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Whats your Guilty Pleasure??

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Posted by Packer on Sunday, April 27, 2014 6:56 PM

My guilty pleasures is dabbling in transition-era SP. I have an ABBA set of F-units, and I have came close to buying a cab-foward once... Another one would be trying to pick up a GN steam loco (like a 4-8-4 or a mallet of some sort) and using it for steam excursions

I also have a flock of pre-merger road cabooses. A guilty pleasure, but a prototypical one.

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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Posted by green_elite_cab on Sunday, April 27, 2014 5:52 PM

I have two guilty pleasures,  "local" stuff and "Electric" stuff.   

I tend to model the Northeast Corridor through New Jersey in the late 70s...  So that pretty much limits me to Conrail, Amtrak, and NJ DOT (NJ Transit didn't exist yet!).   That already opens up a world of possibilities in terms of paint schemes, prototypes, and modeling opportunities (catenary is fun, but I need a bigger layout to run my passenger trains). 


 However, I have a hard time saying no to SEPTA, PRSL, PATCO and other similar models.  Some of the trains out of Grand Central Terminal are interestint to me as well.     

I also have a thing for electrics in general, regardless of where and when they run.   I have quite a few more AEM7s and ALP44s than I really need, as well as other electrics like the ALP46, Acela, HHP8, "pennsy era" GG1s,  kitbashed E60MAs, AEM7-ACs, FL9s,  E60Cs, etc.  

I've had to stop myself from picking up Little Joes,   Bi-polars,   and New York Central Boxcabs.  


At least I have the wire to run them pans up!

Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.  

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, April 26, 2014 5:33 AM
Well it’s good to see that no one is suffering too greatly from feeling “Guilty”.Wink
Antoine L. Welcome to the forum.
Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by cjcrescent on Friday, April 25, 2014 8:02 PM

I have 2 guilty pleasures. Resin car kits, and brass locomotives.

Carey

Keep it between the Rails

Alabama Central Homepage

Nara member #128

NMRA &SER Life member

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Posted by Antoine L. on Friday, April 25, 2014 12:51 PM

Hi

 

For me it's running my (atlas master) St-Lawrence and Atlantic GP38-2 as slow as possible on DC. 

 

Yep.

 

Antoine

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Posted by russ_q4b on Friday, April 25, 2014 12:14 PM

Every once in a while I run my Bachmann motorized handcar along the entire length of my layout.  It reassures me that my handlaid trackwork is OK.   I get pleasure when it runs the entire length without any stalls or derailments.

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Posted by CSX_road_slug on Friday, April 25, 2014 11:55 AM

sandusky
Despite general distain for the PC, I like it.

I can relate.  I model the B&O for the same period that Penn Central existed, not a very popular era among my local modeler friends.  Probably because the B&O was on life support during this time.  The loco paint scheme was plain ol' dark blue with yellow sill stripes and lettering; it wasn't elegant like the blue-and-gray cab units, nor flashy like the Chessie scheme.  

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

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Posted by PRRT1MAN on Thursday, April 24, 2014 3:33 PM

Like so many others ahve noted I keep buying!  I probably have more car kits and engines that need work than I could do in a lifetime! Time is the key factor. Trying to build my layout,  Doing DCC installs and painting for others really slows my forward progress on my own stuff but I keep  buying the bargain junk lots! ( Especially if it is a PRR Item!)

LOL

Sam Vastano
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Posted by joe323 on Thursday, April 24, 2014 3:28 PM

Containers I must have about 60 of them to run in the 3 car well set I just bought.  So many I will have to build a seperate yard for them soon.

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by Santa Fe all the way! on Thursday, April 24, 2014 12:47 PM
Billboard reefers! RTR or kits. I have over 100. Several Train Miniature kits waiting for me to get around to building them. My layouts era? Late 50's ish
Come on CMW, make a '41-'46 Chevy school bus!
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Posted by E-L man tom on Thursday, April 24, 2014 12:43 PM

As my screen name implies, anything Erie lackawanna as well as anything before the merger of the Erie and the DL&W. That includes cars, locomotives and maybe even RR structures from the era

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
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Posted by sandusky on Thursday, April 24, 2014 9:09 AM

The Penn Central. Grew up near to Buffalo-Niagara Falls main. Despite general distain for the PC, I like it.

Amtrak "rainbow" trains; when I was younger, I preferred all-matching consists. Now the mixed ones look good too, although I still like the matched cars. 

Athearn BB units with the grey motor, grey flywheels and metal trucks, GE U "b" series especially.

Mindlessly watching the trains run; it's soothing in the same way watching the reels turn on a reel-to-reel tape machine.

