Thinking of getting into either N or Z gauge.

[hmskl’dParticipant 6419]

Lately, I feel the need for a model train layout somewhere in my place. I don’t have lots of room so I fist thought about Z .. then I thought, that might be just too small .. and expensive because everything Z gauge seems xtra high priced. I’m beginning to think that N or even HO might be right for me so that I can have a nice beginning layout within a room and not taking up that entire room. Eventually, longterm, I’d like the entire finished layout with lots of track to take up about one third of a room and operate it all remote.

[Daryll55Participant 2961]

When I wassa kid, my Dad had an HO scale layout that was 4×8. It was little more than 2 circles cut into one=another with an X-type crossover. Coolest part was the top loop had a laek up top, and a tunnel to go to the lower loop. Couldn’t get any speed, or make any really long trains. HO is great for modeling the engines and cars.
N-scale I also modeled on my own later and was able to get a double-track main line around the same 4×8 space with and inner loop in the center. The big engines could not go into the inner loop due to the tight turning radius. I managed to get a few small buildings in center to represent a town ,and built a very short siding track off of the inner main to service the town.

HO- great for hands-on, not so much for train operation in a small space.
N- great for operating in small places, but not so much fun modeling the cars,etc.
itsa trade-off.

Marry again, Hell NO ! ( Even JESUS was hung on a cross just once)

[Ranger OneParticipant 16836]

I wouldn’t go smaller than N. A long time ago I had HO, but eventually shifted to N scale.

When my youngest son was a toddler, he damaged an N-gauge caboose on my setup that I had on top the refrigerator. I realized I could not have anything nice and have kids, so I boxed it all up. That was about 10 years ago. About 10 months after my wife left, I bought a small amount of N-scale stuff with the idea of bringing it back.

This month, I’ve sorted and inventoried my rolling stock and track and found my original plans for the layout, so I can rebuild it.

All my life I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow. No hesitation, no doubts. The path is clear. And what are you? Alive. Everything else is negotiable. Women have rights; men have responsibilities; MGTOW have freedom. Marriage is for chumps. If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them and stab them in the heart-R'as al Ghul.

[hmskl’dParticipant 6419]

Thanks for all the info .. yes, my eventual plan would include something large enough to enjoy and model with, build scenery and really putter with the layout on the smaller scale .. while at same time keeping it manageable enough to fit over in one side of room. My uncle, years ago, had a much larger scale layout and it ended up filling over half his garage so the automobiles were parked outside. That’s the kind of thing I want to avoid so I will study both HO and N at the shops and also plan to attend a model rail convention to be held near me soon and see which one of either HO or N that I have room for. Thanks!

[Anonymous 2]

I’ve dabbed in the hobby off and on for years. I agree with Ranger I wouldn’t mess with z because stuff is hard to find to buy and a pain to mess with. I’ve had buddies try it because it’s rare and they eventually toss it aside for n of ho. Up to you though!

[hmskl’dParticipant 6419]

Anonymous wrote:

I wouldn’t mess with z because stuff is hard to find to buy and a pain to mess with

Thanks for that info.
I have a feeling I’ll probably check out HO and eventually settle on N because of space considerations. Have great day!

[Fr JackParticipant 926]

If you want some examples of great compact layouts in HO/OO scale, google, The Railways of Chris Nevard.

[XSDBSParticipant 3598]

I went in the opposite direction, O gauge.
I still have my Lionel train from Christmas morning when I was 5.
I set it up around the tree every Christmas.
You wouldn’t believe the number of adults that will sit down on the floor and play with it.

[Anonymous 42]

XSDBS wrote:

You wouldn’t believe the number of adults that will sit down on the floor and play with it.

I would!

I had HO and really enjoyed the day I made a sheet of plywood sized table and mixed flour with water to create a snow scene, while it was drying I rolled a car through it to clear off the rails, it looked pretty cool, I was around 12.

You can purchase miles of used track and trains at estate sales, tag sales, and places like Craig’s List, pennies on the dollar and in mint condition. If I lived for ever I’d have the Rocky Mountain RR built in my loft! I love watching back yard RR and rollercoaster videos, Men know how to live and have fun, women only know how to stop them!

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