Looking to make the switch from n to ho!

Hi and Thank you Dave!


"1. Which internet stores to buy HO products from(nearest hobby store is 2 hours away)"

I would have to recommend Discount Rails which I own and operate.
Discount Rails offers discount prices and real-time product inventory.
Iowa is a great spot for fast shipping and no IL sales tax.

Any other Trainboard advertiser would be very good also.
I have bought from many of them and had good experiences.


"2. Which type of track is prototypical without breaking the bank"

I think Atlas code 83 and Peco code 83 are very nice products.
The Peco is a little more expensive but it depends on the size
of your layout and the cost of switch machines vs. ground throws.
I have a small HO layout with Peco and am using ground throws.


"3. Which loco manufacturer has quality products (Kato and Atlas is n)"

My Atlas, BLI, Bachmann Spectrum, and InterMountain engines are my favorites.
I own some Athearn RTR and Life-Like Proto2000 engines that are nice also.
Kato and Athearn Genesis are very nice, but I do not personally own any.


"4. Which radius track do the passenger trains from that era look good on?"

I am running 26" and 28" radius curves on my mainlines and they are still
not big enough for me to run passenger trains. But I am a guy who likes
to have 20" to 24" radius curves in N scale.

Thanks,
Keith

 

I live in a country where model railroading is almost nonexistent so I have to buy stuff online and the place I turn to the most is Ebay. Where I get some ridiculous deals and save hundreds (to spend later). If you should choose to purchase on ebay remember to buy from seller with a good reputation ie. numerous sales and a high postitve feedback score.

I model in both HO and N scales I haven't even considered siding with one or the other. I enjoy both very much. The N scale layout is at home and the HO at my office where there is more space. As soon as I purchase my house I'm certainly going add a G scale layout. Model Train fanatic? Yes!

verse

 

Simply put, the size of HO makes it possible to achieve a deeper level of superdetailing relative to N scale. It all comes down to physics, and the inability to produce very fine detail on a model that is half the scale of another. Take, for example, tiny safety data printed onto a boxcar, lettering so small that you have to squint while trying to read in HO, let alone N scale.

I'm sure there are many N scalers who produce very finely detailed models, but as a general rule, HO scale is double the size and superior in terms of level of detail you can accomplish. It's all a matter of physics, and this cannot be disputed.

 

I agree with you as far as what's practical in model railroading but trying convincing a builder of computer chips. Some of them can free-hand the entire Gettysburg Address on the head of a condensor guidepin. A funny thing though...it takes a mighty big magnifying glass to read the darn message
Cam

 

It's funny to see how N scalers are becoming so defensive when somebody highlights the fact that HO is larger and therefore better detailed by sheer virtue of its size. Nobody is bashing N scale, but the iNsecurities of those who model in N shine right through.

 

I would agree with them wholeheartedly. O scale, due to its size, can boast a significantly higher level of detail than HO scale. That is certainly for sure, and cannot be disputed. Unlike the N scalers who defend against HO, I will acknowledge the truth (larger scales are better detailed) and not try and twist my argument to fit my prefered ideaological outcome. (and pride, and ego, and any lingering insecurities I may have about modeling in the scale I do). O scale is larger and, therefore, can feature superior detail to HO.

Problem with O scale, however, is that these trains are often considered "toys" and the manufacturers can get away with skimping on the details, especially for something like a Lionel set that was only meant to run around a Christmas tree.

I am not in the business of defending HO at all costs (like so many N scalers I see here). I will admit that a larger scale can be more detailed than the smaller scales. For example, a G scale model of a diesel locomotive can feature the bolts and screws on the hinges of the doors, whereas an N scale model could barely feature the hinge, let alone the screws. In fact, the paint coat alone would completely drowned out any *very fine* detail on an N scale model, detail that is possible in larger scales.

Set aside your pride for N scale and admit to the common-sense facts. Seriously...

 

I like N because of the size. The superdetailing is important only to those who want/need superdetailing for their own personal reasons.

Whatever floats your boat is ok with me.

 

Dr. J - good choice! Of course, which scale you model ultimately depends on what's right for you. I like HO because of the wide range of products, the level of detail, and the ease of working with equipment. Of course, I am getting old and small things are getting harder to work with, so I might have to switch to O Scale... not!

For buying on-line, Discount Trains Online http://www.discounttrainsonline.com has good deals and cheap shipping but I have never been impressed with their service - use it only when I am desparate. Most of the time, they are out of stock for something they show in stock, which will delay your order a week or so. And they often have the wrong descriptions. I like Walthers http://www.walthers.com for online ordering - if you use the number on your Walthers catalog, you get free shipping for purchases of over $100. And I use eBay for most of my online purchases.

