Comments on: Mixing HO and N scale To Add Distance?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:24:39 +0000

use paper models of different sizes to test. I’m also thinking about going even further with the concept… N scale train (not purchased yet), HO scale train (need to fix it since it’s not running – from ancient days when I was a teen), Z scale houses for far, far background, N scale for middle ground, HO scale for foreground buildings and a few lego buildings, and finally across the aisle (area you stand in the middle of) O scale buildings and Linclon log buildings.

By: J E Wilson

J E Wilson — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:30:15 +0000

I guess that I need to add a little here since my layout is HO/HOn3 dual gauge track around the whole perimiter with switches off the main line to HOn3 only thru the interion. I also used N gauge track on a high mountain area using HOE or HOn 2 1/2 for distance and it blends and matches perfect. I have a smaller section of N gauge track for N gauge trains in a farther back location and looks great. I am also in the process of adding a 2′ x 16″ area even further back with Z scale. As far as I am concerned, being “My World”, it looks fantastic from any position, and fun when they are all running. My layout is in a 11 x 11′ room. Buy a building and place it on the layout and if you like the looks, just remember that you are building “your World” in your own image. If you like it, just get er done, and most of all have fun and enjoy the Hobby.

By: phil johnson

phil johnson — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:15:04 +0000

I’ve used N scale steeples and roofs on hill backsides that have worked

By: Delu

Delu — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 12:31:49 +0000

As they say…it’s your railroad! Gerry offered a good suggestion about graduating the scale with trees and such, rather than having HO right next to N. We put in a mountain in a far back corner and put up smaller trees and N scale bears, deer, etc. on the top. Worked well. We did use an N scale track and steam train in our carnival section as a “ride on” for carnival-goers. Set up benches in some open cars and have sitting people/children in them. Looks great.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 06:12:29 +0000

I’ll probably get shot down in flames for what I’m about to say! The beauty of a model railway is its recreation of the world in miniature. It is a tiny three dimensional world and we can look at it from any angle and immerse ourselves in that little world.

The problem with forced perspective is that the viewpoint for the layout is immediately limited. From the ‘sweet spot’ it looks fantastic but from any other angle, the effect is quickly lost and it just becomes a mismatched collection of different scales.

Taking the concept to its extreme, there was a small ‘layout’ (I use the term loosely) doing the exhibition rounds a few years ago. It was, I recall, Dutch themed and the modeller had distorted the buildings (i.e. the front of a building was a different scale its back) and the effect of depth was absolutely amazing from the sweet spot – from any other viewing position it was just a collection of wonky buildings and a train!

As you’ve probably worked out by now, I’m not a fan. But in the end, it’s down to what you want to achieve from your modelling.

By: Hervey

Hervey — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:11:08 +0000

Gerry,
It is fairly common to do that for a forced perception of depth. My advise would be to search the topic on line and don’t have the HO scale immediately adjacent to the N scale. Allow some room usually using progressively smaller trees as you get further away from the HO helps fool the eye and no straight lines from front to back.
Good luck.

By: Jim Johnston

Jim Johnston — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 04:52:17 +0000

I’ve seen this done and I really think it needs a lot of depth to bring it off right.