Like most of you, I try to stay out of the "my scale is better than your scale" discussions. One of the few disgusting moments I've had in model ralroading happened as a few of us waited to get into the train room of a guy who had volunteered to be part of the layout tours at a recent NMRA divisional meet. The two guys ahead of me said something like, "Well, if I'd known this layout was __ scale, I wouldn't have wasted my time driving over here." I know our host heard it. I was busy by then admiring his rather innovative staging yards which were absolutely great!
As for me, my first trains were American Flyer S (Christmas 1958). By 1965, I'd talked my dad out of about 15 HO cars he had left from his brief time in the hobby (ca.1952-53). He also gave me some old magazines, and I was hooked on HO as soon as I read that first John Allen article about 15 times in a week! I have also built one layout in N for a hobby shop and enjoyed it. But, I am a confirmed structure and rolling stock builder. Availability and size will keep me in HO standard gauge, although I refuse to miss an issue of NG&SLG at the same time. I might try some of that narrow gauge one day! Thanks for opening this thread! --Stu--
As for me, my first trains were American Flyer S (Christmas 1958). By 1965, I'd talked my dad out of about 15 HO cars he had left from his brief time in the hobby (ca.1952-53). He also gave me some old magazines, and I was hooked on HO as soon as I read that first John Allen article about 15 times in a week! I have also built one layout in N for a hobby shop and enjoyed it. But, I am a confirmed structure and rolling stock builder. Availability and size will keep me in HO standard gauge, although I refuse to miss an issue of NG&SLG at the same time. I might try some of that narrow gauge one day! Thanks for opening this thread! --Stu--