HO Scale or N Scale? How to Decide Between the two.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- #modeltrains #modelrailroad #modelrailroading #modelrailroadlayout
Welcome back everybody! Be sure to subscribe! Today we are taking a look at one of the hottest questions in model railroading. HO or N Scale. These are the two most popular scales and sometimes it's hard to figure out which one you want to use for modeling.
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
You're absolutely right, Jimmy: each scale has advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, like just about everything in the hobby, it comes down to available space and personal preference. ...Roy
I disagree with some of your points. I model in both N and HO. The issue of not being able to acquire details for N is not really true. Detail parts for engines and cars are out there, but not as readily found as in HO simply because the market is smaller and retailers tend not to stock those parts. Subscribe to one of the N scale specific magazines and you'll find a lot more N product. Switching in N dose take a lighter touch, but some aids will make it easier. If you plan your layout to be a switching layout, build it closer to your eye level so you closer to seeing the action. Increase the weight of your freight cars by 50%. This will make them more resistant to derailing as you uncouple cars. Use hidden uncoupling magnets instead of picks to uncouple cars. Placement of those magnets requires some pre-planning but keeps your too big hand off the equipment.
In both scales, move away from the paradigm of a circle of track on a 4x8 board. Railroad are linear, cut that board into one foot wide strips and plan your railroad on that. An around the room shelf layout in either scale will be far more interesting than a small layout and train chasing its tail in endless circles.
You should also consider costs. Track is roughly the same cost per foot for either scale. Scenery materials are also the same. But when you start looking at the cost to fill a certain area with railroad, the nod goes to HO. Individual cars and engines may be a bit less expensive in N, but it takes more of them to fill up your layout, no matter the shape or size. The same with buildings built from kits: N versions are slightly less expensive, but it take more of them to fill a space.
You made a great point about not making a standard 8 x 4 layout, but possibly making something like a 12 x 2.5 or something. HO may struggle to have 2 or 3 separate tracks turning depending how it’s laid out? I think I’ll do a rectangular layout as you suggested.
Hi Jimmy, I have started back in the hobby over the last year in N scale due to space constraints. I modelled HO scale when I was younger. As much as I am enjoying N Scale, I can certainly see me taking on some small HO scale projects for the detail work. Drinking Kicking Horse Coffee, 454 Horsepower. Bold and Black. Keeps me going through the day so that I can get back to the hobby desk.
Great video, Jimmy. Space was always my number one factor. My first layout in the '70s was N scale, I needed to get a large track plan on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. When I started up again, I stayed with N scale, again due to space restraints. Watching today with Black Rifle Coffee's Freedom Roast, black.
I had an HO scale train as a kid (Tyco, woo woo!) but that train is long gone. I debated internally a LONG time between HO and N, and in the end the space requirement was the thing. I want to do a fairly complex layout with two or three industries and a yard. To do that in the space I have dictates N scale. Fortunately I have a steady hand. :-)
I love the availability of products for HO even though N scale products have picked up in the last 20 years. If you have impaired vision or your dexterity is limited, I would suggest HO. If you enjoy custom scratch building, there is plenty of that in N scale. On the basis that a lot of scenery products are not produced, so if you want it, you have to build it. Awesome video on the comparisons!
I do O scale because it is fun and my grandfather also did it. I have bits of N, HO, G, S, and standard gauge. that I would also play with but I am limited on space.
BRCC w/chocolate protein drink added in is my breakfast of choice. I’m running US N Scale and considering a change. 10x12 room. Maybe a quick video on the technical details between the two scales. Eg, min radius, clearances, etc. I know all scales and run in just about any area, but if feels like there’s sweet spots where one makes more sense than another.
HO or N??? Compromise and get TT! :D :D :D
Short answer is both.
I personally model N scale but my brother models HO and I enjoy modelling dioramas in HO to showcase my work. But size definitely plays into why I have N scale. I can’t imagine having the space that I do with half as much train because they’re twice as big.
Tim Horton’s. Because it’s the best! There’s no doubt about it!
Setting at Hampton inn drinking some light brew Columbian coffee ☕ waiting to hit the Lansing Michigan train show 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃. Can't wait to see what I can find that I don't have. Posting video of it later to.
COST is a major disadvantage to both. Prices are insane compared to what they used to be. Thanks Joe...
I do BOTH, in addition to G scale. Not that I have huge layouts like John Armstrong or something...
