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ollie500 O Having read a number of threads in the N scale forum with keen interest and after cruising for available info on the internet in general, I've come to the conclusion that due to space restrictions prohibiting the construction a layout incorporating all the features I'd like to incorporate in HO scale, switching to N gauge is probably the solution. What I'm hoping to achieve is a German DB era 3 or 4 layout featuring part of a city (or large town) scene, a substantial loco facility / shunting yard and hopefully have some room for a scenic semi rural section on the opposite side of the room (which measures approx 5.0 x 3.5m), preferably without it all looking too "squeezed in" and utilizing fairly large radius bends. One of the main attractions of N would be the ability to allow running of full length trains as opposed to HO scale which is a little problematic due to Roco 1:87 26.4m coaches measuring 303mm and not being a fan of the 1:100 versions, and also the ability to incorporate a good sized city station. I've seen some Fleischmann N scale items at a retailer and am happy with the level of detail and variety and from scouring online retailers have found that prices seem affordable. The main question I have is in relation to the quality of the running characteristics. As I'd be starting from scratch (after selling off a collection of HO locos, rolling stock and building kits) I'd be looking at buying almost exclusively recent models and running in DCC. Do newer model Fleischmann, Trix, Arnold, and Roco N scale locos run as smoothly (or close to) as their HO scale counterparts? Also, I've heard that Fleischmann make excellent quality N scale locos. How are Arnold, Trix and Roco by comparison? How does the quality of sound in sound enabled N scale models compare with that of HO scale given the limitation in speaker size? I guess the best approach at this stage is to purchase a Fleischmann N scale starter set and evaluate from that but it's a very small sample of the merits of N scale in total to base such a major decision on. Given I'll have a substantial amount of product to sell and start again, I really need to weigh up whether I'd be better to accept the limitations of what I can model in HO scale given the available space, or bite the bullet and start again accumulating items to start an N scale layout in order to achieve all/most of what I hope to model ina single layout. Thanks in advance for any and all advice as I'd like to make an informed decision. #1 · Aug 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator) Having read a number of threads in the N scale forum with keen interest and after cruising for available info on the internet in general, I've come to the conclusion that due to space restrictions prohibiting the construction a layout incorporating all the features I'd like to incorporate in HO scale, switching to N gauge is probably the solution. What I'm hoping to achieve is a German DB era 3 or 4 layout featuring part of a city (or large town) scene, a substantial loco facility / shunting yard and hopefully have some room for a scenic semi rural section on the opposite side of the room (which measures approx 5.0 x 3.5m), preferably without it all looking too "squeezed in" and utilizing fairly large radius bends. One of the main attractions of N would be the ability to allow running of full length trains as opposed to HO scale which is a little problematic due to Roco 1:87 26.4m coaches measuring 303mm and not being a fan of the 1:100 versions, and also the ability to incorporate a good sized city station. I've seen some Fleischmann N scale items at a retailer and am happy with the level of detail and variety and from scouring online retailers have found that prices seem affordable. The main question I have is in relation to the quality of the running characteristics. As I'd be starting from scratch (after selling off a collection of HO locos, rolling stock and building kits) I'd be looking at buying almost exclusively recent models and running in DCC. Do newer model Fleischmann, Trix, Arnold, and Roco N scale locos run as smoothly (or close to) as their HO scale counterparts? Also, I've heard that Fleischmann make excellent quality N scale locos. How are Arnold, Trix and Roco by comparison? How does the quality of sound in sound enabled N scale models compare with that of HO scale given the limitation in speaker size? I guess the best approach at this stage is to purchase a Fleischmann N scale starter set and evaluate from that but it's a very small sample of the merits of N scale in total to base such a major decision on. Given I'll have a substantial amount of product to sell and start again, I really need to weigh up whether I'd be better to accept the limitations of what I can model in HO scale given the available space, or bite the bullet and start again accumulating items to start an N scale layout in order to achieve all/most of what I hope to model ina single layout. Thanks in advance for any and all advice as I'd like to make an informed decision. See less See more Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Aug 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator) You cannot get your full length train in HO onstraight or near straight track in that size room, it is true. But you can get a lot in, expecially if you go multilevel. Considering the loss you will take in the sell off and re-aquisition in N, make sure you have explored all the options. The dimensions of your space sound like a garage to me. Can you go through the end wall (into a garden?) and make the return loops of one end there? What I know about German made N was gleaned from a guy running a superb representation of the Rhine valley at the CMRA show some years ago. It ran sweetly and reliably. The builder and operator said that track laying needs a little more care than HO, and you have to be thorough in keeping wheels and track clean. The product is made for Germans who expect reliability and performance, and that takes care of that! #3 · Aug 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator) Hi Ollie, I'm afraid I can't help you on the qualities of European N Gauge though, from what I've seen, Fleischman locos certainly seem to be top quality. Having moved from 00 to N Gauge myself I can certainly empathise with your lack of space issue and I have no regrets about changing gauges. It's great to be able to model full length trains running through open countryside without having to cram everything in and, while the level of detail is probably not yet up to what can be found in 00 or H0 models, it is certainly far better than it was 5 years ago and is more than compensated for by the more realistic overall impression that can be created. In N Gauge it's more a case of 'suggestion' rather than having to model everything to the very last fine detail. I wish you well with your new layout and look forward to following your progress. #4 · Aug 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator) Thanks 34C. The room I have available is an internal room (rather than a garage) which is currently being used as a gym and unfortunately the dimensions I quoted are fixed. In fact one side of the room is 4.5m long rather than 5.0m due to a built in wardrobe which eats into the room somewhat. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful for the amount of available space as I fully appreciate it's quite generous given what some modellers have available. It's certainly not a decision I'd make lightly. It's a very difficult decision as I do love the quality of the HO gear that I have and it runs beautifully, plus the detailing is superb, combined with the fact that it's taken quite a while to compile and the work it'd take to sell it off without taking a massive hit on the value would be enormous. Having viewed quite a number of Youtube videos of N scale layouts and loco reviews etc since my earlier post, I'm confident that N scale does offer some excellent running locos, although I'd have to say that from what I've seen so far HO does still have the edge in that department, which I guess is to be expected. The other two issues I've found where HO has a distinct advantage is in the realism of the track (I'd use Tillig Elite if I went with HO) and in the couplers. The rails on most N scale track I've seen so far look unnaturally large as do the couplers, and quite a number of layouts I saw have above baseboard point motors which detract from the realism a little, so I don't know how difficult it'd be to do under baseboard motors. Something else I'll need to investigate. I guess there are always going to be compromises whichever way I go. Looks like the weekend will be spent on Youtube etc. Thanks also Chinahand. You've highlighted the area that really does appeal with N gauge and that's the fact that you can have the luxury of full length trains, railway platforms longer than 3 coaches and sweeping bends etc. I fully appreciate that trying to fit a city/town scene, countryside and loco facility / shunting yard into the one layout is a bit ambitious and some might say "greedy". The reasons rolling these 3 main criteria into one layout if possible appeals so much are: The city/large town scene offers so much in the way of German architecture which appeals greatly The loco facility / shunting yard provides the interest in the way of hands on operational features - ie actually controlling the trains rather than simply doing endless loops on mainlines The countryside provides yet another distinctly German / European aspect that attracted me to the hobby in the first place and also reminds me of my early childhood in Germany. I could certainly model any of these individual aspects easily in HO with the available space, and that may be the end result, but I'm currently exploring options for the "have my cake and eat it too" scenario. Hence potentially N scale Decisions, decisions. #5 · Aug 9, 2013 Hi again Ollie, If track realism is your issue then have a look here. Apologies to the Mods about the link to the N Gauge forum but I know of no other way of getting to this information. Wayne has developed a range of Code 40 ultra-fine scale N Gauge track with correct sleeper length and spacing and has just started commercial production. #6 · Aug 9, 2013 ***Under-board motors are easy enough - Cobalt for example will work well with almost any track brand in any scale from Gauge 1 to T scale... Having converted very many EU locos to DCC in N scale, they are usually well built and run exceptionally well too. I have also been impressed with much of the current crop of more recent UK and N locos. regards Richard #7 · Aug 9, 2013 If you're looking for some ideas of what can be achieved in a limited space Ollie, have a look at my blog. I only have a room 2m x 2.8 metres and have fitted in everything I wanted without it appearing to be crammed in. #8 · Aug 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator) I've also made the switch to N gauge after many years of OO modelling, and haven't regretted the change. The detail and quality of locos are very good. I'm modelling a US layout now, so only have experience of Kato US locomotives and rolling stock. In my opinion, the detail on these locos is excellent, and their running quality are very good as well. Some examples of the level of detail on modern N-gauge locos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/sets/72157634991630415/ Many years ago I did a UK outline N-gauge layout, and back then the quality was very poor and bears no comparison with modern N-gauge locos and rolling stock. I'm using Cobalt digital point motors (44 of them!), and the layout is fully DCC with computer control. The only thing I miss are the sound decoders I used to run in my OO locos - I don't think running sound decoders on N-gauge is good enough at the moment to warrant the cost. I also kept all my OO locos and have a small shelf-layout so I can still run them as well (for nostalgia). #9 · Aug 9, 2013 Got an idea Ollie, see my PM 6991 #10 · Aug 9, 2013 I model a bit of many gauges, OO, N, NN3, G and soon to be O, if I had to pick my favorite, it would be N at the moment, there is something about the tiny little locos that just make me smile, pure and simple, I wish you well with your thoughts, and if you go to N, I wish you the best, it really is fun to play with, also with it being so small, details are (much to my own surprise) Much easier to replicate... I tthink its to do with the small size... Sorry for a slightly unhelpful opinion. Sean #11 · Aug 10, 2013 ollie500, I have 4 Fleischmann N gauge locos, 3 steam tank engines and one rack loco. The tank engines have all been converted to DCC and run beautifully with my NCE Powercab. The slow speed control is particularly good. (The rack loco will be done in due course.) The first I bought was the 7000 tank engine from Krois-Modell who fitted the decoder for me. One of the options, which I didn't take, was to have Digital Couplers fitted. I also think that Fleischmann spares are available but I have no experience of them because I've never needed them. Richard Insert Quotes Post Reply

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