TNCENTRR, I totally agree!
On operations I totally agree. One of the best prototypical operations in the Boston area is the Southern New England O gauge club in Gardner.
I have seen many O gauge layouts just as shospicated as the finest HO layouts..
It depends on the time effort and talent in detailing applied and focusing on prototypical operations and accuracy. HO is no more an art form than O Gauge or O scale. Modern O and HO are equally authentic these days. It all depends on the level authenticity that is applied. This is where clubs excel verses a lone modeler. Again the fun factor lies with each individual and what level of realism they wish to apply'... I've had HO and N trains. O is the most fun to operate and detail as well.... Just my 2 cents..
As a teen I was modeling in N, but I wanted S but couldn't get any nor had the room. Then once I got to my mid 20's I went to O and have never looked back. With how old people in their 20's seem to teens, yes, O is for old men as I got into O as an old man from the view of my teen self.
Thought the opposite when I was a child. Had O gauge even before I was in school and expected to have HO trains when I was older. Never made the transition.
What, me worry?
My first kit was an O gauge Westbrook box car - thought I could build something more realistic to run as part of my Lionel trains. But as a 12 year old boy, I hadn't yet learned the skills needed to attach a pair of Lionel trucks to a scale model. Then I switched to HO.
At 77 years old still building still chasing still having fun. Most of the folks I see and meet in o scale are older. No matter, 2rail or 3rail, just nice people having some fun and remembering the good old days when we were still kids .
Still remember my moms dishes rattling in the cabinets when that steamer came by.
Wish I could do it all over again!
All the best to all you old timers young and old, or older
Run that train blow the whistle, and have some good clean fun!!
Franky -Ogee
Has anybody ever bumped into their O gauge layout table and watched trains fall off the track?
Its a rhetorical question. It only happens to the small, edible trains.
I though this was about O scale, which I always associated with 2-rail actual "O-scale." Very few people seem to be carrying 2-rail O-scale onward.
Paul, I am inclined to agree with you, I thought we were talking scale O as in two rail "O Scale Kings". I associate two rail O scale more with HO than O gauge three rail. O scale to me is just a giant version of HO that I can actually see and work on. Doug
Very sadly, I agree. I am 44-years old and know of only one person under 50 who likes trains like I do. Most younger people (unless they are exposed to the hobby by family, etc.) prefer video games/tech BS. I LOVE my 3-rail O-gauge but will train shops exist when I am "older?" I hope so....