Fairly new to model railroading, started with HO and built a 4x8 layout but quickly got bored as it felt like the train wasn’t going anywhere, just doing a figure 8. Hence have built an N scale layout at 12x6 and enjoy it much more due to the longer mainline and feeling as if the train is actually traveling to destinations across the layout going from the rural mountain side to the urban side. Also added a Kato bullet train line that can really get some speed in the bigger layout is great to see flying by the diesel industrial train to stations on each side. Energy drinks at the moment but need to cut back and switch to coffee :)
I have not been happier then when I switched to HOn30. Space has been the big problem. HOn30 doesn't give us the prototype railroading however. But even then you have to remember that narrow gauge has been utilized for many years in the real world, trains are trains in any case and I have been playing with my railroads for seventy-plus years. I never tire of it. Thank you Dave Frary.
A co-worker showed me his nscale locomotives & I was hooked-in my 40's. In my 70's it's becoming frustrating with needing to wear magnifiers to work on stock. I have too much to get rid of, so I I'll need to pay someone to do tasks I am finding too time consuming & cumbersome to perform. N scale is great at saving space. HO scale has a greater availability of products.
I Run Both Like em Both they Keep me Busy And keeps me out of those Bars.Same with my Wife is The Same And proud of her.
I have started with HO but am finding that space constraints are causing some headaches. I have large hands and was concerned about working with the smaller N scale equipment. Sure would solve my space problem. Nice to have someone who has experienced both--thx
Ok jimmy, I’m new to train tube. Not as new to model railroads though. I had HO growing up. I’m moving on to n. And here’s a main reason why…. Steve’s trains. You know him. Looking at The stuff he can do in a tiny space, he inspired me to go big. 4x8 in n scale is going to allow me to have an awesome loop to fan out on, AND switching ops. Yeah, it’s gonna be hard with the tiny couplers, but I can have way more industry in the same amount t of space. Love your channel! :-) my layout is sure to include a few of your originals!!!!!!!
@DIY and Digital Railroad I'm facing this very question. HO or N Scale. I have a lot of HO rolling stock, but it's all DC. Ironically I have more N Scale track. I want to try learning DCC, just so I can run two or more 🚆 trains at once. So I'll have to buy a lot of stuff to get my next layout started. I only have 4' × 8' area to play in. For that reason I was thinking of N Scale DCC. However the resurch I've done lately, alot of features I want such as live smoke and ABC braking and sound all in one don't seem to exist. But I'm finding these features in HO. So now I don't know if I want a layout with more track per space, or less track with all the features?
It's funny I stumbled on this video when I did. I was minutes from attempting to create a video on this subject asking for suggestions.
I wish that N scale came with as wide a variety of box cars as HO does.
I enjoy TT scale (1:120), it's a sweet spot between HO and N, what is not so sweet is the limited stock in that scale.
Seriously, I used to have an HO and a O scale at my previous house, but we moved, there’s not much room, and now, N
I have done both HO scale and N Scale. Now I have gone back to N Scale due to the small amount of space I have available for use as my hobby room.
My hobby room is 8 foot wide, by 9 foot long comprised of 2 doors (one in the south wall, and one in the east wall), as it is a room which is the common-use walk-way (walk-through), between the laundry room and the bathroom and of which now has to incorporate all of the following items.
1. A (36 inch by 79 inch), N Scale model railroad layout mounted upon a hollow-core door.
2. A 24 inch wide by 24 inch deep, by 24 inch high (12 volt DC and 120 Volt AC), home-built airbrushing spray booth.
3. An airbrush compressor.
4. An artist easel,
5. All of my art and airbrushing paint and materials and their storage cabinet, and a wall mounted paint rack.
6. A 4 foot long by 3 foot deep combination hobby / laptop computer desk, with upper shelves.
P. S.
Even my wife's craft room is bigger (18 foot long, by 10 foot wide),
As is my Daughter's Cosmetology (beauty) salon is 18 foot long, by 10 foot wide (which is right next to my hobby room).
Well, so much for being the head of the household, and being allowed the largest space for a hobby room. - Just kidding LOL :)
FYI, as usual, I'm drinking Folgers Classic-Roast Medium Dark coffee with 2 sugars and one cream as I sit here watching, and enjoying your many model railroading video's. Once again, thanks for sharing them.
Yes, I have a tendancy to watch them more than once as I almost always find something I missed the first time arouind.
