Well, gentleman - for the most part I think we have exhausted the original topic about BLI decoders and have strayed into a variety of off-topics; some interesting but perhaps better suited for separate threads. With that being the case, please feel free to start subsequent threads if you think a particular topic or topics is worth further discussion. In the meantime, regard this thread as full and sated.
Thanks for your understanding...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL I wanted undecorated FP7's, Intermountain was the best choice. I had no idea Intermountain ever made an undecorated FP7. How long ago was this? -Kevin I want to say I bought them 8-10 years ago? I don't think the undecorated kits were available when the FP's first came out from them. It might have been when they did a second run. Sheldon
SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL I wanted undecorated FP7's, Intermountain was the best choice. I had no idea Intermountain ever made an undecorated FP7. How long ago was this? -Kevin
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I wanted undecorated FP7's, Intermountain was the best choice.
I had no idea Intermountain ever made an undecorated FP7.
How long ago was this?
-Kevin
I want to say I bought them 8-10 years ago? I don't think the undecorated kits were available when the FP's first came out from them. It might have been when they did a second run.
Sheldon
They still list them on their site. They were kits, not RTR. HO Locomotive Kits (intermountain-railway.com)
Just says contact your dealer, meaning they don't have any, but some dealer might have an unsold one or two laying around somewhere.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I should have mentioned, the Highliners web site currently lists a limited supply of Athearn Genesis Highliner FP7 kits.
https://highlinersonline.com/
Intermountain will likely sell you just the drives if they have any left. Despite how they are decribed on the web site, the drives are actually packaged separately from the shell kits.
The IM website shows undecorated F7Ps. But the status reads Contact Your Dealer which means that IM does not currently stock them. So, good luck trying to find them.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain gmpullman richhotrain I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best. Sure wish they could figure out a way to illuminate the numberboards, though That never bothered me, but the numberboards are right next to the headlight on the F7. Isn't there some way to easily get those numberboards lit?
gmpullman richhotrain I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best. Sure wish they could figure out a way to illuminate the numberboards, though
richhotrain I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best.
Sure wish they could figure out a way to illuminate the numberboards, though
That never bothered me, but the numberboards are right next to the headlight on the F7. Isn't there some way to easily get those numberboards lit?
ATLANTIC CENTRALI wanted undecorated FP7's, Intermountain was the best choice.
Living the dream.
maxman rrinker At normal viewing distances, all the tiny stuff like lift rings disappear. What's the definition of normal viewing distances? Modular display layout at a train show which has a rope barrier to keep little hands from reaching in? Or an eye level home shelf layout?
rrinker At normal viewing distances, all the tiny stuff like lift rings disappear.
What's the definition of normal viewing distances? Modular display layout at a train show which has a rope barrier to keep little hands from reaching in? Or an eye level home shelf layout?
For me, three feet, or 261 scale feet.......
Because I am interested in modeling more than just standing trackside.
I tried the eye level shelf thing as part of my double deck layout. No thanks.
rrinker At normal viewing distances, all the tiny stuff like lift rings disappear. That's sort of the problem with the P2K FAs - they have SO much detail applied, and it's all pretty well to scale, that it's hard to pick them up. At least with an EMD there isn't yet another door in the middle of the side with handrails and grabs to smash. I guess I am fussy, but not that fussy - I'll put cab roof drip rails on all my locos because they just look wrong without them. And I'll change hood mounted single note honkers on RS3s to the proper M3RT1 on a bracket - the Athearn I got may be 50/50 (had to buy 2 to get 1 that ran) but at least they had the right sort of horns on them, unlike Atlas. Note sure on Intermountain's F's - they have all the grabs, lift rings, brake piping, speed recorder, etc that are all left to the modeler on the Stewarts. Plus the come in my road name - Genesis and BLI don't. Genesis doesn't do undec, at least BLI has unpainted ones, but I'm not about to pay BLI proice for a loco where I will remove the decoder and replace it with one that actually works for years. So to round out my F unit fleet, Intermountain is my best choice. Bowser's not doing Reading in their new F units, or the RS3s, and most disappointingly, not int he AS16s. I'll have to scrounge of an old Stewart or two to round out the Baldwin side of my fleet. And find a couple of more Trainmasters. I think once I paint all my RS3s I'll have enough of them - maybe. COuld use a couple more GP7s too, but I either have to renumber some P2Ks since I already have all 4 numbers produced, or find a different one. And not Atlas, the old Atlas ones sell for far too much money for a rather crude model, the P2Ks go for less than half the price. --Randy
At normal viewing distances, all the tiny stuff like lift rings disappear. That's sort of the problem with the P2K FAs - they have SO much detail applied, and it's all pretty well to scale, that it's hard to pick them up. At least with an EMD there isn't yet another door in the middle of the side with handrails and grabs to smash.
