Within the past year I've suffered some setbacks to my health. My essential tremor is leaning toward Parkinson's. So obviously I can no longer handle working on N scale trains. I can't hold a pen let alone work on a N motor or detailing. I have O trains, track and some landscaping materials. I'm looking to build an around the room (approx. 10x14) layout with some semblance of the reality that I love about N modeling. I want a rural setting with some action, but no grades. Any suggestions about a landscaping transition from N to O or trackplan advice would be greatly appreciated. I am doing 3-rail (yes I know) but trying to be as realistic as I can. To add to the issues, my health is sucking most of my funds, so I am looking for cheap advice. Btw, my last layout was a takeoff on the MR Carolina Central. It was meant to be a transitional layout when I last moved, but ended up being my last N layout. Thanks for any advice!
Sorry to hear about your health issues. I wish you well with the move and understand the need. I wish I had more to say that would be helpful. But as long as you find a way to stay with trains, that is good. Take some time to think it through, and three rail is nothing to be concerned about. Take care and I wish you well with the transition.
You have my sympathies regarding your health. Working with any scale though will be difficult with the condition you are describing. My concerns would be the weight of the larger scale models and the possible weakness from the condition. N scale may be difficult to work on when vision fails... but... the lighter models should be easier to handle. The railing or re-railing N scale is a real problem though. As far as considering a track plan for that area you have... I would rather recommend that you choose On30 and utilize HO scale track. At least the radii of the track will be much less than 3 rail O scale.
Sorry to read of this, but I understand, as I am having similar troubles. My plan is to stay with N &HOn30 as long as possible, eventually going back to the Lionel of my youth. Ten by fourteen is not a bad amount of space. Perhaps this should be in our O Forum.
On30 seems to be a fairly popular choice for people who have had to switch scales to something larger. As pointed out it runs on HO track and takes less space and uses the typical O scale structures. The only things is I haven't seen is much in the way of diesel for that scale but a nice number of steam types not found in N scale.
I'm just beginning the switch from HO to On30. I have my first loco which is a Bachmann Spectrum Stearns Heisler and I'm building an O scale Case steam traction engine for a sawmill scene. I have a Boulder Valley Shay kit and log car kits on the way. I love the change to larger models. I'm using my old HO layout and track work and I will just add bigger trees and buildings. I say go for On30.
I had some On30. But it just did not get me excited. Especially with too many problems in Bachmann motive power, such as bad motors and cracking gears.
eBay eBay eBay. It's a good place to get track cheap and sometimes in bulk. Any size. If you want bulk? Just type in "Lot" after you type in what your searching for ( O scale track lot). Good luck my friend
eBay is like poker sometimes you have to wait for that good deal to come along. It usually will too just patience
