I'm just trying to get an idea of if folks stick to their modeling era and road name(s)? For example, I model the modern era and Union Pacific. However, I have purchased SP daylight and I'm getting all the SP daylight cars that are coming out from MTH. I also have a challenger engine with a coal tender vs the oil tender it has now and the SP daylight I mentioned eariler has whitewall wheels which are from the older days of railroading. Do you find yourself straying outside what you set up as your era and road? I try not to because cost is already high, but there are some neat items for purchase out in the market
Let me put it this way. I have a hobby budget. When I spend outside my era, it takes that much longer to get the stuff I need.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
It takes a good deal of discipline, but, yes I stick to my era and road. DJ.
My era is 1989-1990 for the ATSF and I stick pretty closely to it. I may fudge once in a while and buy something that is a year or two out of my era either way just because I want it. Otherwise, I am the ATSF in Oklahoma in 1989-1990.
Bob
I model the modern BNSF and I do stick with the era. However, I do have 3 UP auto racks, 1 CSX autorack, and 1 NS autorack. Of course I have some TTX cars, but about 90% of my fleet is BNSF.
Will
John:
For me it's fairly easy. I model the era between 1939-1954 and my major railroad is the Rio Grande during the steam era--with Southern Pacific trackage rights, I'm a "Proto-lancer" not a "Proto-type" modeler. Which means I can have both Rio Grande and SP 'big steam' and first generation diesels (very few diesels, BTW), because that's what I grew up with.
Luckily, there are a lot of rolling stock models available for that particular era out there, and I can buy them without actually worrying about the fact that they just 'might' be a little 'too modern' for my freight or passenger car fleet.
If I happen to come across a 'foreign road' steam locomotive that I'd really like to have on my MR, I can always explain it away by saying that it's been 'leased' from the foreign road because of motive power shortages due to the traffic patterns on my railroad. So therefore, I can have locomotives from Missabe, Great Northern, Colorado and Southern and even as far 'back east' as the Chesapeake and Ohio. Historically, it happened a lot with Western railroads as the traffic patterns fluctuated between the Pacific and European Fronts during WWII, and the Pacific Front in the subsequent Korean conflict.
So I'm factually okay for the most part, there.
Now, would I have one of my Rio Grande or SP steamers hauling a train of double-stacks container cars? Heck no, double-stacks don't fit my 'scheme', besides I think double-stacks are BORRRRING!
Would I have one of my Rio Grande northerns hauling a streamline train with vista-domes? Yup. Rio Grande did that with their "Royal Gorge" for several years when they acquired second-hand domes from C&O's ill-fated "Chessie."
Would I acquire Rio Grande or SP 'Tunnel Motors' to handle a string of 1940 refrigerator cars? Nope. And I LIKE those Tunnel Motors a lot--they just don't fit into my 'scheme' of things.
So yes, I pretty much stick to my modeling era and for the most part, my road name(s). I don't think it's because I'm a stickler for 'prototype'--but because it's something I'm more comfortable with.
However, if it helps, I've got an 'old time' 1880 Rio Grande passenger train I run sometimes, complete with a cute little 2-8-0. But it's my 'movie train', understand. When I run it, I always set up a 'movie company' alongside the tracks, LOL!
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Nope, I'm one of those grubby collectors who has engines from about five or six different roads, often on the layout at the same time. That includes a couple of SD-75M's along with my steamers; got one in the yard this minute next to steamers from the NYC, N&W, and the C&O.
I run what I like when I like. If I were bent on modeling, it would be different.
-Crandell
selector Nope, I'm one of those grubby collectors who has engines from about five or six different roads, often on the layout at the same time. That includes a couple of SD-75M's along with my steamers; got one in the yard this minute next to steamers from the NYC, N&W, and the C&O. I run what I like when I like. If I were bent on modeling, it would be different. -Crandell
Crandell:
Yah, but it always looks so darned COOL!
Crandell can you hear that........its the sound of all the rivot counters wincing...
Now, before everyone gets upset, I have respect for someone who maintains his or her era. In fact, my collection is entirely from the 1930-1960 period, but I have a N&W Mountain steamer next to a Santa Fe F3ABA consist. I also have a few Mini Metals vehicles from the early 60's. I buy what is interesting to me and I run what I buy. I can't imagine how someone could see a loco that they really love and not buy it (assuming they can afford it) just because its not in there era?
OK, my railroad and era are the Southern Railway from 1975 to 1985. About 80% of my locomotives fit that decade. I have a few Sou steamers and a few other steam locomotives that I just like, mainly 2-8-4 Berkshires. Since I live in central Florida I have acquired a few SCL and CSX diesels. My favorite diesel is the SD45 so have a few non Sou SD45s.
As far as rolling stock goes I'd say about 40% is Southern and the rest is anything that fits the era, ie. no double stack well cars. Since I like to run my steamers at the club I'm a member of I have a small collection of steam era freight cars from all roads. I'm not big with passenger trains but I do own about 20 Sou passenger cars, at least that's how they are lettered.
