I have heard that a very good layout to build is a good design HO layout built with N scale track. It makes for more scenery and an uncrowded layout. Any opinions? Are you losing the advantage of N scale by doing this or are you maximizing an advantage of N scale?
HO Design Built with N Guage
- Thread starter sapacif
- Start date
You are maximizing one advantage - it makes the RR look ilke part of its surroundings - but you are losing the advantage of being able to put more track, and therefore operational possibilities, into a given area.
Guess it depends on what you're after. Personally, I think it's a good idea.
Guess it depends on what you're after. Personally, I think it's a good idea.
I agree with Bill, it is a great idea. More track and operating possibilities in a given amount of space.
I've suggested this a few times, but I don't know if anyone's taken me up on it. If you take a HO layout with 18" radius curves and 4% grades, you can get a N layout with 18" radius curves and 2% grades. And twice as many cars in the sidings.
Flash, that's exactly what I did.
I took a 4x8 ft H0 track plan (Nr. 24) out of Kalmbach's '101 Track Plans'. This was not more than a tight figure-8 line plus a small yard with room for perhaps 5 boxcars per yard track.
Then I built the 4x8 ft layout, but in N scale. Mind you, there were still quite tight curves, but compared to the original I had now lots of room for scenery, managed to sneak in a whole engine terminal (in the background) plus a few addidional sidings. All this made for great operational possibilities.
As you see on the picture, there is quite a bit of free space for scenery between the tracks. And don't forget - the footprint of the N scale buildings is also only 1/4 of the same H0 building - another gain of room for scenery!
Ron
I took a 4x8 ft H0 track plan (Nr. 24) out of Kalmbach's '101 Track Plans'. This was not more than a tight figure-8 line plus a small yard with room for perhaps 5 boxcars per yard track.
Then I built the 4x8 ft layout, but in N scale. Mind you, there were still quite tight curves, but compared to the original I had now lots of room for scenery, managed to sneak in a whole engine terminal (in the background) plus a few addidional sidings. All this made for great operational possibilities.
As you see on the picture, there is quite a bit of free space for scenery between the tracks. And don't forget - the footprint of the N scale buildings is also only 1/4 of the same H0 building - another gain of room for scenery!
Ron
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Good looking layout Ron.
The only thing to watch for is if the HO plan has aisles. Keep the aisles at least 24inches for manouvering room.
The only thing to watch for is if the HO plan has aisles. Keep the aisles at least 24inches for manouvering room.