I guess I am fussy, but not that fussy - I'll put cab roof drip rails on all my locos because they just look wrong without them. And I'll change hood mounted single note honkers on RS3s to the proper M3RT1 on a bracket - the Athearn I got may be 50/50 (had to buy 2 to get 1 that ran) but at least they had the right sort of horns on them, unlike Atlas.
Note sure on Intermountain's F's - they have all the grabs, lift rings, brake piping, speed recorder, etc that are all left to the modeler on the Stewarts. Plus the come in my road name - Genesis and BLI don't. Genesis doesn't do undec, at least BLI has unpainted ones, but I'm not about to pay BLI proice for a loco where I will remove the decoder and replace it with one that actually works for years. So to round out my F unit fleet, Intermountain is my best choice. Bowser's not doing Reading in their new F units, or the RS3s, and most disappointingly, not int he AS16s. I'll have to scrounge of an old Stewart or two to round out the Baldwin side of my fleet. And find a couple of more Trainmasters. I think once I paint all my RS3s I'll have enough of them - maybe. COuld use a couple more GP7s too, but I either have to renumber some P2Ks since I already have all 4 numbers produced, or find a different one. And not Atlas, the old Atlas ones sell for far too much money for a rather crude model, the P2Ks go for less than half the price.
Exactly.
I have some Genesis F's from back when you could buy the drives and the Highliner kits. You can still buy the body kits from Highliner, and put them on whatever drive.
But, that is a recent developement, it took them a while to get going again.
I wanted undecorated FP7's, Intermountain was the best choice.
My Intermountain B&O F3's are very nice, and very well detailed.
So are my set of Proto F7's in C&O.
But the Proto F unit undecorated only comes with the modernized shell with a snow plow pilot. No good for my 1954 era. And I'm not wild about the slower gearing.
My big dislike of the Broadway F is the diaphragms that are part of the body.
n012944 richhotrain There is no opportunity cost associated with time spent on a hobby because there is no alternative economic choice to compare it to. Not true at all. For an example, I model the PRR. I will use the F unit as an example. I can get an Intermountain F unit for about $70 less than an Athearn Genesis. The Intermountain lacks certain prototypical details the Genesis comes with, like a train phone antenna and nose lift rings. I can get those parts for $20. It would take me around an hour to put those parts on. I would be better off to stay an extra hour at the railroad, as I can work 9 hours before going HOS, and the OT is always available. Pay the extra $70 for the Genesis, and pocket the difference.
richhotrain There is no opportunity cost associated with time spent on a hobby because there is no alternative economic choice to compare it to.
There is no opportunity cost associated with time spent on a hobby because there is no alternative economic choice to compare it to.
Not true at all. For an example, I model the PRR. I will use the F unit as an example. I can get an Intermountain F unit for about $70 less than an Athearn Genesis. The Intermountain lacks certain prototypical details the Genesis comes with, like a train phone antenna and nose lift rings. I can get those parts for $20. It would take me around an hour to put those parts on. I would be better off to stay an extra hour at the railroad, as I can work 9 hours before going HOS, and the OT is always available. Pay the extra $70 for the Genesis, and pocket the difference.
So in the case of my five freelanced heavy LIMA Mikados, no one makes a model of a DT&I 800 Class Mikado, I don't think they have ever even been done in brass.
I could have scratch built them.
Instead I used another theory, minimum effort modeling.
Using sometimes "average" commercial models as a basis for kit bashing and detail projects, and only adding additonal details as needed for the desired effect.
So I obtained at reasonable cost, and reasonable effort, something other wise unobtainable, and enjoyed myself while doing it.
If you can buy the IM unit for $70 less than the Genesis but have to pay an additional $20 for parts to match the IM unit to the Genesis, the nominal opportunity cost is $50 if you buy the Genesis. It has nothing to do with your work hours versus your hobby hours. You are comparing apples and oranges, so to speak.