I model the mid-1970s in HO scale and almost all my locos are early diesels (e.g. RS-3s, GP7s, S-2s, SW9s). Most of the stuff is CN and CP, but I have a little bit of BN, PC, C&NW, and some locos painted for my own short line. I won't buy any steam locos or modern diesels, so I don't have to worry about straying away from my 'era'.
I model British Rail of the late 1970´s into early 1980´s - the late so-called Blue Diesel period. Setting is somewhere in the north of UK, i.e. Scotland, which limits my choice of traction and rolling stock, as well as the look of buildings and structures.
Although there are many "objects" of my desire outside that region and area, I strictly adhere to the chosen scheme - mainly for budgetary reasons. It also helps me to "style" my layout consequently.
Most of my purchases in the last 10 years are within road, era, and locale. One of the advantages of the Ma&Pa in the early 50's is that I can run older steam, truss rod open platform passenger cars, truss rod boxcars with typical 50's rolling stock. And the interchange roads, PRR and B&O, can have more modern engines. But really, this is a hobby and I have no problem straying occasionally.
Enjoy
Paul
johngriffey18ca1I'm just trying to get an idea of if folks stick to their modeling era and road name(s)?
Yes, for the most part. I model a pennsy-themed layout set in the mid-1950's. Nearly all of the cars and locomotives I've purchased are appropriate for that theme and era. I've had to fudge a little on some of the steam power I've bought, but not terribly, and it works with the storyline of my layout anyway, so even those aren't too anachronistic. Over the years I've purchased a lot of "boxed lots" (mixed stuff) so have acquired cars from all eras, particularly more modern than my selected era. I have zealously weeded those out and do not run them on my layout. A few are marked for years newer than my era but research shows that they were produced appropriately for my era, so I have set those aside in case I ever get completely bored with nothing at all to do and want to attempt to back-date them... :-)
John
I'm building a large layout that requires a large fleet of equipment. I stay completely within my era and scope.
The very few items I have that are outside my era or layout theme were gifts or purchased before this theme was adopted. That was 25 years ago. I have over 120 locos, 90 passenger cars and about 700 freight cars. Those few items that are outside the layout theme can be counted on my fingers.
I don't, collect, resell, or invest in model trains. I buy them as part of the needed equipment to build and operate the layout.
I buy VERY LITTLE used, in fact "used" items generally have to be "new in the box but previously owned" for me to be interested in most cases.
In 40 years in this hobby, I have never changed scales, sold off any signifcant amount previously purchased stuff, or bought anything with the intention for it to sit in a display case.
I don't own a UP Big Boy, Gas Turbine, FEF or Challenger, PRR anything, N&W Class J, SP GS4, NYC Hudson, or any locos who's prototypes were built after 1954.
But, to be fair, I don't behave that way with anything. I don't buy things I don't really want, I keep and take care of the things I spend my money on, I think before I buy 99.9% of the time.
I've never sold off one "toy" to buy the next "toy". I don't get bored, I'm not ADHD or ADD.
Sheldon
Yes, I do - New York Central, mid-'40s, steam/early diesel. And it makes decision-making about purchases much easier than if I didn't stick to one road name. I think it also helps me to remain more focussed in what I'm trying to accomplish on my layout.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I was at 1985-1990. I have since moved back to 1969-70. I have sold off all of the rolling stock and locos that didn't fit and am now concentrated in the older era with just a little fudging. :-)
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
I began by modeling the Frisco in the 1978 - 1980 time frame, and my layout was loosely based on the Carthage, MO branch. At first I stuck strictly to this. Problem is that I also have always had a love affair with the Katy and the Rock Island (especially in western Kansas & eastern Colorado). As time has passed I have also begun to collect some Katy and Rock Island items. I still stay with the 1978 - 1980 time frame. My layout is small so I can change all the motive power and cabooses (cabeese?) easily. Depending on my mood today it may be a Frisco layout and tomorrow a Rock Island layout. It works for me, and as long as I'm enjoying myself I guess that's the whole point. Enjoy!
I was being pretty good about being in the Late Transition Era with my main line being the Milwaukee. I have a couple of off-road switchers in the yard, which I tell myself I'll either repaint someday or make up some plausible story about. More recently, I've even swapped out my totally-wrong Athearn Milwaukee cabeese (I mean, a Santa Fe model in silver?) for bay window models.
But, one day at my LHS I saw and heard a Proto 0-6-0 steamer, and I had to have it. Again, a re-badging is on the to-do list, but the steam bug hit me at the same time as I was getting hooked on sound.
So, now I have a dual-era layout, when I "get religion" and actually go through the effort of swapping out the engines, rolling stock and automobiles. I like this option, because it gives me the chance to run either diesel or steam, to have a lot of different rolling stock, and to fill my streets with either pre-war cars or those from my childhood.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Santa Fe all the way!Crandell can you hear that........its the sound of all the rivot counters wincing...
In perfect four-part harmony...
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I've never sold off one "toy" to buy the next "toy". I don't get bored, I'm not ADHD or ADD.
Blech. You're just no fun at all, are ya?
(Just kidding )
jwhitten ATLANTIC CENTRAL I've never sold off one "toy" to buy the next "toy". I don't get bored, I'm not ADHD or ADD. Blech. You're just no fun at all, are ya? (Just kidding ) John
And I don't drink, don't smoke and only have one wild woman. I may not "be fun" but I'm having lots of fun.
