Era

Those are two wildly different eras.  Equipment, operations, structures, scenery were noticeably different.  There is a VERY limited amount of equipment available for 1900 in N scale.  It has a much higher level of difficulty than a more modern era.  Any early era takes dedication to make it work because so much has to be kitbashed, modified and scratchbuilt. (I model 1900-1905 in HO.)

 "late 1800s/early 1900s time

Those trains are pretty small so HO scale might be a better choice for the era. More stuff available and easier to handle when trying to scratch build or modify stuff. The modern era however is ideally suited to N scale, lots of newer era engines and cars and long trains don't require a huge layout space........DaveB 

I agree with both Dave’s

If you want to do N-Scale I would stick to the modern era since there is so much more good quality stuff readily available. Kato comes to mind for their excellent running qualities. 

If you are into early steam then I would consider a larger scale. HO would be the minimum, but if your skill level is decent you could create something really nice in S-scale or even Narrow Gauge O-scale.

Good Luck and Happy Model Railroading!

Tim Garland

tgalx3

Micro-Trains offers steam and rolling stock in the era you want to model. MT has very good  products but I have know idea how the steam engines run. If you chose to go more modern Kato has excellent locomotives, as previously mentioned. Atlas also has nice locomotives in N. 

Pffft

You can find stuff in N scale for the 1900's era fairly easily. Decide on a area to model and go from there. There are great sources, Old West Scenery being one of them (and a MRH advertiser) if you model the west in 1900. I expect to receive a package from them today of 100 very nice looking old west figures. I chose the paint them yourself option but the variety in the pack looks nice.

Some of the equipment does require some back dating if you want it to be prototypically acurate. If however the majority of the people who will see it wouldn't know the difference, and you don't mind the inaccuracy, then why bother? Be as thorough or as free lance and inaccurate as you see fit.  A poster named Warflight is a great example of this. His stuff is ALL KINDS of wrong but he has embraced it and rolled with it in a unique way. He models a Hollywood movie production set that happens to be filming a western. True to Hollywood standards, he doesn't care that the locomotive he is using wouldn't have been found on the rails, or had even been invented, at the time of his movie era...it looks good and that is what gets used. Pick a place, pick a time, if your dexterity and eyesight allow N scale then use N. If not, go bigger. Don't let a bunch of uppity opinions sway you against something

Thanks

I appreciate all of the input. There is a lot of good points. After having slept on it a couple more days. I think I will model modern era. There is a pretty cool BNSF yard about 15 min from my house that I want to model in addition to a mountain scene that I think would be cool.

Additional Comments

I would agree with a lot of comments on this thread with some additions.

1. N scale is great for big scenery, big industries, and long trains but not great for detail. If that sounds ok to you, then go for it!

2. I would recommend building modules to completion one at a time without using up your space in it's entirety. This will build your skills without feeling overwhelmed. It will also allow you to make mistakes before you get too deep.

3. Snohomish, WA is central to a lot of great modeling opportunities. There are a lot of GN and Milwaukee modelers out there. BN and BNSF would be great to model as well. Check out Stevens Pass if you haven't already... Honestly any era from the 1960's forward would be ideal in N scale. Regardless, it would be interesting to hear what is driving your interest and what kind of modeling you are trying to do?

4. Get involved with your railroad of choice, whether it is a historical society or an interest group. Research and study your subject!

@ sanchomurphy

1. N scale is great for big scenery, big industries, and long trains but not great for detail. If that sounds ok to you, then go for it!

I can't agree for you about detail in N scale, you are able to obtain extremly fine details in N scale, just this need patience and time and course precision, just a few examples.....

@ Marc

I'm not saying that you can't do quality work in N scale, I'm just saying that you are not modeling brake rigging, queen posts, truss rods, and individual turnbuckles on the underside of your boxcars. The realism in N comes from realistic train lengths and distances traveled.

It's a balance between detail and compression. As an architect, I am constantly choosing drawing scales based on the situation and which one of these you are trying to achieve. Model railroading is no different.  

Thanks

You wrote. "I appreciate all of the input. There is a lot of good points. After having slept on it a couple more days. I think I will model modern era. There is a pretty cool BNSF yard about 15 min from my house that I want to model in addition to a mountain scene that I think would be cool."

Wow! You changed your mind in era rather quickly/easily. I recommend that you re-think what era you will model. There is no hurry since you won't start the layout for many months. Don't  make a rash decision like too many of us have and then regret it later.

Why not use this thread to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of different eras to model?

Jim Six

What Jim Said...