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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Thursday, April 24, 2014 1:04 AM

Actually I lied, mine would have to be my seattle north coast stuff which was 10 years after the last SP&S train ran under the SP&S name. 

Jabear, I forgot to say thank you for your condolences from WPF.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

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Posted by dragenrider on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 11:31 PM

Embarrassed  My guilty pleasure is that I tend to purchase engines and cars that catch my eye due to their color, paint scheme, or bizarre appearance.  They might not fit my era, operating scheme or anything else...but I gotta have them!

So, late at night, when the house is quiet and the train room door is closed, I pull the curtains closed and joyfully run my colorful and misshapen mutant locomotives and rolling stock.  Pirate

The Cedar Branch & Western--The Hillbilly Line!

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Posted by farrellaa on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 11:13 PM

I have 'pleasures' but I'm not feeling guilty about them. I model the NYC in HO during the early/mid 1960's BUT I have 6 articulated steam locos (Big Boy-UP, Challlenger-UP, 3x 2-8-8-2's and a 2-6-6-2 C&O) and all with sound! I don't explain it to any visitors, I just run whatever suits my fancy at the moment. I do feel a little guilty about the 35 American Flyer caboose bodies/frames I have in that cardboard box though? And now I am ordering a PRR GG-1 thanks to Mr. Beasly! Oh yeah, the UP SD90; well, that was a gift!

  -Bob

Life is what happens while you are making other plans!

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Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 10:35 PM

Modern stuff. My railway is absolutely set in a time and place where excess height cars were unthinkable - and yet, I do my tunnels in such a way that doublestacks can just baaaaaarely squeak through!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pANhtFqJfIs

Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296

Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/

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Posted by shayfan84325 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9:58 PM

I have a soft spot in my heart for old brass locos, especially those in need of repair.  Now I have more locos than space for them on my layout.  I still keep my eye out for more - I just can't stop. 

I also love to build Jordan Highway Miniatures kits.  Based on the automobiles on my layout, my era is anywhere from 1906 to 1936.  I keep adding more cars and don't sweat the time frame - it's my railroad.

Phil,
I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.

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Posted by ALEX WARSHAL on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 8:17 PM

My guilty pleasure is buying Accurail 40' Boxcar kits.

My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9:28 AM

I just read the posts here, and I see everybody is having a lot of fun with the World's Greatest Hobby. 

On my layout, I have two styles for running trains. 

!. .... Operating Sessions. This is when I simulate the CB&Q in 1962. My layout is a fictional division of the old Burlington, and therefore, I may be creative excercising the rights specified in my Model Railroaders License.

2. ..... Running Sessions. Anything goes! It can be any train of any era. No limitations.

I must say, however, the conversion to DCC has limited the "anything goes". It takes time and money to install decoders, and my fleet is becoming smaller as a result. 

The "anything goes" category included a Pennsy passenger train with T-1 duplex steam locomotve rolling across the high plains of western Nebraska. The T-1 was a "basket case" Bowser locomotive which I rebuilt just for fun. The original owner of the T-1 had it lettered for Southern Pacific, but I went with Pennsy when I rebuilt it. The engine and Pennsy passenger cars were later sold on Ebay, the the funds were used to buy decoders. 

My remaining PA1 is a Hobbytown model I painted for Katy Railroad and run it with Texas Special passenger cars. This is okay because Katy did interchange with the CB&Q. The PA1 is not DCC-equipped yet. Burlington was in the process of buying the Katy in the late 1800's, but politics of the era put an end to that deal. 

I have several Santa Fe trains which are not converted to DCC. I have several GN and NP trains and some of them are DCC-equiped. GN and NP are included in operating sessions because CB&Q, GN, and NP were part of the Hill Lines (corporate affiliates). 

I must admit my fleet is too large, but it is hard to part with the many of the models. Each has its own story. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:34 AM

IRONROOSTER
riogrande5761

I'm just wondering, why "GUILTY"?  Guilty implies people are doing something naughty!  Just wondering? 

Ah, well you see, to be a true Model Railroader you must follow all the Rules. 

And this thread is about not following the Rules and the guilty pleasure of not doing so. 

So when you run that GG1 with no catenary on your Sante Fe layout you must do so furtively with all your blinds closed.

Laugh Laugh Laugh Laugh

Paul

Rules?  Roolz?  What steenking rules?  When I was a young man reading MR they made much ado about rules but now that I'm older and wiser I decided to rebel and tossed that rule book out the window!  I'm past caring!  Maybe thats why I was confused about why people were feeling guilty or naughty!   Break the chains of bondage to the MR peer pressure and you will be free!

