To switch scales or not

I know this is a personal opinion question but I will ask any way. I am a long time N-Scaler 30 years or so with 20 years invested in my layout. but I have been offered a large collection of On30 equipment. Would you switch scales? is On30 still alive or a Fad? I loves modeling in O scale. I have built several locos and buildings for a friend of mine. I do Not have the room for both. Why did you On30 folks switch scales? Any regrets?

 

Although I don't model On30 I'll give some input.

First On30 is not a fad. Bachmann is a major supplier of On30 equipment but companies like PCS and Acccraft are also making equipment in this gauge. A lot of people model it. There's a lot of kits and detail parts from various cottage industries.

Should you switch? My advice: You have been modeling N for 30 years for a reason. You must like it. Why? Are you into modern or transition era railroading? Does it fit the space you have for it?

Why do you want to switch to narrow gauge? Do you like the idea of modeling short line steam railroads up to the depression era. Are you very interested in this? Do you have a subscription to Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette but just never dabbled in other narrow gauge for some reason?

Go with what you are passionate about, because you won't be happy modeling something else just because a good deal came along. But keep in mind that sticking with something you know when you would rather be doing something else is just as bad.

Best regards,
Matt.
Modeling HOn30 because I like small tea kettle steam engines but don't have the room for On30.

 

I've gone up from Z to On30. On30 uses the same ground print as HO. If you have the room I would switch to On30 and never look back. Jim

 

Thanks for your replies. I do believe I have the space to model in On30. My room is 16 x 25 give or take a little. I have always loved geared locos and in N scale it is just not as easy with one shay available. All I run on my N-scale is steam and I really enjoy the look of all the motion on the engines. In On30 i am impressed with those geared locos creeping through a cut of trees and winding around rocks and creeks. I think i will like the hand on building of the structures and I am somewhat of a woodworker also. It is still a tough decision to make. Thanks

 

I've spent some time as well thinking about this. I'm finding my eyesight isn't as good for N anymore, which is leading me to start selling my stuff off here and there. The current toss up is HOn3, HOn30 or On30. I do have some scratchbuilt HOn30 stuff, a couple of HOn3 pieces. I'm thinking about scratch building a couple of cars in On30 to see what I like.

 

If you have the space, why not get the On30 material without getting rid of all of your N-scale. As one gets older, it's definitely better to have the larger scale to work on. But you can still enjoy the small scale as well. I have many scales that I all enjoy. But working on the smaller ones, better not any more. Or only with the help of a magnifier in front of my regular eyeglasses. My main reason for the many scales is clearly that I can't get all the desired models in all scales, at least not at affordable costs. It all began when my Marklin H0 AC system could not accomodate a UP Big Boy. I know, that's possible now, but it was not back then. Meanwhile narrow gauge is my main passion, but if I had not started with On3 (in addition to my HOn3), I'd still wait for all the great Rio Grande Mikados, except for the smallest one. So while I still hope the Blackstone K-36 and K-28 will materialize at some point, I don't have to bear all the frustration. Just enjoying the On3 versions instead, thanks to MMI. The only problem, setting up a possibility to also run them is very much limited for me. So they are mostly on display only. Well, to each his own, but I'd encourage you to get those nifty geared models.

 

It has been 1 year from my first post with the question to switch from N scale to On30. I did make the switch and here is a photo of my new start. The track is down and the scenery has started.

 

Wow! Looks like you've having fun! I like the lumber stacks.

 

I just found this thread and wondering if you have any updates? My On30 layout is coming up on 7 years old and, though I don’t have much time to work on it, it has been really fun. The Bachmann Shays rooms some work but runs dn sound amazing.

 

There's no rule about modeling in multiple scales. I have N, HO and O scale .
HO scale interurbans , N scale interurbans and O Scale trolleys. In addition I model the Milwaukee in N scale 1949.

 

I model in OO/HO scale and On30 models run on OO gauge track. I recently purchased a bachmann spectrum gas rod shunter with kadee couplers, and you can buy NEM Kadee couplers for OO gauge stock. If you're looking to change scales, why not choose HO guage?

 

He already did change scales. I moved from modern Nscale to 1920’s HO several years ago and I love it. Cost is the main downside to change. I sometimes miss the modern stuff and possibly one day will have a second set of rolling stock to represent the present.


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Dan, That is twice the size I have available. See photo above. Good luck. Jim