Here's another "philosophical" subject. Or maybe just a chance to yammer away some more.
When we start(ed) out in model railroading, most of us just bought what looked nice. But after doing it for awhile, we drifted into modeling a specific locale or railroad. This then meant there were "approved" purchases, and "not-approved".
But there can still tend to be locomotives that speak to us. And we buy anyway. Or fight mightily NOT to.
An example for me is the 4-12-2. I saw UP 9000 at the LA County Fairgrounds when I was a kid. Always wanted one. They didn't run in my "locale". I finally bought one anyway. Just couldn't help myself. Yup, it's lovely, in a looong way.
An example on the "NOT" side is/are electrics. There are so many that I really like, some of which did operate in my area of interest (Oregon Electric--so neat!). But I refuse to run electrics without catenary. So what's the point of buying them if I can't run them (aside from shelf queens, of course). I DID succumb to a couple of Virginian rectifiers when they were on sale. BAD Edward, BAD. And I DID buy an Acela set after having ridden them--very pleasant in business class, I do say. They have yet to run on a layout, for reasons mentioned above. Like-new condition, as they say.
I have other examples, I do admit and affirm.
So, here's a chat opportunity:
How have you dealt with these guilty pleasures?
Ed
I have a weakness for modern locomotives that are very incorrect for 1954.
.
This monster is in the paint shop right now:
I just give in to the temptations... then paint them in STRATTON AND GILLETTE "heritage" schemes.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I caved in to an Acela set. A deal I counldn't pass up. It's still in the box.
Mike.
My You Tube
I had to have a GG-1. I had one as a kid. My layout has no catenary and runs Milwaukee power. But, I can imagine bringing in a line of coaches behind a GG-1, swapping power, and continuing on with the journey, perhaps with a return run later in the day.
Not prototypical, of course, but at least more plausible than the mermaid on a rock in the bay.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I started with NYC and have pretty much stayed with it my entire modeling career. The only time I've straid was picking up two Erie S-1s and an Erie FTA-B and a couple of Norfolk Southern GP38-2s; the latter with the idea of running them on a modern layout - i.e. if the opportunity arose.
The GP38-2s I will probably end up eventually selling, since they are way too modern for my layout. The Eries, however, I may use as stand-ins at a NYC-Erie crossing.
Having said all that, I'm strictly a NYC guy and don't really have much of a desire for other RR's locomotives. Most just don't really appeal to me. The one exception might be a PRR 4-6-2 K-4.
And to be honest, there are a some NYC locomotives that will never adorn my layout because they are either ugly or too modern for my steam-early diesel layout era.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
All of my purchases fit your description. That's why I don't model a specific road; I want it ALL!!! I have at least two locomotives for each of the Chessie, PRR, NYC, UP, ATSF, N&W, and CPR (Canadian, not Central). Oh, can't forget the recently acquired Rivarossi Heisler, the "Four Spot" from the Comox Logging & Railway Co. And I had to have the Trix GG1 when I found it sleuthing on line and saw it was about half-price.
This is why below-layout staging is now so important to me; it provides me with a way to store a variety of consists, ready to use.
Which reminds me of another facet (for me, anyway) of the subject:
Since the geographic area I officially model is "far away", and since most of the local modelers model local railroads, I have bought an assortment of off-road power so that I can go visit with appropriate equipment.
I've got an SP cab-forward (always wanted one, anyway), switcher and caboose.
I've got a Santa Fe GP9, caboose, and some rolling stock.
And a sprinkling of WP. And a Rapido Zephyrette, very soonly.
Oh, yeah. Since I DO model UP (but steam is oil fired), I have a string of PFE reefers. And THAT comes in handy when you need something for your cab forward to pull. DUAL-USE!
I model Santa Fe and also have Southern Pacific trains running on my tracks which is not uncommon in California. I currently have about 50 locomotives which are mostly Santa Fe or Southern Pacific. I also have a few Amtrak and Metrolink for passenger service. But I do have a few ‘impulse buys’. I had to have a Southern Pacific cow and calf switcher set even though my yard is Santa Fe. It was a cool set and I couldn’t pass them up. I also just had to have a Rio Grande tunnel motor after seeing all of those great pictures of Rand Hood’s dioramas. I run it with a latch of SP tunnel motors. At work I did some Operation Lifesaver stuff so when I saw a CNW locomotive with Operation Lifesaver on the side of it I had to have it. I run it with SP locomotives. I also have a couple of Union Pacific locomotives that I run with SP units because the two railroads had a history of sharing locomotives. I wanted a steam engine, just because, so I bought a nice 4-8-4. I run it every few months as a historic society’s excursion. I bought an assortment of old passenger coaches and dome cars to go with it. I also wanted an old, ‘wild west’ locomotive so I bought a V&T 4-4-0 and then started collecting old time freight and passenger cars to go with it. While I was at it I decided to get a Central Pacific 4-4-0 and some passenger cars to go with it as well.