For locomotives, I like Athearn, because they have a good selection and are generally inexpensive, but I also like Kato and Broadway Limited. I like to use the old Athearn kits for special weathering/painting products because you can by a diesel at a cheap price and fix it up to how you want it!

Good luck!!!

 

I'm a die-hard N scaler. But if you have an essential tremor, then HO is a far better choice. I made a choice about N in 1972, and I've stuck with it. I wanted long runs and long trains, really didn't care that much for details, and wanted larger scenes. It's obvious that the larger the scale, the more detail that can be incorporated. I did architectural models as a sideline for more than a decade: it sure was easier working in 1:48 than 1:192! At the same time, it was more demanding, as in 1:48 more detail is expected.

I'm pretty scale insensitive. N scale might be considered small for trains, but it's pretty big for larger ships, which I also model. I'd guess that 1:192 might be the "O" scale in ship modeling. I scratch build at 1:160, a little bigger, and find that demanding, because I'm supposed to have rivets on my ships.

I think people are comparing apples and oranges here, and perhaps some interscale "needling" was misconstrued. Let's agree that some MRR "fightin' words" always emerge in these threads, and that some other words might be slightly misapplied.:yes9rq: If there were insults meant, let's ackowledge that might not have been in the spirit of Trainboard, and go on from there. This forum is supposed to be fun, not contentious. Sometimes things meant to be witty are misconstrued because there's no body language, tone of voice, nor other clues we get in face to face contact. Perhaps that's happened here?

 

Dr. J,

May I apologize for the outburst from some members who have ventured into the HO scale venue trying to discourage you from doing what you wish to do?

Whatever you decide to do is your own business, and I doubt if any one will offer to assist you in purchasing rolling stock or anything else that will be your sole possession. They are not in any position here or in your life to dictate what you like, want to buy, or wish to eat. Besides they are way off topic.

The Topic you asked about was HO equipment, so lets get back on the Topic.

You may have to decide if you are prepared to re-work ready-to-run items to suit the Railroads you wish to enjoy.

It is true you may find an item on eBay that someone has already detailed and decal ed for your road names. There are also people who can do this work for you.

There are some Master Detailers here at TrainBoard that I am sure would be willing to make some extra money to assist you in that.

You will want to decide if you want to hand lay track, or buy sectional pieces. How far do you wish to go with detailing not only an engine, but the track, scenery, buildings, and all that.

You will have to shop around asking questions and collecting prices and asking for comparisons here, so you can make up your own mind about who to buy from.

You will have plenty of space to operate passenger trains in the basement, so perhaps that could be one governing factor for you.
Get while the getting is good, pack it away, then bring it out when the basement layout is ready to go.

There is no rule that says you have to "defend" your decisions to an one here or anywhere else. Quite to the contrary, in fact!

Please continue Dr. J, you were saying....?

 

:thumbs_up:Well, it looks like the only answer is to do like me - do both HO and N (and I dabble in O). The only problem is it takes me twice as long to look around at train shows and the hobby shop! I have known some friends who have flipped back and forth between many scales over the years. Don't matter what scale - hey, we're all in this together!!!

 

I am sorry this started such a commotion. I am leaning towards HO mainly because of my tremor.
In regards to detailing: I will be using flex track (Atlas or Peco), I will dabble in painting rolling stock and locos (used an airbrush with model cars), am looking forward to detailed scenary and just finding a hobby that is still relaxing.
I have had 3 N scale layouts that get to scenary and then I get bored or don't have the trains I want (I know that this can still be the case with HO scale). I feel that this will be a very long process and unfortunately as I get older the tremor will also get worse (as my moniker implies I am a family practioner). I just want this layout to be used for a good long time!!!!
I really appreciate all comments on this topic!!!! This is why I frequent this board!!! Lively discussions and plenty of help!
I am sure I will be asking many ?'s of the HO scalers just like I did of the N scalers.
jeff

 

I wouldn't worry - it's just like going into a bar and 'discussing' different football teams

Been there, done that, wearing the T shirt ...
It's YOUR hobby, no point doing stuff you don't like. There are plenty of people running trains around on tracks on bare boards or with minimal scenery; they just don't post pics or otherwise adverstise the fact. So enjoy what you like. (My layout is a bit 'stuck' at present. I'll get back on it sometime, but as a stopgap I got a bunch of Kato Unitrack that I set out on the living room floor to play with.)

 

Utterly nothing to be sorry for. These commotions flare up like a dust devil in the desert (or, as Shakespeare might say, like a tempest in a teapot.)

In the end, everyone settles down, and we go on having a good time. I always look at it as something like fighting with your brother or sister. Who remembers what the fight was about?

There's a lot of good thoughts in this thread. I hope you can enjoy those rather than be distracted by meanderings that eventually wander off to dead ends.