HO Versus N : Pros and Cons / Switching versus Loop

[StrasburgNut]

I am intending to do an N Scale layout, however, I am not opposed to doing HO scale. Due to space, I wanted to do N scale to accomodate a mainline that loops around the layout, in addition to some switching. With HO, I could only do switching. The shape of the layout is a very tall "C" or two L's put together and the tops of the L's will touch. It will measure 13' by 6' and each leg will have about a 30" depth, possibly 34"-36" depth.

Could I please have some thoughts on the pros and cons of each scale?


N Scale Pros: Long trains,
more miles of track.

N Scale Cons: You have to be really precise when laying track.
Items are very small to work with.
Costs more.

HO Scale Pros: Easier to work with
A larger selection

HO Scale Cons: Less miles of track



Also, how much more fun are switching layouts as compared to switching and loop layouts combined?

 

[SpaceMouse]

The questions you are asking are purely personal choice. The variety in N Scale is very good now. You will have to do good trackwork no matter which scale you pick.

I decided on HO scale because I like painting figures and creating scenes. HO is small enough. You can't see the detail work on N scale figures even if I could paint them.

As for switching vs continuous running, that too is purely personal preference. There are some guys that like to sit back pop a beer and watch trains run laps. Others like to feel like they are doing something and create switching layouts with car cards and way bills and think out switching strategies.

I'm building a switching layout right now, but my basement layout (smaller space than you have) is continuous run (and a lot of switching.)

Make sure in either case you have room for staging. Staging increases your operational variety many fold. If you need an explanation, see my article What is Staging and Why do I need it?

 

[pcarrell]

Well, as Chip alluded to, this is a real can of worms! It's really a personal thing, like he said.

Chip is an HOer at heart, who took a brief (all too brief, we N scalers would've done well to have him flying out flag!) foray into N scale. I grew up an HOer, but switched to N back in the 1980's, so we have slightly different takes on things.

He's right that there is a diminished level of detail in N vs. HO, but that also has advantages. I can portray what looks to be a very detailed scene without sweating every single nuance of a scene (can you read the print on the newspaper thats in the gutter on Vine St.?). Also, I can model a vast scene that realistically dwarfs the train, such as a 2' tall mountain that actually looks right with a tunnel in it, or a 18" wide shelf that realistically portrays the rolling pastures of western Pennsylvania. Add to that the fact that a 20"r curve is considered most generous in N scale and a good size building only takes up 6" or so and you can see that there are benefits to N.

On the down side, N scale can be tough to get DCC decoders into sometimes, and sound is only now becomming a reality. Also, due to N scales size, weight is limited and therefore so is pulling power. Good small steam is also a hurdle for N scale, though it has been done. And you touched on another issue.....price. N scale certainly can be expensive, but so can HO. Thing is, item per item N scale can be just as cost effective as HO. The real difference is in the fact that in N scale you can have more cars and loco's in a given space, so thats where it can be more expensive. In other words, in HO you could fill a yard with 25 $8 cars and you're done. In N scale in the same space you can not only fit more yard tracks, but each car is smaller, so you may fit 70 $8 cars in the same area. Thats where the price will go up, not so much in the item-to-item pricing (it doesn't have to anyways). For example, I buy brand new, top quality N scale steam on the internet all day long for $50-$60. Thats very comarable to HO.

Good trackwork is a must for any scale, but you're right in that N scale is less tolerant of sloppy work. That isn't going to be an issue for you though since you're going to do it correctly the first time, right?

Now, HO has some real advantages going for it too. You can really detail a scene out and it looks awesome when you're done in HO scale. Also, if you can imagine it, it's probably available in HO. Loco's, cars, figures, buildings, HO has the largest selection for sure. Because it is the most popular scale it also has the largest support network.

On the down side, everything takes up more room, and sometimes space is at a premium.

In the end, it's really a personal choice.

If I were you I'd visit a few clubs with different scales, and a few hobby shops, and get my hands on both scales. One of them will "speak" to you. When it does, thats probably the scale for you.

 

[UP2CSX]

The bigest con for you in HO is that your depth just isn't enough to get any kind of reasonable loop. Even with 36" depth, you aren't realistically going to be able to have more than about a 17" radius loop. You'll be severely limited in the types of locomotives and rolling stock you can run with a curve that sharp. All the other member's thoughts on HO vs N I agree with but, if you choose HO, you really should stick with a point to point layout if you want to ever run anything bigger than a GP-9 and 40 foot rolling stock.

