Back in September of 1964, I stuck a pin in the end of a tie and said, "If it passes here, I'll model it."
The tie was just northeast of the Agematsu station on the Japan National Railways Chu-o--Nishi Hon-sen.
Later I compromised by moving to the place where the catenary ended - I already had several 1500VDC motors. Then I spliced in a freelance privately-owned coal hauler (in a place without a single workable seam.) That allowed for a motley collection of small steam of Japanese design and no acknowledged parentage.
So, what do I have?
JNR steam:
Notably absent, the tall-drivered Pacifics and anything with a 4 wheel trailing truck.
JNR diesel-hydraulic:
JNR 1500VDC catenary:
The Tomikawa Tani Tetsudo, freelance private railway, runs:
My 'Heritage' fleet (used to run on US prototype club layouts) consists of one 2-8-0, five 4-8-4s, a 2-10-4 and a GG1. (Also several club-herald box cars and a 2-bay hopper.)
Then there are the narrow gauge (762mm prototype) 0-4-2T, 0-4-0T (3 ea) and Bo+Bo steeple cab. They may get some track to run on - someday.
As for, "Building," my roster, I might acquire something to kitbash or use (temporarily) as a foobie if I find a specific hole that my current roster doesn't cover. There are several yard sale queens (acquired by my sister) available for experiments, including some that might end up polishing rails on a regular basis.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - more or less)
How do I build my roster?
One locomotive at a time.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
I freelance a modern shortline, but change decades every so often. The roster is Alco S2/4s and C420s; MP15s, GP38s, and deturboed GP20's (like my avatar); and Gensets.
- Douglas
Dusty
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I have stayed focused on the Delaware & Hudson from the 60's to 1980 for the past 20 years so my roster includes:
5 RS-3
2 RS-2
3 RS-3m
3 U28b
3 u30b
2 PA
2 Sharks
3 SD45
4 GP38-2
2 GP39-2
4 C-628
3 S-2
1 CP GP38-2
3 CP SD40-2
1 GATX SD40-2
1 PLM SD40-2
1 ALCO DEMO C-415
1 MEC GP7
These have all been customized or custom built and are all DCC'd.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
pt714 Wow, so many extensive rosters! It seems like no small part of that is from years of amassing locos. Is there anybody here that's just starting out in the hobby, or that has a small amount of rolling stock (for prototypical, practical, or personal reasons)?
Wow, so many extensive rosters! It seems like no small part of that is from years of amassing locos. Is there anybody here that's just starting out in the hobby, or that has a small amount of rolling stock (for prototypical, practical, or personal reasons)?
I dont know anyone who didnt start out small. If it helps, we all started out small. Time is the one item you will need in this hobby. Hopefully before you know it, you too will have a nice roster to boast about.
"Patience", the #1 commodity in demand for the model railroading hobby.
PM Railfan I dont know anyone who didnt start out small. If it helps, we all started out small. Time is the one item you will need in this hobby. Hopefully before you know it, you too will have a nice roster to boast about. "Patience", the #1 commodity in demand for the model railroading hobby.
Oh, I'm not particularly envious if that's what you mean. :-) I am just starting out again, but I know it's a lifelong endeavor collecting locos (and rolling stock, too.) I was just curious if anybody who has been in the hobby for a while restricted themselves to a small roster. Seems like those modeling short lines, or who have smaller layouts-- shelf switching, 4x8s, etc.-- might not have as much need for a long list of engines.
P
pt714 PM Railfan I dont know anyone who didnt start out small. If it helps, we all started out small. Time is the one item you will need in this hobby. Hopefully before you know it, you too will have a nice roster to boast about. "Patience", the #1 commodity in demand for the model railroading hobby. Oh, I'm not particularly envious if that's what you mean. :-) I am just starting out again, but I know it's a lifelong endeavor collecting locos (and rolling stock, too.) I was just curious if anybody who has been in the hobby for a while restricted themselves to a small roster. Seems like those modeling short lines, or who have smaller layouts-- shelf switching, 4x8s, etc.-- might not have as much need for a long list of engines. P
I am sure there are some people who stick with a few locomotives. While most model railroaders wouldn't call themselves "locomotive collectors", their roster and buying habits would show they do "collect" locomotives. "Locomotive collecting" is very popular when you think about it, though it is usually thought of as part of model railroading. Model Railroader and locomotive collector mean basically the same thing.
Kyle wrote: "Model Railroader and locomotive collector mean basically the same thing."
Objection, Your Honor! Those of us with small layouts (and, in fact, small budgets) won´t have larger engine rosters. And, if we can agree on this definition, a model railroader is a person, who builds and operates a scale layout, a collector, who does not have a layout of his own, may not necessarily a model railroader, but "just" a collector.
Sir Madog Kyle wrote: "Model Railroader and locomotive collector mean basically the same thing." Objection, Your Honor! Those of us with small layouts (and, in fact, small budgets) won´t have larger engine rosters. And, if we can agree on this definition, a model railroader is a person, who builds and operates a scale layout, a collector, who does not have a layout of his own, may not necessarily a model railroader, but "just" a collector.
More likely, such a person is a "locomotive accumulator", one who goes on a buying orgy because he cannot stop himself.
Rich
Alton Junction
As I suspected! Though while we're defining terms I imagine a 'roster' as something active in the operating of the layout, as opposed to a 'collection'. I model an interchange between a short line and a DRGW branch. My roster, thus far (and it's on the fringe, considering I am still getting my layout to a functional level) consists of a single GE 70-tonner. In the next year, I hope to have a 2-8-0 and a 4-6-2 to add to that-- I already own them, but they need work before I can run them. Those are the engines that I will operate; there are several others sitting in a box that either do not fit the setting or are out of commission-- part of my "collection", I guess.
At this point, given the layout's small size and my very modest budget, I can't imagine ever operating it with more than four or five locomotives. That may change with time, a bigger space, $, etc...
Obviously some on here don't get out much and SEE those that COLLECT Trains.
SOME to the point of having a Sealed BOX and ASSUME that the train inside (if there really is one - could be bricks) is MINT!
These are Model Railroad COLLECTORS - Mostly 3 rail guys!
And then there are the BRASS Collectors - and I know one personally - been to his home several times and 5 or 6 tall glass show cases with Stacks of Brass engines - NONE of them ever RUN!
YET! he has a full basement with an operational Railroad.
There is all kinds that make up this Model Railroad World!
ALL of my 80 engines are on my layout and they get the wheels run off them!
I have over 900 hours of Official OPERATIONS running time on my layout alone over the years.
I keep track of the hours of all my Operators that run on my layout during Official OPs Sessions.
And I have run on hundreds of other layouts all across the country - and visited twice as many.
The visits were mostly those that Collect trains because if they were Operators - we would have been there for an OPs Session not a Look-See thing!
I never say it is right or wrong to Collect or Operate - it is just that I prefer to Operate on the layout - as I get a better view and am able to see all of the hard work that has gone into making a great layout
A visit is way too short to really appreciate the workmanship that the Layout Owner has put into his masterpiece
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Every purchase I've made since the first SP&S RS1 #50 has been based upon a few criteria:
Does it carry the SP&S, GN, NP, or CB&Q roadname
Was it within the local traffic area of the SP&S(any car or engine not bearing the above 4 RN's)
does it fit the era(1960-1970 with the exception of 5 SNC 50' DD boxcars and 1 BN Scale test car)
Is it DCC friendly(no frame alterations or special work needed)
Like I said in another thread I have the money to make a proper fleet and will continue doing so, time is the only thing I lack.
*puts helmet on and jumps into foxhole*
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Ive seen above, locomotive collector, locomotive accumulator, etc to name a few. I will confess. I am a locomotive "hoarder". I will go one further. I am not at all embarrassed to admit i truely have that 'disease' called model railroading.
Collecting, modelling, and yes hoarding are three totally different things. However, they can be combined. Because hoarding locos isnt all i do in the hobby. As you folks know, and for the newbies who are gonna find out.... one does in model railroading what one wants or can at the moment. Each thing you do, has a hat.
Sometimes I cant work on a layout, but I can buy more locos. Other times the coffers are a little low and I cant buy anything, so I will work on another facet of the hobby. There is literally SO MUCH to do in model railroading that any one person can be anything or all things.
I certainly hope that "collector" is not a bad word amongst us. Because it isnt! I for one am glad some of us buy certain rolling stock (car, loco, brass or plastic, it doesnt matter) just for the purpose of displaying it. I too know someone who had nothing but display shelves all over his train room with nothing but brass just sitting looking pretty. He also had a caboose in his front yard (does that make him a railroad?). Collector or was he a modeller? Both actually, he had a layout operating too. He was also a retired N&W steam engineer. A man of many hats.
Im glad to know there are perfect examples of rolling stock out there, in perfect untouched condition. While the rest of us in turn "run the wheels off" of what we have. Whether it be two or three locos or a couple hundred. Most folks have more than one car in the driveway when one is all you can drive at any one time. Does this make them car collectors? No.
So lets not disperage those who would sit at any different level of the hobby. Collector, modeller, hoarder, or just arm chair dreamer, even beginner. We are all in this for fun, and enjoyment. I have enjoyed reading this post and seeing what others have on their lines. And while I have more than some, less than others, I find the small "roosters", just as fascinating as the large ones. Irrespective of the fact they are on a shelf, in a box, or making revenue on a layout.
pt714 Oh, I'm not particularly envious if that's what you mean. :-) I am just starting out again, but I know it's a lifelong endeavor collecting locos (and rolling stock, too.) I was just curious if anybody who has been in the hobby for a while restricted themselves to a small roster. Seems like those modeling short lines, or who have smaller layouts-- shelf switching, 4x8s, etc.-- might not have as much need for a long list of engines. P
Do you have more than two locomotives? If you answered yes, you have a collection.
