I have always modeled freelanced midwest and now southeast modern-ish shortlines, but have always had a weakness for diesels in UP paint. I think its the light colors of yellow and gray really show off the details. I simply say they are leased power, which is a fairly common role for former UP locos.
My shortline requires 3 locos, but I own about 50, all purchased to fit the prescribed theme but were attractive because of paint scheme and look. I have various scenarios to justify each set of three (about), stemming from slight economic situations of the shortline (weatherbeaten locos to new and shiny) to pre-and post ditchlight era.
If I did my math correctly, I must have about 16.66666 different scenarios to justify my purchases.
- Douglas
Well here on the ACR, we have a fair number of articulated locos.
They include:
The two 2-6-6-4's described above (purchased at bargain prices, tenders swapped and sound removed).
Three 2-6-6-2's with long Vandy tenders and Delta trailing trucks. (Bachmann w/Bachmann tender swap)
Two 2-8-8-0's (made by simply removing the trailing truck on the Proto 2-8-8-2)
And so far one 2-8-8-4 (yes, Bachmann EM-1)
They all have enough of a family look for my tastes.
These don't count other B&O and C&O articulated locos......
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have two N&W 2-6-6-4's refitted with B&O/C&O style tenders that came from Bachmann C&O 2-8-4's to give them my ATLANTIC CENTRAL family look.
.
To get the look I want, I think I would have to use a BLI N&W 2-6-6-4, and the tender and pilot section from a Bachmann EM1 2-8-8-4.
That would be a very expensive project, and the BLI locomitves only come with sound and DCC installed.
Not going to happen anytime soon.
I love the thought of a 2-6-6-4, but only a handful of prototypes had them, and I am not in love with the looks of any of them.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 riogrande5761 Say you have a model of an engine already, maybe mulitples. Then a company comes out with a better, higher fidelity version? Thats a type of temptation isn't it? . Or... How about this one: I have all the freight locomotives I need... here is the only locomotive on my wish (dream) list: Cummins Centercab 1,000 HP switcher (no model ever made, only 1 prototype locomotive produced). If I find a good enough deal on a Whitcomb, that would be a stand-in substitute, is that a temptation? . Or... there is this one: I have 4 A/B or A/A sets of F units for freight service. If some manufacturer comes out with a 2-6-6-4 that I like, and reasonably looks like family to my EM1 2-8-8-4, some, maybe all, of these F unit sets will be replaced by the 2-6-6-4 locomotives. Is that a temptation? . I guess temptations come in all kinds of flavors. . The Cummins 1,000 HP locomotive I want: . . -Kevin .
riogrande5761 Say you have a model of an engine already, maybe mulitples. Then a company comes out with a better, higher fidelity version? Thats a type of temptation isn't it?
Or... How about this one: I have all the freight locomotives I need... here is the only locomotive on my wish (dream) list: Cummins Centercab 1,000 HP switcher (no model ever made, only 1 prototype locomotive produced). If I find a good enough deal on a Whitcomb, that would be a stand-in substitute, is that a temptation?
Or... there is this one: I have 4 A/B or A/A sets of F units for freight service. If some manufacturer comes out with a 2-6-6-4 that I like, and reasonably looks like family to my EM1 2-8-8-4, some, maybe all, of these F unit sets will be replaced by the 2-6-6-4 locomotives. Is that a temptation?
I guess temptations come in all kinds of flavors.
The Cummins 1,000 HP locomotive I want:
Kevin, I don't have a picture and everything is packed right now, but I have two N&W 2-6-6-4's refitted with B&O/C&O style tenders that came from Bachmann C&O 2-8-4's to give them my ATLANTIC CENTRAL family look.
It is a larger version of this tender:
It is amazing how that alone changed the look of the N&W loco.
riogrande5761Say you have a model of an engine already, maybe mulitples. Then a company comes out with a better, higher fidelity version? Thats a type of temptation isn't it?
riogrande5761 So getting back to the topic title, here is an angle on it. Say you have a model of an engine already, maybe mulitples. Then a company comes out with a better, higher fidelity version? Thats a type of temptation isn't it? Case in point, I have a bunch of RTRAthearn SD40T-2's. By any standard 20 + years ago, it might have been compared with brass; they certainly have a good amount of detail and some key prototypical parts. Then along comes a new company who is offering their higher fidelity version - Scale Trains. I noticed ALL of the pre-orders are listed as "sold out". I did pre-order one each of the D&RGW - I gave in to temptation.
