Do any of you have an O scale (not gauge) layout? I've been toying with getting out of HO and switching to O scale. There are already three O scale brass locomotives, an O scale brass caboose and a bunch of rolling stock sitting on shelves, so there would be no outlay of cash other than track and power. The problem is space. My room is 20' X 20'. That doesn't leave much space for 65-70" radius curves. My locomotives are: two US Hobbies 4-8-2's and a Sunset 2-8-2. The 2-8-2 might make 60" but the US Hobbies 4-8-2's probably wouldn't. We've got a 25' X 35' cinder block building on the property with a metal roof that I could finish out. But the finish out cost more money than I really want to spend, so that's not a viable consideration. The other option is sell all of the big power, buy 3 or 4 4 axle diesels and a couple of Mikes and Pacifics and just run smaller stuff. Is anything made in Frisco that's O scale? Any ideas from the O scale folks?
If you like it. Do it. You have done some great HO scale modeling. I am sure you will be great at O scale.
Here is a question that needs verification on O scale cost: Does it really cost more to manufacture anything in O scale, comparing to HO Scale ? Whether it is 2 rail or 3 rail? or the higher price of O Scale is a marketing ploy? Since O Scale is twice the size of HO scale, does that constitute double the price? I like O Scale too! I have often contemplated on building a shelf sized switching layout!
Most likely, the biggest problem with production in O scale is the reduced quantity (number of units produced in a production run). The published statistic is 65%-70% of model railroaders model HO; 20% model N scale; the remainder is broken up between the other scales. That doesn't leave much for O scale.
Hi John: I can't answer the question about manufacturing material costs, but one thing to consider is that O scale being "twice the size" of HO only refers to a single dimension. That is, two 40' boxcars in HO coupled end-to-end approximates the length of one O scale 40' boxcar. IF you're talking volume, then O scale 40' boxcar has 8 times the volume of HO. As for layout "footprint": To up-size an HO layout to O scale, it takes a layout 4 times the footprint. That is, a common 4 x 8 HO layout would be approximately 8 x 16' in O. The above is simply FWIW.
It will take some serious thinking before making the leap. Again, the space I have just doesn't do O scale justice, and three rail just isn't my thing. This basically a fishing expedition looking for ideas on space management from other experienced O scalers.
I can speak from the position of having significant layouts in both HO and G scale. For a given layout area in square feet, the cost is about the same in any scale you choose. Even though G scale takes nine times the area of HO to model a given scene with track, equipment, structures and scenery, the cost of such is about the same ratio. So if you have a 20x30 room or whatever, and you fill it with a layout, the cost will be about the same. You have to decide whether less is more, in terms of the quantity and quality of what you model. I absolutely love both scales now, appreciating the advantages of each. And so do our operators. Ken McElreath
An addendum: IF I wanted larger equipment, yet still have about 30%-33% more layout in a given space compared to O scale: I would have stayed with S scale. It truly is a great size for detail vs size and it gives more impression "heft" compared to HO. What did in my involvement is S scale is my desire for variety and the lack of "plop n' play" switches of acceptable quality and angle numbers. Had I been able to be content with less scope in equipment, and willing to fix the issues with the Tomalco switches I was using, it would have made a great size for a shelf type switching layout. Here's a pic of an S scale Frisco SW I painted/decaled. The heft was really nice: SO, the above can scratch the itch for an SW (and there was also an NW available). For the Alco itch, there was/is also a brass S-2 that is out there, but are hard to find and $$ when you do. This was made by OMI back when. Surprisingly, it ran pretty good (for brass) right out of the box: However, it gets dicey if a Baldwin switcher is desired. The only Baldwin switcher model (I'm not talking American Flyer, I'm talking "scale") is an S-12 offered by American Models, and it is not accurate in the realm of trucks. (It uses the AAR truck as found on Alco or GE products) and not the switcher type truck. However, it was the only game in town, and I wanted a Frisco Baldwin, so I was in the process of bashing an AM S-12 into Frisco DS4-4-1000 #241. Here's as far as I got before I poop-canned the S scale switching layout idea and ran back to HO: HOWEVER... if I were to do it over, and IF I was willing to scale back my scope (I wanted a LOT of the KC lines engines to be represented), then S scale is a great size as we age. Again, ALL of the above is strictly FWIW!
Ken, I truly admire both of your layouts. Do you still have your HO scale layout intact? And where is your G Scale layout located in! John
There is some truth in that! Engines: If you only need a couple/three switch engines, then SHS SW/NW's can have you covered. The above Frisco SW is simply an undecorated unit that I painted. NO additional work needed. AM and other mfg'ers made a good selection of rolling stock, especially for the non-modern era. S scale steam is an entirely different subject, and that can get involved and very expensive. Track: IF you don't particularly desire scale size rail, then there are prefab track systems that can get you operational quickly. I used ME flex in code 83 and 100. I loved the results. (Code 83 looked especially nice. All of my engine pics are sitting on code 83.) The S scale wheels started coming off for me with the Tomalco code 83 and 100 switches I used. EVERY ONE of them required significant fiddle to get to where they were reliable. The second nail was there is much less variety in available engines and rolling stock compared to HO. The final nail was the loss of SHS as a mfg'er. HOWEVER... Having piddled with O and was quite involved with S, I see many advantages to S scale. The biggest thing is that I wasn't saddled with that 5' wide gauge that O scale commonly uses. AND, the only way around that was go the Proto 48 route, which REALLY adds to the fiddle (and cost) factor of modeling in O. Of course, choosing a scale is subjective, and obviously, S scale didn't make the grade in view of my "Givens 'n Druthers". However, I thought I'd toss out my experiences in the scale for the sake of discussion.
John, Yes, I have both layouts operational, and we have alternating operating sessions between the G scale and the HO scale. It's quite a mental exercise in thinking big and small. The HO layout is fully completed, and it basically comprises a long peninsula representing Birmingham and its immediate surroundings. The peninsula has a two-sided 18 inch high scenic backdrop that allows modeling the Frisco and Birmingham Southern RR on one side, and the SAL and downtown Camellia Park on the other, with interchanges between them. The G scale layout goes around the walls. It is fully operational but about 70% scenicked, so it keeps me busy between sessions. I will say this has been a hoot, and it has kept my modeling interest piqued and enjoyable, always learning new things. For all of you, I remember a cute cartoon in MR years ago with the caption, "Contrary to popular belief, O scale modelers do not revel in banging on their boilers with ball peen hammers and listening to the bell-like tones." Ken
S would be ideal if not for: 1) the issues you mentioned, and 2) the fact that I already have quite a bit of O scale. O scale doesn't sell particularly well right now, so I'd rather use it. The other options are Sn3 and On3, but that's an entirely different ball of wax...but tempting!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences with S. Lots of folks out in the world just don't realize the value of good information. Regarding S diesels...switchers have never floated my boat, other than Baldwins. My preferences regarding 4 axle diesels are: Alco RS-1 early hi nose EMD GP's EMD F units Also FA's. Thanks for the information.
Yup, if you already have investment in O scale. Makes sense to stay with it. Best of luck, Paul, whatever you decide! For any reading this thread that are considering up-sizing their modeling scale: All those models Paul listed above are available in S scale: * The EMD hi-nose GP9 and an Alco FA2 are currently available from American Models. * For the other models, one will have to turn to the secondary market.
Paul: In regards to an O scale switching layout, you might be interested in what this chap is doing: https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/iowa-central-a-o-scale-2-rail-shortline-project-12201366?&trail=25 He's modeling in O scale (I don't think it's Proto 48, but it might be), and in a very small space. You may really like what he's doing.
