The software would not let me write anything below Johnnyspeed's comments.
One thing I will guarantee to you guys is that I will never go back to HO. IMHO, it too has gotten very, very expensive. Even though I still have 20/20 vision the trains are just too darn small. When I had HO they constantly came off the track. I was using Atlas sectional track so in theory it should have been in gauge but knowing what I know now maybe some of the cars wheels weren't. I never thought of that back then. I have to say that O scale tracks very well. When I had the test layout I don't think I had derailments that weren't caused by me.
I was reading an interesting article in one of the old NASG magazines and the guy was saying how he can sometimes use HO buildings for S scale. That's awesome because HO buildings are always much cheaper than O scale buildings. Another cost savings for S. There are enough track systems in S so there's no problem there, scenery, electronics, and benchwork are the same for all scales. There is a decent amount of rolling stock available from various places so that isn't a problem. So it would seem to me that S scale has everything one would need except for the locomotives (specifically steam) themselves. I don't mind learning to scratchbuild structures or looking for HO or O scale structures to work in S scale but I can't scratchbuild a locomotive. First of all I don't know how and even if I did I don't have the tools needed. Whether I get into S or not I sincerely hope that this changes in the future.