So getting back to the topic title, here is an angle on it. Say you have a model of an engine already, maybe mulitples. Then a company comes out with a better, higher fidelity version? Thats a type of temptation isn't it?
Case in point, I have a bunch of RTRAthearn SD40T-2's. By any standard 20 + years ago, it might have been compared with brass; they certainly have a good amount of detail and some key prototypical parts. Then along comes a new company who is offering their higher fidelity version - Scale Trains. I noticed ALL of the pre-orders are listed as "sold out". I did pre-order one each of the D&RGW - I gave in to temptation.
Well for me, that depends. If the roster could really use a few more of that loco type, then sure, I would likely get a few of the newer, better model.
BUT, I am not one to "replace" models I have already deemed "acceptable".
I did purge a small fleet of much older motive power about 25 years ago. Today, every one of the 140 +/- locos I own is above my minimum standards, so they will not be replaced unless they stop running and cannot be repaired.
And, I am at the point where there are very few holes remaining in my ideal roster, so it would take some very specific offerings to sell me too many more locos.
Working on completing the freight car roster now, need about 200 more.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
NHTX, You don't ask for much, huh?
Ed: Yes, now I know what those are. I've seen 'em on the bay, sellers always demanding real high prices. Very nice looking, and looks like it probably has a good drive. But, a bit outside what I can justify for a locomotive. Dan
My vice is the wish to have an HO scale model of the foreign road engines I saw or photographed on the SP here in Texas between 1978 and 1986:
*=model(s) on hand.
ATSF 1 GP39-2, 2 SD40-2, 2 SD45, 1 SD45-2*, 2 B36-7, 2 C30-7
B&O 2 GP40, 2 GP40-2*
BN 4 SD40-2*, 1 U30C*, 1 B30-7A, 2 C30-7
CN 1 GP40
C&O 1 SD40
C&IM 2 SD38-2
CNW 1 GP50
CR 1 SD40-2, 2 C30-7, 1 C30-7A
D&RGW 2 GP30, 1 GP35*, 2 GP40, 2 GP40-2 *1, 4 SD40T-2 *2, 1 SD50
GRR 1 GP38-2 (Ex NW, Exx ITC)
GM&O 1 GP35*, 1 GP38-2*
GTW 1 GP40
IC 1 SD40A, 1 GP38AC,
ICG 1 GP38-2
L&N 1 GP30, 1 GP35, 1 GP38, 1 GP38AC, 2 GP38-2, 1 GP40, 1 SD40-2, 3 U23B
1 U30C
MILW 2 GP40 *1, 1 SD40-2
MKT 1 GP38-2 *, 1 GP39-2 *, 1 GP40, SD40-2 *
MP 1 GP38, 3 GP38-2 *2, 1 SD40*, 5 SD40-2 *3
NW 2 SD40-2, 1 SD45
NS 1 SD40-2
SBD 1 U30C*
SCL 1 GP40, 2 U36B*
SOU 1 GP38, 3 GP38-2 *1, 2 GP50*, 1 SD45*, 2 U23B*, 2 B23-7*, 1 B36-7
WP 1 GP40-2
In addition to the foreign power, there are 28 SP/SSW units I intend to add to the 56 I currently possess, as soon as they become available. Each unit is numbered and, if possible weathered according to its prototype.
Dan,
Very interesting talk about the Keystone. They sound like neat kits.
However, I wasn't talking about them. I meant these:
I believe they did all the various phases.
You can see some more pictures here:
https://www.brasstrains.com/classic/Product/Detail/032511/HO-W-R-Enterprises-GE-44-Ton-Diesel-Phase-IV
Ed
7j43k 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. Ed
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.
If by W&R you mean the Keystone models, my thoughts:
These are kits. The bodies are etched brass and soft metal castings, all high quality. The frame with the running boards are etched brass, and come partially assembled already. One of my 3 was not real flat, but the other 2 were fine. There is a lot of work in assembling one of these, but the fit of the parts is good.
As for the drives, the news gets even better. according to the instructions, the Delrin gear towers were made by Grandt Line, the steel worm and brass spur gears by NWSL. No plastic gears here! All are top quality presision pieces.
2 of my 44 tonners came with Sagami twin shaft can motors. One came with a Tanika, runs just as well. The silicon tubing meant for coupling the motors to the gear towers is the weak point of the set up. It won't work. It causes derailments and extreme vibration. Replacing that with NWSL 2mm U joints cured that perfectly. The motor shafts have to be shortened a little to do that. Then these run smooth and quiet. They don't come with flywheels, but there's room. I turned some on a Sherline lathe for even s moother operation.
The drives also come with 2 power pickups already attached to the trucks and motor, but 2 more are provided to make the models all 8 wheel pick-up. There are little plastic clips that are supposed to keep the axles in the truck frames, but these are all broken, a flaw in the casting process. But the axles stay in place without those, and I'll probably make some out of flat brass or something.
I bought 3 of these things, and at an average price of about $128, I think they are as good as a 44 tonner is gonna get. I made myself stop watching for them now!
I also bought a used brass 44 tonner, Westside. It needs some TLC cuz a previous owner did a hack job of putting in a can motor. Even so, The gear drives in it are OK. But if I had it to do over, I'd stick with the Keystones. Dan
My locomotives temptation would be an HO Scale 4-6-4 NYC 20th Century Limited Dreyfuss in 1938.
Get an Athearn N Scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy in 4004. Waiting for them to make that number. I saw this locomotive in Cheyenne, Wy.
Edit: Athearn announced this June, that their making my locomotive number on the Big Boy.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
AutonerdElectrics? Yep, I've got a GG-1 (PC), an E33 (NH), and an E60CH (Phase 2). How do we run 'em? Third rail!
Speaking of PRR, New Haven, NYC electrics — I sure would have loved to witness the movements on April 15, 1945, of the Franklin D. Roosevelt funeral train as it traversed the trackage from Pennsylvania Station where the train was brought in by a pair of GG1s that were then replaced by a New Haven EP-4 that pulled the train as far as New Rochelle, where the New Haven Electrics ran around the train and pulled it backward to Mott Haven Junction where New York Central motors then pulled it, now forward again, to Harmon where Hudson 5283 carried the seventeen-car train (west) to Hyde Park. There was also a second train, called the "Congressional Train" for press and other dignitaries that followed close behind. Then after the proceedings at Hyde Park the whole process was reversed for the return trips.
I have always wanted to replicate parts of this special train on my layout. I have some of the equipment and locomotives. I have the Ferdinand Magellan and enough stand-ins for the other heavyweight cars, mostly 6-3s and some 7-2s.
I don't have the New Haven EP-4 but maybe I could sneak by with the Rapido EP-5s when they are available
That's the fun of Model Railroading
Regards, Ed
Autonerd
Nice model!
And during the week, when the tourist train's not running, you can pull the seats and use it as a tie car. Probably want to unbolt the handrails, too.
I model something of a timeline. My earliest engine is a NYC Alco 2-6-0 (Bachmann Sound Value for $99, who could resist?). Newest would probably be my CR SD45-2 (although I did just buy an F59PHI from a friend). So I have lots of NYC, PC, CR, plus Amtrak from rainbow era to Phase 3. Happily, I'm not much interested in anything newer.
Incidentally, my 2-6-0 can't pull much on my club's 2%, so it (along with my 45-tonner) runs the "museum train" with 3 cars max (including my homemade "excursion car", see below). So in a way, it's running one of my most modern trains.
Electrics? Yep, I've got a GG-1 (PC), an E33 (NH), and an E60CH (Phase 2). How do we run 'em? Third rail!
Actually, since a single electric can't get a big passenger train over our 2% Western region, we run the electrics on the east end, then switch over to diesels. When doing that, I think of our Midway Yard as Croton-on-Hudson (the NYC modelers will understand).
Life's too short not to buy the trains you want. :)
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
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 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.
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
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
"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.
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.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
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
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).
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.
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!
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!