I been eyeballing a (gasp!) steam locomotive, a Bachmann 0-6-0T to be exact..My other steam choice would be a Class B two truck Shay by United.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Since I've established a specific focus, I've resisted the temptation to get anything that didn't fit. The only locos I own that don't fit in are ones I saved from long ago out of mostalgia, and mostly they are older Rivarossi and won;t run on code 83 track anyway. Back in the day, I always wanted a Big Boy or a Cab Forward, but I'm over that. I do like geared steam, but have managed to avoid the temptation thus far.
Kevin - considering that's exactly what NS did for Reading, PRR, Lehigh Valley, Erie, etc - you're not really deviating from prototypical practices at all. Unlike some of the others, which have a partial predecessor paint scheme and a logo, the NS Heritage fleet applies the full paint scheme of the old railroad to the modern units. So it is perfectly plausible that if your railroad is still around in modern times, using modern power, they would paint one as a heritage unit, or even if your railroad was merged into some other over the years, the current operator would do heritage units for the old component railorads. In fact, you may have opened up a whole new can of worms - say the S&G was merged with other railroads in the 70's in a Conrail type of thing - now you can paint modern locos for each of those, once you figure out what they are.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Well, this is part of the reason I freelance/protolance..........
But overall I am pretty well disiplined in my purchases.
I model the B&O, C&O and WESTERN MARYLAND, and I model them with a reasonable level of accuracy for my 1954 period.
My ATLANTIC CENTRAL is carefully "constructed" to include a few other favorites, but even those are typical of this region.
Here are some of mine:
READING 4-8-4 T1 - We had the READING build us some too.......our only Northerns.
N&W 4-6-6-4 Class A - ditto, we liked them and had them build us a few - with tenders more to our C&O like style (the tenders are from Bachmann C&O 2-8-4's)
We have lot of USRA 4-8-2's, some coal fired, some oil fired for passenger service. Like the B&O we found this to be a most useful wheel arrangement.
4-8-2's and 2-8-2's are the backbone of our fleet.
Freelanced/kitbashed modern heavy 2-8-2's - we do offically call them MacArthur's, Mike's is just fine. These were inspired by the DT&I 800 class Mikes build by LIMA, which are really pretty much baby Berks in appearance and engineering.
I have always admired the DT&I 800's, and they are actually the prototype for the old Mantua Mike. Kemtron even offered an all weather cab to make the Mantua Mike more DT&I correct.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi7qdjd38XfAhWuct8KHcWBD9MQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.railarchive.net%2Frandomsteam%2Fdti804.htm&psig=AOvVaw3VOiXCofcD6VwfMEqcd1qe&ust=1546197229108368
A lot of research on both 2-8-2's and the development of the 2-8-4 went into this project. The result being that in fact many Berk's could have been built with two wheel trailing trucks and several roads had Mikes with 70" drivers, Berk size fireboxes, and similar performance, like the GN O-8.
We have five of these over three sub classes, built from Bachmann 2-8-4's, here is picture of one before it made it to the paint shop:
This next one, I could have as many as I want as a C&O modeler, and I do. But the ATLANTIC CENTRAL has a bunch as well:
The only prototypes not common to this region that have really temped me are some SP steam, but I have yet to actually pull that trigger.
I have a few "museum piece" items that are way before my era, but actually no locos and very little rolling stock after my September 1954 cutoff.
So I guess you can count me in the highly disiplined crowd, with good explainations for a few personal favorites.
Sheldon
My principle: You can't buy locomotives you don't need if you can't afford them... (although if I had money to burn I would have a fleet of SD40T-2's for no reason what so ever).
I find it impossible to stick with one road name and era. That's why I have 48 HO scale locomotives of various road names and eras, (including B units and dummy units) with the oldest era locomotive being the Camden and Amboy 4-2-0 John bull, and the newest being a Union Pacific GE ET44AC GEVO. But, I will say that the majority of my fleet is made up of UP and Santa Fe steam and diesel, mostly 1930s through 1960s era. The most unusual loco I have would have to be a PRR GG1, as it's the only electric loco in my collection.
First, let me reiterate that I love this hobby and now that GE has put me out to pasture I have lots of time to devote to my favorite hobby.
