm just a working stiff, it's far down on my list of priorities. It's going to take me several years to get my layout to a reasonable state of completion, and by then I expect sound to be more common (and of better quality) in N. Finally, my main interest in model railroading lies with operation. The big concerns I had when making the switch to N was if the locos would have fine slow-speed creep (without stalling), if it would be easy enough to uncouple cars, and if the trains would actually stay on the tracks. No sweat on any of those issues. My N stuff is more reliable than what I was running in HO. I wish I had discovered N 20 years earlier. Good luck! Jim
The Gold Standard for diesel locomotives is Kato. "It runs like a Kato" is the highest praise for the running capabilities. However, Kato's are fast suckers. Atlas has slightly better detail, and uses slow speed motors. If you're going in to steam, you'll face far greater limitations in loco selection. Bachmann Spectrum are good (albeit spotty QC), Kato Mikado is good. Almost all new locomotives use body mounted couplers. If its new, and it doesn't, move on unless you really, really gotta have that loco. Rolling Stock: Depends. What's your era? What do you want to run? One thing is, you will very, very rarely go wrong with a car with Micro-Trains trucks and couplers. The vast majority of N Scale rolling stock comes factory equipped with truck mounted couplers. This may take some getting used to coming from HO. Most can be converted to body mounts, although most N scalers don't go to the trouble. DCC - Almost all new locomotives are easy to convert (usually with drop-in decoders). Sound - physics is a limiting factor, small speaker, small sound, poor bass. The general consensus seems to be that Soundtraxx is the best sound solution.
Let's see..Better to share my choices since I have first hand experience with these brands. Engines: I prefer Atlas locomotives..IMHO they are the best made. Rolling stock: There's several good brands but,I prefer MicroTrains,Fox Valley,ExactRail,BLMA,Atlas,Athearn,the older MDC cars and InterMountain. Buildings.I prefer Walthers and DPM. Track/Turnouts I like Peco switches and Micro Engineering flex track.Kato's UniTrack is a excellent choice and easy to use and all wiring for is plug and play.. how does Nscale compare to Ho running wise? About the same..I get "kiss coupling" using Atlas engines on DC. 3. Dcc and sound how does it compare with Ho? I know Ho being bigger can use larger speakers. A lot of the newer locomotives come DCC friendly and requires a simple switch out of DC light boards to DCC board. About sound..N Scale sound in locomotives IMHO sounds to tinny and like white noise. However, installing a sound decoder in a boxcar improves N Scale sound.
