Do I really want to mess with "N" Scale ?

I'm using my desktop Rick but can't for the life of me, find the "space" between the photos - maybe I should resize the photos as I used to on the old forum.  Here, on the reply section (not "Quick reply"), they are absolutely huge but come out sized once I post the reply.

There is indeed a clear line between each photo but I can't hit it with the cursor ……………………

Trying again - view along the platforms:

Still can't grasp it - it loads the photos one after the other but I can't get the cursor to the break point to add a space for captions ……………..

I've looked at what I've got and the possibilities of using it together with the potential costs of stock and have decided it's just not worth it.  It would dilute my efforts on Maxmill Mk 2 plus deplete my bank balance on something that may or may not ultimately excite me.

Everything coming in from UK post Brexit carries various import costs and the prices here make your eyes water !!

I'll try to sell on the controllers, I doubt the track or electrics would be worth much having tried (without success) to sell some surplus used OO Gauge points previously so hopefully, the controllers will recoup my outlay.  If not, then there's no huge sum at stake.

Maybe, just maybe, if I'd started in N Gauge, all would be well but I suspect I'd still have decided the difficulty in working with such a small scale would have outweighed the benefits of available space.

A hefty dose of buyer's remorse there Peter. A couple of comments on N versus OO (or in my case HO):

1. It's more expensive, especially new locomotives.
2. Apart from being smaller it's no more difficult to work with than OO. American N is a bit smaller at 1:160 (compared with GB N at 1:148).
3. Getting a DCC decoder and a speaker into older locomotives can be a pain. Plain vanilla DCC is usually without issues, and split frames are not difficult.
4. DCC decoders cost the same as OO decoders.
5. You will end up using just as much space as OO once you get beyond a layout in a box or mini-shelf layout. Realistic radii are space eaters.
6. You will end up doing as much wiring as OO.
7. Postage will be the same.
8. Taxes will be the same.

Somebody else's layout will give you additional challenges. Bin there dun that (new track, new wiring, lots of "would you believe it!" and "aargh").

I have room for 5 x 1 feet at home (1524 x 305 mm), essentially a test track and "what-if plank". I belong to a modular N-track group, my contribution will be 3 modules for a total of 12 x 2 feet (3.66 x 0.61 m). Even that's not long enough for what I want to do. Needs another module. Rather than relying on a used module, I'm going from scratch.

I'm enjoying the challenges that this scale offers. And a couple of diesels and 12-14 passenger cars stores in a shoe box.

Nigel

I'd discovered there's no saving in costs between the 2 scales Nigel - that is probably the main reason I'm not going to progress it.

Regarding 'buyer's remorse' - not too bad really.  I didn't pay much for it and I hope I can recover the outlay by selling on the controllers.  "Hope" being the operative word !   I've been looking at a trip to a model show somewhere in UK but the costs just go on climbing plus exhibitors have grabbed all the local accommodation so I'd have to travel.  Have you seen the price of train tickets in UK ?  I only want to hire a seat for maybe an hour, not buy the darned train !!!

I then thought maybe there are some exhibitions here in France.  No chance !!  There only seems to be a small handfull, mainly in the north. It appears the French are not train lovers …………….  No model railways equals no buyers for my controllers ……….

Hi Peter, there seems to be some model rail stuff on eBay.fr
Maybe the French like railways. 

Thanks Graham - maybe there is some hope out there.  On the other hand, they haven't sold yet !! 

They might generate some interest you never know. 

I came across this website on one of my searches today, it seems there may be some interest in France. LOCO DIFFUSION ⇒ Articles de modélisme ferroviaire
Are you familiar with it Peter. 

I have never seen a model railway-themed apocalypse before.  I think you would be better off cutting your losses. Salvage the electrics, track and any buildings for parts or forced perspective, and bin the rest. This meets the definition of a boat - a hole in the water into which you pour money. Use the track for rails piled trackside, on a flatbed, or for a short OOn9 setup. If the controllers are OK use them for that. Invest the money you would spend on refurbishing this on the OO layout.

I have seen that site before Graham - a sort of "Ebay" in France.  Prices are still "continental" so expensive compared to UK.

I think you're probably right Nigel and that, I think, is what I'll do.  Unfortunately, I don't have a bottomless pit full of money so diluting my ""OO" efforts would seem to be counter productive in spite of the clear advantages of space limitations in "OO".