Your layout's motive power

[BerkshireSteam]

How do you choose power for your layout? 6 axle or 4? 2 units or 6? I asked a similar question in the trains forum and thought I would ask about the modelers point of view. The inquire came to light because while our model trains aren't as diverse in power from model to model, a Kato SD40 will pull about the same as a Kato SD70, as it is with the prototypes, an SD40 has 3000hp with XXXX TE and an SD70 has 4000hp and XXXX TE, they still basically balance out. A video on the Cajon Pass showed a spline car consist of about 60 cars powered by a GP60M/B/M/B lash up would be run as the same on a model layout. To a point it does balance out, at least I think.

[BerkshireSteam]

Ok I read that and I don't think I sounded very clear. As an example a model rr could use a 3 unit lash up of SD40's for say a 60 TOFC manifest or a 100 car unit coal train while the prototype may use the same lash up for a TOFC consist but use 6 unit lash up for a coal train. So do you go with what works, a 3 unit lash up, or what would be more prototypical, a 6 unit lash up, even if it's overkill?

[aloco]

If I'm running road engines I usually use two. Mostly four axle units.

Yard engines, mostly one by itself or sometimes two. 

Almost all locos are first generation diesels (built in the 1940s and 1950s) and most are in modern paint schemes (I model the year 1974 in HO scale).  

Typical train length is about four or five cars (my layout is quite small).

 

[IRONROOSTER]

 My plan is to follow the prototype to the extent I know what they did and make the best guess I can otherwise.  One advantage of modeling a short line is that I can get closer to the actual train length.

Enjoy

Paul

[blownout cylinder]

My own layout--being an imaginary extension of a CN/CP series of small branchlines into a regional shortline I've been using --at most--two 4 axle RS's hauling between 15-20 graincars----BUT BUT BUT---on Eric's full basement layout the largest train is a unit with 4 4axle units hauling up to 40 graincars---

If I want to be a little closer to a prototype--in this case GMD1 with A1A trucks I'll be in a bit of a pickle----

[steinjr]

MILW-RODR

How do you choose power for your layout? 6 axle or 4? 2 units or 6?

 Type of engine : if it is important to you to be prototype-like (or prototype-similar), you look at what your chosen prototype(s) ran for your chosen era, location and application.  If not, you just buy whatever engines grab your fancy.

 Number of engines - whatever looks reasonable and you can find the room for on your layout and money to buy.  

 Unlike in your fantasies, an actual physical layout very likely will have a pretty limited size, which will probably determine train lengths to be somewhat less than 110 car unit trains with six engines ....

 If you ask what is practical in e.g. a bedroom (let's say 11x11 foot) sized layout in N scale, you can maybe support train lengths of 8-10 feet in a sensible way. Let's say 10 feet, for simplicity's sake.

 10 feet in N scale - let's say about four 40-foot (or three 60-foot) cars per foot, maybe two engines per foot. 4 engines is 2 feet, leaving 8 feet for about 32 40-foot cars. Or you can go 8 engines is 4 feet, leaving 6 feet for about 24 40-foot cars.

 Whatever looks sensible to you. To me, a consist of three engines and 30-some cars would probably look better than a consist of six engines and 20-some cars. Your mileage may very.

 On the other hand, if this is just yet another of your dreams of a model railroad empire you don't actually have neither the space nor the money to build, then you can dream as big as you like - how about say 110 car coal trains climbing out of Helena, MT westbound over the continental divide, with six engines on front, four mid-train helpers and three helpers at the end of the train ?

Grin,
Stein

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 On my layout the longest freight train is pulled by two SDP40F's (6 axle carbody units based on SD40-2 chassis) and a 4 axle unit (GP40) as a mid train helper. Two shorter freight trains are pulled by pairs of 4 axle units. One by a pair of GP38-2's and the other by a pair of GP40's.

[CP5415]

My layout is flat, at least this one is. Most of my trains are 1 unit + 10 - 20 cars or 4-5 passenger cars.

