Thinking About Switching

[SeriousSam]

Now dont get me wrong. I am not planning on having any operations to change my gender, or switching teams from the Spurs to the Hornets or even switching from trains to RC cars or planes. I am, however, thinking about switching scales. I do not have a layout, nor am I planning to have one in the near future, simply because i do not own a home. I do, however, like to superdetail and weather locomotives, as some of you have seen my work. The question is, should I switch from N Scale to HO scale if all I do is work on locomotives? I do not have a lot of rolling stock, and do not really run what i have. I do like the fact, however, that 99% of whats available in N Scale is also available in HO, yet HO has so much more to offer in terms of head end power (IE: AC6000, ES44AC/DC, SD70ACe, and tons of steam locos). What do you guys think? Should I sell all my locomotives and start out fresh? Should I keep them and just start buying HO? None of the locomotives have any sentimental value, for I buy all my stuff. I do have a few brass locomotives, but its no big deal. Any suggestions?

[Russ Bellinis]

I think the larger scales like ho or even o have more going for them when it comes to super detailing equipment. N scale has the advantage of being able to get a better scenery to rolling stock ratio. If the typical boxcar is 12 or 3 feet tall in ho scale, that means our tallest mountain is only going to be 50-100 feet tall. In n scale, you can make the sort of realistic scenery that literally dwarfs the trains. You can super detail n scale, but some of the details are so small that you can't really appreciate the detail without a magnifying glass.

[Herc Driver]

Wow...that's certainly not an easy question to post a reply to...

You're right about HO scale, you can get other types of motive power that Nscale doesn't yet offer...and you can get it at superior detailing right out of the box. But you trade space to show it off. HO is more available than Nscale, but you need space. So for me, it comes down to that one requirement...how much space do you have to work with? A whole room would make the decision a no-brainer, HO would be the ticket. But if you're space limited, maybe it's better to run with Nscale. And since you wrote that you really don't have a layout thats operational, you're not exactly going to miss out trading from one scale to another. If I was in the same boat...I'd probably switch. I already had a number of Nscale loco's and rolling stock so switching to HO wasn't an option for me...but for you...the door's open for change. Hmmm...a tough choice...and why can't you have both? If you like super detailing engines, detail both! There's nothing stopping you...plus, it opens up a marketplace that right now you're not part of...you could offer both N and HO super detailed loco's and start up a super-detailing business.

[SeriousSam]

good idea herc. im not interested in starting a business. well, maybe 30 years down the line i'll sell em and retire. i could sell my entire collection of locomotives and buy myself a new car...which i really need. Russ, the scenery part is another reason why i am thinking about switching. I just dont do it at all. The only thing im worried about is being able to store my HO locomotives in the same closet as my Ns and still have enough space for my other stuff. I only take my locos out when I am going to work on one.

[Nomad]

I agree with Russ. The only person that will see detailing on n scale equipment is you. I feel that ho scale ( or bigger) is better for detailing and display.
As far as keeping what you have now, that really depends on your long term goals. If and when you build a layout, what scale will it be?

Loren

[eightyeightfan1]

Thats the reason I switched from N to HO.
I've seen pictures of super-detailed locos, and at the time(about twenty years ago), N scale was still just a novellity. Super detailing parts for N scale were'nt really available. My first super detailed loco was an Athearn BB GP-9(7). But today, with manufacturers knocking out better detailed models, its more making the loco look more like your favorite prototype engine, then super detailing. Though even now, some manufacturers offer protypical detail parts with their locos.
I fear even prototype detailing will go the way of the Blue Box.......

[nachoman]

my suggestion:

Buy a few HO locos and some rolling stock and put together a small shelf layout or a diorama or two. Keep the N-scale for now. If you like the HO, make the switch.

Kevin

[SeriousSam]

i guess most think that i should just start off on HO but keep the N just in case. Sounds like a winner to me. I will probably begin thinning my N Scale stuff and use the materials on whatever HO locos i end up with.

[60103]

If you're not running or operating, why stick to one scale? You could work in any scale that provided the loco you wanted.
One of our members decided to model just one class of locomotive; when last seen he was building a Deltic in 7 1/2" gauge, having already done OO, O and N.

[Biased turkey]

Why not build a HO scale micro-layout ? ( less than 4 square feet ) .
You'll have the best of both worlds: superdetail your engines and run them.

Micro/Small Layouts for Model Railroads

Jacques

[Triplex]

If you're not running or operating, why stick to one scale? You could work in any scale that provided the loco you wanted.

Exactly. In your situation, that would be my choice. And if you ever want a layout, you'll have equipment to get started in either scale!

[Mountain Man]

Originally Posted by SeriousSam

Now dont get me wrong. I am not planning on having any operations to change my gender, or switching teams from the Spurs to the Hornets or even switching from trains to RC cars or planes. I am, however, thinking about switching scales. I do not have a layout, nor am I planning to have one in the near future, simply because i do not own a home. I do, however, like to superdetail and weather locomotives, as some of you have seen my work. The question is, should I switch from N Scale to HO scale if all I do is work on locomotives? I do not have a lot of rolling stock, and do not really run what i have. I do like the fact, however, that 99% of whats available in N Scale is also available in HO, yet HO has so much more to offer in terms of head end power (IE: AC6000, ES44AC/DC, SD70ACe, and tons of steam locos). What do you guys think? Should I sell all my locomotives and start out fresh? Should I keep them and just start buying HO? None of the locomotives have any sentimental value, for I buy all my stuff. I do have a few brass locomotives, but its no big deal. Any suggestions?

HO seems to have the most universal popularity across the board, so it might be your best bet. Next to that, I would place ON3.

[brakie]

Food for thought-The Dark Side.

While you will not hear this song sung to many times there is a dark side to HO.
You see HO is slowly becoming to fragile to handle thanks to the small detail parts and spaghetti thin scale handrails that break at a sneeze..I have broken off small detail parts and handrails while installing KD couplers.Now if you transport these engines to and from a club for routine maintenance be prepared to find missing parts or broken handrails..I keep a supply of replacement handrails.
Sound far fetch or clumsy of me? No..This is becoming a common problem that is fixable.The manufacturers need to develop a stronger scale size handrail and to use brass details instead of small plastic details.Sunshades and handrails has the highest breakage risk.

I find my N Scale is the easiest to work on..I am yet to break a handrail.

[Mountain Man]

Originally Posted by brakie

Food for thought-The Dark Side.

While you will not hear this song sung to many times there is a dark side to HO.
You see HO is slowly becoming to fragile to handle thanks to the small detail parts and spaghetti thin scale handrails that break at a sneeze..I have broken off small detail parts and handrails while installing KD couplers.Now if you transport these engines to and from a club for routine maintenance be prepared to find missing parts or broken handrails..I keep a supply of replacement handrails.
Sound far fetch or clumsy of me? No..This is becoming a common problem that is fixable.The manufacturers need to develop a stronger scale size handrail and to use brass details instead of small plastic details.Sunshades and handrails has the highest breakage risk.

I find my N Scale is the easiest to work on..I am yet to break a handrail.

Probably because there aren't that many fine details on N-scale locos?

[rekline]

Here is my solution especially since I don't like to throw anything away (bad habit). I have been very interested in a coffee/end table layout to display and have fun with in my family room. Just a thought.