HO or N...again with the question (sort of a long ramble)

You could do both... Allocate 2 walls to N, and one to HO. (Think John Allen TimeSaver.)

A couple things to think about: It takes more of everything expensive to do N scale, but longer trains may balance it out. Make the layout modular so it can be removed, and also built little by litte. An engine, a few cars and 5' of N scale track are enough to entertain you as you build more. If you want to paint human figures, I recommend HO.

Puckdr> Welp,

I made my decision the simplest way I could see (pardon the pun ) to do it. With my eyesight, I opted for HO because anything smaller, would be too difficult for me to work with.

I am doing a 10 x 10. It is around the wall and will be based on through traffic on the pennsy in NJ. The centerpiece is a passenger terminal with 4 tracks Train sheds are down a level and the city is above the curves. and trains will move out in both directions. It narrows down to two tracks where the entrance is. there are sidings for mail, REA, commisary, and through freight (coal, iced produce). Electrified with GGI s and some steam. Military stuff, as well setting 1943. It will run on a timetable and be signaled. I expect to have 6 passenger trains max running during peak passenger hours. Scenery will include Jersey Meadows and mountain ridges. Set in a Mythical city between Newark and New Brunswick. Passenger mainline will be one level of three and be somewhat automated. other 2 will be industry. Much detail to background and foreshortened buildings. Large number of city structures on 3 level with freight delivery. (switching) Steel mill and heavy industry on lower level. Using 30 x 5 foot tables as a base, have put down blueboard and am pinning track to heavy board. After it works smoothly, I will jack it up onto second level with strips of

2"blueboard. Eventually some of this will be stone or steel viaducts, other parts in tunnels.

Jim Stewart

That is the plan...I am in an apartment right now, but should be moving on in

18 months or so.

I was thinking about that last night when I went to bed. The figures aren't that bad, but if I want something like a cat walking around an alley...it is just going to look like a blob of plastic.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

Even people with good eyesight, HO is generally easier to work with...but the desire for longer trains seems to winning out....at least for this hour. :)

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

Wow...I've always thought O as a little too large for my taste...but I have always been impressed with the narrow gauge O that I have seen. Do you model a specific prototype or freelance? I have always toyed with the idea of HOn3 and modeling DSP&P.

That's about all I have done with N in the mid-80's.

So true...another thing I have noticed is that if I do N, I would like to use code 55 rail...and it seems some of the older stuff won't run on it well (flanges too large). So it would mean refitting the cars I do have with newer wheelsets, etc...

Ramble away! :) I'm known for it.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

"Ken [NY)" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Myth. Model selection in N thse days is as good as in HO. You might have to look beyond you local hobby shop to find it, though.

All scales benefit from carefully laid track, true, N track does need a little more TLC, but perfection is not a basic requirement; modern N scale track is quite forgiving, regardless of what you use. (I use Tomix sectional track; I just don't have the skills or experience to work flextrack, and besides, I don't have to solder or anything now!)

as a neophyte z scaler i've been looking at all the ads, going to trainshows and stopping in at hobby shops.

as far as i can tell n scale is close enough to parity with ho in variety and availability to make the decision one of preference. and pricing doesn't seem to be that different either.

now z on the other hand...

jtm

Probably not of interest to you, but have you considered traction? Even in S, you could get continuous running in 2' with no problem.

I can sympathize with you. I've been going through the same thing the past couple of months and I've even got less space than you have.

I've got a couple of N locos and a complete HO set and I've been trying to decide which way to go. I've even been to an N scale club looking for inspiration. They have a very nice layout.

But when I put the trains side by side, it just seems that the HO trains have more "personality". I guess that probably goes back to my Lionel days whenever I was a kid, but I just sort of lean toward the bigger trains.

My wife can sympathize with yours too! If I don't do something soon, she may change her mind about that space that she has allotted me. :)

Another thing that is tipping the scales in the direction of HO for me is that I want to be able to build my own rolling stock. I haven't been able to find any kits for N, only RTR at the hobby stores.

Now if I can just decide on a really good 4x6 track plan that will be expandable whenever we move out of this apartment....

"wade-kiki" wrote in news:fKZJc.4726$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrddc02.gnilink.net:

Yes, *then* HO may be a better option.

Ther are some N Scale kits for rolling stock (InterMountain) but most equipment is indeed RTR.

Model railroading is a hobby with many facets. Some enjoy building rolling stock, others enjoy operating trains, or creating scenery. Or other things. If building rolling stock is important to you, then HO has some obvious attractions, N is awfully small to build, paint and decal. If getting the largest track plan into the given space is important then N is a winner. I wouldn't think of it as "doing something new" but rather as making the best tradeoff of scale to create a railroad that gives you satisfaction. Personally I am a "builder" and so I am into HO. However I know and respect a lot of model rails who are operators, and favor N because it gives them more railroad to operate in the given space. Take some time to study the issues. Have you seen the John Armstrong book, "Track planning for realistic operation"? And, you cannot go wrong no matter which choice you make. You will create a satisfying model railroad in either scale.

David J. Starr

snipped-for-privacy@aol.compost (Ditch) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mb-m23.aol.com:

I have wrestled with that decision myself. For my home layout, the HO has won out, based on my old eyes, and the general debilities that begin to occur at age 50 or so. OTOH, I really don't have to pick, since my area has an active N- Trak group, and I could build a 2 by 4 foot module in N, as well as my HO. Now, how to I support two scales? Well, that's another problem.

I think you've answered it yourself. If you want to try mainline modeling, N scale will work better with your 10'-6" x 10'-6" x 2'-0" deep layout space.

I dabbled in Z about the same time I dabbled with N. They didn't have much out there except for the F unit. Nowadays, I see that Z is offering more American prototypes. I am curious to see the F59 up close.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

LOL...don't get me started. I have thought about it quite a bit and even drew up a track-plan for it. Key System is my favorite. I could do a lot if I do traction...but I think my wife will shoot me if I start talking about it again.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

That's one thing I like about HO...the size seems right and I love the detail on the stuff available today.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*

That is true. I was thinking about that today...if I wanted to do some custom painting on locos and rolling stock. HO seems like the better choice in that area.

-John

*You are nothing until you have flown a Douglas, Lockheed, Grumman or North American*