Have any of you thought about going to the dark side?

[jdcolombo]

For me, the scale selection (N) followed from what I wanted to do and the room I had to do it in.  Modeling the NKP meant that I wanted to see Berkshires with realistic-length trains (25-30 cars, at least) barreling down the single-track mainline between towns.  I can only do that with N scale given the space I have (basement room, 30' x' 14').

If I had a basement twice as large, I probably would have gone with HO - although N scale is better these days in terms of model availability, it still pretty much sucks in comparison to HO.  No FM H10-44 or H12-44 switchers for us in N, for example.  We may finally get a decent Hudson from Bachmann, but given that it is Bachmann, the jury will be out until it actually arrives.  Small steam in N suffers from a lack of weight and good electrical pickup.  Ditto for small switchers, although we're doing better on that front.  And then there is the problem that if you want your N scale layout to operate as well as a good HO one, you have to be 10 times as careful about everything - trackwork, cleanliness, wheel/coupler standards for rolling stock, etc.  It's just a lot harder in N - even though I've done it, more or less.

But I live where I live; I want what I want in terms of modeling priorities.  So N it is, and shall be until death do us part.

John C.

[JMaurer1]

Back in the 1980's I started in HO scale, even was a member of a SF bay area club but after years of HO, club politics, the ability to model so much more in the same space, and the lack of 'rivet counters' convinced me to change to N. Since that time highly detailed HO models and cheaper SP specific steam has tempted me, but never enough to go back.

[dougnelson]

I have been known to associate with HO guys in the PRRT&HS (some may even be lurking here).  Your choice of scale certainly depends on your goals.  My goal for the last 15 years or so has been prototype modeling.  Most prototype modelers including the RPM crowd are in HO.  When I think about it, there seems little challenge in HO because the only limit is generally your wallet.  Although I do chuckle with several PRR N scale items that the HO guys do not have.  Prototype modeling in N scale is certainly more of a challenge, but that is part of the fun.  If I were starting out, I would definitely consider HO, but given what I know now, I am very happy with my choice of N scale, particularly on the lower space needs and being generally less expensive than HO for top quality equipment. 

[nuno81291]

Grew up with HO. Fell out of it when my dreams were way beyond my dollars. Got back into it at the end of college and went to N scale for the size purposes. Really loved N scale but had no end of frustrations getting anything I wanted to work reliably. After about 5 years of that I built a tiny HO switching layout, and was hooked. I now have a larger space and a sizable layout (12x24 with peninsula). I do not regret the move, as operating in N for me is not nearly as enjoyable. I have a much easier time handling rolling stock, switching, maintaining etc. I wanted this space to be a close replica of the Claremont and concord in N but For the life of my I could not get those 44tonners to be reliable. I still appreciate N, and am hoarding and building structures for a European alps based display.

[Cameron_Talley]

I've been in N Scale since I was 10 years old.  I can't imagine doing any other scale.  Sure, I admit to being jealous of some of the equipment available in HO, but at the end of the day for whatever reason HO just always looks "off" to me.  I can appreciate the skills and modeling of those that do HO, I just don't think it's for me.  Maybe some of that is prejudice--I don't know.  When I started in N scale I was just a kid in the local model railroad club that was surrounded by other adults.  The other N scale guys were always very warm and welcoming to me, but the HO guys always looked down on me.  N wasn't a "real" scale to them. 

Weirdly, I don't have this hangup about any other scales.  We had LGB stuff before I got into N scale, and I've been eying an On30 set for years.  It's just HO.

[mcjaco]

Grew up with HO, and built multiple layouts and modules with my Dad.  Most of my stuff is still being used by him fairly regularly.  I shudder at the thought of going through all it at some point.  I had more than 100 locos.

When I moved to N, it was more due to space, and seeing Modutrak.  I wanted to also challenge myself in a smaller scale.  A neighbor had a small N scale layout when I was a kid, and I was always fascinated by the scale.  Seemed like a no brainer. 

