My BLI Hudson is almost 14 years old now. It's got one of the old QSI decoders. I've never had a problem with it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley My BLI Hudson is almost 14 years old now. It's got one of the old QSI decoders. I've never had a problem with it.
I keep meaning to repalce the QSI decoder in my Atlas Trainmaster, but it keeps chugging along, I've never had a problem with it, nor have I ever had issues programming it. It may be a bit out of date with regards to the quality of the sounds, but it does run well and the horn at least sounds correct. And it sounds fine at low volume for home use and also can get REALLY loud to run at club shows in a big venue.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
SeeYou190 richhotrain I am debating whether to post on this thread, start a new thread, or just PM you, Sheldon. I hate to take this thread off-topic. A new thread would be nice. Even though I have not been posting here, I have been following this thread and would probably enjoy your other conversation as well. -Kevin
richhotrain I am debating whether to post on this thread, start a new thread, or just PM you, Sheldon. I hate to take this thread off-topic.
A new thread would be nice. Even though I have not been posting here, I have been following this thread and would probably enjoy your other conversation as well.
-Kevin
Or the rationale for my new layout: prototype versus freelance versus combo?
Rich
Alton Junction
I'd say I have been lucky with my BLI stuff so far. I have a 1st gen Niagara that must be maybe 16 years old or something and it still goes fine, as does everything bar a Blueline A class which has a cracked axle gear. It's a pity but what to do? I hear plenty of flaming this firm and that but IMHO whilst I'd accept lining their owner's pockets - this is capitalism - the modelling world has offered some incredible products over the last 20 years so I'm not moaning. I am grateful in fact.
rrinker I keep meaning to repalce the QSI decoder in my Atlas Trainmaster, but it keeps chugging along, I've never had a problem with it, nor have I ever had issues programming it. It may be a bit out of date with regards to the quality of the sounds, but it does run well and the horn at least sounds correct. And it sounds fine at low volume for home use and also can get REALLY loud to run at club shows in a big venue. --Randy
Mr. Randy, I also have two Atlas Trainmasters factory DCC w/sound, one in PRR #8703 and one in RDG #863. For some unknown reason, I can't remember at this time, I removed the shell of the RDG and the pot metal weights are cracking at different locations (metal rot). So I removed the shell from the PRR one, and no rot anywhere at all. Both engines purchased around 10-9-04 and on the same layout in the same room since then.
There are tiny chunks cracking off both front and rear weights. So the fragments can find their way in to moving parts and on to electricals.
Something you may want to look for in your units.
These two units of mine still sound good.
Back on Topic. As with my BLI, I run them for the first couple of hours and watch the RRamp meter to see if there is going to be a meltdown. Twice I was not watching the meter and then, 'What's that smell?', the Diesel switcher was still running then stopped dead, the top of the hood between the stacks was melting. This happened twice, to the first one then the second one that replaced the first one, to two different locos. I paid the different to my LHS and traded up to a BLI steam I1.Then after once bitten twice shy, at least a year later I got another BLI Diesel switcher at Timonium and that Saturday night it stopped running. Good thing I could get back in free on Sunday. Then all that I had to do is wait for the repaired loco. to come back in the mail from BLI. I still do not trust that Diesel switcher.
Engi1487 Hello John,Forgive me if I have not commented yet on the comments on my post, as I am a bit overwhelmed of how it took off. I have come to realize that I appriciate the smaller steam locomotives as well as the larger ones.I am aware of Rapidos concerns with their smaller steam engines maybe not being able to sell, altough I do hope with time, luck and a few good circumstances to see the rest come into fruition, being the rest of the Canadian steam locomotives on their list.
Hello John,Forgive me if I have not commented yet on the comments on my post, as I am a bit overwhelmed of how it took off. I have come to realize that I appriciate the smaller steam locomotives as well as the larger ones.I am aware of Rapidos concerns with their smaller steam engines maybe not being able to sell, altough I do hope with time, luck and a few good circumstances to see the rest come into fruition, being the rest of the Canadian steam locomotives on their list.
Hello,
No worries.
Regarding sales and pre-orders: well, we will see. I hope for all the steam fans out there that they do in fact get enough orders.
As for me, well, I like steam power but I'm at a point where I only need a couple steamers for my layout. I'm more interested in the time period that I am able to actually remember, albeit vaguely. I have vague memories of the 1970's and actually seeing Alco Centuries on a precious handful of occasions.
John
Incorrect. Both NKP and N&W reported that a four unit set of diesels was very expensive, actually more than twice the cost of a new Y-6B. It was only AFTER the labor costs increased dramatically during the 1950's that both roads chose to dieselize. Hirsimaki reports that labor cost doubled on the NKP between 1950 and 1958. That is why the last steam holdouts switched. In 1950 they still thought steam would continue indefinitely.
Also it is fascinating that they later merged two of the last US holdouts together yet didn't make a play for Illinois Central.
rrebell Easy to make a 0-6-0 into a 2-6-0 ect. Just will not match a specific engine but many do not care.
Since I freelance, I absolutely do not care about matching a specific engine, but more that they look "typical" and not easily identifiable to a certain railroad.
I can identify a SANTA FE, SOUTHERN PACIFIC, or PENNSYLVANIA steam locomotive very easily, so models of these prototypes are avoided.
Bachmann and Proto 2000 made a lot of locomotives that are nearly perfect for my needs, but then I decided to go with brass models instead.
PRR8259Incorrect. Both NKP and N&W reported that a four unit set of diesels was very expensive, actually more than twice the cost of a new Y-6B. It was only AFTER the labor costs increased dramatically during the 1950's that both roads chose to dieselize.
Yes, great point. The initial purchase cost of diesel locomotives during the dieselization years was higher than the cost of a steam locomotive.
It took a while for the economic advantages of diesel locomotives to be proven. Once this was established, which took over a decade, the railroads changed over.
A lot of people do not realize how expensive a diesel set of locomotives of similar power was when compared to a Challenger or a Y6-b. On-road reliability of diesels was also a point of concern during dieselization.
Also, the fact that a railroad's own repair shop could fabricate almost any part for their steam locomotives, but almost no parts for a diesel locomotive was another big part of the finiancial question than needed to be worked through.
Eventually diesels won out, but this was not the obvious outcome at the beginning.
The League of Railroad Accountants did not throw a huge party over the new availability of cheap diesels.
Living the dream.
Lastspikemike PRR8259 Incorrect. Both NKP and N&W reported that a four unit set of diesels was very expensive, actually more than twice the cost of a new Y-6B. It was only AFTER the labor costs increased dramatically during the 1950's that both roads chose to dieselize. Hirsimaki reports that labor cost doubled on the NKP between 1950 and 1958. That is why the last steam holdouts switched. In 1950 they still thought steam would continue indefinitely. Also it is fascinating that they later merged two of the last US holdouts together yet didn't make a play for Illinois Central. John Of course. Thats why it's so easy and cheap to rebuild and recertify a steam locomotive these days compared to doing the same thing for a Diesel.
PRR8259 Incorrect. Both NKP and N&W reported that a four unit set of diesels was very expensive, actually more than twice the cost of a new Y-6B. It was only AFTER the labor costs increased dramatically during the 1950's that both roads chose to dieselize. Hirsimaki reports that labor cost doubled on the NKP between 1950 and 1958. That is why the last steam holdouts switched. In 1950 they still thought steam would continue indefinitely. Also it is fascinating that they later merged two of the last US holdouts together yet didn't make a play for Illinois Central. John
Of course.
Thats why it's so easy and cheap to rebuild and recertify a steam locomotive these days compared to doing the same thing for a Diesel.
Well, it's not cheap now because there is no economy of scale anymore. There are only a few shops with the tools, and only a few people withthe skills.
There is only one wheel lathe left in North America that can turn an 80" driver. That alone turns that into a massive project.
But in the day, when a long list of railroads had shops full of already amortizied equipment and staffs of skilled people, and paid little markup to outside vendors like GM or ALCO selling diesel parts, the costs of steam construction and maintenance were reasonable.
But labor dynamics changed, diesel reliablity improved, diesels proved their operational advantages, so that picture changed.
Sheldon
Lastspikemike I suspect newer hobbyists with an interest in steam locomotives may not be very concerned about historical accuracy. If you are under 60 it is likely your real life memories of any steam power will be out of place and not true to prototype, not to mention quite vague at this point. The fact that any model steam power is being made new is remarkable enough. The other fact of note is that Diesel power is much cheaper than steam power which is true to prototype.
I suspect newer hobbyists with an interest in steam locomotives may not be very concerned about historical accuracy.
If you are under 60 it is likely your real life memories of any steam power will be out of place and not true to prototype, not to mention quite vague at this point.
The fact that any model steam power is being made new is remarkable enough.
The other fact of note is that Diesel power is much cheaper than steam power which is true to prototype.
This makes a lot of assumptions about people that are not facts in evidence.
I have been at this for 50 years, and worked in the retail side of this hobby for over a decade.
My observation is that people like, buy, collect, build, and run model trains for a long list of complex and varied reasons, and most generalizations about those reasons are false.
There have always been modelers interested in what they see, or have seen in their life times. And there have always been modelers interested in the historical aspect of trains before their time on this earth.
That was true in 1971 when I started working in a hobby shop, it is true now.
A recent survey thread on this forum about what era people model, left present day at the bottom of the list. I know, it is not based on any sound data.
Personally, I have very little interest in the trains of my youth, or the train I see today.
The newest prototype model locomotive I own is an EMD SD9 built in 1954, three years before I was even born.
On my layout I run long trains, so the average freight train is powered by 3-4 diesels, or 1-2 stream locos, depending on the size of the steamers.
So in terms of model locomotives costs, my average diesel train has just as much or more money at the head end as most of my steam trains.
Example:
4 Genesis non DCC F units, about $125 each when I bought them = $500
2 Bachmann 2-8-4's reworked into freelance 2-8-2's at a cost of $150 each including custom parts added = $300
Steam more expensive? not on my railroad.
Alyth Yard--
Your post certainly did not come across as a joke, but more of the somewhat misinformed kind of post that, unfortunately, occurs all too often on train forums.
Go read some good publications on diesel history, like Diesel Era, instead of Morning Sun Books brief photo captions. Diesel Era's writers discuss the steam versus diesel transition very candidly and factually, what diesels worked out well and which ones did not, and why.
Another ill-informed comment was about the accountants:
It was definitely NOT obvious to the accountants on NKP or N&W at the time. The tipping point was about 1955 to 1956. That was when, with dramatically increasing labor costs, the math began to justify the switch from steam to diesel for Nickel Plate Road and N&W. At that time the thinking of "diesels are ok for yard switchers" changed to "well, we will actually save money if we replace the mainline steam".
Laugh all you want; those of us who love history and don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past aren't necessarily laughing with you.
As much as I like Alco diesels, the story of Alco's management and engineering is one of collossal failure. Since I work in engineering for a living, we try not to make the same mistakes they did. Alco is an engineering school project management case study in what NOT to do.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Example: 4 Genesis non DCC F units, about $125 each when I bought them = $500 2 Bachmann 2-8-4's reworked into freelance 2-8-2's at a cost of $150 each including custom parts added = $300 Steam more expensive? not on my railroad.
What did you value your time at to rework the steam engines?
An "expensive model collector"
n012944 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Example: 4 Genesis non DCC F units, about $125 each when I bought them = $500 2 Bachmann 2-8-4's reworked into freelance 2-8-2's at a cost of $150 each including custom parts added = $300 Steam more expensive? not on my railroad. What did you value your time at to rework the steam engines?
Nothing because it is a hobby, and my hobby is building model trains and model train layouts, not collecting expensive models build by others.
I did it because it is fun.
Here is picture of one, before it went to the paint shop.
These are based on the idea that LIMA could have built a larger version of the DT&I 800 class Mikado that was very similar to the NKP 2-8-4. I did considerable research into the plausablity of these locos. Considering the size and weight of the GN O-8 and NYC H-10, LIMA could have built a Mike with 69" drivers and nearly as big as the Berksires. so in my little world they did.
I took Bachmann 2-8-4's, replaced the trailing truck with a brass booster Delta from PSC (formerly a Kemtron piece for you old timers like me), made a better drawbar system, and added lots of weight.
I used NKP, PM and C&O versions from Bachmann which have different dome locations and other details, and two of the five I built have long vanderbilt tenders creating three sub classes of locomotives for my freelanced ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
And while we are here, here are shots of a BLI Heavy 2-8-2 reworked with a Bachmann long tender and a Delta trailing truck, also before it went to the paint shop. I did two of these, after I got them to run right.......
The Delta trailing truck is an Athearn part, from their less than successful 4-6-2. But they were happy to sell me some parts......
Good looking locos, Sheldon.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL And there have always been modelers interested in the historical aspect of trains before their time on this earth.
And there have always been modelers interested in the historical aspect of trains before their time on this earth.
Right on Sheldon. Although I dont have much access to documented info on prototypes, I try my very best to recreate a time I never got to experience.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL 4 Genesis non DCC F units, about $125 each when I bought them = $500 2 Bachmann 2-8-4's reworked into freelance 2-8-2's at a cost of $150 each including custom parts added = $300 Steam more expensive? not on my railroad.
Good thing you dont like DCC or sound cause then diesels would cost significantly more...
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
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It wasn't "so obvious". In addition to the factors already mentioend, there was the fuel - coal was readily available all along the N&W. Not too many oil wells and refineries. It's one of the reasons they and the C&O went in for experimental stuff like the coal fired turbines like Jawn Henry. When labor costs were low, it wasn;t such a big deal that it took 5 days to fix a steam loco (using 20 workers and on hand material to fabricate whatever was needed) compared to say 2 days and 5 workers using parts bought from the diesel locomotive manufacturer (either stocked at cost or else wait for delivery on order). Not to mention retraining EVERYONE - including the master machinists. Everything a journeyman or apprentice had learned about steam locos - useless on a diesel. Years of training and learning - down the tubes, literally. And a proper service facility? There was an article in Classic Trains I think it was, about the 'standard' service facility GM designed for railroads. Which was effective for nothing but F units. Forget non-EMD locos. Forget switchers, those shoips were tailored to fit F units and service them. Most railroads, especially the early adopters, hedged their bets and bought from 3 or 4 different builders. Both to diversify and to get enough units - even with the costs, diesels were selling like hotcakes and an order to EMD for say 20 ABBA sets might not be delivered for a couple of years. But if you got some EMDs, and some Alco FAs, you could get the total number of units needed in a shorter timeframe.
The accounts at N&W didn't miss anything, they calculated with the same care as anyone, and found that early adoption of the diesel would have cost them more then any operational savings. When certain inpouts to the equation changed, they recalculated and then it went in favor of the diesel.
Lastspikemike If you want to respond constructively to any post of mine please read what I write, not what you think I wrote.
If you want to respond constructively to any post of mine please read what I write, not what you think I wrote.
richhotrain Maybe you think you wrote what you didn't write.
I think the problem has been identified, and that is it in a nutshell.
Lastspikemike richhotrain Lastspikemike If you want to respond constructively to any post of mine please read what I write, not what you think I wrote. Sort of a common refrain from you, don't you think? You write that line to a lot of guys on the forum. Maybe it is you, not them. Maybe you think you wrote what you didn't write. So, quote me and demonstrate your point or just desist.
richhotrain Lastspikemike If you want to respond constructively to any post of mine please read what I write, not what you think I wrote. Sort of a common refrain from you, don't you think? You write that line to a lot of guys on the forum. Maybe it is you, not them. Maybe you think you wrote what you didn't write.
Sort of a common refrain from you, don't you think? You write that line to a lot of guys on the forum. Maybe it is you, not them. Maybe you think you wrote what you didn't write.
So, quote me and demonstrate your point or just desist.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL n012944 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Example: 4 Genesis non DCC F units, about $125 each when I bought them = $500 2 Bachmann 2-8-4's reworked into freelance 2-8-2's at a cost of $150 each including custom parts added = $300 Steam more expensive? not on my railroad. What did you value your time at to rework the steam engines? Nothing because it is a hobby, and my hobby is building model trains and model train layouts, not collecting expensive models build by others.
I applaud your efforts, and the locomotives look very good. However to not put a value on your time creates a false narrative when trying to claim steam is less expensive on your layout. If you are not putting a value on your time, no doubt you could get some blue box F units for less than $30. They can be made to look very nice, although it takes a lot of effort. Then steam would be more expensive.
Also a Genesis F unit costing $125, even non DCC, is hardly expensive.
Lastspikemike As far as I know, model locomotives are built quite recently. Probably many are under construction right now. The objection to my remark was so far off base it was hard to take seriously. Even at the time, the celebrated transition, it was obvious to railroad accountants that for equivalent motive power Diesel was heavily favoured. Apples to apples gentlemen, apples to apples. Although in the case of Diesel power there really was no comparison. Diesel was just superior, dollar for dollar. Occasionally I find the continuous objections and contradictions of my posts mildly amusing. Every now and again they really crack me up. It is gratifying to have such close attention paid to all of my posts, particularly since they seem to be of no use to anyone. Even the most casually tossed off remark gets the full treatment.
As far as I know, model locomotives are built quite recently. Probably many are under construction right now. The objection to my remark was so far off base it was hard to take seriously. Even at the time, the celebrated transition, it was obvious to railroad accountants that for equivalent motive power Diesel was heavily favoured. Apples to apples gentlemen, apples to apples. Although in the case of Diesel power there really was no comparison. Diesel was just superior, dollar for dollar.
Occasionally I find the continuous objections and contradictions of my posts mildly amusing.
Every now and again they really crack me up.
It is gratifying to have such close attention paid to all of my posts, particularly since they seem to be of no use to anyone.
Even the most casually tossed off remark gets the full treatment.
Lastspikemike rrebell Lastspikemike As far as I know, model locomotives are built quite recently. Probably many are under construction right now. The objection to my remark was so far off base it was hard to take seriously. Even at the time, the celebrated transition, it was obvious to railroad accountants that for equivalent motive power Diesel was heavily favoured. Apples to apples gentlemen, apples to apples. Although in the case of Diesel power there really was no comparison. Diesel was just superior, dollar for dollar. Occasionally I find the continuous objections and contradictions of my posts mildly amusing. Every now and again they really crack me up. It is gratifying to have such close attention paid to all of my posts, particularly since they seem to be of no use to anyone. Even the most casually tossed off remark gets the full treatment. Model locomotives are built quite recently. Proubly many are under construction right now, what dose that mean ? Thank you for asking. Rapido currently offer its Royal Hudson, built quite recently. Retail price is approximately double the price of its F7B, currently shipping. Bachmann fairly recently released a remake of its Russian Decapod at a staggering increase in MSRP from the earlier Spectrum version. Contemporary Bachmann diesels could be had for about 1/3 the cost. Big reason I bought a NIB Spectrum Decapod, unlettered. Prototype was never run by the CPR but it's getting the Black Cat decals nonetheless. Nobody's going to build the real CPR Decapods, rebuilt from the fascinating 0-6-6-0 Rocky Mountain pushers with another 10 or so new builds to that modified design. The Russian Decapod will look absurdly small as a stand in, but I don't care since I like it. Current prices of new prototype steam locomotives range from say CAD$3M to refurbish Hudson 2816 for the CPR (that's a rebuild, not new manufacture) to say US$7M (GBP5M) to build a Pacific (the Tornado as featured on Top Gear in 2013). And yes, that UK locomotive was manufactured in a proper erection shop and is certified for mainline service up to 90 mph. It topped out at 100 mph on test. It can pull a real train from its contemporary era (using contemporary loosely since Tornado is a new and improved design so it's a real new prototype steam locomotive.) New Diesel electrics which will rip the frame out from under either of those cost around, what? US$2M maybe? So, why does BLI persist in fitting its proprietary and supposedly inferior QSI based decoders? Well, one reason may be that by doing so BLI can produce a pretty nice steam locomotive for about 2/3 what Rapido charges and 75% of what Baldwin charges. Now claiming that QSI makes an inferior decoder to the one Bachmann sells you for nearly US$600 is a stretch. Granted Rapido makes a much better choice fitting the Loksound from ESU but charges accordingly. So far, I quite like the now antique QSI decoders fitted to my BLI and Intermountain locomotives. In DC mode it is quite fun to ring the bell or toot the horn. Mind you, I'm just building my DCC layout so maybe I'll uncover the deficiencies in the BLI decoders. Still might buy another used BLI Mike though. Model steam locomotives are getting pricier and consequently rarer by the day. Just like the prototypes.
rrebell Lastspikemike As far as I know, model locomotives are built quite recently. Probably many are under construction right now. The objection to my remark was so far off base it was hard to take seriously. Even at the time, the celebrated transition, it was obvious to railroad accountants that for equivalent motive power Diesel was heavily favoured. Apples to apples gentlemen, apples to apples. Although in the case of Diesel power there really was no comparison. Diesel was just superior, dollar for dollar. Occasionally I find the continuous objections and contradictions of my posts mildly amusing. Every now and again they really crack me up. It is gratifying to have such close attention paid to all of my posts, particularly since they seem to be of no use to anyone. Even the most casually tossed off remark gets the full treatment. Model locomotives are built quite recently. Proubly many are under construction right now, what dose that mean ?
Model locomotives are built quite recently. Proubly many are under construction right now, what dose that mean ?
Thank you for asking.
Rapido currently offer its Royal Hudson, built quite recently. Retail price is approximately double the price of its F7B, currently shipping.
Bachmann fairly recently released a remake of its Russian Decapod at a staggering increase in MSRP from the earlier Spectrum version. Contemporary Bachmann diesels could be had for about 1/3 the cost.
Big reason I bought a NIB Spectrum Decapod, unlettered. Prototype was never run by the CPR but it's getting the Black Cat decals nonetheless. Nobody's going to build the real CPR Decapods, rebuilt from the fascinating 0-6-6-0 Rocky Mountain pushers with another 10 or so new builds to that modified design. The Russian Decapod will look absurdly small as a stand in, but I don't care since I like it.
Current prices of new prototype steam locomotives range from say CAD$3M to refurbish Hudson 2816 for the CPR (that's a rebuild, not new manufacture) to say US$7M (GBP5M) to build a Pacific (the Tornado as featured on Top Gear in 2013). And yes, that UK locomotive was manufactured in a proper erection shop and is certified for mainline service up to 90 mph. It topped out at 100 mph on test. It can pull a real train from its contemporary era (using contemporary loosely since Tornado is a new and improved design so it's a real new prototype steam locomotive.)
New Diesel electrics which will rip the frame out from under either of those cost around, what? US$2M maybe?
So, why does BLI persist in fitting its proprietary and supposedly inferior QSI based decoders? Well, one reason may be that by doing so BLI can produce a pretty nice steam locomotive for about 2/3 what Rapido charges and 75% of what Baldwin charges. Now claiming that QSI makes an inferior decoder to the one Bachmann sells you for nearly US$600 is a stretch. Granted Rapido makes a much better choice fitting the Loksound from ESU but charges accordingly.
So far, I quite like the now antique QSI decoders fitted to my BLI and Intermountain locomotives. In DC mode it is quite fun to ring the bell or toot the horn. Mind you, I'm just building my DCC layout so maybe I'll uncover the deficiencies in the BLI decoders.
Still might buy another used BLI Mike though. Model steam locomotives are getting pricier and consequently rarer by the day. Just like the prototypes.
On the model side, as I pointed out earlier, the average modeler is going to buy two or three diesels to pull a "train" that he might otherwise pull with one large steamer.
Making the cost of "power" per train similar or in favor of the steamer.
Bachmann retail prices mean nothing, at least here in the states, because their dealer/wholesale discounts are bigger making their average street prices relect larger discounts.
The Bachmann 2-8-2 with sound retails for $399, but from the day they came out you could buy them for $200.
The BLI 2-8-2 has a retail of only $369, but are hard to buy for less than $250.
TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330.........
For the life of me, I cannot understand why some modelers feel that the QSI decoder is inferior. Inferior to what? Loksound? You have to understand that back in the day, the QSI was a pretty good sound decoder. I have QSI decoders in a lot of my locos, and they all perform problem free. The newer stuff has taken advantage of technology not yet perfected when QSI was first introduced. But it was a marvel in its time.
n012944 However to not put a value on your time creates a false narrative
I look at this differently than you do.
The time I spend building highly detailed resin freight car kits is not an asset spent, but a benefit gained.
Hobby time is something I look forward to, and I get a lot out of. I don't just get a beautiful model, but I relax, my head clears, the real world goes away, and I gain happiness.
Trying to value my time added does not make sense.
I will buy more expensive resin kits partly because they will take more time to build.
I would suggest to subtract the value of my time to bring a Yarmouth kit ($60.00) down to the same cost as an Accurail kit ($15.00).
Alyth Yard-
You wrote above that your two railroads dieselized "early".
What are you smoking???? Or are you only counting diesel switchers, which American railroads started buying in the 1920's?
They (CP and CN) were still running steam AFTER every single class 1 railroad in America was fully dieselized.
That would actually be LATE.
In fact there is good video available of Canadian steam simply because railfans from all over the world went there to record them while they could, because it was too late in America.
And then many of those Canadian locos came to the US to run on tourist lines. Steamtown USA? Well, they may have plenty of stuffed and mounted US locos, even a Big Boy, but the RUNNERS - mostly Canadian steam.
It's hardly reasonable to compare the cost of building a new steam loco TODAY to the cost of a diesel TODAY. Today we have the opposite of the early diesel era - plenty of people trained to build and repair diesel prime movers, not so many trained in the building and maintenance of a steam loco. Real shop skills? There may be more in England, since there seems to be a lot more preserved running steam, but in the US? Steamtown's shops are always overwhelmed with work. So is Strasburg. And UP pretty much only messes with their own fleet of steam locos. Who's going to build one from the ground up here?
And late steam? Among large nations, China probably wins. They were building new steam into the 1980's.
PRR8259They (CP and CN) were still running steam AFTER every single class 1 railroad in America was fully dieselized. That would actually be LATE.
Some people do not like facts and real world truth. Please don't bang your head on this wall too hard John. It hurts after a while.