Assuming you have the room/budget the largest scal possible as you'll be able to see it when you're old.
n scale because space, im the 90s i was ho scale and took up 3/4s of the basement , 9 engines and 100 cars ,
It seems incredibly difficult to find EMUs in OO or HO scale. I think I’d have to go N scale for that alone.
Never touch coffee. Had a bad experience once. I model in both HO and N for different reasons. HO is my switching layout as it is much easier to work with for that and doesn't take up a lot of space. My true love is passenger trains, though, and in my space HO just doesn't work. Thanks to Rapido, I now have almost all the passenger trains I want in N scale, so it will be bigger than the HO layout, but not by a lot. However, those passenger trains will look fantastic on curves that are 19" radius or larger in N, whereas they would struggle to run on that radius in HO.
I'm in the planning stages of an n-scale RR as I return to the hobby after many years. Formerly an HO guy, but the space constraint and detail considerations have me going for N. I have some nice space, and n-scale will give me a lot of mainline & yard activity. (Still deciding on the DCC options) I am drinking Kroger's Private Selection Ugandan medium roast whole bean. Ground fresh, French press, half-and-half with stevia/etheritol (sp?) yum! Love the channel! Can we hear more on the Digitrax vs. NCE vs. Arduino debate? I mean, you did indicate something about "kicking the hornets nest"....
The size factor is huge in your choice of scale. Back in the 1980's I tried N scale , for me it was just too small & difficult to work with . I'm happy with Ho scale but that's my own personal choice. N scale today has grown by leaps and bounds and I am thrilled to see that for the hobby in general . Each to their own and have fun with it
I do both HO and N scale....pricing is about the same for both whether it's DC/DCC or DCC with Sound
I am in the process of creating a model railroad and I am stuck on the HO-N scale. This identifies a lot of the issues I am grappling with. In addition, I am finding that N scale does not have the locos to support my era/locale. HO does, but because size is an issue, I will have to compromise in other areas. Every time I think I have made a decision, I come across something that muddies the brain. :-(
Lol. That sounds like life, in general.😅
I started with n scale but I moved to ho
Simple: BOTH! Lionel O too😂
Hahaha, you're misleaded! We all know it's o scale or no scale! Jk, this was a really interesting watch.
Im renovating my hoise so I would get extra room with 4,5x4m I think thats 15x13 foot? I still cant decide is it enough space for HO scale? I would love to have more detailed and immersive scenery.
Great conversation starter. I model in N scale for the space reason, I want to get as much scenery and long running trains as possible. As I get older HO is starting to look more appealing but I think I will put switching off until retirement. ;) For coffee - drinking whatever K-cup I happen to grab at the moment. LOL
I'd say skip HO and O and go up to G when you eventually get to the point where N is too small. HO prices are getting up there anyway, O prices are _already_ up there, and G is surprisingly space-efficient since it was designed specifically with narrow gauge equipment in mind.
My take is HO scale if your starting out. N can be tag$ .saying that we have started buy G lol. Tim's just milk. Enjoyed as always🚂🚃🚃🚃🇨🇦
My answer: neither scale. Go with TT (1/120) Scale, it is easier to work with than N, and can fit more in the same space as HO.
TT is starting to come back in the USA-slowly. Check out Rob Dikken of Zeuke TT & look at some of the American rolling stock he offers.
I've been pondering switching to N lately because my HO collection has been boxed up since I moved into my current place due to space constraints, it would sadden me greatly to get rid of it, but the Trains do me no good boxed up and at least with N, I could build a decent, yet "stowable" layout
I got both N scale and HO scale even O scale.
presenting NHO scale
I like N scale and my brother likes HO scale so get the best of both. I have always liked small. One day will do Z scale.
GOD BLESS 🚂🚂🚂🚂
I wish TT scale was more popular, it seems a very good compromise between N and H0!
Having italian coffee Lavazza Qualità Rossa prepared with a moka machine.
The reason TT more or less died is because it didn't really make sense once N became popular. N is easier to fit in a compact space, HO gives better detail, so there's not much going for TT besides "not being quite as fiddly as N scale", and with recent advancements with N scale the fiddlyness isn't nearly as much of an issue anymore.
how can I make an HO scale sand quarry. any suggestions? I want trucks able to climb out of the quarry.