Trainman440 n012944 Internet Hobbies is selling an AB set of Broadway Limited PRR F7's for $319.99. Using their Cyber Monday code this morning, I was able to get a set for $224.00. Of course, since it is Broadway Limited, it also comes with DCC and sound. Lombard Hobbies has C&O and Frisco Athearn Genesis F units on sale for $369.99 for an AB set. Are you sure this place is legit? With a 30% coupon for cyber monday, most of thier items are far below market price. On google and yelp, theres like 20 reviews, with an average of 1.2 stars. Many people are saying its a scam, and if you google maps the location, its near a hospital, and its a picture of an old suburban home and/or a weedy patch of trees, depending on which address you trust. Also, they have stock of many long gone items. Charles
n012944 Internet Hobbies is selling an AB set of Broadway Limited PRR F7's for $319.99. Using their Cyber Monday code this morning, I was able to get a set for $224.00. Of course, since it is Broadway Limited, it also comes with DCC and sound. Lombard Hobbies has C&O and Frisco Athearn Genesis F units on sale for $369.99 for an AB set.
Internet Hobbies is selling an AB set of Broadway Limited PRR F7's for $319.99. Using their Cyber Monday code this morning, I was able to get a set for $224.00. Of course, since it is Broadway Limited, it also comes with DCC and sound.
Lombard Hobbies has C&O and Frisco Athearn Genesis F units on sale for $369.99 for an AB set.
Are you sure this place is legit? With a 30% coupon for cyber monday, most of thier items are far below market price. On google and yelp, theres like 20 reviews, with an average of 1.2 stars. Many people are saying its a scam, and if you google maps the location, its near a hospital, and its a picture of an old suburban home and/or a weedy patch of trees, depending on which address you trust.
Also, they have stock of many long gone items.
Charles
I don't, this is the 1st time I have ordered from them. I use a credit card that has good charge back protection through, so I guess I will find out soon.
An "expensive model collector"
How the heck did opportunity cost enter this discussion?
Opportunity cost is the comparison of one economic choice to another. An example that I like to use is the decision of a retiree to delay the commencement of social security benefits to age 70 in order to receive a higher monthly benefit than that available at an earlier date.
In making that choice to defer the commencement of social security benefits, the retiree must calculate the opportunity cost - - the total amount of foregone monthly benefits before age 70 and the estimated return on such foregone benefits.
Sort of reminds me how terminology associated with one endeavor is misapplied to a totally different endeavor. Examples that come readily to mind are The Law of Large Numbers, Critical Mass, and Monte Carlo Analysis.
Applying economic theory to a hobby is plainly foolish.
My time and money spent on my hobbies are an investment in pleasure and sanity. That is the only economy that applies.
gmpullman richhotrain I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best. Sure wish they could figure out a way to illuminate the numberboards, though Regards, Ed
Regards, Ed
richhotrainI would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best.
richhotrain n012944 Looking at F units, the Broadway and Genesis units are neck and neck. I have F7's from each builer, and each have their issues. The Genesis coming with the "wonderful" plastic couplers, the Broadway lacking rear MU hoses. Other than that, they are pretty close. The Intermountain F unit is nowhere near to the other two's level of detail. I would equate it to a Stewart F unit of the 90's, OK for its time, but out dated. I prefer the WalthersPROTO F unit over the Intermountain. I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best. Rich
n012944 Looking at F units, the Broadway and Genesis units are neck and neck. I have F7's from each builer, and each have their issues. The Genesis coming with the "wonderful" plastic couplers, the Broadway lacking rear MU hoses. Other than that, they are pretty close. The Intermountain F unit is nowhere near to the other two's level of detail. I would equate it to a Stewart F unit of the 90's, OK for its time, but out dated. I prefer the WalthersPROTO F unit over the Intermountain.
Looking at F units, the Broadway and Genesis units are neck and neck. I have F7's from each builer, and each have their issues. The Genesis coming with the "wonderful" plastic couplers, the Broadway lacking rear MU hoses. Other than that, they are pretty close. The Intermountain F unit is nowhere near to the other two's level of detail. I would equate it to a Stewart F unit of the 90's, OK for its time, but out dated. I prefer the WalthersPROTO F unit over the Intermountain.
I would vote hands down for the Genesis F7 as the best of the best.