If we use your definition of a model railroader, then you just excluded those who do not have layouts, but build/kit bash/ modify/ scratch build rolling stock and locomotives.
Hate to tell you this, but some people can't always have a layout.
I believe that there are locomotive collectors out there. A few years ago I was in a rather up scale home doing a window quote. When I had the quote ready I was invited into the den (office). One whole wall was covered with British OO scale locomotives! There were at least 50, or maybe more. It was quite an interesting sight.
After the quote had been presented I asked if he had a layout. The answer was "no - I just like to collect them", and his tone of voice suggested that he didn't want to discuss the subject further.
Each to his own I say, but the thought of all those gorgeous locomotives wasting away in a wall display kind of upset me a bit.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Kyle:
Well said!
If we are not careful we can get a bit exclusionary with our attitudes. I don't have a layout (yet!). I do have several locomotives and a fair roster of rolling stock. Given the amount of time, effort and money I have put into the hobby I'd be pretty T'd off if somebody suggests that I am not a model railroader because I don't have a layout (yet!).
Kyle Sir Madog Kyle wrote: "Model Railroader and locomotive collector mean basically the same thing." Objection, Your Honor! Those of us with small layouts (and, in fact, small budgets) won´t have larger engine rosters. And, if we can agree on this definition, a model railroader is a person, who builds and operates a scale layout, a collector, who does not have a layout of his own, may not necessarily a model railroader, but "just" a collector. Do you have more than two locomotives? If you answered yes, you have a collection. If we use your definition of a model railroader, then you just excluded those who do not have layouts, but build/kit bash/ modify/ scratch build rolling stock and locomotives. Hate to tell you this, but some people can't always have a layout.
If you have more than two locomotives residing in boxes or a display case, you are (permanently or temporarily) a collector.
If you have actively built kits or scratchbuilt you are a railroad modeler.
If you have built or are building a layout, to be run as your impression of a railroad, or plan/intend to do so in the future, you are a model railroader (even if the layout ends up as wishful thinking.)
My JNR roster is not a collection - it resides on rails, and most units have cars Kadeed to the rear coupler. TTT roster likewise (the 'future Golwe' is running as a foobie.) My 762mm gauge locos are scenic items (until I power the tracks they stand on.) Only those remaining US prototype items can be accurately described as a collection - and even they run occasionally to keep the lube from congealing.
"Collectors" keep un-run units to look at, or in un-opened boxes as investments . Model Railroaders make the wheels turn.
Chuck (Semi-collector modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
So I had a collection within a couple days of starting N
I usually run my (prototypically MU capable) units in pairs, I'm a collector times..... I can't remember how many loco pairs I have. hahahahaha, this is great. How many passenger and freight cars do I have to have to be a collector.
Oh my sides.....
I set the time period for my RR in October 1974.
This sets the limit on what I can realistically have as far as locomotives and other equipment......SD40-2, SD45, MP15, etc.
I guess that in discussions like this one there is always the oportunities to get bogged down by definitions or trying to define what box an indi itual fits into.
But this is my own opinion.
A collector is an individual who collects, say, locomotives in the context of this dicussion, thats the specialty they enjoy. The may focus on a partiicular interest say fir example; Union Pacific steamers. A true collector is usually fairly knowlegeable about the prototype, there history and so forth. Generally collectors don't model - that is not wH
at they are interested in doing. Collectors are therefore knowledgeable, discerning & their collection is clearly defined with a purpise.
Somebody who buys models because they look cool or gives them a momentary buzz when they buy a model is a, hoarder.
Just like Chuck points out, ther is a difference between a model railroader - who will have a layout to operate their railroad on.& a railroad modler for whom a layout is not always nessesary or even desired. And then there is everybody else who by nessesity or desire incorporates some or all of these definitiions in their enjoyment of our hobby.
But it's up to each individual as to how they enjoy the hobby where often the comment is made: "
that what is the breath of life for one oerson is plain foolishness to another".
hon30critterEach to his own I say, but the thought of all those gorgeous locomotives wasting away in a wall display kind of upset me a bit.
PM RailfanIve seen above, locomotive collector, locomotive accumulator, etc to name a few. I will confess. I am a locomotive "hoarder". I will go one further. I am not at all embarrassed to admit i truely have that 'disease' called model railroading.
But back to the REAL subject of this thread. In my opinion the hoard is not a roster. A roster is the regular working set of locomotives used on the layout used to perform the needed tasks there on.
So as I stated earlier, Yes my roster conforms to general prototypical standard practices in types, usages, and era.