Now, if I could scrape up the extra cash, maybe a Goo Goo 1 will be running around the Rockies amongsted the hallowed grounds of the D&RGW?  mmm... oh well, can't find the cash.  It got spend on another SD40T-2!  hah oh well!

 

have visited this very entertaining thread several times but I just couldn't come up with anything that I felt really guilty about, other than having too much fun modelling maybe.

Ah ...  maybe that is my guilty pleasure - going into threads like this and taking the mick out of them.  If you don't know what that means, just google it.  Comes fromb being married to a brit!

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by Kyle on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 4:04 AM

Sometimes I run my Western Maryland Alco RS2 with my CSX EMD GP38-2. 

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Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 2:45 AM
TheHogwarts Express running in 1950s Ontario, GOOD GRIEF Dave! I would have never picked you for firstly  having such a casual disregard for the rivet counters amongst us, and secondly being such a Railway Extremist. WOTS the Model Railroad World coming too ?? LaughLaugh
Keep Having Fun, Big Smile

Cheers, the Bear.Smile, Wink & Grin

EDIT: Hmm perhaps you're not that extreme after all .....

..........http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/British-Train-Coronation-Scot-alongside-American-Locomotives-Posters_i3781633_.htm

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 1:19 AM

While the SP occasionally leased to the SP&S, I do have a GS4 and Morning daylight consist #4450 was scrapped but she's still running alongside smoky alcos. I suppose mine would be the Q units even though non ran out here in washington pre BN and even then the E5's and F units were long stricken from the roster.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 12:57 AM

Jabear:

I have visited this very entertaining thread several times but I just couldn't come up with anything that I felt really guilty about, other than having too much fun modelling maybe.

Certainly there are some things that I plan on doing that will run afoul of the purists, like running Hogwart's Express in 1950's Ontario, but I just don't care what the nay sayers think.

The only conclusion I can come to is that I am absolutely devoid of model railroading morals!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaughClownLaugh

Happy (belated) Easter to everyone!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by cowman on Monday, April 21, 2014 8:21 PM

Bear,

No, the "sigh" has been there a long time and is still strong.  I presume it will remain so until a much larger space comes available accompanied by additional funding.  Of course, if I won the Megabucks that could change space available, work habits and purchasing power,  then all bets would be off.  I am not holding my breath though.

I suppose there is one possible gap in the armour, that would be as the "junkies"  have suggested.  That would be someone selling and not know/care what they get for it, creating a very, very reasonable price.

We all can dream can't we?

Have fun,

Richard

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Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:28 PM

riogrande5761
'm just wondering, why "GUILTY"?  Guilty implies people are doing something naughty!  Just wondering?

Gidday, aaaaah the joys and frustrations of the English language plus the possible variations and confusions of both culture and generation.
Thinking about it, the phrase “Guilty Pleasure” must be a relatively recent one and MY interpretation of Guilt, in this particular phrase, is neither guilty as in the legal sense, or even naughty, but rather in the context that a person believes, rightly or wrongly, that they have compromised their own personal standards and are ashamed of the possible consequences of being exposed by their peers.
So essentially harmless to all but ones’ preception of their own ego.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Monday, April 21, 2014 12:49 PM

Building cars that never existed, such as a theater car for the Pennsylvania railroad,or a former crummy "kitbashed" into being a self propelled speeder/snow plow for a logging railroad.  Someday I am going to have to figure out a way to justify Rio Grande Narrow gauge steamers in 1950's Pennsylvania. For example...a Theater car done for the PRR-They never had one. Built out of an AHM lightweight coach.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

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Posted by UP 4-12-2 on Monday, April 21, 2014 12:44 PM

I'm gonna say I don't really have a guilty pleasure anymore.  Financial issues and other priorities like things my kids need or will need soon are restricting my hobby dollars, and will for a decade or more to come.  I just had an epiphany and realized I can save money by replacing nearly brand new Walthers Proto engines with Atlas Trainman engines in my favorite roadname for nearly 1/3 the cost (of a Walthers Proto engine that has sound and DCC).  Don't get me wrong, I love some of the higher end diesel models now available RTR (especially with the working Mars lights, etc.), it's just that I'm finally learning to appreciate the Trainman Series, and if I ever get the motivation, nice models can be made by detailing them, for cheap!  It may seem almost sacrilegious, but I'll be blowing out some better engines on the evil auction site to make room for more P1K and/or Atlas Trainman releases.  Best Regards to all--John

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Posted by BRAKIE on Monday, April 21, 2014 9:58 AM

IRONROOSTER
So when you run that GG1 with no catenary on your Sante Fe layout you must do so furtively with all your blinds closed.

And best done in the wee hours of the morning--like 3 AM. Laugh

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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