How big should my loco roster be?

[AlcoRS11Nut]

As many as you want. It is your model railroad after all isn't it? I also like the philosohpy of Trainnut 484!!!

[AlcoRS11Nut]

As many as you want. It is your model railroad after all isn't it? I also like the philosohpy of Trainnut 484!!!

[Anonymous]

In response to this wonderful thread, I must say that my roster is small. I had some engines that were in storage for a decade and they did not fare well. I am rebuilding with 40's-60's engines for now. I have several steam locos and am working on a few diesals as well. Someday I will start on modern day equiptment as well.

Run what you want, buy what you can. There will always be "Keepers" that never see light of day and those you run all the time and others you set on shelf.

As for me, with the new steam products coming out, I feel young again. There are some quality must have engines out there.

Lee

[Anonymous]

In response to this wonderful thread, I must say that my roster is small. I had some engines that were in storage for a decade and they did not fare well. I am rebuilding with 40's-60's engines for now. I have several steam locos and am working on a few diesals as well. Someday I will start on modern day equiptment as well.

Run what you want, buy what you can. There will always be "Keepers" that never see light of day and those you run all the time and others you set on shelf.

As for me, with the new steam products coming out, I feel young again. There are some quality must have engines out there.

Lee

[csxns]

You can have as many locomotives you woant we are in the USA.I have about 200 locos and about 700 freight cars and about 12 by 20 ft to run them on.

[csxns]

You can have as many locomotives you woant we are in the USA.I have about 200 locos and about 700 freight cars and about 12 by 20 ft to run them on.

[Anonymous]

In response to your question I don't have a layout yet but when get started on it I will have about 6-8 loco's a few road switchers,a yard switcher,a few for mainline running it all depends on your layout

[Anonymous]

In response to your question I don't have a layout yet but when get started on it I will have about 6-8 loco's a few road switchers,a yard switcher,a few for mainline running it all depends on your layout

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Ross, for noticing that I was talking about being realistic. I saw that Jeremy used the word 'Roster' in his question's subject heading, so assumed that he wanted the discussion to head in that direction. Now, if he had substituted the word 'collection' for 'roster', I might have answered like the rest.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Ross, for noticing that I was talking about being realistic. I saw that Jeremy used the word 'Roster' in his question's subject heading, so assumed that he wanted the discussion to head in that direction. Now, if he had substituted the word 'collection' for 'roster', I might have answered like the rest.

[holland]

Buy more keep the manufactures happy

[holland]

Buy more keep the manufactures happy

[Anonymous]

Buying engines is an illness, I think that is why locomotive shortened spells LOCO. For instance I have a friend that doesn’t have a layout yet he is a member a local modelers club. He has around 100 cars and a little over 2000 engines, not kidding guys. I believe that if I keep buying like I am today I will catch up to him by the time I’m his age, I am 28 he is in his early 60s. I currently have a layout that is a 12X33 and am currently begging for half of the other half of the basement so I can expand. I have 57 engines mostly 6 axles, and 112 cars. Every time I go to the hobby shop the owner and I discuss the illness about buying these things. I keep promising to my self that the next purchase will be cars. I haven’t bought a car in over a year but I have bought 8 new Kato & P2000 engines, I think it time to go see the doctor or something.

Everyone is right so far, having too much is fine but unlike my friend and I try to keep it realistic like Tank says.

Ross
Spokane, WA

[Anonymous]

Buying engines is an illness, I think that is why locomotive shortened spells LOCO. For instance I have a friend that doesn’t have a layout yet he is a member a local modelers club. He has around 100 cars and a little over 2000 engines, not kidding guys. I believe that if I keep buying like I am today I will catch up to him by the time I’m his age, I am 28 he is in his early 60s. I currently have a layout that is a 12X33 and am currently begging for half of the other half of the basement so I can expand. I have 57 engines mostly 6 axles, and 112 cars. Every time I go to the hobby shop the owner and I discuss the illness about buying these things. I keep promising to my self that the next purchase will be cars. I haven’t bought a car in over a year but I have bought 8 new Kato & P2000 engines, I think it time to go see the doctor or something.

