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Yes or No to N Gauge for Starters?
Ian is interested in returning to model r
ailroading and asks:
“I have been a previously train buff but now after retiring I have caught the bug again after seeing all the action on this blog. The area I have is 5×5 meters (16 foot square) my ex computer room and I am thinking N gauge (N scale) for maximum track and rolling stock. Any suggestions please? In the past I have been involved in electronics. Regards Ian”
8 Responses to Yes or No to N Gauge for Starters?
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Ian,
You lucky sod – an electronics background. N scale would be ideal for you, and a 5 x 5 space magic. If your eyes are good, your back bends on command, and your finger work as designed you should have no problems with N scale.
However (don’t you hate that)!
If you live in the UK, North America or Europe you are very well catered for in ready to run locos and rolling stock, buildings and engineering infrastructure. however if you are in Australia, and you want to model the local scene, be prepared to do a lot of kit and scratch building. There are some excellent kits on the market for locos and rolling stock, but mechanisms come from US outline models which are sometime just near enough, and rolling stock is limited.
Aussie outline in N is about where HO was 20 years ago but it is getting easier. Check the web and Google “N Scale models, Australia” and a number of very helpful sites come up.
A lot of you decision depends upon just how large a train layout you wish to have. If you want more scenery, and running longer trains, you should go with the N scale. HO Scale will effectively cut your total space in half, meaning shorter trains etc. You will need better eye site to work with the smaller scales, and dexterity too. In my experience, HO is usually more available, and more affordable, depending on what you like to run.
Ian, I agree with Jay here Where space is critical N scale is the way to go. The drawback is sometime it is plenty small to work on and you might need a little more patience when working on them. But there have been some very well done layouts out there in N Scale. I have gone with HO Scale but I have a little room for it. from Newman
Retired – your eyesight is likely to deteriorate. At 69 I am starting to struggle with fine details that were easy at 60. Unless you are VERY confident in your continuing good vision, stick with OO or HO. The models are generally much nicer too.
I opted for UK N Gauge because I have only a small space available (c. 1 m x 3 m), but am finding the choice of ready-to-run models rather limited compared to UK 00 Gauge, even though there have been great improvements in variety & quality in recent years. I am also (approaching 68) now finding it difficult to see what I’m doing. My advice to you is to check the catalogues for the sort of models you would want to run before opting for either N or H0. You should get a decent railway in 5 metres square in H0; in N gauge you could get a very impressive one – if you have the time to build it. Recommendation – start with a small railway you can get to an acceptable level in a reasonable time, then work up, incorporating your original efforts into a larger display. Whatever you decide – have fun.
im 63 and been doing trains for a long time but couldn’t find the time or the space to putting them in. so 3 yrs ago one of mine relative gave me n scale complete with everything houses, trains, just everything. The only thing I have bought is flex track and dcc engines. and the DIGITRAX SYS.
YES IT IS VERRY HARD TO SEE BUT I USE A HEAD MAGIFIRE TO SEE.
I HAVE JUST PUT A HELIX AND SECOND LEVEL IN A 12X8 ROOM AND ITS VERRY REWORDING JUST TO GET AWAY FROM THE WIFE. SHE APPRECIATED THIS AND DO I.
get yourself a good pair of magnifier goggles and a stand with clips and a magnifing glass on it ie. (fly tying setup) dig deep for more patience and go wih n scale
I only had a very small space to work with, 30″x60″ so I went with N scale and have been able to pack a lot of scenery into it. With HO, I would not have room for a small oval it that space.