If I want "oooooo" factor, I'll add more, especially my PA's in either passenger or freight duty.

Gordon

[mobilman44]

Hi!

I model the ATSF (and some IC) circa late '40s & '50s.  Having several ABBA Stewart F consists, I typically run them as a set, rather than an AB or an A by themselves.  The GP7/9s are likely to be consisted as needed, as are the Atlas RS locos.

For steam, I love that BLI Northern by itself - either pulling a passenger or a fast freight.  For heavy, hard duty, I'll consist a couple of BLI ten drivered locos.  For short, easy pulls, the Spectrum 2-8-0s are nice.

Lastly, for the IC streamliner, either an E6/7 AB or ABA will always head them up.

Some of the above may seem overkill or not as realistic as some would like, but they are my idea of "ideal" running, and make me smile - which is what this hobby is all about to me.

Mobilman44

[rs2mike]

 I have 2 atlas rs units(powered) 1 rs roundhouse unit(unpowered) 1 mp15(powered) 2 sw-7(powered) and a body for 1 more rs-1 to be powered.  Also have a heisler and mother hubbard but am thinking of selling both.

[BRAKIE]

MILW-RODR

How do you choose power for your layout? 6 axle or 4? 2 units or 6? I asked a similar question in the trains forum and thought I would ask about the modelers point of view. The inquire came to light because while our model trains aren't as diverse in power from model to model, a Kato SD40 will pull about the same as a Kato SD70, as it is with the prototypes, an SD40 has 3000hp with XXXX TE and an SD70 has 4000hp and XXXX TE, they still basically balance out. A video on the Cajon Pass showed a spline car consist of about 60 cars powered by a GP60M/B/M/B lash up would be run as the same on a model layout. To a point it does balance out, at least I think.

 

A complicated question that has many answers.But,I won't bore you with details.

I choose my locomotives based on the work they must preform,the average train tonnage and ruling grade.

Looking at my HO C&HV it has GP38-2s,GP40-2s and a lone GP50 for motive power since the trains are short.

Looking at my  N Scale C&HV it has GP9/30/35s,SD35s.The reason being the era being modeled the C&HV handles a lot of coal.

Looking at my CB&T it uses 2 GP20s.1 is a backup unit in case the primary unit fails.

[Packers#1]

 My layout operates as a shortline that runs on a couple branch lines with a small yard. and since my era is 1971-2009 (will probably narrow that down to 1980-2000); I operate 1st and 2nd gen diesel road-switchers; currently, EMD GP9 and GP35 and a GE U23B. I aim to add another EMD Geep; the GP35, GP38, and GP40 are all under consideration. I have the GP9 for the yard, and the other geep and u-boat for the locals (the yard has a large furniture plant that requires a loco being in the yard). I may also require another GP9 (I may buy a GP7, as the GP9 and GP7 are pretty much identical externally) if I model the quick-mix cement plant at the end of one branch line. Overall though, my railroad runs single 4 axle road switchers on the trains because that's what the big boys do.

[markpierce]

MILW-RODR

Ok I read that and I don't think I sounded very clear. As an example a model rr could use a 3 unit lash up of SD40's for say a 60 TOFC manifest or a 100 car unit coal train while the prototype may use the same lash up for a TOFC consist but use 6 unit lash up for a coal train. So do you go with what works, a 3 unit lash up, or what would be more prototypical, a 6 unit lash up, even if it's overkill?

Gee, just how large is your layout?

Mark

[doctorwayne]

My motive power, all steam, was tested on the layout's ruling grade to determine each locomotive's "tonnage rating".  Two tests were performed, the first using a random selection of freight cars, most at the recommended NMRA weight (although some may have been heavier), and most (but not all) with their original plastic wheels.  I used the same "train" for each loco, removing cars from the rear of the train until the loco being tested could make it up the grade with no or very minimal wheel slip.

