Returning to N gauge

[GWR_XC]

Hello

Hope everyone is safe and well

I'm thinking of returning to N gauge (kinda regret leaving if im honest)

I switched over to OO and without thinking it through, purchased lots of stock with sounds etc

Thinking I had more space to build a layout at my disposal, unfortunately that is not the case, and my space is very limited

That being said I'm sure I could get something nice in N gauge with the space I have

Even tho I have sound locos in OO gauge, I'm not too fussed about it, so going forward with n gauge, I'm content with either going analogue or digital

That being said, IMO the major downside to N gauge is getting hold of the locos etc

Example - class 411 BR blue grey cep unit
Dapol HST blue/grey etc

And if I do manage to track them down, the price is going to be very expensive no doubt.

Obviously will try eBay & Facebook groups etc, if anyone has any further suggestions where to find used N gauge stuff then I would greatly appreciate it or even anyone know of someone who is looking to swap N to OO gauge

[Bealman]

G'day from Australia, Euston, and welcome to the NGF, and welcome back to N gauge! 

My initial advice would be to take your time, look through the forum,  starting perhaps with our For Sale/Wanted section (I note you have 34 posts, so you should be able to access that section), and start planning!

I would be tempted to get rid of my OO stuff first, if you're sure you're not likely to return to the gauge.

[crewearpley40]

Good advice from George. Try the ngf links and a beginners guide to model railways. I'm wary of 2nd hand unless a reputable dealer having heard of some buying off the net on a certain site. Maybe worth looking at the reputable dealers shops. I would really plan what you wish to achieve, whether scenic or urban, what space, maybe controls  , controller, have I a room, garage, loft space   budget? Track plan, it takes time

[LASteve]

I'd add to the sage advice so far. Don't be in a hurry to buy your wish-list if what you're looking for is not available off-the-shelf. For example, I waited over a year and bought a CL 411 CEP, new in box, from a seller on eBay. It was exactly what I wanted and I don't think I paid over retail for it.

I'm wary of "too good to be true" bargains (they are) and sellers that don't have a sterling track record. The N resale market is actually quite small when it comes to vendors and so it doesn't take long to whittle the list down to people you trust.

The resale market is well-understood and so you won't find many "bargains" - there are some out there but, as the old saw goes - "caveat emptor" - "let the buyer beware". As long as you don't expect to furnish your stock at knock-down prices and you have some patience then you will be OK.

I've been burned twice - both probably my own fault not following my own advice - I bought two locos from random sellers "as is" although described as running perfectly - each had split gears, but on the upside I have the CL 411 and some other "new in box" stuff which I've been delighted with.

[crewearpley40]

I do know of one modeller who brought off the net, his loco needed new armature,   commutator. I would only look at the main retailers and the magazines and make enquiries as to what they stock. Or just buy a set and build upon that

[Newportnobby]

I've bought all sorts (no - not the liquorice ones) off Fleabay but never locos.
I find looking for stuff on Google is incredibly frustrating as you get directed to a site only to find it's not in stock/not available and that just happens time after time
I guess we'll have to wait and see if we can get lucky. You want a 4CEP and I want a Dapol M7 in late crest preferably.

[njee20]

Dapol are re-running the HSTs, so don't pay over the odds for one. The CEP it's just a case of watching for them on the second hand market. set an eBay alert. They do come up.

It's not really any different to OO gauge - some items command huge premiums; it's just unfortunate there are some you want, in general the costs are lower though. At the time the CEPs didn't sell all that well, it's like the market suddenly woke up to them later. 

[Aire Valley]

After a break of 18 years, I've also recently returned to N gauge modelling and working on a project. I lost interest when I was younger due to the frustration of only limited products available and at a low standard. Today, is a complete opposite with overwhelming levels of detail and much more options.

- My advice would be to be patient and take your time with purchasing decisions and don't rush into paying over the odds.

- Make a list of what you would like and prioritise them.

- Compare that list to what is available on the market as some products are a lot easier to acquire than others.

- If you would like something that isn't available or very rare to get hold of, actively let the manufacturers know your interest to encourage a re-run or a design consideration.

- Use track planning software such a SCARM to design a layout. Keep saving your work and then re-approach it with fresh and different perspectives and you'll notice improvements gradually taking shape. Take your time.

- Use other modellers for inspiration. There are some fantastic layouts, stock and models out there.

Regards,

Tim

[Paddy]

There is a lot of N gauge stock available pre-loved although its price and condition varies a lot.  The key is not to get too obsessed with owning a particular item then and now.  One will come up and even if you miss that one another will come along soon after.  Given the prices of brand new stock there second hand market is well worth a punt.

Kind regards

Paddy

[GWR_XC]

Thanks everyone for the advice and reply it's very much appreciated

I will definitely take on board your suggestions and advice

A couple of years ago I had most of the n gauge stock I wanted to own, and it took me years to obtain some of it

I got swayed into OO gauge, and while I like the vast selection of OO gauge RTR models, I just don't have the space I thought I would of had

In order for me to get back into the hobby of N gauge I would first have to purchase at least 1 br blue grey 4cep

I will of course, check eBay from time to time and set alerts

I have decided to sell the OO gauge stock anyway as I now just don't have the space for it,

Hopefully I can get some luck with the models which interest me in N gauge, as failing that, due to the lack of availability, I will probably end up leaving the hobby altogether

Thanks again for everyone advice :-)

[crewearpley40]

Take your time, draw up a shopping list of what your needs are  , start simple then research the retailers that mail order, do exchanges. Good luck

[njee20]

With all due respect if your entire participation in the hobby is predicated on your ability to get one specific model I think you're setting yourself up for failure. Models (in all scales) are decidedly transient. Embrace that, buy stuff when you see it, and enjoy.

If you want to be able to always buy the exact item you want whenever you want then you're going to be perpetually disappointed.

[Newportnobby]

If you're not a member of the N Gauge Society then I suggest you join as (a) it's well worth joining anyway and (b) you could put a wanted ad in their bi-monthly publication and reach folks who aren't on this forum.

[ntpntpntp]

I do think @njee20    makes a good point: if your participation in the hobby depends so much on obtaining a few specific models then you're severely limiting yourself.  You have to bear in mind that these days so many of our models are batch produced and once they're gone they're gone.  UK N is a small market compared to European, American and Japanese so the batches are small.  The days of wandering into a model shop and just finding everything you want from a full range of product are over, apart from the basics.

The hobby is such a broad church with so many different themes you could follow and different skills to learn and apply, why limit yourself?  As Bruce Lee said

 


PS: I've modelled European stuff  since the 1980s, but I waited patiently for a blue/grey 4CEP to turn up on ebay at a fair price, just because they were local to me in my school days 

[GWR_XC]

I will have a look at the N gauge society thanks for the suggestion

And your completely right in the sense that I'm setting myself up for disappointment as I focus only on some models,

It's the same for me with OO gauge, it may seem strange to you but if I can't obtain certain models, I lose interest rapidly, it's very frustrating actually

I tend to buy my stock before I make a plan or buy track etc, that way once I have the loco/emu I really like, it gives me the foundation to build upon

While I appreciate this might not be the most logical way of doing things, it's something I have to do lol

I fully appreciate that the N gauge uk market is small compared to OO gauge or the European markets, and of course have to be patient when waiting for an older pre owned model to appear on eBay especially for a reasonable price

I'm going to sell all of my OO stuff anyhow, and will continue to look out for some certain models, equally I'm quite happy just to quit the hobby altogether if things don't work out with N gauge

Again thanks for the replys and advise, very much appreciated 👍