Classic and other...

[Anonymous]

I'm exactly the same way. When it comes to toy trains, I have narrowed myself down to prewar and postwar because I truly love it the best. However, within the definition of collecting "prewar and postwar toy trains", I'm extremely broad. This includes O, S and HO/OO gauges, plus one Standard gauge set (so far) in electric, clockwork and battery power. Besides "normal" American train like Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, etc. I have toy trains made by British, German (West and East), Austrian, French, Italian, Czech, Danish, Soviet, Japanese, Chinese, Canadian, Brazilian and Mexican manufacturers. I love the wide variety of tinplate toy trains that were available years ago and could never concentrate on a single country, let alone a single brand. When it comes to collecting, I have a flare for the unusual and unique. I like the fact that my collection showcases the broad scope of toy trains made in the twentieth century. If I were to sell all my trains that were not made by Lionel (or another manufacturer), with the money I could acquire a very nice and complete collection of just that brand. But, to me that wouldn't be nearly as interesting!

However, as much as I love toy trains of yesteryear, there is another side to me. That side loves model trains that more accurately represent the real-life prototypes I love. To entertain that part of me, I have a large collection of HO trains. I started out with HO as a kid and never left it. I have my HO layout at one end of the basement and my tinplate O/S layout on the other.

However, I do have priorities. As I said before, vintage tinplate is what I love and therefore that's what I spend the largest sums of money on. My HO trains are probably 97% second hand. Used HO is common and plentiful and it's quite easy to build up a very large collection of used HO trains for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them new. Scale/hi-rail O gauge trains, on the other hand, are not easily obtained used at low prices, so that's another reason I stick with HO for more realistc trains. Also, I'm not keen on mixing near-scale trains with tinplate toy trains.

Another example of my varied interests and priorities is my love of G scale. I really like these trains, but they take a back seat to both toy trains and HO. Plus, I don't have the space or funds to seriously get involved in G scale. Therefore, my G scale collection, which is rather large in its own right, consists entirely of cheap Made in China battery operated sets such as New Bright, Echo Toys, Goldlok, etc. many of which have also been purchased used. I think that they're really cool looking and they're basically just display pieces, which line the tops of my O gauge shelving and are very seldom run, so for that prupose, buying expenive LGB or Aristo Craft trains would be a waste.

So, your problem really isn't a problem. Beng too narrow-minded to appreciate the vrious aspects of this diverse hobby...now THAT would be a problem! As you can see from what everyone has said, there are many ways to enjoy multiple scales and gauges. Only you know what is the best direction for you to take.

[statistician]

Deviation from a single gauge is not that uncommon. Fierce competition among manufacturers within the O market created some very innovative technological advancements and breakthroughs, and I sometimes forget that this same competition exists in th other gauges as well (just maybe not in a courtroom!) I still can't believe the recent advancements in HO, and the variety of locomotive prototypes available in G.

98% of my locomotives are Lionel, but I have N, HO, S, and G too.

Collect/run whatever makes you happy!

[dwiemer]

Greg,
Look into a thing called "forced perspective" it is where you place smaller scale items/track in the distance to make a few feet seem like a mile. I have seen several articles on this so you may want to do a search. In this way, you can use all your scales.
Good Luck,
Dennis

[pbjwilson]

Why not enjoy them all! I have trains in all sizes and sometimes run them together. Gotta have G in the garden, it's the only trains that get run in the summer. Like HO stuff and some N gauge too. Collect them and enjoy them.

I have a hard time staying focused as well. But thats what keeps me interested. Something new, something different.

Lately S gauge has been peaking my interest. Some of the new stuff is just outstanding and affordable.


O and HO in the living room

[Anonymous]

I love anything that's train related. Rather than a larger O layout, I'd like to have small ones in every gauge. Limits are space and money. I did build a small 2x4 N layout that I'll be doing some scenic work on over the winter. Also have some building projects for the O. Had a battery G set running in the garden last summer/fall, and will probably enlarge it in the spring. Decided I love streetcars, so I put them on both my O and O Christmas layouts. Looking forward to the many train shows here in the PA, NJ, MD, DE area, and will be searching for some postwar steam and some restored tinplate O. Never a dull moment! Joe

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

Slap your self in the face, and dunk your head into cold water the next time you think of straying from 3 rail O gauge and when you feel a craving for other scales.

Or, take a big tablespoon, squirt/pour some of that sour Lemon Juice that comes in the lemon shaped bottle, or something similar (Not Lemonade), and gulp it down. Think of the sour taste as Other scales of trains.

But, if you like the taste of that sour Lemon Juice like me, then, I won't work.

Consult a Doctor or Therapist if these do not work after numerous times.

[Anonymous]

You know... that's the reason why I've always come back to 3 rail. I seem to be able to "get away" with including all my interests into one. For example... I know today, I'm really into my new V&T set. But tomorrow, it's very possible I'll be wanting to model the Soo Line. I guess if I design my layout generic enough... I can have my cake and eat it too. [:D] I'm still curious how others keep focused. Or don't. In the meantime, I'm going to keep trying to ward off the multi-scale approach. Greg

[cnw1995]

All kidding aside, Greg, this isn't a problem - it may be an enjoyable part of the hobby too - I had HO as a kid, started in N scale again as an adult - and now enjoy O gauge. But I know what you mean - for me, 'curing' this had to do with finding a theme for a layout and then building to it - I enjoy the research, the plotting out, the construction - and then the changes again. I started with a train set in this scale, expanded to quite a tinplate layout and now am experimenting with a 'traction' or trolley layout - I'd like to work on overhead wires... Maybe your theme is an actual railroad of the present or past or one you'd create with some sort of reason for being - moving coal from point A to B - a bridge line between two favorite railroads of yours - gives you an excuse to run all sorts of things. That sort of thing...

[Roger Bielen]

Play the lottery and when you win buy a large empty building and go for it all. [(-D]

[Anonymous]

I've got a problem when it comes to trains. I can't seem to stay focussed. [V] I will go for months sticking with my 3 rail stuff, than all of a sudden I find myself with a craving for HO (shreik) or drooling over Tinplate(cause drool, I can afford)... or contemplating G. This is an annoying problem. Any others have this issue? Is there a cure? I'm serious... I'd like to fix this... lest I spend my life with a mixed bag of trains, and not happy with any of them. Well... you know what I mean.
Greg