Changed scales and still expensive.

Well, on most products, it is not the materials that are most of the cost.    First off it is the tooling and engineering that go into the product.   Then the cost of labor and facility to to make it.   Finally the packaging and shipping are significant.    Probably in many cases, the differences in material costs as a percentage of the cost is not much different in O as in N.   

Now I feel for you.   As I have gotten older, seeing the tinier stuff and handling it is more challenging.    I can't imagine moving to N scale and being able to do much modeling.

I toyed with the idea, given the limited space I have, to go with HO.  I figured with the amount of product made in the HO community, the fact that the DCC system is open, that a lot of track is out there, engines were  less expensive, etc, that it would be significantly cheaper than 3 rail O.  While HO is cheaper than O gauge (compare an  O remote switch with an HO scale one for example, it is several times more expensive in O) , in the end it was not as much less expensive then I thought. Obviously that isn't true across the board, the >1k engines on three rail O are significantly more expensive than the most expensive engines in HO, it isn't even, but still it is going to be pretty expensive to build in HO scale or N. 

phill,

Is there an O Scale club near you?  Can you drive to it?  Perhaps, a club member goes by your community on the way to the club?

Do explore the other possibilities before you settle for less.

Wishing you the best,

Ed

Hey Phill,

I know it probably wasn't your intention but I am saddened by your post. From the fact you don't have space to create, what clearly you really enjoy, to the fact you are just looking at your model. I agree with Ed and hopefully someone near you can chime in and support and aid you in getting to the closest club or home layout to run trains. 

Just know, my friend, if I were near you I would.

Dave

Here is a different take on cost vs. scale.  I got into a debate with my hobby shop owner, with me saying modeling in O gauge is LESS than HO or N.  Here's the logic:

- Assume that anyone making a model railroad makes it to fill available (or spouse-negotiated) space.  So- let's say that space is 5 X 9.  Or 45 sq. feet.  Space is defined as length X width (assuming vertical space is not considered).

In HO it will take 4 times the buildings, track and scenery to fill that space, in N it will take 16 times.  So O Gauge is a bargain! 

Mike,

Your logic is spot on, unfortunately I have to disagree. Even though you certainly would have to purchase more equipment in HO or N scales, at best(and that's a stretch), you would break even in O Scale. For example 4 HO buildings might equal the cost of 1 O Scale building and so forth. 

Just my 2 cents worth and it ain't much.

Dave

Many  years ago, there was an Essay in what was then called the NMRA bulliten.    It is now NMRA_ORG or somesuch.    anyway the gist of the article was exactly what the last few thoughts expressed.     The author theorized that we will fill the available space with what ever scale we choose.    And if it is O it will be so many cars and locomotives etc.    Then if it is HO, it will be more becaue more fit into the same space.    And if it is N it will be even more.   He stated he thinks you spend nearly the same regardless of scale.

@prrjim posted:

Many  years ago, there was an Essay in what was then called the NMRA bulliten.    It is now NMRA_ORG or somesuch.    anyway the gist of the article was exactly what the last few thoughts expressed.     The author theorized that we will fill the available space with what ever scale we choose.    And if it is O it will be so many cars and locomotives etc.    Then if it is HO, it will be more becaue more fit into the same space.    And if it is N it will be even more.   He stated he thinks you spend nearly the same regardless of scale.

 

Exactly one of the several reasons that caused me to self-limit my available space,  

I could have put the walls anywhere when I finished the basement.

Sadly, while that strategy succeeded in regards to engines and their respective size, I still have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many cars, and I've got 10 more freight cars under construction or just waiting for paint & finishing right now.

Phill

You might want to consider building a switching layout for residential use and see if you can find a club (permanent or modular) to get your long train fix.

I recently moved and had to downsize my layout and my inventory. I am a die hard O Gauge guy. I went from 25 locomotives and I don’t know how many cars to 9 locomotives and sold off a bunch of cars. The old layout was 25x25 to 9x8. So to stay with O Gauge I switched to smaller curves and instead of 6 axle Diesels I went to mostly 4 axle Diesels for tighter curves and shorter straight runs. I still have my O Gauge and it is more manageable. So there is always a way. Examples shelf layout or a simple platform to do a switching theme. You will find a way. Good luck.

There are a lot of "minimum space" layouts out there in every scale, like in British O scale for example. Googling  "micro layouts" will bring up a few ideas. Try here: https://www.carendt.com/micro-layout-design-gallery/

As someone said many years ago,"You will spend as much as you can afford regardless of scale."

Ed

Phill,    Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry once said: "A man has got to know his limitations."

Hearing your situation, if I were you I would look into this:

http://www.katousa.com/specialsite/Starters/

If that won't do, old Clint would likely say: "You're SOL!" 

Good Luck and Take Care!

Simon

PS: NO semis needed!