HO on an HCD? Another layout idea

[Dave V]

Not that I'm not already balls-deep in both a large home layout and a module for my club, but I still have this itch to scratch...

In 1979 my family and I flew out to Phoenix, AZ to visit some close friends who'd recently moved out there.  To a kid from the East Coast, it was magical.  I still remember Sedona like it was yesterday.  Years later we went again, and that trip included the Grand Canyon and a side trip to Jerome to see the inspiration for John Olson's Jerome & Southwestern.  We stocked up on books, including one in the prototype United Verde & Pacific.

I've always had a minor itch to model an Arizona shortline mired deep in the steam era.  You may recall my previous musings, same topic:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44146.0

But I don't see myself being in a position to do anything On30-like anytime soon.  But, the "hole" left in the spare bedroom when I sold the Juniata Division can still accommodate an HCD layout.

I'm leaning toward liquidating *all* of my N scale stuff.  I don't enjoy N scale anymore.  That would include the Colorado Midland.  If I were able to do that I might convince my wife to let me tinker in HO standard gauge, which would let me do an Arizona copper mining operation in the 20s.

The Bachmann 0-6-0T with some shorty Tichy wood and MDC steel ore cars and a drover caboose would be more than enough rolling stock.  They'd all handle the 15" radius curves that'd be necessitated by a 36"-wide hollow core door.  One side has the small mine, the other part of the smelter.  Ingots go out to the SP or AT&SF interchange.  A backdrop down the middle gives the sense of distance...





It's fun to dream...!

[DKS]

Why not stick with HO narrow gauge and do something along the lines of Chris' Mill Creek?

[Chris333]

Wouldn't Arizona copper mining in the 1920's be more like On20 or On18 and include inclines?

I know it will never happen, but I'm trying to stick with 1 or 2 scales     even then I have too much to ever finish. As much as I want On30 I'm just never happy with it.

[DKS]

I know it will never happen, but I'm trying to stick with 1 or 2 scales...

Ahhhahahahahaha!

[Dave V]

HOn30...  Yeah, that could work!

[EJN]

I'm leaning toward liquidating *all* of my N scale stuff.  I don't enjoy N scale anymore.

Mind if I ask why? I currently model in N scale due to space limitations living in a condo, but there are times
when the small size becomes an exercise in excruciating frustration. My vision is no longer what it used to be, and
my fingers seem fatter.

I am considering returning to HO, but would be extremely limited in what I could could do layout-wise
with the space I have. I am at a crossroads now.

I've considered HOn3 & HOn30, but the cost is more than I am willing to spend.

[Dave V]

Mind if I ask why? I currently model in N scale due to space limitations living in a condo, but there are times
when the small size becomes an exercise in excruciating frustration. My vision is no longer what it used to be, and
my fingers seem fatter.

I am considering returning to HO, but would be extremely limited in what I could could do layout-wise
with the space I have. I am at a crossroads now.

I've considered HOn3 & HOn30, but the cost is more than I am willing to spend.

You kind of answered your own question...  The small size got too frustrating for me.  Space and portability are finally no longer limitations for me so I went back to HOn3.  This thread was just a random thought I had...my new distraction is building an HOn3 module for SlimRail based on Eureka, CO on the Silverton Northern.  Now when I go back to tinker with N it no longer brings me the joy it used to.  Once I reacclimatized to the relative heft of HO (even HOn3...these Blackstone engines are like bricks!) and heard what can be done these days with HO scale sound, I find N scale's missing something for me.

This is not a bash on N scale.  Not at all.  When I was all-in on N, it was exactly what I needed at the time.  It let me model Pennsy in a space that could be moved from one military duty station to another.  It let me run 20-car coal drags in a ridiculously small space and still have room for dominating scenery.  There was a time when on the Model Railroader forum I was one of the loudest N scale advocates.  It "made" me as a modeler...people never knew who I was until I started working and publishing in N scale.

But my needs and desires have changed such that N scale no longer fills them.  Just a simple fact.  There's the occasional moment I muse to myself what I could have done in N scale in the 12 x 14 foot space now occupied by the Rio Grande Southern, but it doesn't take long before I remind myself why I left N scale in the first place.  People are quick to point out--incorrectly--that HOn3 isn't much bigger than N.  Well, the rails are only 6 HO scale inches farther apart, but that's as far as the comparison goes.  An 30' HOn3 boxcar is still considerably bigger than a 50' N scale boxcar, and it has HO scale details like HO scale grab irons, coupler lift bars, brake wheels, etc.  HOn3 is substantially bigger than N scale in terms of detail, and my worsening eyesight and sometimes-unsteady hands appreciate that greatly.

So, lots of words to say what boils down to "N scale just got too small for me."

[davefoxx]

I am considering returning to HO, but would be extremely limited in what I could could do layout-wise
with the space I have. I am at a crossroads now.

I've considered HOn3 & HOn30, but the cost is more than I am willing to spend.

"We are the HOers.  Resistance is futile.  Your life, as it has been, is over.  From this time forward, you will service us.  We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own."

Sincerely,
The HO Collective

[jpec]

I must have received a Bruce Banner-sized dose. I did not pass HOn30 and HO, did not collect $200 and went directly to O. Not building anything huge, just a switching layout on a 24" folding door using "retro" track I've had for years. It's the perfect foil to my N Scale excesses. I will, however, have a toe in HO. My friend, after ten years of weekly work sessions, has decided to tear down his N Scale PRR 1956 Altoona to Cresson empire (insert Iron Eyes Cody photo with streaming tear here)in favor of an HO version of the Bald Eagle Branch mainly because N Scale steam is so finicky and requires constant fiddling. I've always kept some HO stuff in a bin so eventually my '80's era Conrail local will have an occasional home.

"We are the HOers.  Resistance is futile.  Your life, as it has been, is over.  From this time forward, you will service us.  We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own."

Sincerely,
The HO Collective

[EJN]

You kind of answered your own question...  The small size got too frustrating for me.  Space and portability are finally no longer limitations for me so I went back to HOn3.  This thread was just a random thought I had...my new distraction is building an HOn3 module for SlimRail based on Eureka, CO on the Silverton Northern.  Now when I go back to tinker with N it no longer brings me the joy it used to.  Once I reacclimatized to the relative heft of HO (even HOn3...these Blackstone engines are like bricks!) and heard what can be done these days with HO scale sound, I find N scale's missing something for me.

This is not a bash on N scale.  Not at all.  When I was all-in on N, it was exactly what I needed at the time.  It let me model Pennsy in a space that could be moved from one military duty station to another.  It let me run 20-car coal drags in a ridiculously small space and still have room for dominating scenery.  There was a time when on the Model Railroader forum I was one of the loudest N scale advocates.  It "made" me as a modeler...people never knew who I was until I started working and publishing in N scale.

But my needs and desires have changed such that N scale no longer fills them.  Just a simple fact.  There's the occasional moment I muse to myself what I could have done in N scale in the 12 x 14 foot space now occupied by the Rio Grande Southern, but it doesn't take long before I remind myself why I left N scale in the first place.  People are quick to point out--incorrectly--that HOn3 isn't much bigger than N.  Well, the rails are only 6 HO scale inches farther apart, but that's as far as the comparison goes.  An 30' HOn3 boxcar is still considerably bigger than a 50' N scale boxcar, and it has HO scale details like HO scale grab irons, coupler lift bars, brake wheels, etc.  HOn3 is substantially bigger than N scale in terms of detail, and my worsening eyesight and sometimes-unsteady hands appreciate that greatly.

So, lots of words to say what boils down to "N scale just got too small for me."

Thanks for the detailed reply.