Yes, no question for me as well.
n012944 ATLANTIC CENTRAL n012944 SeeYou190 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). -Kevin I get this, however I look at it as there is only 24 hours in day. 6 hours are gone for sleep, 9 hours gone for my main job plus back and forth commute. Owning two buisnesses takes around another 4 hours out of the day. That leaves 5 hours to be around the family, and do any hobby stuff that I have, be it racing at the track, or working and or running my models. If I am able to get a set of Broadway Limited F units for $100 dollars more than a set of Walthers F units and save myself 5 hours of detailing to make them look just as good, I will. And if that makes me "an expensive model collector" vs a model builder, as Sheldon described it, so be it. You raised the issue of putting a dollar value on hobby time, I didn't. I never said you did. However you made the "expensive model collector", comment long before I asked about a dollar value for time. ATLANTIC CENTRAL I build models because it is fun, and relaxing, and because in general I will not just "settle" for what happens to be "available". Sheldon And again, that is great for you. Just don't call someone an "expensive model collector" because they do the hobby different than you do. One thing that is great about this hobby is there are many ways to enjoy it.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL n012944 SeeYou190 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). -Kevin I get this, however I look at it as there is only 24 hours in day. 6 hours are gone for sleep, 9 hours gone for my main job plus back and forth commute. Owning two buisnesses takes around another 4 hours out of the day. That leaves 5 hours to be around the family, and do any hobby stuff that I have, be it racing at the track, or working and or running my models. If I am able to get a set of Broadway Limited F units for $100 dollars more than a set of Walthers F units and save myself 5 hours of detailing to make them look just as good, I will. And if that makes me "an expensive model collector" vs a model builder, as Sheldon described it, so be it. You raised the issue of putting a dollar value on hobby time, I didn't.
n012944 SeeYou190 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). -Kevin I get this, however I look at it as there is only 24 hours in day. 6 hours are gone for sleep, 9 hours gone for my main job plus back and forth commute. Owning two buisnesses takes around another 4 hours out of the day. That leaves 5 hours to be around the family, and do any hobby stuff that I have, be it racing at the track, or working and or running my models. If I am able to get a set of Broadway Limited F units for $100 dollars more than a set of Walthers F units and save myself 5 hours of detailing to make them look just as good, I will. And if that makes me "an expensive model collector" vs a model builder, as Sheldon described it, so be it.
SeeYou190 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). -Kevin
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).
I get this, however I look at it as there is only 24 hours in day. 6 hours are gone for sleep, 9 hours gone for my main job plus back and forth commute. Owning two buisnesses takes around another 4 hours out of the day. That leaves 5 hours to be around the family, and do any hobby stuff that I have, be it racing at the track, or working and or running my models.
If I am able to get a set of Broadway Limited F units for $100 dollars more than a set of Walthers F units and save myself 5 hours of detailing to make them look just as good, I will. And if that makes me "an expensive model collector" vs a model builder, as Sheldon described it, so be it.
You raised the issue of putting a dollar value on hobby time, I didn't.
I never said you did. However you made the "expensive model collector", comment long before I asked about a dollar value for time.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I build models because it is fun, and relaxing, and because in general I will not just "settle" for what happens to be "available". Sheldon
I build models because it is fun, and relaxing, and because in general I will not just "settle" for what happens to be "available".
And again, that is great for you. Just don't call someone an "expensive model collector" because they do the hobby different than you do. One thing that is great about this hobby is there are many ways to enjoy it.
Not true, my collector comment was in my first response to you.
I stated what I am not, I did not express any judgment about that regarding others, just to imply it does not interest me. You implied more so you could be offended.
I have since explained my position, relating to Mikes original comments about locomotive cost, rather clearly I think. Mike understood after several examples.
I don't know you, I don't have any beef with you, you tried to dissect my example because I used a loco I had modified. I explained that many of my locos are not modified, or not to that extent, still you are relentless.
Yes, I don't use DCC at home, but have logged hundreds of DCC hours on other layouts. Yes, I don't like onboard sound, I build HiFi speakers as another hobby. Onboard sound in HO sounds like a nine transistor radio to me. Don't be offended if you like sound, I won't think less of you.
Yes, I think Broadway has missed a lot of business by not selling DC versions (DCC ready).
Yes, I'm not interested in buying a random collection of large famous locomotives from different railroads all over the country, and I don't model the PRR, UP, ATSF, etc so most of what Broadway offers is if no interest for that reason as well.
Does any of that mean I think less of others with different goals or tastes in this hobby? No.
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Broadway diesels are not generally up to my detail standards. They are better detailed than stuff like Bachmann, but not Genesis or Intermountain quality of detail. Sheldon
I don't see it that way. Looking at F units, the Broadway and Genesis units are neck and neck. I have F7's from each builer, and each have their issues. The Genesis coming with the "wonderful" plastic couplers, the Broadway lacking rear MU hoses. Other than that, they are pretty close. The Intermountain F unit is nowhere near to the other two's level of detail. I would equate it to a Stewart F unit of the 90's, OK for its time, but out dated. I prefer the WalthersPROTO F unit over the Intermountain.