The second test used hoppers with "live" loads, each car weighing 8 ounces, along with a 4 ounce caboose.  This train (with 12 hoppers and the caboose) is a tri-weekly train, with specific locos dedicated to moving it.  However, loaded hoppers also show up in mixed freight trains, too, so I wanted an idea of how other locos handled such cars.  Again, the same train was used for all locos, with cars removed from the rear of the train as required - the caboose was used on all trains.

What I found was that one loaded car in a drag had little impact on overall train length, while any more than one definitely did - therefore, in any general freight train, one loaded car simply counted as one car.  If there was more than one loaded car in a train, each loaded car was counted as two regular cars, giving me a "tonnage rating", expressed as cars, for each loco.

For instance, if a loco could haul 10 random cars up that grade, it was rated at 10 cars.  If 3 of those cars happened to be loaded hoppers, then, with each of the loads counting as two cars, the total train length allowed would be only 7 cars.  (This relationship does start to fall apart as the number of loaded cars increases, although that scenario isn't common.)

Another thing that I discovered was that with locos which ran well together (I use DC control), I could usually simply add their tonnage ratings together when doubleheading, while locos which ran poorly with one another resulted in their combined tonnage rating being adjusted downward. 

In normal operations, most trains are limited (by passing siding length) to 12 cars, and can be easily handled singly by most locos.  If only smaller locos are available for such a train, they're doubleheaded, or the train is shortened accordingly.  All coal trains are doubleheaded,  and, usually, the same two locos will be used together to return the empties, too, even though that trip is all down hill and could be easily handled by a single loco.  This does allow for the "extra" loco to be used for other purposes if necessary, although that could result later in yet another loco being dispatched from elsewhere to "run light" when power is needed for the next coal train. 

I have found that using this system of tonnage ratings has increased the realism of my operations.

Wayne

 

[grizlump9]

 being partial to the ICRR from the late 50's and early 60's, i pretty much run what they had back then which was early emd diesels.  steam was hanging on by it's teeth.

locomotive assignements are as follows.

drill job = kato nw-2

trimmer and utility job = brass 2-8-0 (also switches the cab track, store room and car shop)

interchange and delivery = pair of p2k sw's mu'd or a 2-8-2 with footboard pilot and back up light. (delivers foreign line cars switched out of I/B trains and from industries)

transfer job = 1 or 2 kato rs-3's  (peabody short line orphans repainted with black diamond)

industry job = wathers sw-1

a single geep from the road pool can substitute for any of the above when needed.

road power is primarily a sea of black atlas and p2k gp7's and 9's and a couple of high nose gp-18's. road trains get 2 or 3 units from whatever is available at the engine house when the train is ordered.  when i run 3 units, the middle one is usually a dummy.  i can identify the unpowered geeps by the high mounted bell or exhaust deflectors.

yard and terminal assignments are based on what the locomotive can pull and what is expected of it.  unfortunately, a lot of the really good looking engines now available won't pull a sick stripper out of bed.

a pair of atlas or p2k geeps can handle any road train i can run since siding length and reversing loop capacity limits trains to 50 cars.  trains over 30 cars must double out onto the lead to get an air test when departing and arriving trains are usually doubled over into the yard from the rear by a yard engine if they won't fit in the arrival track.

i do use a few foreign line engines, (especially TRRA) to bring interchange deliveries into the main yard but they always go home cab light.

i do run some brass IC steam on occasion but it is just for show and not a part of serious operations.  i know it was gone by the time the alcos showed up but i am not time and date specific and i don't count rivets.

grizlump

[cahrn]

 I power my railroad with a couple geeps (sp, up, and drgw) . Its what the prototype I'm modeling does. When they change up their motive power, then I will too.

[tomikawaTT]

Basically I have two subsets of railroad:

1. Prototype based, run according to what I remember the prototype doing during the era I model.
2. Freelanced, to my own rules, somewhat based on observed prototype practice, rather more solidly based on imagination and whimsey.

The first is broken down into two smaller subsets:

1. Japan National Railways, Class 0 (it was a national government monopoly, and operated ALL the long distance passenger and freight routes.)
2. Narrow(er) gauge purpose-built railways, specifically the Kiso Forest Railway (under the name Kashimoto Forest Railway) and the Kurobe Railway (under the name Harukawa Electric Railway,)

The JNR is represented by a somewhat atypical country station (most such did not have across-the-platform interchange with a narrow gauge line) and a subdivision/engine change point, connected by a long, twisting 2.5% grade.  The grade and country station see only combustion locomotives - steam (mostly 8-coupled, 2-8-0 and 2-8-2, but also 2-6-0's on light trains, plus some of those fresh-from-the-erecting-floor diesel-hydraulics.)  Trains which need them get a pusher, which may be a 2-6-2T, a 2-6-4T or a DD13 class diesel-hydraulic, depending on what the Road Foreman of Engines has available.

At Tomikawa (the JNR subdivision station) steam gives way to catenary motors on a one motor per train basis.  Almost immediately, the juice jacks disappear into the netherworld of hidden staging and thoroughfare tracks.  There is also a rather heavy EMU schedule, operated by five cars run in two, three and four car trains.  Sometimes arriving diesel locomotives are swapped for motors, sometimes they aren't.  DMU trains run through, except for one that terminates at Tomikawa late at night.

On the Tomikawa Tani Tetsudo, the most usual question is, "Where did THAT come from?"  THAT includes a couple of elderly Baldwins, an 0-6-0T and an 0-8-0T, a motley collection of 6-coupled tanks gathered up from private railways that had been abandoned, electrified or dieselized, an 0-4-0 that was 90 years old in 1964 and a 2-6-6-2T, supposedly a merger of two defunct 2-6-2s and a boiler from a scrapped JNR 9600-class 2-8-0 (actually a Mantua Uintah with a heavily rebuilt superstructure.)  Since the TTT has a 4% ruling grade, the usual ratio of locomotives to cars is one driver axle per four trailing axles.  Only the articulated is likely to ascend the grade with a train unassisted.

At present the two 762mm railroads are static displays, with a few appropriate cars and one locomotive each.  The forest railway has a rear-tank 0-4-2T, while the Harukawa Dentetsu sports a Bo+Bo steeple cab.  Both are powered, but won't have anywhere to go unless I build them some right-of-way - not my highest priority.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with tongue in cheek)

[twhite]

On my Rio Grande Yuba River Sub, which is 95% steam (the diesels are only used on my passenger train), I classify the locos as to what they would probably be pulling on the prototype under specific conditions. 

I have an immediate 2.25% eastbound grade rising from the yard at Deer Creek (0") elevation, so Deer Creek is where I either change over from 'Valley' to 'Mountain' power, or add helpers if the tonnage requires it.   Generally speaking, the grade from Deer Creek east to Yuba Pass, which varies between 2.0% and 2.25%  (though not constant)  is 'articulated' territory, which allows me to run my 3600 series 2-8-8-2's, 3900 2-8-8-4's and 3700 4-6-6-4's.  The latter two wheel arrangements are usually used on 'expedited' freight, such as the late season eastbound produce trains or my 'fast' Oakland-Denver freights, while the former single-expansion 2-8-8-2's are used on heavy general freights.  However, this is not a hard and fast rule, my versatile 2-8-8-4's can be seen pulling almost any kind of heavy freight from time to time. 

Medium freights are usually handled by either doubling up my 1500 or 1600 series 4-8-2's, or adding my 1200 series 2-8-2's as pushers on the grade between Deer Creek and Yuba Summit.   Again, this is not a hard and fast rule.  If a heavy freight has rolled into Deer Creek and articulateds are not available, I will often doublhead my 4-8-2's and add another as a pusher. 

Luckily, even though I operate on DC, most of my locos are geared close enough together that I can doublehead or use pushers without 'stringling' the freights over the grades and curves.  But I have to be CAREFUL!

Drag freights and coal trains are usually handled by the big 1400 series 2-10-2's, using my compound 3500 Mallet 2-8-8-2's or 3300 2-6-6-2's as 'pushers'. 

Short local freights or 'turns' are handled by either 1100 series 2-8-0 or 1200  2-8-2 locos. 

Local passenger service is handled by either my 700 series 4-6-0 or 800 4-6-2 classes. 

Through heavyweight passenger trains ("Scenic Limited", "Panoramic" are handled by my two classes (1700-1800) series of 4-8-4's, often either doubleheaded with each other, or 4-8-2's as helpers.

My "Royal Gorge" is generally handled by a heavy class 1800 4-8-4, and my streamlined "Prospector" is hauled by an EMD F-3 A-B set. 

Yard work is usually assigned to either one of my 1100 2-8-0's or my Alco RSD-3.  Actually, my 2-8-0's run better

 

 

 

[RedGrey62]

While I technically don't have a layout...yet.  When it is built, and what I run on Free-Mo module setups, will be based on teh CB&Q in the mid-late 60's.  SD-7s will haul much of the coal, remaining F units, 4 axle GPs and U-boats on manifests and extras, GP-40s on hot freights and of course E units on the passenger trains (with an odd GP 7 or 9 with steam generator hauling a secondary passenger train!).  Probably 2 units with occasionaly 3 and even 4 (f units) from time to time.

Ricky

[markpierce]

Tom, you overlooked your 2-6-6-0, and what else? 

I recommend you acquire a couple 2-10-2 locomotives and a Baldwin AS-616/ASB-616 set, and maybe an EMD NW2, to round out your roster.

Mark

[Mill Bay]

aloco

If I'm running road engines I usually use two. Mostly four axle units.

Yard engines, mostly one by itself or sometimes two. 

Almost all locos are first generation diesels (built in the 1940s and 1950s) and most are in modern paint schemes (I model the year 1974 in HO scale).  

Typical train length is about four or five cars (my layout is quite small).

 

I'm in the same category in terms of small layout, and my trains must be kept quite short as well.

 I've set my era as either the late 1950s, or through to the mid-70s, and it will eventually be solely the Pacific Great Eastern. So that means, eventually a mix of MLW RS3s and RS18s, and, even though the PGE didn't operate any EMD power until in bought SD40-2s, I've made myself a modified roster so I can run some early Baldwin power, some Fs and some GP9s .

Right now, though, I have a mix of mostly Life-Like locos, including a CN GP-38-2 (under lease, of course), a BN F7 in that hideous green and silver scheme, and a nice, smart looking NP GP18. I also recently acquired a set of Trix F7s in CPRail colours and some Life-Like C-Liners in CP maroon and grey.

At the moment, I also have an atlas shay on order, and I'm keeping my eyes open for a Spectrum 2-8-0 for my late steam era ops.

 

In addition, I'm ashamed to admit, I do have a few non-powered locos, all CP as well, one other F7, and FB2 and an RS3, but I hope they don't stay static for long. And, if anyone has any ideas how to replace missing contact strips on a Life-Like C-Liner, I'd appreciate some suggestions.

[twhite]

Mark: 

I've got 2 Rio Grande 2-10-2's, (plus 2 C&S and one SP) which I mentioned with the 'drag freights'.  Actually, the Rio Grande classified their D&SL 2-6-6-0's in with the 3300 series 2-6-6-2's when they acquired them. 

As far as my 2-6-6-0, I don't generally use it for pusher or helper service, I run it on local freights the same as I would a 2-8-0 or a 2-8-2.   In fact, I have a stubby little D&SL 2-8-2 coming in from Caboose Hobbies tomorrow.  Can't wait to lash it up with the 2-6-6-0, by golly!   They should look very neat together.  

Thanks for reminding me, though. 

This was just the Rio Grande steamers I was talking about.  The SP steamers I have are a whole other ball of wax. 

Tom

[markpierce]

My motive power, awaiting layout, is all Southern Pacific prototypes except as noted:

E7/8 A,B,B  -- Passenger

FP7A,FP7/B,FP7A -- Passenger

Mt-6 4-8-2 -- Passenger and freight

P-10 4-6-2 -- Passenger

AC-5 4-8-8-2 -- Freight

AC-3 2-8-8-2 -- Freight

F-4, F-5 2-10-2 -- Freight

B-1 2-8-4 -- Freight

Mk-5,6 2-8-2 (2)-- Local mixed passenger/freight

C-9, C-25 2-8-0 (3)-- Local freight

M-5 2-6-0 (2) -- Local freight

GP9 (3) -- Freight

F-7A and B (6)-- Freight

AS-616, ASB-616 (3) -- Local freight

SD-7 (3) -- Local mixed passenger/freight

SD-9 (3) -- Freight

MM-3 2-6-6-2 -- Helper

UP 2-10-2 -- Helper

UP 2-8-8-0 -- Helper

Freelanced 2-8-2+2-8-0 -- Helper

Various EMD, GE, Whitcomb, etc. industrial switchers -- Private industrial railroad

These are about four times the number that can be accommodated at one time, so motive power will need to be rotated.

Mark

[wedudler]

 I run my - for me - longer trains with two or three engines.

E.g. two Alco C 424 I, two EMD SD 40 or even three, RSD 15 and RS 11, two GP 35, two U 25 B IV, two RS 27, F7 A and B and A.

Shorter trains - up to 15 cars - with one engine like  one GP 35, one RSD 4, one EMD NW II or even one GE 44-ton.

Wolfgang

[nbrodar]

 My roster is entierly 4 axle power, for several reasons:

• I think smaller layouts look better with 4 axle power.
• The prototypes my layout is based on, bought 6 axle power relatively late. 
• During my time period, 4 axles were still the prevalent first line road power.

My trains are short enough, 10 cars or so, that I only need one unit.

Nick

[odave]

On the "how many units to assign to a train" question, sometimes locomotives can be ferried from one place to another.  That is, they are on the train not because they are needed to provide power for it, but because they are needed somewhere else on the railroad, or are going to the shops, etc..  Thus, it is possible to see a ridiculous number of locomotives on a short train. 

This probably would not be a regular occurance, though, but something that could be modeled every once in a while.

[pastorbob]

On my Santa Fe set in Oklahoma set in 1989, I buy (for the most part) what Santa Fe ran on those lines in that era that I model, plus a few BN and UP engines for connections.  I reduce the number of units on a train one less than the prototype ran.  I do have a few red and silver warbonnets just for fun.

since I have an over abundance number of diesels, I always have some in reserve.

Bob

[riogrande5761]

Roster of HO Diesels:

 Rio Grande (107) 

Athearn Genesis (11):
-F9ABB set #5771, 5762, 5763 (single stripe)
-F9AB set #5774, 5773 (single stripe)
-F9m #5531 (single stripe)
-F3ABBA set #5541, 5542, 5543, 5544 (single stripe)
-F7A #5764 (single stripe) phase II 

Stewart Hobbies (14):
-1 F9ABB (single stripe)
-1 F9A (undec)
-2 F7AB sets phase I (4-stripe)
-3 F7AB sets phase II (4-stripe) 

Atlas (18):
-6 GP40-2 (large herald) from #3094-3128 series, 2 with sound
-6 GP40’s (small herald) from #3051-3080 series
-3 GP40’s (large herald) from #3081-3085 series
-2 GP40’s (large herald) from ex-Conrail series
-1 RS3 yellow stripes (yellow box)  



Proto 2000 (16)
-1 F7 ABBA set (single stripe) with sound
-2 SD7’s (yellow stripe)
-2 SD9’s (orange switcher scheme)
-4 GP30 phase I (3 small herald, 1 large herald)
-3 GP30 phase II (3 small herald)-1 PA (4-stripe) 
-1 PA1 (4-stripe)

KATO (6):
-3 SD45’s (large herald)
-2 GP35’s
-1 NW2 #100 

Athearn (14):
-2 GP40-2’s #3099, #3104 blue box
-2 GP40-2’s #3116, #3120 RTR
-3 SD50 #5501, 5506, 5507 RTR
-5 SD45 ( 3 small herald #5317,5319,5324, 2 large #5331, #5333) RTR
-12 SD40T-2 RTR 5 1st run, 4 2nd run, 3 3^rd run
-1 SD40T-2’s blue box un-powered
-1 SW1000 RTR #141 

Walthers (1):
-1 Fairbanks Morse H10-44 

Amtrak (6)
-3 F40PH’s (phase III paint) Walthers
-3 F40PH’s (phase III paint) KATO 

Southern Pacific(5)
-1 SD45T-2 Athearn RTR SP (Kodachrome)
-2 SD40T-2 Athearn RTR SP
-1 C44-9W KATO (for sale)
-1 SD45 KATO 

Union Pacific(3)
-2 SD45’s KATO (Kaiser unit coal train)
-1 SD40-2 KATO 

Burlington Northern(2)
-1 SD40-2 KATO 

Utah RR(3)
-3 RS4’s Atlas 

CB&Q(6)
-1 GP30 phase I Proto 2000
-3 GP30’s phase II Proto 2000
-2 GP35’s KATO 

 

[willjayna]

Wow that my freind is an impressive locomtive roster. That post is going to be a tough act to follow but I will give it a try.

I currently have a roster of just 8 locomotives but they have been purchased over the last 8 or 9 months so by my calculations I should be close to the 106 loco mark in about 10 or so years.

My roster consists of 4 Athearn c44-9w

(2) in the Horsehead paint scheme (1) Gray Ghostand (1)Operation Lifesaver scheme (currently being painted)

2 Athearn Genesis SD 70 (1) will be converted to a flared radiator 70 with a new phse II cab put on the front, as soon as the operation lifesaver loco is complete.

1 Athearn AC4400 in the blue and yellow CSX scheme

and finally a Bachmann B23-7 Santa Fe that pound for pound is the best loco I own, it pulls just as well if not better than all my 6 axles do and is the quitest of the group. I like to use this to do all my switching.

I have 3 full trains that have 2 loco assigned to, an intermodal train that consists of 22 cars and will have the 4400 and the b23 on

Second is the freight manifest train which will get a set of dash 9's or the 2 SD70 to pull around 20 to 25 cars. finally a loaded coal drag consisting of 18 cars will be hauled by a pair of dash 9's

I will soon be upgrading the layout to include all 22' radius curves and will begin building my fourth train an auto rack train which will get 2 locos and about 12 to 14 autoracks

 

[green_elite_cab]

I like to model the electrified railroads in my area.   As a result, I'm almost half and half diesel(36)/ Electric (33).  I only have two steam engines.

My electrics alone include

Conrail:

E33- 4608
E44- 4435
E44A-4456
E44A-4457
E44A-4460

Amtrak

Acela express
4-car Metroliner MU set (all wheel drive power car rebuilt with new motors, noisy gear train)
AEM7 908 Phase III
AEM7 911 Phase III
AEM7 921 Phase IV
AEM7 907 Phase V
AEM7 914 Phase V
HHP8 664 Phase V
E60CH 971 Phase II
E60CH 968 Phase II
E60MA 610 Phase III
E60MA 604 Phase III

NJ transit/NJ DOT
GG1 4876
ALP44 4405
ALP46 4628
E60CH 958
Arrow III Single EMU 1308
Arrow III Married pair  (numbers not determined)

SEPTA

AEM7 2305

Pennsylvania
GG1 4905
MP54 (number not determined)
MP54 (Number not determined)
Silverliner II 260
Silverliner II 261