What's the big rush?  Either way you go, there's going to be a lot of time and money expended. In the past, if at all possible, I've always tried to be as sure as I can be before making a change. When I've made snap decisions or moved rashly... seems it always came back to bite me on the behind rather quickly.

Andre

Andre

AMEN to what Andre said. Hasty decisions typically leads to bad things!!!

Jim

More Good Points

I want to focus more on operation then detail. I have played with N scale before and have always enjoyed it.

I think I chose modern because that is what I really wanted to do. I enjoy business history and I like the business behind the early 1900s railroad. I am not sure if that would translate well to operating in that era. Or if I wanted to spend a lot of time and money on an era I'm not 100% sold on.

tgalx3

I would really try to figure out what you want to do before purchasing anything. By doing so you will only buy what fits the era you model. Engines and rolling stock are not cheap so this will save you money.  Weigh all the pros and cons with the scale you want to model as well. Once you settle on that come up with a desired track plan that fits your needs.   

why not

Decide by doing?  Work up a 4 or six foot by one foot module from one of a gazillion or so to choose from.  Think of it as a diorama.  Build up what you had in mind for the 1900-ish layout; buildings, scenery, and a few cars, maybe a locomotive.

Now do the same sort of thing for a modern industrial setting.  

Which engaged you more, which kept your interest, which did you keep thinking about when at work.  What was more 'fun'?  If you're digging into this hobby for the long run, you might as well test drive a couple of options.  

Blair

Blair

i like that idea. I already started building a super small diorama. Maybe I will just continue with that.

Great Plan

Sounds good! Dabble in a bit of everything and find out where your passion is, it may not be what you expect.

 "I think I will model modern

Modeling trains you are familiar with and can go see in person when desired is a big positive. I think the big question is to decide if you like to build a lot of scenery or prefer to focus on the immediate railroad and it's supporting infrastructure. Square footage of layout can vary greatly depending on the ratio of your scenic/operations interest and square footage takes time and money....DaveB

The question about era is a

The question about era is a tough on to settle on. As an HO modeler I struggle with this myself....modern or old? I would really like to model current time, I love the big diesels, long cars and everything about it. HOWEVER, my small 11x15 room doesn't lend itself very well to the radiuses needed for the long modern equipment....and that is why I am modeling the transition era....40' boxcars and stuff....

NOW,  if I chose to switch to N scale I could do modern, but I love the level of detail that can be achieved in HO....so I stick with it.

All that said, it sounds like you already have decided on modern and N-scale. I say push forward my friend....get something going as that will hold your interest better than thinking about it for months. nothing says you can't change your mind later. It's a great hobby no matter which path you choose...Have Fun!

Well... business history, history, eras, memories

These got me where I am:

Memory of having a freight spur across the street (on an embankment) as I grew up.  Then moving to a town where the nearest RR was 6 miles away.

History.. of upstate NY, and why those towns are 20 miles apart... almost uniformly 20 miles!  Then looking backward to Canal history.

Business history... (my 'memory' railroad was the Erie... )

short of the PRR, UP or NYC, the Erie has history to keep you busy choosing which Era of ITS history!  Broad gauge and huge tunnels as a result, steam (triplex, anyone?), mountain construction (Starucca), dieselization, running on empty (continuing bankruptcies and stock frauds), mergers, realignments...   Only the CNJ has a history to rival the Erie in complexity.

I'd say you have plenty to consider... enjoy the trip.  My money would be on selecting region (for landscape) / era/ railroad...  but your results may vary.  Also,  be alert for your chosen rolling stock...  expect to invest patience.  That loco you want is likely NOT on anyone's shelf.

Enjoy the trip!  Looking forward to hear what you intend an do.

You could combine the two

You could combine the two era's. Model the modern era with a railroad museum off the main with the 1890-1910 era equipment on display. The museum could even run one of their trains on the main on occasion. 

Era and curve radius....

Modern era means different things to different people. I'm 56 but I forget how old I am sometimes. To me, modern era still means 70's and 80's diesels and the associated rolling stock. Modern era these days means long diesels and long rolling stock which brings up the old bugaboo of curve radii. Even in N scale, too sharp of a curve can cause operational problems and horrible appearance of rolling stock and locomotives. Earlier era's are more forgiving because of shorter equipment but as a general rule, I'd go for the largest curve radius I practically could, given space concerns. Just another thing to consider. Sorry, I do see this was touched on earlier, I was being lazy and didn't read the whole thread. Either way, it bears repeating and I think it should be a serious consideration. Also consider turnout size.

tgalx3

Not sure if you're following it, but this is an interesting current thread:

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/35004?page=1

Just to give you something to think about.  

Blair