My kids are grown, I'm self employed, my time is completely in my control. My house and cars are paid for and life is good.
Hi!
For literally decades, my railroad was the Santa Fe from the 1940s thru 1957. I later extended that to 1959 as there were some models that I just had to have that were from 58-59.
About 10 years ago, the first affordable with quality (to me) models of the IC E units came out, and I added the IC so I could run the "trains of my youth" around the layout - under the premise they had trackage rights with the ATSF. My description is "I major in the ATSF, with a minor in the IC".
And yes, I am very strict that all locos/cars and autos/structures did exist during my somewhat extended time period.
Hey, it works for me!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Since my layout is an exact replica of the Anything Goes Railroad, I don't have to deal with this issue.
I like it, I buy it.
Rich
Alton Junction
I "protolance" the B&O and all it's incarnates-that is B&O, C&O, Chessie System, CSX. {Or the B&O and all successors or the CSX and all predecessors}
I loved the real life Chessie Systems I watched roll by the crossing near my house as a teen in the 70's, and I also love B&O, C&O steam.
But I get bored with only a 1-5 year span or an "era" on my layout. SO I can model steam turn of the last century or can model diesels turn of this century by changing out locos. cars, and a building or two. Many buildings {around here including wood RR depots built in the 1860s-1870s} still stand and operate as various business or stations for short lines.
I also fell in L-O-V-E with some of the PRR steamers at the RR Museum Of PA in Strasburg and so I allow PRR "trackage rights" over my B&O/C&O lines on ocassion. It turns out I found out for real that in certain areas B&O DID allow PRR "trackage rights'" to get into certain areas. so I'm not far off the mark to real life RRing.
So I can have various types of fun on my pike as I see fit, or feel like running.
But that's jsut me and my
The name of the game of a hobby is to have fun! so do so anyway you like!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
ATLANTIC CENTRALAnd I don't drink, don't smoke and only have one wild woman. I may not "be fun" but I'm having lots of fun. My kids are grown, I'm self employed, my time is completely in my control. My house and cars are paid for and life is good. Sheldon
Sheldon.....I gotta say.....You don't look too happy.
It is your railroad, model it how you want... that was the advice I was given when I started.. I am doing a more modern period and I am a CSX fan so I try to stick to with their engines but I did by an UP B23-7 engine last week as well. And seeing how 40 year old GP-38/ -7 are still in service or fairly retired I can mix them in with newer stuff but if I clash, I am not going to sweat it. I am not to picky about the rail road name of my rolling stock and I this was recently confirmed when I got a chance to see several UP trains go rolling by and they had a great mix of cars from railroads all over the country. I also look at rail fan photo sights and have seen photos of UP/BNSF/NFS trains in CSX yards or mixed in pulling cars, so as I go forward with buying new engines I will be mixing it up but trying to keep CSX engines in the majority.
In keeping with the "model railroad as theater" metaphor, my layout can either be "in character" or "out of character".
When an "official" operating session is underway, I consider my layout to be "in character", so the motive power and rolling stock present on it are constrained to the nominal era and road names.
If I'm just in the train room playing around, the layout is "out of character" and anything goes. It doesn't have to be a representation of anything in particular in that state.
So I don't feel compelled to justify or explain purchases that are outside of my layout's era and setting. The oddballs are in my collection for the fun of it.
Yes, although I have shifted the era recently.
I am modeling Sand Patch Grade on the B&O. This allows B&O and (through trackage rights) WM equipment. Originally, I started out with a fairly broad range from post-WWII to Chessie. Over time, as I matured as a modeler and B&O fan, I narrowed it down to ca. 1955, but I was unhappy with the selection and running properties of B&O steam; also, I've always been interested in freight car development in the early sixties. So, I finally bit the bullet and shifted eras to the 1957 to 1964 time frame. That may seem an odd choice of years, but was carefully chosen based on what was happening on the B&O at the time. I am not necessarily religious about things though--for example, B&O began to renumber diesels from two- and three-digit numbers to four digits in January, 1957 (some had been delivered in four digits starting mid-1956). This took until June, 1957 or so to complete. Many of the HO Scale models of B&O diesels come numbered in three digits, so I use the time-lag in completing the renumbering as an excuse to leave these models as three digit numbers.
Greg
That's me too. Although I am presently modeling a free-lanced switching layout in the 1970's, I am an Erie Lackawanna fan and a Chessie fan too. Since the 1970's brought us the early years of Conrail and many of the "foreign" road's motive power (even cabooses) onto the tracks of these roads. Therefore it would not be unsusal back then to see a Pennsy SD-9 or a WM GP-9 in a consist with the home road's motive power. I do have some (but not many) locos outside of the EL and Chessie and I will run them on occasion. The switching layout, however, allows for no multiple lash-ups of power. Six axle power is also not very practical although I do run a six axle locomotive now and again. All of this power (and the many pieces of rolling stock) that I've collected over the years will eventually go onto a larger layout. The main thing is what suits you, not someone else. It's your railroad!