Sadly, with my kids getting into year round sports, etc, I just don't have time for any modeling now.  The N scale stuff has been boxed up and put away, only to come out for under the Christmas tree, much like my Dad's Globe, Varney, and RDC kits did when I was my boy's age.  History cycles around, I guess.

I've always been intrigued with On30, and that will be likely my next move.  My eyes are failing me and seeing stuff in N to the degree I want to frustrates me when I'm trying to detail like I could. 

[Rivet Miscounter]

Yes.     (I already responded to txronharris about this via email, but figured I'd join in the fun here too...)

If HO is the dark side, I did the equivalent of following the exploded Death Star remnants into a black hole....I went from N to Z.  While there was some method to that madness, a big part of it was just how you stated it...I was thinking about it, and then it happened.

If you want to know if I would consider HO....absolutely.   For years I've resisted HO, partly because I was in N and it just seemed like I should.   I will likely transition back to either N or HO when I approach retirement age (15 years or so) and HO probably has a slight lead at this point.   And if my situation changes to where space is suddenly plentiful, that might happen sooner, who knows.

I will say this...if you're remotely on the fence, don't do it.   Because you're right....selling off everything is a kick in the head.   

[NorsemanJack]

Nope.
4)  Just got eyes fixed and I think I'm good until I get boxed and shipped.

Cataract surgery?

[mplsjct]

I really wish there was an equivalent to Funaro and Camerlengo in n scale.

I’ll second this

[CRI]

I started in HO, then went to N about 15 years ago, then sold off everything and went back to HO and just recently sold all the HO stuff and came back to N and that is it.  HO is fantastic for selection but you need room to run longer trains.  N scale gives me enough space to create decent trains and good detail.  I also got a 3D printer to assist with creating buildings and such that they do not make in N scale.  I already printed a fire station, designed a printed a Dollar General as well.

[johnb]

Cataract surgery?

no Cataract, I drive a Rincoln Conterentral

[CRL]

 

[Virginia Atlantic]

If I ever come back to non 1:1 scale trains, it'd almost assuredly be to HO, Not N.

[csxnscaler]

I went from HO to N because it allowed me to do more in the same amount of space, have no regrets.

[robert3985]

I’m at a crossroads. About to be able to start a layout and have a decent 9’x9’ L shape to work with.

But I’m thinking of changing scale from N to HO.

No other reason than just thought about it. Yes I know I have more to work with in NScale. Yes my leaning towards prototypical ops and switching can be done in both very well. But the drawback of selling off years of N scale and starting over seem to maybe outweigh and reason to switch. I can probably fund the whole swap with selling off everything, but thats a kick in the head.

So on the fence. Any advice? Anyone done it then came back to N? Just rambling here.

As for myself, I've never considered going back to HO since jumping into N-scale back in the late '70's.  I still have some HO stuff, but mostly of models that have never been made in N-scales, such as my two HO CA-1's, which I've superdetailed and use as references for my N-scale kitbashes.

Although I've done a lot of custom modeling for customers in HO and O, and the level of detail that can be done in either scale far exceeds what can be practically done in N-scale, I get more satisfaction from doing my own custom work in N-scale, even though all the bolt-heads and rivets aren't there.

What does it for me is N-scale's Scenery-to-Track-Ratio, which is there from the smallest N-scale layout, to the largest...but much more prominently when building larger N-scale layouts that occupy the same space as HO scale layouts.  If I were merely near-sighted in order to only count rivets, I would definitely go with a larger scale, but...seeing my well-detailed trains run through scenery and structures that are near scale-sized (at least close to the track) in wide and long LDE's (3' wide maximum by a minimum of 12' long) allows me to enjoy both close-up viewing/operation as well as standing back and getting the feeling I'm looking at a "real" scene....which simply is not achievable in larger scales considering the average human's arm length and eye-lens focal length.

The recent purchase of a quality 3D resin printer will allow me to both improve the quality and volume of my custom work and kitbashes in N-scale, and is ideal for N-scale, but not for HO models that are eight times the volume of N-scale models.

So, I have, and have had NO DESIRE whatsoever to model seriously in a larger scale, and as my eyes get older, tri-focals and Optivisors compensate really well for the physical eyeball impairments.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore