Wow. Ed, pretty well put. I visited the O scale convention this year, and I'd say O scale sure benefits from a larger market - more variety is available - especially in steam. The market is bigger, and thus it seems there are more layouts and more modellers than in S scale. This brings some benefits we're only beginning to see. But we're far earlier in the process.
There were many great layouts in O scale, but the curve radius is a very confining factor. There are also many average layouts with fabulous equipment. I visited two Proto48 layouts very, very well done....and both based on the Western Maryland (due to DC area locality). Didn't really see the problems you mention - but then one of these fellows is manufacturing Proto48 flex ties with real tie plates that work pretty neat - see the Proto48 website. Generally, though, the O scalers have dealt pretty well with their scale's problems through shared operating groups. I learned a lot that's been helpful in space management for planning my layout. S scale beats O for being able to either have more track or more scenery - but not both. HO can do both. S has better ops than HO. So everytime I get pulled by the immediacy of HO or the availability of O....I end up back with S. I'm committed to S scale....but maybe someone should just should just sign my commitment papers and be done with it. Thanks! Skip Change your membership, change your message settings, use our CALENDAR, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