Everyone is right so far, having too much is fine but unlike my friend and I try to keep it realistic like Tank says.

Ross
Spokane, WA

[Anonymous]

I'm not aware of an upper limit for loco rosters - as many as your shelves and wallet can stand!

[Anonymous]

I'm not aware of an upper limit for loco rosters - as many as your shelves and wallet can stand!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan

QUOTE: So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

I think vsmith has defined the outmost limits of not just locomotive population, but of model railroading itself.

Thats why my layout is out in the garage and my workshop is in the closet[:D]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan

QUOTE: So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

I think vsmith has defined the outmost limits of not just locomotive population, but of model railroading itself.

Thats why my layout is out in the garage and my workshop is in the closet[:D]

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

I think vsmith has defined the outmost limits of not just locomotive population, but of model railroading itself.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

I think vsmith has defined the outmost limits of not just locomotive population, but of model railroading itself.

[vsmith]

It doesnt matter how small your layout is, thats what shelfs were invented for. Plus the more locos and cars you have the greater the Variety you can chose to run on it. Streamliners one dya light freight the next. In HO the trains take up little space individually compared to the layout itself, so its really a matter of how much storage space you can devote to your roster. I have 15 small locos for a small (for G guage)indoors layout. I can operate 3 to 5 seperate trains ( one operating, the rest on sidings and alternating which train has right of way), so I can vary which engines will run of the layout for a given time frame. I like to change locos because each are different and have unique characteristics. So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

[vsmith]

It doesnt matter how small your layout is, thats what shelfs were invented for. Plus the more locos and cars you have the greater the Variety you can chose to run on it. Streamliners one dya light freight the next. In HO the trains take up little space individually compared to the layout itself, so its really a matter of how much storage space you can devote to your roster. I have 15 small locos for a small (for G guage)indoors layout. I can operate 3 to 5 seperate trains ( one operating, the rest on sidings and alternating which train has right of way), so I can vary which engines will run of the layout for a given time frame. I like to change locos because each are different and have unique characteristics. So the sky is really the limit, as many as you want or your spouse will tolerate.

[Anonymous]

If you're asking how many would be realistic for a small RR, then the answer is different from what you've heard so far. Think in terms of what work needs to be done. Do you have a yard or local businesses that need cars switched? Then you need a switcher! You can use a road freight unit as a switcher if it's about 20 years older then your main freight locos. (When the real thing was built, not how old your model is). Do you run freight trains? Get a freight engine or two. Passengers too? Get a passenger loco. Now you have the work covered. As you expand your layout or start pulling longer trains, you may need more. If you want to add another era, you can repeat the process for, say, steam. I hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

If you're asking how many would be realistic for a small RR, then the answer is different from what you've heard so far. Think in terms of what work needs to be done. Do you have a yard or local businesses that need cars switched? Then you need a switcher! You can use a road freight unit as a switcher if it's about 20 years older then your main freight locos. (When the real thing was built, not how old your model is). Do you run freight trains? Get a freight engine or two. Passengers too? Get a passenger loco. Now you have the work covered. As you expand your layout or start pulling longer trains, you may need more. If you want to add another era, you can repeat the process for, say, steam. I hope this helps.

[Wdlgln005]

I buy all my locos in pairs. One to lead the train east and one to go west. Cheap motors become spares or kitbash candidates. On different days, I like to run different trains. Have fun with your layout!

[Wdlgln005]

I buy all my locos in pairs. One to lead the train east and one to go west. Cheap motors become spares or kitbash candidates. On different days, I like to run different trains. Have fun with your layout!

[cp1057]

Hi Jeremy,

I don't have any plans to stop expanding my roster. If they are taken care of, they don't really wear out so locos tend to keep accumulating. I am planning to redo my layout to allow for more trains running from staging tracks and therefore more jobs for my locomotives to pull.

Charles
Hillsburgh On.

[cp1057]

Hi Jeremy,

I don't have any plans to stop expanding my roster. If they are taken care of, they don't really wear out so locos tend to keep accumulating. I am planning to redo my layout to allow for more trains running from staging tracks and therefore more jobs for my locomotives to pull.

Charles
Hillsburgh On.

[AltonFan]

How big is your bank account?