Trains.com

Steam is overtaking the diesels on my layout.

1007 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: French Las Vegas
  • 129 posts
Steam is overtaking the diesels on my layout.
Posted by AlanRail on Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:22 PM
An odd occurance;

I have seen my diesels gathering dust while I purchased more and more steam engines.
Now my colorful diesels are destined for the eBay auction block.

I am saying good-bye to my E8s, SD24s, GP-40s, SD80 s and 90s FA-2s, F3s GP-9 and7s, H12-44s and SD-40s. I will keep a SW1500 switcher or two.

although, I am keeping my new GG1, Little Joe and Bi-polars; I am divesting my empire of my small GG1s, Rectifiers and Interurbans. Next stop all of my pre-war oh my..!!

I guess unlike modern railroads, I am returning to the past;. . .I'm feeling like a RED state.


Alan
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:33 PM
I have too many diesels but that is my main interest. Just sold two Williams and need to move a K-Line Trainmaster. You and Tom are steamer guys.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:37 PM
Hey Frank, That Trainmaster TMCC?
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: French Las Vegas
  • 129 posts
Posted by AlanRail on Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:47 PM
I used to say you could buy 3 or 4 Diesels for One Steamer.
I used to say who wants a bunch of black engines when you could have colorful diesels
I used to say who wants all that smoke in the room phew!!
I used to say all steam engines look alike.
I used to say who wants out of date equiptment that you can't see unless you are in an museum.
I used to say all steam whistles sound the same.
I used to say STEAM on an electric track
I used to say Smoke is not steam anyway
I used to say the chuff sound doesn't match the piston action
I used to say these steam engines are way too small
I used to say there's no fire in the fire box and no valves or gauges in the cab.
I used to say the piping details look like they are molded into the body.
I used to say the drive rods are held in with big set screws
I used to say those aren't marker lights they are little reflective green jewels
I used to say the cabs have no lights for the engineers and by god where are those engineers?
I used to say you can't see through the spoked wheels
I used to say the Front coupler is molded into the cow catcher.
I used to say what is that big silver slide lever cut into the top of the engine?

But I dont say that anymore.

Alan


  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:53 PM
Chris, nope just smoke and horn.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Central New Jersey
  • 258 posts
Posted by 92hatchattack on Saturday, January 22, 2005 10:02 PM
it hink the reason i like steamers so much is just the fact that having them as toys makes me think of the real thing ... and my god are they just so masive!!! just thinking about the size and raw power is enough to make a grown man gitty!!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 23, 2005 5:51 PM
Right on. Diesels are boring. All they need is diesel fuel from a little pump and hose. And have tinny sounding horns, yuk.

Give me steam any day. Lots of wheel and rod action. Coal tenders need water (water tower) and coal (coaling tower and coal mine to supply it.

Don't forget in the steamers time they had CABOOSAS, not some cheesy little red light on the back.

Steamers have whistles that sound neat.

Steamers can be painted colors and dressed up and streamlined. Think S P Daylight.

Charlie
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 23, 2005 6:11 PM
Steam always more to happen
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Southwest of Houston. TX
  • 1,082 posts
Posted by jimhaleyscomet on Sunday, January 23, 2005 7:54 PM
I appreciate your love of steam. However I find diesels more reliable on my layout switches. Can you all recommend some very reliable old and new steamers for my small layout?

Jim H
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 23, 2005 8:32 PM
K-line steam, Lionel new steamers
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Jamestown, NY
  • 658 posts
Posted by tschmidt on Sunday, January 23, 2005 8:37 PM
I guess I run whatever I like. Some steam, some diesel. It doesn't matter to me if I'm "correct" or not. If I want to put a caboose at the end of my train that is led by a diesel, I do. I just have fun and enjoy the trains.

No matter how you do it, it's a great hobby.

Tom
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Monday, January 24, 2005 9:33 AM
Cabooses lasted until well after the transition from steam to Diesel.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • 6,434 posts
Posted by FJ and G on Monday, January 24, 2005 9:40 AM
My love birds prefer the steam engine sounds to the diesel.

You know the saying "a sucker born every day.' Guess I'm just a sucker for both.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Southwest of Houston. TX
  • 1,082 posts
Posted by jimhaleyscomet on Monday, January 24, 2005 10:34 AM
I think sounds have given the steam engines a notch up on the diesels. That chuffing sure beats out a diesel motor sound.

Do diesels have the edge in the variety of different shapes?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 24, 2005 11:48 AM
Well, All diesels are are boxes... some are rounded, some slant nosed.

Steam wins in my book.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: New York
  • 214 posts
Posted by Chompers on Monday, January 24, 2005 4:04 PM
I agree with Lehigh Valley Rail Road.

Diesles are just big boxes w/ a stinky motor in them.


Also Lehigh Valley Rail Road, do you live near the Lehigh Valley Rail Road?

Because it use to run through my back yard [:D] , now it's just a bike path [:(]

Ow Well
By
Chompers
The P.C.&.M.R.R SA#14
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Posted by SPFan on Monday, January 24, 2005 4:34 PM
I've been into trains for over 55 years and have never owned any diesels until this year, an F3, NW2 and soon, hopefully a Beep (does that last one count?) . My train world is stuck in the early '40s. Simpler times?

Pete
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 2:19 PM
What about me? I only have one engine on my layout!!

(I mean I only have 1 thing that can pulll!)

And I only have 4 cars!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 2:58 PM
What about me? I only have one engine on my layout!!

(I mean I only have 1 thing that can pulll!)

And I only have 4 cars!

--

Well, then you cant count...

Nothing is there to be overtaken

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month