I've honestly primarily been a G guy. I've found that G scale is super-reliable, super-rugged, and counterintuitively a really good bang for your buck. Sure, unit prices are much higher than either HO or N (though the gap's starting to close - an N-scale Bachmann 4-8-2 Light Mountain with DCC and Sound costs as much as a G-scale LGB Chloe or Field Railway Steam Locomotive), but for an equivalent sized layout you're buying a lot less equipment - less track, less rolling stock, and definitely less motive power - so the costs just don't pile up as much over time. Maintenance is less too since everything is sealed and runs on bearings.
I have worked with both HO and N in the past as well, though, and while a few years ago I would have recommended HO, I now actually side with N on the grounds that you can get more into less space and the quality of the equipment is now on-par.
I'm going to mention my thoughts on O as well... honestly I can't group "toy" style O-27 and scale O together, they're completely different animals.
O-27 is definitely more of a nostalgic, collector's and "lets play trains" side of things. Just to clarify, I mean that in a good way, not the "militant rivet counter" way. It's a great way to go big in a very small space.
Scale O... is a dying scale. The problem is that not only are the minimum radius and layout size requirements ridiculous, but it doesn't even have the unit price advantage over the much more practical G-scale anymore. Heck, in some cases O-scale prices are comparable to 7.5" gauge rideable "miniature" trains _for equivalent models_ (particularly with the bigger diesels), and if you have the space you can definitely build a 7.5" gauge backyard railway that can actually be ridden and used to transport goods for less than a viable scale O layout. It's getting ridiculous. MTH has flat-out bowed out of the market, and I don't blame them. If O as a whole is going to thrive, it's going to be in the form of O-27 and in narrow gauge.
O narrow gauge is yet another completely different set of beasts, because On3 is niche due to track availability but On30 is relatively accessible due to running on HO gauge track. Honestly, both can be looked at more like HO than O since their space and minimum radius requirements are more like HO. Great if you want something a bit bigger equipment-wise than HO, with lots of nice detail, but without the ridiculous space requirements of scale O.
Coffee... either the local CREDO coffee shop on the ground floor of my apartment or a Japanese canned coffee from the fridge.
How about HOn3? Is that a compromise?
One of the biggest advantages of N scale for me is if you want a loop around your room, you can do a dogbone type and avoid having a lift out or a gate at the room entrance. Scratch building is way harder in N scale then HO at least in my experience. Can't decide, try a small diorama in both scales. Then decide.
Oh man, this is an easy one ! Unless you have money to burn, for the MOST part stay away from the overpriced HO scale. Yea I know there are n-scale items out there that are becoming they way also. The real smart thing to do is, put your money somewhere else! 👽
I too have asked this question. Once sold most of my HO gear to go N. Soon regretted it. I do love both so I have replenished my HO stash. My solution: ( I have plenty of basement space so room is not a problem.) I am going to incorporate a slightly elevated area at the end of my HO layout to build my N city and track. It will be a " Forced Perspective" as in Diorama modeling. So the smaller buildings, scenery and trains should look as if they are farther away...if I do it right. Hopefully! Has anyone out there done this successfully?
Yes N you can on the classic 4x8 sheet of plywood. But HO is really the perfect scale. It’s small enough to still handle and work on no problem but also big enough to still see the details on N you really have to get up close too see detail it’s there but HO just opens the scale up a little more. Especially when you come to decorating the layout with scenery and buildings HO shines.
My wife and I have N and HO. For the most part I am N scale. One other consideration is cost. N scale is often as, if not more, expensive than HO. But for me, space was a major consideration. Further my mother really liked N and as silly as it is, it pleases me to model in N in memory of her.
I model HO Scale. Why? 1) Its the scale my dad modeled and I inherited all his stuff. 2) Its what the local club models and I wanted to bring my trains to their layout 3) Its easier to find the road names I want to model in HO Scale than any other scale. I wanted to model O Scale but I did not have the room. I thought about N Scale to save even more space but my reasons for HO scale won over a smaller footprint.
This choice is easy-peasy. The answer is "FINESCALE S." Not HO, and not N.
Not American Flyer, not S "hi-Rail," but "FINESCALE S," using code 100 rail or less, using NMRA/NASG "Finescale" track and wheel standards, and with large number switches - #8s, #10s, and #12s and up. Of course the best way to do this is modular or sectional--that way you can have broad curves, and take your layout on the road, like to Train Shows, and show off this best and most perfect scale!