I was very fortunate to have experienced at least a taste of what was left of "big-time" railroading. In the late '60s and early 1970s there were still plenty of first-gen diesels and a few decent passenger trains still running.
I got to ride remnants of the Erie's Lake Cities into Hoboken, the Broadway into "Pennsylvania" Station (it had already fallen to the wrecking ball and was now Madison Square Garden) and some of what was left of Central's "Great Steel Fleet" into Grand Central.
Once I had a taste of seeing, hearing and riding behind some of the "motors" GG1s, P5a Jets, P2bs, E44s, FL-9s, MP54s, little S3s and even Metroliners when they were still new I'm really fortunate to be able to see and run these on my layout.
The catenary conundrum doesn't bother me since, whatever cat I would string, it wouldn't be right for all of these electrics, plus I'd need some third rail, too, both over-running and under-running. So, what to do?
I have some nice PRR-style, K-braced 3D printed cat supports that fill in nicely for photo shoots.
IMG_5522_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_2948 by Edmund, on Flickr
But then when I want to see the Century being towed back-first into GCT I can do that, too:
IMG_6939_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
On the other hand, Cleveland Union Terminal P1a s just don't look right under PRR wire so... well, I'll just have to get over it.
IMG_6789_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
Pans Down? I can live with that. Even Andy Rubbo, who has very nicely modeled PRR catenary runs with pantographs down* because he's concerned about snagging the wire if I recall correctly.
IMG_6782_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
I have these supports stuck to the layout with little "super-magnets" imbedded in the ground and iron plates glued to the bases of the poles so I can place them or remove them as needed.
It's a compromise, sure, but it allows me to run and rekindle fond memories (heck, even the AEM-7s are gone now!) of seeing these beasts when they still roamed.
IMG_5577_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
I'd sure hate to give up any of my "Juice-Jacks" and I'm really looking forward to the Broadway Limited P5as coming soon or the New Haven Jets coming from Rapido.
I hear GHB is working on a model of the old DD1. That will be another nice addition.
PRR_DD1-fi2i by Edmund, on Flickr
Great fun and great memories for me.
* Andy has since designed a "break-away" pantograph so he might indeed run with them touching the wire, now.
Cheers, Ed
I always thought the most practical way to model catenary would be to do just what you have there, just model supports, then rig the panographs to not go all the way up.
I want to model some sort of trolley in my city, but don't look forward to trolley wire....
Maybe underground third rail like downtown Washington DC had back in the day?
ATLANTIC CENTRALI want to model some sort of trolley in my city, but don't look forward to trolley wire....
Beside the actual work of stringing it, the possibility of snagging it while re-railing or doing maintenance is another consideration.
As for the "art-of-the-wire" here's a look at what Andy Rubbo has modeled—
Enough to make any PRR or Heavy Electric fan drool!
Regards, Ed
I very much suffer from the 'Buy (or build) What Looks Neat' syndrome. Most of my collection centers around Canadian Pacific in the maroon and gray livery and rolling stock of that era. To be honest, I hardly ever run the stuff. I would much rather run my McKeen Motor Car:
Or my scratchbuilt rail truck:
or my Grandt Line box cab:
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
rrinker Kevin - considering that's exactly what NS did for Reading, PRR, Lehigh Valley, Erie, etc - you're not really deviating from prototypical practices at all. Unlike some of the others, which have a partial predecessor paint scheme and a logo, the NS Heritage fleet applies the full paint scheme of the old railroad to the modern units. So it is perfectly plausible that if your railroad is still around in modern times, using modern power, they would paint one as a heritage unit, or even if your railroad was merged into some other over the years, the current operator would do heritage units for the old component railorads. In fact, you may have opened up a whole new can of worms - say the S&G was merged with other railroads in the 70's in a Conrail type of thing - now you can paint modern locos for each of those, once you figure out what they are.
I know... I know!
I have already toyed with other post-merger heritage diesels painted for the DIAMONDBACK & WESTERN and the DAWDLE & DELAY.
I am just glad I do not find too many undecorated Dash-8s!
xboxtravis7992 My principle: You can't buy locomotives you don't need if you can't afford them... (although if I had money to burn I would have a fleet of SD40T-2's for no reason what so ever).
Been working for me. I'd rather direct funds to the rolling stock fleet than locomotive buys anyhow. Even though I have no home layout, I'm pretty set on what I'll build when the time comes and most purchases are directed to that. Although I do have a 50s "last days of steam" local for the modular club and an Amtrak Capitol Limited set that is almost too long for the smaller modular setups.
