I fully understand the attraction to the larger scales. If you check eBay there is usually someone selling Atlas O Scale if they are changing scales as well. I will admit it is very nice equipment. Of course you could also use eBay to sell your N and HO to fund your O Scale purchases.
However, instead of going to O Scale, perhaps you could consider S Scale. I am in S for 22 years now. I would not have it any other way. The most prominent producer of S Scale plastic rolling stock (S Helper Service) has the same manufacturer as Atlas O Scale.
Almost ALL the boxes / packages I have indicate the scale.
HO scale is 1:87 (one foot = 87 feet) and N scale is 1:160… so N is almost twice as small.
Visually… an HO locomotive or railcar will be roughly 3-4 inches TALL, and an N scale loco or car will be HALF that size. A normal door for humans (6’8″) will be JUST shy of one inch (.919 inch) in HO, and exactly one half inch in N Scale
It’s not hard.There are sources for stuff everywhere.As for how long there is no answer to that.If you really get into it it’s an ongoing thing that can last for years.Your only limited by your imagination and how much you have to spend on it.It can be very expensive.But there are all levels of quality in model train stuff.It all depends on what you want.You can buy ready made stuff,kits,or materials for scratch building stuff.I suggest you do an online search for some model railroading books(or even try your local library before you do anything.That will give you a better idea of what’s available and help you decide how far you want to go.It will also let you see some ideas of things you can do.Look for one that explains starting out into model railroading.Klambach Publishing has many such books.Another thing worth doing is look for some model railroad clubs where you live.That way you can go look and see what it’s all about.You might even want to join them!That way you can learn how to do it and also get the benefit of having a cool layout to run on without having to spend major bucks to build your own.http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books.html
The clear choice is HO. There is more product out there to choose from than in ANY other scale. Google search for model railroad swap meets in your area. In Denver we have one every two months and you can pick up things in almost any price range.
Craigslist is also a good place to look too.
Beware of eBay, you can find good buys there, but I frequently see used stuff sold on eBay for more money than it costs new at the local hobby shop.
Tons of stuff out there in HO, have fun in your search.
Places to Buy Discount O Scale Model Trains?
I have been thinking about getting into O scale model railroading for a while now. I am currently modeling in HO and N but just curious as to if there is any place to buy O scale items cheap, since everything seems extremely expensive.
I am not intending to move to a larger scale. I want to stay with my current scales, but considering O scale as well.
How can I tell by looking the difference of N scale/HO scale model trains?
I have a few boxes that were given to me of model cars and buildings. is there some place I can look or a way to measure properly so I know which scale I am dealing with? also which is actually better if I decide to buy more. N or HO
January 28th, 2011 
dwalton 
Posted in 
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I fully understand the attraction to the larger scales. If you check eBay there is usually someone selling Atlas O Scale if they are changing scales as well. I will admit it is very nice equipment. Of course you could also use eBay to sell your N and HO to fund your O Scale purchases.
However, instead of going to O Scale, perhaps you could consider S Scale. I am in S for 22 years now. I would not have it any other way. The most prominent producer of S Scale plastic rolling stock (S Helper Service) has the same manufacturer as Atlas O Scale.
Here are some websites you could look at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale
http://www.showcaseline.com/index.html
http://www.nasg.org
and last but not least my own website showing a large quantity of what has been made in S Scale brass
http://www.lanestrains.com
Good luck in your decision to move to a larger scale. You by far will not regret it! I have not looked back once in 22 years after leaving HO.
Bill Lane
Almost ALL the boxes / packages I have indicate the scale.
HO scale is 1:87 (one foot = 87 feet) and N scale is 1:160… so N is almost twice as small.
Visually… an HO locomotive or railcar will be roughly 3-4 inches TALL, and an N scale loco or car will be HALF that size. A normal door for humans (6’8″) will be JUST shy of one inch (.919 inch) in HO, and exactly one half inch in N Scale
You CAN buy a VERY inexpensive multi-scale RULER at any good model-hobby shop ( http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MPT-H711&Category_Code=FTRDITEMS ). Then simply measure a normal door… if it measures to 7 ft, that’s your scale !!
O27 is the smaller scale, like each piece is about 3″ to 4 ” long and 1/2″ to 3/4″ tall.
It’s not hard.There are sources for stuff everywhere.As for how long there is no answer to that.If you really get into it it’s an ongoing thing that can last for years.Your only limited by your imagination and how much you have to spend on it.It can be very expensive.But there are all levels of quality in model train stuff.It all depends on what you want.You can buy ready made stuff,kits,or materials for scratch building stuff.I suggest you do an online search for some model railroading books(or even try your local library before you do anything.That will give you a better idea of what’s available and help you decide how far you want to go.It will also let you see some ideas of things you can do.Look for one that explains starting out into model railroading.Klambach Publishing has many such books.Another thing worth doing is look for some model railroad clubs where you live.That way you can go look and see what it’s all about.You might even want to join them!That way you can learn how to do it and also get the benefit of having a cool layout to run on without having to spend major bucks to build your own.http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books.html
The clear choice is HO. There is more product out there to choose from than in ANY other scale. Google search for model railroad swap meets in your area. In Denver we have one every two months and you can pick up things in almost any price range.
Craigslist is also a good place to look too.
Beware of eBay, you can find good buys there, but I frequently see used stuff sold on eBay for more money than it costs new at the local hobby shop.
Tons of stuff out there in HO, have fun in your search.
Whats the difference between O and O27 scale model trains?
One of those burning questions that dog me throughout lifes journey.
whats the best scale for model trains if i have a limited budget?
also, whats an average price for needed accesories and scenery for that scale?
Places to Buy Discount O Scale Model Trains?
I have been thinking about getting into O scale model railroading for a while now. I am currently modeling in HO and N but just curious as to if there is any place to buy O scale items cheap, since everything seems extremely expensive.
I am not intending to move to a larger scale. I want to stay with my current scales, but considering O scale as well.
How can I tell by looking the difference of N scale/HO scale model trains?
I have a few boxes that were given to me of model cars and buildings. is there some place I can look or a way to measure properly so I know which scale I am dealing with? also which is actually better if I decide to buy more. N or HO
i want to get into ho scale model trains is it hard and expensive?
how hard and how long dose it take and how expensive?