Come and see me, and then you can really show your viewers something to drink coffee about. Wish they'd let us post photos here in the comments. Detailing in "S" is great, as is scratch-building, besides the math is very easy in S or 1:64 scale. My collection is a mix of brass imports, RTR, "shake the box" kits, "craftsman" resin and wood kits, and many scratch built items, along with a few kit bash items. I also scratch build in all media: brass, styrene, wood, and card stock.
I've been running DCC, but I'm in the process of converting my 30+ steam and early diesel locos to battery power with "Blunami" decoders. No track power required, and therefore no expensive DCC system is required. Just a free app on your iPhone or Android to run trains via Bluetooth, with all the features and bells and whistles (literally and figuratively) of DCC. The difference in price between a Blunami decoder and a normal Tsunami decoder is approximately the same cost as a current keeper, which is pretty much a requirement for track-power DCC, but obviously no current keeper is needed with battery power and Blunami. So in the end, it is cheaper because no expensive DCC system is required, and you don't have complex track wiring either. So long Digitrax, so long Lenz. Woof!
Do a TH-cam search for this video title: ""S" Scale in Fine Scale - John Pratt's Wonderful Scratch Built S Scale Model Trains", and you can start to get an idea. Dale Angell has also done other videos and other video segments on my trains.
In short, choose the best scale, and don't be a slave to popularity contests! Come and see me, and see for yourself. Besides, N scale (my late wife's favorite actually) looks like little cockroaches going down the track. I can't even see them, and working on them is not fun. And HO? Come on, everyone and his cat does HO. --- John.
Ahhhh 😱 I wish they had a ripping your hair out emoji hahaha. I've watched sooo many videos and I still can't decided which scale (N or HO) to go with I love the size, train detail and building/vehicle detail of HO but I'm looking to do and 8x8 layout and I definitely want to do 2 or 3 switching industries along with mountains and a lake with a river that needs a bridge. So with all of that I feel like N scale would work better. BUTTTT the vehicles in N scale all look like cheap plastic toys and I'm really big in having them look current and realistic especially the semis (as I'm a semi driver so having them look real is important to me). If anyone see this rant I would love to hear some opinions on what direction to go and why. If you read all of that thanks for your time and any info you can share 😇.
Digital uncoupling is both available in N and HO scale... Switching operations are very good with digital uncouplers. Also, from my experience, uncoupler tracks (both remote and manual) work better with N scale compared to HO.
The main drawback of N scale is the cost... Overall it is way higher than HO scale. More and complex scenery = higher costs. Also, track layouts tend to be more expensive in N scale, at least from the European manufactures.
The main advantage of the N scale is the space.
One of the things that you should of mentioned in this space issue is curve radius also determines your satisfaction in the hobby. For example a Big Boy Steamer versus a 2-6-0 or a 4 axle diesel. Either scale it makes a difference when it comes down to the space available.
For myself I modeled in N scale for over 30 years. I started a N-Trak club that grew to be a huge East Coast club. I did a lot of N-Trak shows at shopping malls. I amassed a huge collection of N scale that focused on the Billboard reefer period. Focusing on an era kept it manageable and costs down. I also tried to focus on the West Coast and particularly the Southern Pacific Railroad. Build dates on cars became important including carrying a list of my own inventory to shows so I would not buy the same reefer or wood side car again and again. Eventually the count grew to over 400 cars.
So, what happened? My eyes aged to the point of needing to use a magnifying glass to read some of the print on the cars. Road numbers were no longer visible as cars ran down the tracks. So, I can have multiples of the same road number as I can't see it. My biggest complaint was the rail joiners that would often get stuck in my fingers and thumbs!
In my late 50s I stumble across a photo on the Internet and started reading about a railroad called the Morenci Southern Railway in SE Arizona. The narrow gauge bug bit. So, now I am active in On30. Porters are cute, but I'm running 2-8-0 C-16 Baldwins. The only manufacturer that produced C-16s in On30 was Broadway Limited Imports. BLI released those around 2004 and it was the only On30 release from BLI. Maybe you have seen the green and red Christmas steamers on eBay. BLI also released Black un-decorated C-16s, Colorado schemes and some in the Bumblebee scheme. The C-16s are DCC with sound or DC sound equipped. The motors run smooth, but the electronics are 17 years old and only one sound at a time can play. So, I am gutting the electronics to install Sountraxx Tsunami 2200 steam decoders, new speakers, and current keepers. I also use Nano Oils to service the gears and rotating parts. I end up with a very smooth running loco with modern DCC and sound. There is no gear whine from the brass gears.
