FOLLOW UP:
So my friend (let's call him Joe) decided that he would like to get his feet wet in N-scale. Joe made that decision based on space limitations. I did some research and, based on generally highly favorable reviews, ordered a Kato M2 track & transformer set and F7 train set off of Amazon...I figured if we were disappointed it would be easy to return.
So yesterday we set them up for the first time. I have to tell you I am mightily impressed with this stuff. This is NOTHING like the N-scale stuff I messed with thirty years ago. Cost for everything was around $320. The Kato F7 is incredibly smooth and is able to creep at an extremely slow pace. The detail on the engine and rolling stock is amazing and the workmanship appears top notch. The Unitrack snaps (and holds) together easily and seems to be a great compromise between practical & realistic. This may be entry level stuff but the quality seems much better than that.
(Side thought - is all N-scale this good now? Or is Kato above average?)
Joe is all in so far; my biggest concern was because of the small size he might have difficulty handling the equipment, but he had no problem at all with assembling the track, getting the cars railed on the track, nor with coupling/uncoupling. The next step is to get a DCC/sound diesel locomotive for an 'audition' (he is really big on the sound effects). Fortunately I have an MTH DCS Commander console, which I believe can be used with DCC.
Truth be told, if I were starting out from scratch with the hobby I might be inclined to go back to N-scale. As it is, I'm already thinking of gathering up some N-scale equipment for myself, (for research, of course, lol).
Then again, would it be so bad to model both O- and N-scale at once?
