N scale switching dilema

[SpaceMouse]

I found a B & P GP-38 and I think I'm going t model my local regional line. I plan a switching layout, because I want to see where my interests lie before I commit time, space and resources to a basement layout.

I like switchers. I have been loooking at the Atlas VO-1000 but B & P never had one before that I know of. They have 2 SW-1500s and an NW2. But I have only found an Althern SW-1500 and I can't imagine they will convert well to DCC.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it is no a Stewart VO-1000, Atlas has never made any Baldwin Engines. If so the only ones you would see would be an EX-PRR/PC one probably with the PC painted out and CR applied prior to retirement soon after CR came into being.

Also the B&O had some Baldwin Switchers but I not sure of of what models the B&O had.

Rick

[SpaceMouse]

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/NLocomotives/nvo1000/51009.jpg

[Anonymous]

Depending on the era you model, any roadnames that were on the east coast might find their way onto your layout. CSX and NS basically split up the majority of the smaller eastern roads over time. Around here (Georgia) I still see the occassional fallen flag roadnames still painted on locomotives where the parent road has long since vanished. For instance, we see the occassional Chessie System, Seaboard, and even on rare occassions B&O locos. You could use whatever roadnames were predominantly in the area you're modelling prior to CSX and Conrail's existance. Southern RR, L&N, B&O, C&O, Chessie System, Seaboard, NYC, and PRR wouldn't look out of place. If nothing else, you could 'patch' the CSX number over the original number, and weather the loco fairly thoroughly to show it's age. You should also check out www.trainweb.org/csxphotos . I think that's the guy that has a complete list of the active and retired roster with pictures of alot of the locos. That might give you an idea of where to start mixing in old roadnames.

[Anonymous]

Chip, I thought you were in HO scale, the Atlas VO-1000 is in N Scale, which is why I did not know they had any.

But the same logic applies.

Rick

[SpaceMouse]

Oh yeah, I'm not married to the idea of the VO-1000. But I have not found any other switchers except the Atlas RS units and their selection is worse. What do you all do for switchers?

[Adelie]

Atlas makes (or made) an Atlantic Coast Line version of the VO-1000. I'm not sure what the odds are of it surviving the meger into SCL and then into CSX while still carrying ACL livery. But on the other hand, whose to say it didn't?

[Anonymous]

Usually, I use one of my 0-8-0's. But in your case I would wait for the Athearn, I Think , MP-15AC which came to Conrail from the Reading RR. Also try to find an Athearn SW-1500 which Conrail Inherited from the PC.

Rick

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jesionowski

Chip, I thought you were in HO scale, the Atlas VO-1000 is in N Scale, which is why I did not know they had any.

But the same logic applies.

Rick

I am still mainly in HO. The N scale switching layout I'm thinking about is a an experiment in operations with a nod to diesels.. With the HO layout I'm building, the fun for me has been the building and painting and modeling. N is too small for me to do the figures and custom painting etc I like to see the trains run, but on my HO 4 x 8 layout, it gets boring pretty quickly. The N switching layout will help me see what I like about operations without committing the $ and space to what will be my basement layout. The N scale will be built into a bookshelf that my wife wanted anyway so I have space for it--it won't be wasted.

Anyway, I fear that I am getting involved in the concept of the switching layout. If I enjoy running it, that will influence my HO basement layout. If I don't, then I will make a basement layout more geared toward dioramas than operations. Does that make sense?

[Anonymous]

Just checked out the Atlas site... looks like you could choose between NYC, Lehigh Valley, Atlantic Coast Line and Pennsy. Most of those could have been found on early Conrail lines I believe. On the other hand, if you're modeling present day operations, I think the VO-1000 might be a little too old to see in anything but class III shortline or industrial owned switching operations, and even then it would probably be on it's last leg. Around here we're lucky enough to have a 1 train a week shortline railroad named the Great Walton RR, and they own 5 locos, (three GP9's, one GP7, and a GP30) but around here you only see one, the GP30 that's operational, and they've painted it to look like a Southern RR loco, but with Great Walton RR in place of Southern on the side. The other locos are still in original or second owner paint schemes, including South Carolina Central (SCC), Chicago North Western (CNW), Chessie System, and C&O. So you could use a VO-1000 in nearly any roadname, but most likely not in mainline service.

[rrinker]

Yeah, a VO-1000 is going to be too old. You need to look for an MP15 or MP15AC. Those should be out there in Conrail and CSX.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

Yeah, a VO-1000 is going to be too old. You need to look for an MP15 or MP15AC. Those should be out there in Conrail and CSX.

Who makes them?

[Adelie]

Unfortunately, there is not a huge assortment of true switchers available in N. Life Like has made SW8/600/900's, and I think also made or make a 1200. Off the top of my head, I can't even think of an SW1500 out there in non-brass.

Kato has RS2's but those are not really suitable for present-day operations, either.

[Anonymous]

Atlas is making an MP15DC in N scale. The roadnames haven't been announced yet, but I'm sure CSX and CR will be included in one of the runs. I'd go for a CSX MP15 over CR, since CR retired theirs in the late 80's, but CSX still has some.

[SpaceMouse]

Oh lawdy lawdy lawdy--Altas just came out with an N-scale Buffalo and Pittsburgh GP-38. Now what am I going to do?

These of course drive by in front of my store.

[SpaceMouse]

I think I have a direction.

[Adelie]

Sounds to me like you need to include your store on the switching layout.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

Sounds to me like you need to include your store on the switching layout.

I'm going to build a real layout, aren't I? An itty bitty layout. And I'm going to have to paint an itty-bitty switcher.

Breathe In
Breathe Out
Breathe In
Breathe Out.

[tstage]

Chip,

Is it time for the epidural yet? From HO to N to.... (Z isn't too far behind.) Get any smaller Chip and you'll be making the MRR rendition of the movie "Fanastic Voyage"...

Tom

[Anonymous]

Enjoy the ride.

Been what? 5 months since you stumbled over that switcher on ebay?

Have fun! Id go with the GP unit and the switcher on the roadnames you like.

Dont forget to build the warehouse for your N scale store.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

Enjoy the ride.

Been what? 5 months since you stumbled over that switcher on ebay?

Have fun! Id go with the GP unit and the switcher on the roadnames you like.

Dont forget to build the warehouse for your N scale store.

Heck Vitamin Connection is a Whole Mall!

[SpaceMouse]

It seems my dilemma is back. If I can find an Althern SW-1500, I'm afraid that conversion to DCC is going to be a royal PIA. I like the idea of a B&P line, but what do I use for a switcher on a switching layout. I'm thinking GP9. What do you guys think. B& P has 6 or 7 GP9s but all are hauling freight and coal not playing yard monkey.

[DSchmitt]

Heres a link to Con Cor's page on their new switcher which is supposed to be available in May

http://all-railroads.com/nmp15.html

Looks good in the pictures. I'm sure its better than their previous offerings. Be interesting to see how it measures up to other brands.

[Anonymous]

Those look sweet especially the Southern ones too bad i'm not N scale

DRew

[SpaceMouse]

That does look nice. It looks like the only switcher that will take DCC is the Atlas VO-1000.

Guess, I'm wiring the N layout in blocks.