N Scale or Z Scale

[rhiot]

So, other people asked the same thing. I was just wondering..it's been a difficult choice. I definitely won't be doing HO due to my limited space.

I can have a layout about 36 inches (3 ft) long, and 18 inches (1.33 ft) wide. With some more effort I can possibly increase it to about a 7 foot long layout.

I've been leaning towards Z-scale due to the ability of having more space to work with, but they have a lot of downsides.

I heard z-scale trains are easily affected by dust, and I've got an old house that accumulates dust rather quickly. I also heard that unless you place weights inside a loco, it performs badly even if the motor is capable of much more. Z-scale trains are harder to place on tracks. Would I still have difficulties dealing with them (I'm still a teen)? Z-scale layouts are also expensive, and things like premade z-scale decals are nearly impossible to find.

When it comes to N-scale trains, I haven't researched as much. However, I know that everything I stated above would be different. N-scale is cheaper, bigger, and more powerful. With the possible layout size I mentioned, would N-scale trains be for me?

[clayguthrie]

From my experience z is much more expensive. Thats enough for me to avoid it lol.

[railfan]

You may need more like 20 inches wide to accomodate even small radius N scale curves. You could maybe use flex track to make the curves tighter......that would take some skill and extra work.....but might be possible. With a curve radius of 9 inches to fit in a 18 inch width you could only use shorter locomotives and railcars. With Z scale the track profile is so tall it looks out of scale and the couplers look kind of too big also. Best of luck with your project. It might be a good idea to check on the minimum curve radius that N scale flex track can be made to work with.....if you choose to try that option. The smallest atlas N sectional curved track is 9-3/4 inch radius.....which would require 19-1/2 inches of layout width to make a 180* degree turn around.

Mike

[MRLdave]

You didn't mention what you were trying to build or run......switching? Continuous loop? ect. But I always say use the biggest scale you can fit into your space that allows you to do what you want. Mike makes a good point about the radius limitations you'd have with an 18 inch width. If you can stretch the width to 24 inches you could do a lot with N, especially if you can go to the 7 foot length. You'd want to avoid long cars and big locos, but a nice little 40's to 60's branch line could be represented nicely.

You have the some of the limitations of Z figured out.......but you didn't mention the drastically decreased avaiability of train models,cars, vehicles, buildings, ect. Nothing comes easy in Z, but for some, that's a plus, not a minus.....some people enjoy the challenge of scratch building. Also, the jump to Z isn't as large as most......O scale to HO is half (HO is the abbreviation of "half O") and HO to N is nearly half (1/87 to 1/160) but N to Z is only a 37% decrease (1/160 to 1/220).

I'd suggest you research some track plans for N scale and see if you can accomplish what you want.....If you can, I think you'll be happier in N. And if you can't, then go to Z.

[rhiot]

Thanks for the help, all! I can't make it any wider, unfortunately.. I think I'll look deeper into N-scale. I really dislike the inability to be more creative with track laying, but Z-scale just has so many cons compared to pros.

E: I'm interested in switching by the way. Loops are boring! I enjoy seeing trains travel long stretches of land.

Also, would small fencing around curves help stop derailment completely, or would trains just get stuck?

Just measured things quickly. Noticed that I could make the layout about 24-26 inches wide on each end of it! Guess the trains could turn there, and do switching through the center. N-scale seems better now.

[bradyracing]

Originally Posted by MRLdave

You didn't mention what you were trying to build or run......switching? Continuous loop? ect. But I always say use the biggest scale you can fit into your space that allows you to do what you want. Mike makes a good point about the radius limitations you'd have with an 18 inch width. If you can stretch the width to 24 inches you could do a lot with N, especially if you can go to the 7 foot length. You'd want to avoid long cars and big locos, but a nice little 40's to 60's branch line could be represented nicely.

You have the some of the limitations of Z figured out.......but you didn't mention the drastically decreased avaiability of train models,cars, vehicles, buildings, ect. Nothing comes easy in Z, but for some, that's a plus, not a minus.....some people enjoy the challenge of scratch building. Also, the jump to Z isn't as large as most......O scale to HO is half (HO is the abbreviation of "half O") and HO to N is nearly half (1/87 to 1/160) but N to Z is only a 37% decrease (1/160 to 1/220).

I'd suggest you research some track plans for N scale and see if you can accomplish what you want.....If you can, I think you'll be happier in N. And if you can't, then go to Z.

Well said. Much more availibility in N scale over Z.

[jdetray]

I've never heard of any kind of "fencing" that will stop derailments. I can't even imagine how that would work.

For more ideas about what you can do in small spaces, check Small Layouts for Model Railroads. It's by far the best resource on the topic, with hundreds of amazing examples.

- Jeff