40135 Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 My main model is an N gauge BR 1960s model, 3.5ft by 5.5ft, as this is where my heart is when it comes to railways - however I do have an interest in the contemporary US/Canadian scene as a form of indulgence. I love the size of them! I have a spare plank of wood and would love to indulge in a quick end to end layout for a few US/Canadian diesels. My preference really is Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, and Conrail. I love the Dash 9s and the SD40s, I'd be happy with a layout which could stable a couple of these locomotives and have a few sidings for a Switcher to kick around in. For this, with price considered as this is not my main layout, would I be best going N or HO? Of course for space, N would be ideal, but if the price would outweigh the benefits then I'd consider HO. Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted November 15, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2012 Not much difference in price but it's really how you will operate it that will decide. On an end to end , shunting plank?, I'd think the heft of HO would be more satisfying for shunting and in HO most come ready fitted with working buckeyes while in N it still seems to be an upgrade and extra cost on the cheaper ranges. Look at Athearn's Ready to Roll range and Atlas' Trainman stuff, basically moulded on handrails as opposed to separate wire items but equal paint jobs. Model Junction in Slough and LSWR Models (mail order only), are my shops of choice. You will also find Athearn (Genesis) and Atlas have their premier ranges that cost a lot more for the extra details hand applied, there's no difference in the running quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Rogers Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 N scale slightly cheaper but as smaller you buy more! if you based your layout in and around the Chicago area all those roads work together quite nicely. you can get more Canadian specific models in HO than N. http://www.intermountain-railway.com/n/nloco/nlocsd402w.htm http://www.rapidotrains.com/ http://www.rapidotrains.com/ http://www.northamericanrailcarcorporation.com/products.htm other good makes:- Kato, Atlas, Deluxe Innovations, Fox Valley Models, Bluford Shops, BLMA, MicroTrains & Exactrail. regards Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 You will get better shunting and a better price (although not much) by going HO. That being said, I model N scale ('50s PRR and 2000s NS primarily) because I like the look of consists of locos - in current operations I don't see single locos that often*, even the CN local that we would pass on the Barrie GO line was a GP9+Slug. DCC is relatively easy in (most) N locos as well so that shouldn't be a deciding factor if you are so inclined. *although some CN freights run a single loco at the front with a mid-train helper Paul; you would be hard pressed to find a (new) N-scale loco (except trainset toys) these days that doesn't have working knuckles - even Bachmann and Walthers seem to have seen the light. Back on topic - unfortunately, there isn't a CN or NS Dash 9 in N scale - nobody makes the correct bodyshell for NS (high headlights) which is a pity since it is their most common loco. In SDs, you have lots of options. My modern fleet (all DCC-equipped): NS SD80MAC x2 (Kato) NS SD70M x2 (Kato) CN SD75I (Athearn) NS (patched Conrail) SD60M (Atlas) NS SD60 (Atlas) NS SD45-2 (Intermountain) NS SD40-2 (Kato) NS ES40DC x2 (Fox Valley Models) NS C40-8 (Atlas) NS B40-8 x2 (Atlas) NS GP60 x2 (Walthers) All are good to excellent runners and well detailed. If you are thinking about N-scale, you should take a look at http://www.visi.com/...trainstuff.html - the locomotive encyclopedia is particularly valuable. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40135 Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 You've all been extremely helpful - thank-you! HO is looking tempting and since it's not my main layout, a lot of track isn't going to be the point. A couple of sidings, run round loop, should be decent. Will have to measure up - see if a HO track plan is even viable on my board (I'm at work right now). Who makes the best track? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Peco Code 83 is one of the top choices in HO. Atlas Code 55 is probably the best looking choice in N. If you can get it, Micro Engineering in either scale (especially their bridge track). Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 For suitable track plans try http://www.carendt.com or http://www.carendt.us (Yes - both homepages are now working again thanks to some timely work by our new member of the team, Gerd) We hope to be back to doing more frequent updates shortly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40135 Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 The help you guys are giving is absolutely fantastic. Thank-you. Those small layouts will come in very useful for what I need - HO it is! My dad will appreciate this - he's no enthusiast but he admires US locomotives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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