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Switching From O Scale to N Scale
Don is about to take a giant leap and asks readers:
“I am thinking about switching from O gauge trains to N gauge because of lack of space. Which brand of trains do you recommend as I know nothing about N gauge trains. By the way train video looks great.”
9 Responses to Switching From O Scale to N Scale
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Hi
I started with a Fleishmann starter set. They make excellent quality but very, very expensive European trains and related stuff. I have since bought other brands, and my Minitrix locos work acceptably on Fleishmann tracks.
If space is very limited, Fleishmann claim that all their locos go round their radius 1 curves. I have only tested this with a 4-wheel shunting loco, so I can’t say about the larger ones. Their rails are pre-ballasted, which saves a huge amount of work.
Good luck.
Andy
Interesting question, I have z scale and N scale, I am thinking about switching to) HO because of my ago (60). My hands and eyes are getting worse and it is getting harder to put cars and engines on the track. I just joined a railroad club that has HO and N scalers in Phoenix AZ, US. Good luck on your choice.
I’m converting from O to N AND selling my O. My 4×8 table will give me ample room. Oh yes. Buy quality. Kato or Atlas. It doesn’t pay to say I’ll upgrade later. You’ll end up spending more if u buy inexpensive and later switch to a better brand. Hook up w an N gauge person with experience especially if you are doing DCC.
ALL THE BEST.
I have my N scale DCC layout on a hollow core door due to space limitations. I use Kato track’s, Backman and Atlas locomotives. Have had no trouble with either, good luck.
Hi
I changed from 1 Gage and found no problem in size I am 67. I started with Minitrix and peco flexi
track and all is O.K.
I switched to N scale 3 years ago now I have a lot more in a smaller area. I gone Kato all the way great, quality and performance, the track is easy to work with and the locos run really nice. I’m over 70 and find the size a minor nuisance when upgrading couplers . Biggest problem if you like steam their out of production Mikado is the only way to go. Atlas engines work great to.
If real estate is an issue and you want something larger than a switching (shunting) layout, a smaller scale is definitely the way to go. That said, as we get older and the eyesight acts up, a larger scale is easier to work with. We kid the N scale club by referring to our trains as “Trains you can actually see”. They kid us by reminding us how far the real estate for the layout goes in N scale. It’s all good. No matter what scale choice, planning is everything.
I started with a Minitrix DCC (very expensive in Norway) starter set, then added more tracks for a small layout. Later I have bought 2nd hand locos, tracks etc. This is mostly Fleischmann, but this functions well together with the Minitrix system.
I like the N-scale as a layout will only take 1/4 the space of HO. My layout is now approx 2x 1,3 meters and still growing larger
Good luck with your N layout..
Most N scale brands are of reasonable quality, just make sure the couplers match if you are mixing brands, or you can change them to suit.
But as indicated by the comments of others, before going into N scale, make sure you have the necessary good eyesight (or strong reading glasses !) and really good manual skills for fine work.
(And a set of really small screwdrivers etc !)