NILEMy problem is how many engines are on the work bench. I have five that are in various states of build or paint, and one more waiting to get started on.
Answer: When your freight trains have more head end power and rear end helpers than the number of revenue producing cars in the train. Let's see five locos in the front, ten box cars, four helpers in the rear... OK we're good.
Locomotive collecting seems to be a main focus of many peoples model railroading interests. Thanks to my database I can quickly tell you that I currently have exactly 50 locomotives from seven different railroads: Santa Fe (including BNSF), Southern Pacific (including Cotton Belt), Union Pacific, Rio Grande, Chicago North Western, Amtrak and Metrolink, plus one for Cargill. I also know the exact cost I paid for each one so if I resell them I know if I made a profit. They do hold their value more than any other model railroad item, especially if you bought them used to begin with.
I do have a lot more on my wish list so I guess the answer is 'It's never enough.'
I have between 60-70 locomotives. My collection is large enough that I am waiting for just the right locomotives to come out. A DMIR Yellowstone would be awesome.
My problem is how many engines are on the work bench. I have five that are in various states of build or paint, and one more waiting to get started on.
twhiteI just bought my "last" loco last month, a Sunset Z-6 Northern Pacific Challenger.
...just one more!
I started out to build a 50s/60s layout, with the usual GP7 and 9s, SW switchers, and E and F units. Then I got involved with trainwatchers and trainwatching, and now I had to have all the modern locos.
For what it's worth, if you have a large layout and many locos, your insurance company may require a special rider or endorsement to cover the layout, if it goes beyond normal household furnishings.
I believe I'm currently at 22 - all steam, 19 HOn3 and 3 standard gauge. Because I'm modeling the turn of the century (and narrow gauge no less), all of my engines require significant redetailing at least, those that didn't come with it will need DCC/sound installed, and a number of older brass engines will need extensive mechanical rebuilds. So of those 22, only 4 or 5 are really roster-ready, and adding new power is a bit daunting in terms of the amount of work that each represents. In time, the number will probably grow slowly, but I'm modeling a group of shortlines, so I could certainly make do with what I have now.
Well if its like the prototype, then there are plenty of trains and all the engines are FRA dead in the service center.
Thankfully, in my HO world there is no FRA and plenty of power to move all trains.
How Many Engines does it take? All of them!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Tom, it just goes to show you
"No Loco will ever go lonely... Because the Loco Owner is just plain loonie!"
Now say that 3 times fast! (betcha can't)
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Ah, Fergie, I know precisely what you mean---I just bought my "last" loco last month, a Sunset Z-6 Northern Pacific Challenger. Of course, the hobby shop had a Z-8 Challenger, also. And I just got paid a bonus from teaching. And I think my Z-6 needs a buddy. So I think I need that "next" "last" loco, don't you, lol?
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Cederstrand ***UPinCT, I think it is more of a 28 or 128 "step" program. Good luck! Cheers! Rob
***UPinCT, I think it is more of a 28 or 128 "step" program. Good luck!
Cheers! Rob
Good One Rob,
Derek
Garry
That is pretty appropriate description. : ) I believe I am up to around 200+/- engines. I need to update my roster because it has 150 logged in but that list is three years old ! I do agree that a good list for theft , insurance, fire etc.. is important.
Rob
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I put a limit on myself of 30 locomotives, and not a penny more! I'm currently at 29 and have one on order. Fortunately I have three old blue box locomotives that are currently awaiting a paint job for the DM&E and RCP&E and super detailing which will take a very long time. (Kids take most of the time up). Fixing up the old blue boxes is a boatload of fun, and very rewarding.
Can you ever have too many engines?
I want them all. Only the size of my bank account prevents me buying them all. Maybe there's a 12 step program for me?
Robert
Been there, done that! However, when it happens I am usually more inclined to be happy rather than be annoyed with myself. That's when the phrase "...you can never have too many locomotives..." comes in handy.
When you pull locomotives out of the boxes and can't remember when you bought it. Yeah, been there, done that.
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
How many engines does it take?
A lot less than I currently have. (Now to go pick up that Life-Like RS-2 I just won....)
FergmiesterBTW I just bought my "last" loco a week ago. Haven't figured out what the next "last" Loco will be, though there was a really nice 10 Wheeler at the LHS...
My last locomotive was a 3 rail Lionel 0-6-0 bought last month.
My next last locomotive may be bought in April at the next train show if I find something that appeals to me. I'm thinking about getting something in N scale, but we'll see.
Enjoy
Paul
I bought my last diesel in January - Genesis D&RGW GP40-2 3130, to complete the set. I sold a NIB diesel from an old impulse buy to partially pay for it. I've already figured out what candidates are for the next last diesel, either an SDP45 or an SD40R due out later this year.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Actually for a "whimsical" approach to scare away the February BLAHS this thread has some real value! Insurance, Fire, Theft, economic hardships, divorce, etc.
Thanks Guys!
Total of 21 engines of those 20 are steam locomotives of those 11 are brass.....i'm good!!
unless of course BLI or Bachmann or Rivarossi decide to build a Milwaukee S-2 Northern......oooor if I find a really good deal on a brass one
Wish I could add something funny, but not enough coffee in me to get the synapses firing at full steam yet.
In HO, just 9 locos. 1 new loco just ordered, which will round it up to 10, but 2 of current roster I plan on selling. Each will serve a specific purpose on the new layout. A very simple new approach for me.
As for N scale, have no guess how many, other than "lots". As my eyes have developed issues, I tore down the N layout which was still in progress and will eventually sell most of that collection off. Plan on keeping a few favorites for a coffee table sized layout for the Library.
FergmiesterI was looking at this thread in a more whimsical tone. Probbly my fault for mis-labeling it.
In my case I just wanted to make my private thoughts public.Felt good to know I can publicly acknowledge I lost sight of my original goals and ended up with a hodge podge collection of locomotives I should have never bought..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Texas Zepher Fergmiester I was looking at this thread in a more whimsical tone. Probbly my fault for mis-labeling it. No, I caught that immediately. I think reading with understanding is becoming a lost art. Perhaps you should have "posted a video"
Fergmiester I was looking at this thread in a more whimsical tone. Probbly my fault for mis-labeling it.
No, I caught that immediately. I think reading with understanding is becoming a lost art. Perhaps you should have "posted a video"
My intention was to be whimsical.
I may not have been successful...
In fact my house was robbed (twice) by some local low life.
Among other things, they stole three 35mm SLR cameras and a compact Rollei 35. When I reported this to the insurance company, they seemed suspicious at first (four cameras?) but when I mentioned to the assessor that they'd missed the main stash and I showed him the remaining cupboard full of bodies and lenses, he got the point. All three of the stolen SLRs had a documented repair history quoting body and lens numbers.
But I lost 150 CDs. I never could find a second time the German lanuage soundtrack of the "Blue Angel" by Marlene Dietrich.
I'd expect that I wouldn't be able to find many of the items in the rail collection either. Some things I wouldn't want now...
I bought a very late production AHM FM C-Line A+B set in Milwaukee road colours. This was basically because it was the first model USA diesel unit that I'd ever seen (as a Rivarossi model in the 1950s). I also bought a Proto 1000 C-Line A unit also in Milwaukee which indicated the many improvements made to models in the intervening years.
Would I do that again now?
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
M636C