 

[grove den]

Just the same as Philip! well written ...I couldn't written it better( actualy I cannot =( )
Above all: like almost we all know/write/tell/say:

In the end, it's really a personal choice.

Jos (Nscaler by hart)

add a picture of a HO?/Nscale? layout......
details enough!!

 

[StrasburgNut]

Thanks to both of you for responding with some very wise advice. When I grew up, all I knew were circles and ovals and the like. I am always up for learning something new. But for switching, I know I would have convert to the magnetic couplers, and that will take time and money (doesn't everything?) . That is why I want a double mainline for a nice freight consist to travel about while I am converting and adding scenery.

But now I am leaning toward HO as there is such a bigger selection. I want to do a fictional shortline (steam and diesel) just off of the Pennsylvania Railroad, so I want to have Pennsy locos and rolling stock. When I do an on-line search for Pennsy items for N scale versus HO, I see a lot more HO.

Given the dimensions I provided earlier, I think I can do a really decent HO switching layout. Now to decide... (I am sure I will change my mind at least a dozen more times until I build it).

And yes, I will be very neat with the trackwork. I know that upfront.

(I think I hear the N scale calling me though)

 

[pcarrell]

Thank you Jos!



And Strasburgnut, if you want to see some very well done N scale Pennsy stuff, check out Dave Vollmers N scale door layout: http://kc.pennsyrr.com/layouts/dvollmer/

You're right, Pennsy stuff in N is limited, but as you can see, you can do a nice job of it if you really want to.

 

[SpaceMouse]

There are a ton of resources if you want to run Pennsy. Bowser, is pretty much a Pennsy specialty line in HO.

 

[StrasburgNut]

SpaceMouse,

They do have a lot of nice stuff. I will check it out further when I get closer to building the bench work. I am still leaning toward N scale (95% lock). I can see a really nice mainline and a heck-uva switching and staging portion, especially with a 13' stretch about 30" to 36" deep.

 

[chimmike]

I'm doing N-scale because of the sheer amount of track I can place on a 4x8 table, have dual mains, and a large yard/industry, as well as staging, and it not look crowded!

So, just gotta buy the rest of the track I need, and various switches and stuff. Gonna try to set up an infrared signal system too, just for fun

Go N scale!

 

[Selector]

This is where the modeller must sit down with pen and paper and draw up a list of absolutes...if there really are any. Is the loop function, so that you can chat with guests while your engine hauls its train endlessly around a circle route important, or would the drop-dead issue be an interesting and involved switching and industrial layout plan? Do you have a strong hankering for lots of greenery and trees, with the expanses that they will fill and provide? What about photography...will the green vistas every be important or missed? How much room will you want around the layout for the way you hope to manage it, either alone or with one or two guest operators?

These types of questions will quickly orient you toward a resolution. As the other sages have opined, and not at all improperly, the choice is strictly personal. It will get unpleasantly personal if you fail to do a detailed analysis of your requirements and to then take them into account in your track plan.

Bottom line is that N scale gives you more freedom with respect to your track plan in a given space if you want both types of operations in the same footprint. It is also more challenging for many people, particularly as they age, to see the scale items well, to handle them, and to maintain the works, which understandably impacts on enjoyment and longevity in the scale.

On the other hand, HO scale currently enjoys more RTR stuff to use, and it is easier to discern details. It is easier to manipulate. Unfortunately, it also requires a lot more room if you want to transfer that nice N scale trackplan onto an HO surface.

If you are young still, with good eyes and steady nimble hands, by all means enjoy the benefits of N while you can...they are truly substantial and getting better all the time. If, on the other hand, you are an aging male as I am, you will be well advised to cut your losses and concentrate on doing the best you can in HO, or don't even discount S scale or On30.

You may do very well in N now, but as you go along, take notes and think often of what you would need in order to be happy when you find you must make the jump up in scale. That way, when the time comes, you will have most of a plan ready on which to capitalize, and should find yourself out of running trains for only a couple of weeks or so while you tear down and rebuild.

Just my musings on the theme.

 

[StrasburgNut]

To All,

Thank you for the very valuable advice you have all shared. I am glad that there is a medium where people with the same interests can convey ideas, as and answer questions as well as pass on true experience. You have all brought up very good points and ideas. Like I said before, right now, I am leaning towards N scale. As I expect I will not be constructing benchwork until January, I am also very sure I will change my mind a dozen times.

Time to get out the graph paper and a good cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

Thanks all!