Of course everything is 1:48th scale. Even buildings take up a lot of space. An O scale building takes up 4 times the space of an HO building. So, one must plan carefully within the space one has. I think that the larger the space one has the more one tends to cram in more railroad, which can lead to nothing ever being completed. Some of the smaller space model railroads are a lot more detailed and completed. One thing I do not miss from N scale modeling is the rail joiners in On30 (PECO HO code 100) are not jamming deeply into my fingers. No more band aids!
You Start either Way you want. When I started In Ho It was A Single 4x8 then Moved Didn’t bring the Table Then Moved up And Didn’t Have a Layout Later in Life Dad and I Went To a Hardware Store Bought 3 4x8’s wow Did that Look Huge then Dad Bought me Some Trains then I was hooked then I got Married Then I Got Married she Got into Model Rail Roading she Started in Ho Then We had Ho Then we Started to get Into N Scale So Now we Have Ho And N Scale And Proud of Both Scales.
For me it's my eyes, working on HO scale I still need clip on magnifying glass lenses to see what I'm doing, with N scale I could enjoy watching trains run but working on them would not work very well at all. That said grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, because some sets just are not affordable (due to rarity?) in HO scale, e.g. Hiawatha can be gotten fairly easily from Kato at N scale, but at HO I think only Walthers made it and it was a limited run and well whenever companies start doing that "limited" stuff it means it will get expensive if you don't notice it years later, and don't get me started on Shinkansen trains, Kato = great, plenty of options, somewhat affordable, only N-scale, HO-scale... well there's one or two uglier ones that again are really expensive because "Americans don't want that" or something.
Something else to consider: I have vintage o scale, I can not run my trains at night due to the noise. This can be one of the biggest reasons you would go to n or ho. BTW: dunkin extra light with 1 sugar. Thanks for some great vids!
I am planning a model railroad and this is my main question for myself. So I think I am picking HO.
N is for artists and O is for engineers, HO is for those who want to be both or can't make up their mind. You can leave off more detail off in N without it being noticed, say anything smaller than about 2" in reality (that's about 0.15mm in N).
Thanks for this comparison video. I believe you hit all the points you need to consider when choosing your scale. Great job! Keep these videos coming. Choo Choo Eddie 🚂🚂🇺🇸🇺🇸
Just found your channel and love it. I have been wanting to get into building a layout but can't seem to decide on what kind of layout. I am really drawn to passenger trains and was curious if there is a particular company that has a better selection of passenger trains and maybe even putting a subway or elevated line with it. I think I want to run N scale but HO is a close second. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
I bought N gauge and my conclusion is it is impossible to work with because it is too small. I ended up giving it away. The track joiners are microscopic, the train wheels are so small its nearly impossible to line them up with the track. Had a lifetime with model planes and boats etc., but really found the N gauge stupid small.
I got back in the hobbie I’ve been just frustrated with n scale it has not been a pleasant experience. Derailments city I regret n scale
For me N is more exciting. You get pretty much everything you get with HO such as sound, lights etc. But it is more exciting to see small train with flashing tiny headlights running in and out of tunnels and over high bridges etc.. Little fairytale.
On N scale you start to reduce more details. In H0 some modellers are weathering their rolling stock and buildings. N scalers do this less often. My preference would be H0 and I want to see all the bents and rust cars and locos do have after 15 years in service.
For me, I prefer N scale over HO. It is really about the space you have available. Imho, N scale rolling stock seems more detailed than HO.
Never was a fan of either. Only small scale I do is British OO because I can’t get British O gauge engines. Otherwise I collect O gauge, not “scale” because it gets set up on the floor every once in a while because it’s a train set, a toy. That’s my view.
Comparing HO and N to me is like comparing O and HO or maybe even G and O
Yes, but you are the i#$%t that spoke of 1:1 scale modeling so anything you you have to say is skeptical!
With N and HO what size of space would you recommend? Thank you for this it was so helpful!
Ive had N scale steam engines have piston rods brake cause they got a piece of hair in it, never had it happen in HO scale
Maybe it's just me but I think a scale between N and HO would be amazing. N scale here for space requirements but unfortunately the rolling stock is not easy to find for the time period I'm trying to model (1900-1914). Drinking Tim Hortons original.
