need some info..

[todhill73]

what is the difference between HO scale and N scale..?
also, I would like to know if your HO scale locomotives have working directional lights..?

[the Bach-man]

Dear Tod,
HO is roughly twice the size of N Scale.
Lighting in locomotives varies on a case-by-case basis.
Check the catalog for specific loco information.
Have fun!
the Bach-man

[jward]

the dcc equipped locomotives should all have directional lights, which can also be turned on and off with a dcc command station.

[Doneldon]

Tod-

HO is made to a scale of 1:87 while N is made to a scale of 1:160. Thus, as the Bman said, HO is roughly twice the size of N. However,
that's not true in a very real sens because it is roughly twice as long, twice as wide and twice as deep as N. Roughly, it's volume is about
eight times the size of N. (Actually, it's a little less than six times the volume because HO is really only 1.8 times as large in each dimension,
not twice as large.)

This means some very important things, most significantly that you can get more than three times as much N-scale railroad in a
given space than HO, and you only have to increase your elevation about two inches, not 3.5" - 4", to have your railroad cross over
itself on a bridge. This makes N-scale the way to go if your space and budget are limited (as is true for most of us) but you want to
run long trains, especially long passenger trains with long cars. Years ago, N-scale had poor detail, iffy quality and marginally
reliable operating characteristics. That's no longer true. While it's safe to say that HO has the best detail, merchandise selection and
operating reliability of any scale (other than couplers which are still something of a hassle in N), N-scale has improved to the point that
you can expect good looking models which run well, too. Your choice between HO and N should be guided by your available space
and budget (N is a little cheaper but not half), what kind of railroading you prefer (running trains, switching, operating like a prototype
-- real -- railroad), and whether thyere is specific equipment that you just have to obtain. Everything isn't made in every size so you
may find that there is something you can't live without that's not made in a given scale. That's more likely to be the case with N rather
than HO.

Whatever you decide, welcome to model railroading and this board. Please keep us up to date on your progress.

                                                                                                                                                                    -- D

[CNE Runner]

All of this is true...if you are comfortable seeing N-scale equipment. Remember, everything is much smaller than with HO. That includes: wheels, rolling stock, structures, vehicles, figures, etc. At 67, with less than perfect eyesight, N-scale is not for me (more's the pity as Don was correct saying there is a lot more 'railroading' in a smaller space).

Ray

[railexpert]

Hello,

One of the main points is the different track gauge between N and HO.

At Scale N is the distance between the rails 0.353'' (9mm).
At Scale HO is the distance between the rails 0.649'' (16,5mm).

See also http://www.nmra.com/standards/sandrp/pdf/S-1.2%202009.07.pdf

Railexpert