You raised the issue of putting a dollar value on hobby time, I didn't. I buy plenty that is fully detailed and ready to go, so that I can spend my hobby time on the building projects that are most important to me, while still achieving my total detail and quality goals for the layout.
And I was a young workaholic once too. Been self employed most of my life.
n012944If that makes me "an expensive model collector" vs a model builder, so be it.
I would never make this distinction. I have brass freight cars that cost me as much as a nice locomotive, and I have freight cars reworked from Tyco $1.00 table garbage.
I pick my hobby pleasure from lots of different trees. I do not concern myself with how anyone else would categorize me.
Lastspikemike ATLANTIC CENTRAL Lastspikemike ATLANTIC CENTRAL TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330......... Sheldon NOW you tell me? What are the equivalent diesels going for there? In model form or prototype, you can't compare a single EMD F7 to any but the smallest steam. To do the job of a any medium sized mainline steam loco you are going to need two or three of those EMD F units. So, Athearn Genesis F unit AB sets with DCC and sound are $600 retail and sell for $476 at Trainworld. That's more than the decapod, it is even more than two Bachmann Mikado's with sound which I can buy for $200 each. So double headed Bachmann Mikado's would cost me $400, Double headed Broadway Mikados would be $500 and a set of ABA Genesis F units would be $740. Again, I run long trains, my average train has 3-4 diesels, or one large steamer, or two medium steam locos. In nearly every case there is more money in front of every diesel train than there is in front of my steam trains. And I'm a very good shopper........ Sheldon I like this point very much. Our layout is a mountain area with 1-3% grades. Double heading is required even for steam unless the train is short. My five car brass passenger consist is just doable by my BLI Mikado. The Spectrum Consolidations need to team up. I have not yet tried my late model Bachman Ten Wheeler which is supposed to haul this consist. So, when buying steam power versus diesel power you can save money even on a model railroad, or can you?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Lastspikemike ATLANTIC CENTRAL TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330......... Sheldon NOW you tell me? What are the equivalent diesels going for there? In model form or prototype, you can't compare a single EMD F7 to any but the smallest steam. To do the job of a any medium sized mainline steam loco you are going to need two or three of those EMD F units. So, Athearn Genesis F unit AB sets with DCC and sound are $600 retail and sell for $476 at Trainworld. That's more than the decapod, it is even more than two Bachmann Mikado's with sound which I can buy for $200 each. So double headed Bachmann Mikado's would cost me $400, Double headed Broadway Mikados would be $500 and a set of ABA Genesis F units would be $740. Again, I run long trains, my average train has 3-4 diesels, or one large steamer, or two medium steam locos. In nearly every case there is more money in front of every diesel train than there is in front of my steam trains. And I'm a very good shopper........ Sheldon
Lastspikemike ATLANTIC CENTRAL TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330......... Sheldon NOW you tell me? What are the equivalent diesels going for there?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330......... Sheldon
TrainWorld has those $579 retail Bachmann Decapods for $330.........
NOW you tell me? What are the equivalent diesels going for there?
In model form or prototype, you can't compare a single EMD F7 to any but the smallest steam.
To do the job of a any medium sized mainline steam loco you are going to need two or three of those EMD F units.
So, Athearn Genesis F unit AB sets with DCC and sound are $600 retail and sell for $476 at Trainworld.
That's more than the decapod, it is even more than two Bachmann Mikado's with sound which I can buy for $200 each.
So double headed Bachmann Mikado's would cost me $400, Double headed Broadway Mikados would be $500 and a set of ABA Genesis F units would be $740.
Again, I run long trains, my average train has 3-4 diesels, or one large steamer, or two medium steam locos. In nearly every case there is more money in front of every diesel train than there is in front of my steam trains.
And I'm a very good shopper........
I like this point very much. Our layout is a mountain area with 1-3% grades. Double heading is required even for steam unless the train is short. My five car brass passenger consist is just doable by my BLI Mikado. The Spectrum Consolidations need to team up. I have not yet tried my late model Bachman Ten Wheeler which is supposed to haul this consist.
So, when buying steam power versus diesel power you can save money even on a model railroad, or can you?
It depends, but I look at the cost of locomotives in those terms, what does it cost to power a train, not at the cost of each powered unit.
Even my best deals on DC diesels years ago put $200-$300 at the head end of 4 unit lashups.
My most expensive large steam, like a Broadway 2-6-6-4, or Rivarossi 4-6-6-6 were purchased for $300 or less and one of those locos can handle my max train.
Being DC, and having purchased most of my fleet over the last 20 years, my dollar cost average per powered unit is about $100. Not as easy to do today.