There is! Its called TT scale.
@@bigbake132 yeah I just saw that. Too bad it's not really supported in the US. Thanks.
O scale
The deciding factor for me is the very limited space I have in a studio apartment.
how is the community coffee? i keep seeing it on Amazon, its a bit more than ..average . ive yet to try it
HO is small but manageable. I think N is too small for much detail and is harder to build customs with
In my case Santa decided for me, N. My granpa did HO . But me with 5 brothers N
I am there myself, Marklin HO or Fleischmann/Trix N scale.
I've always liked watching N scale trains in action but I'm an HO guy.
I believe HO is at the pinacle while N scale is up and coming and represents the future.
neither. they are toys, not models. G and O scales are models.
Cappuccino and I have American fire
Also N scale is more expensive than HO. Learned that the hard way.
I start off with O gauge but now I am switching over to Ho scale.
N SCALE, cause I've been in N scale for 50 years !
Hey Jimmy I know this is t the right video to comment but I'd like to get your attention . The DCC ++ video is great but one of the links for parts doesn't work any longer. I would like to use your suggestions for my system. Thanks for your help.
Meh, both are too small. I model in O scale narrow gauge
Slightly less popular? HO has 2/3 of the entire market. N has 10% of the remainder. Having said that, I'm coming down to the smaller scales from O and S scales because they are dying off and the future is not very bright. HO is my least favorite scale even though on paper it is a better choice for me. As a steam fan HO is a better choice by a factor of 100x. There is something really attractive about N scale though. I'll probably do both at the end of the day. S scale is the "Perfect" size IMHO. HO and S should be swapped in the market, but that didn't happen. HO is not big enough to be "big" and not small enough to be "small". Unfortunately most people like HO better. I'm going to have to join the crowd reluctantly...
I haven't even started on clearing out the basement so I can build and I've spent way too much on track and locos. BUT, I am at a point where I have all (well almost all) the locos I need and will only buy track when I can get it dirt cheap. SO now I need to get busy on the basement and start building. Then reset my budget so I don't go overboard again.
I'm drinking Sumatra Lintong Coffee I ordered overseas at The Kent Tea and Coffee Trading Company.
I'm debating changing from N scale to HO scale simply because the variety is larger in HO scale. I have come to like the BCOL cowls and CN cowls but no luck finding any in N scale, I've also come to like the CN and BCOL Dash 9 CWLs and the same problem occurs. I can't find them in N scale. Though I do not have the space for an HO scale layout I don't have the room for an N scale layout either. I have come up with and Idea for a project in the future to pursue, I was thinking of doing CN MacMillan Yard to CN East London or even more if I have the room (CN Halton, Oakville, Dundas and maybe parts of the Strathroy and Chatham Subdivision). Right now it's quite far fetched and I know it will cost a lot of money, but I hope to join the army and then the railroad two well paying jobs and good pensions. This idea is still being considered and processed but I hope I can go forward with this plan.
My dad and I chose N scale. While my mom chose HO.
What kind of coffee do I drink? Bud Ice. At night.
I´m N scale modeler because my dad started in his youth in this scale, i started with vintage arnold rapido and Atlas/Bachmann, specially i have a childhood love with the southern pacific GP40 in Yellow/Red
I went from HO to N scale. Unfortunately I found N scale too small to work with. So went back to HO. yes, it takes up so much room that I've gone for an ambitious around the ceiling layout.
so glad HoN30 modellers dont have this issue
Why not both? And consider modeling dioramas, modules and smaller layouts. This can allow for the flexibility between modeling for detail and modeling for more track. Thanks Jimmy, now for more coffee...and trains.
I use ho because I just let it run around the floor all over my house
It was such a hard decision, so I decided to become a bi-scaler! I do N Scale and Ho Scale! Eventually I want to incorporate both scales, in a perspective railroad layout! I've already got matching Great Northern GP9s and Santa Fe F7s, in both scales! Eventually I want to custom paint a GP35 or GP40, to replicate the Puget Sound & Pacific engines, I see locally. (PS&P is owned by Genesee & Wyoming, so it shares paint schemes with Indiana & Ohio ((I&O)), San Diego & Imperial Valley ((SD&IV)), and at least one line in the New England area). I love cars, trains, planes, and ships!
How I decided which one to go with was....just get both ;) Got so many options here in Japan.