And I'm pretty sure I'd have blown a small fortune if I'd not changed my mind and gone into that shop in Rome and come out with a very expensive shelf queen in the shape of a TGV Lyria or Frecciarossa.
As I model the D&H in 1978, and most folks around here model the D&H, affordable locale and era apropriate locomotives are hard to find, so sometimes I will pick up a bargin at a show that isn't D&H. For example, at the Barre, VT show, I purchased a Athearn PRR SW1200 for $20 to work in Rouses Point Yard.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
After decades of diesels, I was smitten by a steamy beauty.
My solution was to double-era my layout. Besides, I got to acquire more steam engines and even vehicles from older eras.
"Era creep"
Happened to me.
I love steam. I love double stacks.
I finally was able to put a stop to it by having a "backwards date" of my birth year. 1945. You get a very decent steam selection that way. The "forward date" is always "today".
Yes, I do have a lot of equipment.
Yes, I am happy with that.
No, I don't have enough storage.
I have cheated as often as anyone here, but I later sold the engines that do not belong. I am Santa Fe with a couple SP visitors, including the experimental paint scheme SD40R and a Kodachrome SD45T-2, painted for the railroad that should have been, SPSF. All my other engines were active during the late '70's and into the 80's.
I just did not change my name...
John
I have done this quite a few times. Some examples are:
Many years ago I happened on some Bachmann early (1830's) railroad sets in Tuesday Morning at a good price, so I bought one of each of the 3 different kinds thay had.
More recently, I bought the Bachmann HO locomotives for the Maryland & Pennsylvania even though they are HO and I'm into S.
Along those lines I bought 2 Atlas O scale Santa Fe F9's that were made in the 1970's.
I have a 5'4" x 12' train table that I use for temporary set ups to run all of these from time to time.
Paul
Yup, bought lotsa engines without real continuity to a specific layout theme. I've never sold any, but I'd slaughtered quite a few trying to make them better. Then in '97, had a shed fire relieve me of most of the junkers and parts left, but the few better locos I had were not out there.
Since then, purchases were more focused. Everything I have now can be justified to my movable timeline and fixed locale.
My weakness? GE 44 tonners. Bachmanns have disposable drives and are too light. I'm working on a home made drive for them, and weight, but in the meantime...
TEMPTATION: I've picked up 3 Keystone 44 tonner kits since August. Not cheap but given the quality that is there, I am quite glad I did. Dan
Southgate My weakness? GE 44 tonners. Bachmanns have disposable drives and are too light. I'm working on a home made drive for them, and weight, but in the meantime... TEMPTATION: I've picked up 3 Keystone 44 tonner kits since August. Not cheap but given the quality that is there, I am quite glad I did. Dan
And your thoughts on the W&R 44 tonners? Besides that they cost a lot?
I did finally give in and get a couple of brass 70 tonners. Really quite nice.
My absolute-favorite-without-a-doubt steam locomotives are the 18 jaw-dropping 2-8-8-4's that Baldwin built for the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range railroad before and during WWII. Many consider them to be even more powerful than the much-touted UP "Big Boy's". Okay, I love them.
Now, the conundrum. I model Rio Grande standard guage steam. 85% of my locos are Rio Grande (with Espee and Burlington mixed in).
Solution: The layout is set during WWII, and the Rio Grande was faced with both overpowering rail traffic and a shortage of motive power. The Missabe was frozen over during winter and those beautiful Yellowstones had nothing to do. Loan them to some other roads. Rio Grande bit, and soon those big 2-8-8-4's were charging up and down the Rockies like crazy.
Now, it's my railroad, and I can do whatever I want with it, right? So by this time I'd acquired 3 Akane Missabe Yellowstones (new motors and drives, ran smooth as silk, could haul an actual house) and I just decided, what the heck, they will become my Rio Grande 3900 series. Everybody's happy, especially those cattle, coal and refrigerator trains.
It's fun being your own Railroad Magnate.
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!
I see this topic a lot in various hobbies. It's human nature to collect and accumulate stuff you don't necessarily need, or can use, but just because it appeals to you. I say if you can afford it, buy whatever appeals to you. As long as it doesn't harm you there is nothing wrong with collecting.
Call me boring, but I only plant to get N&W (my home line) DCC-ready locos. The plan is for about 4-5 locos and a switcher. That should suffice on my laout. Anything more is excessive. At $100 each, I much prefer to put very limited funds elsewhere.
I've been very good about staying focused on locomotives that are plausible for my late 40's/early 50's NYC layout. However, once I think I have basically what I need to fill out my roster, a C&O Allegheny will be mine!
Mike