Hello fellow modelers. I have a dilemma that you may consider a "no-brainer" to answer.
A little background first. I've finally finished rebuilding my home after it was devastated by flooding two years in a row. Since I will be building my layout in a different room than originally intended, I came up with a new plan which, IMHO, works better than the old one.
OK, enough with my sob story...
My operating interest lies with western roads (Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and the occasional visiting road) between 1980 -2000. My rolling stock consists of cars appropriate to those time frames, as well as my engine roster (SD40-2s, GP50s, SD45s, 40-8CWs, SD70MACs, etc). When I feel like switching time frames I simply swap out certain cars and engines and I'm good to go. Now, I have nothing against earlier diesels or even steam (I'm tempted to take the steam plunge...but that's another story).
My dilemma revolves around the fact that I absolutely love classic passenger trains. I still have fond memories of riding the Santa Fe Super Chief, the Mopac Scenic Limited and the Texas Zephyr in my youth. Over the years I've collected many passenger trains from various roads; many of them with as accurate a consist as possible, and a few fantasy trains of my own design.
So, how do I incorporate these trains into my layout? I have three strings of Amtrak trains that work perfectly with the time frames I've chosen to model (and Amtrak trains are beautiful in their own right). I'm not exactly a rivet counter when it comes to my models, but I just can't get past the anachronistic sight of running a Burlington Zephyr, Phoebe Snow, or Rock Island Golden State with relatively modern day equipment.
So does any else have this problem? If so, how do you deal with it? I'd love to have a second layout specifically designed to run early passenger equipment, but that's simply not an option.
Like I indicated earlier, this may seem like a silly dilemma, but any and all opinions and suggestions are welcome.
Vic
Modelling the span between the real and the N-sane...
Flying switch56 My operating interest lies with western roads (Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and the occasional visiting road) between 1980 -2000. My rolling stock consists of cars appropriate to those time frames, as well as my engine roster (SD40-2s, GP50s, SD45s, 40-8CWs, SD70MACs, etc). When I feel like switching time frames I simply swap out certain cars and engines and I'm good to go. Now, I have nothing against earlier diesels or even steam (I'm tempted to take the steam plunge...but that's another story). My dilemma revolves around the fact that I absolutely love classic passenger trains. I still have fond memories of riding the Santa Fe Super Chief, the Mopac Scenic Limited and the Texas Zephyr in my youth. Over the years I've collected many passenger trains from various roads; many of them with as accurate a consist as possible, and a few fantasy trains of my own design. So does any else have this problem? If so, how do you deal with it? I'd love to have a second layout specifically designed to run early passenger equipment, but that's simply not an option. Vic
Vic,
I wouldn't call this dilemma a "problem". It is more of a challenge if anything.
I share your dilemma. I love the colorful passenger trains of the mid-20th century (let's say from the late 1930's to the mid-1950's) pulled by locomotives like the F3, F7 and E8, but I also like more modern freight locomotives from the 1970's and 1980's like the SD40-2, SD50, and Dash 8-40.
I am planning a new layout that centers around Dearborn Station in Chicago in the early 1950's. I plan to run a number of passenger trains in and out of the station. To accomodate modern freight operations at the same time, my layout design will incorporate a hidden loop around the station and a separate mainline track running around the perimter of the main layout which will feature the passenger trains. That way, there are essentially two track plans on one layout. The fact that visitors will see two time periods at one time doesn't bother me in the least because it is all fantasy anyhow. Besides, the two time periods will not share the same tracks, so I have no "problem" with that aspect of the layout.
I think that is the key. Keep the the two time periods separate on the same layout if you have the space. I supposed the other way around this dilemma would be to run the two different time periods on two different levels, but I chose the way that I just described.
Alton Junction
There is nothing wrong with your idea of a dual-era or even triple-era layout. I was always a late Transition Era guy, but one day I was at my LHS and I caught a serious case of steam. Since then, I've enhanced my steam roster and bought mostly steam-era rolling stock to go with those engines.
When buying or building structures, stick with older-looking brick and wood. You will find many buildings from the early 1900s still around today, but there were no steel-and-glass buildings back then. Trucks and automobiles are like railroad cars, so have a set for each era and swap them out. With a bit of planning, you can make a few buildings easily replaceable, too.
Most of us are limited by space. Having a dual-era layout lets us have twice as many trains.
While it's nice to have all your trains on your layout at once, you might also consider some hidden staging. This would allow you to run a number of "once-through" passenger trains without the usual need for large passenger terminals and the like.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Flying switch56 So, how do I incorporate these trains [classic passenger trains] into my layout?
So, how do I incorporate these trains [classic passenger trains] into my layout?
1) Run classic and modern together, and apply the golden rule (he who pays the gold makes the rules)
2) Swap eras occationally, and only run 1950s trains in one session, only modern in another
3) Run "railfan excursion trains" occationally
Smile,Stein
IDEA #1
Separate operating sessions on same layout- some days run 1980s equipment, some days turn the clock back to 1950 or whatever. Make structures and scenery fit either era, possibloy with very minor revisions such as Amtrak signs etc. I recall seeing General Motors travel show of progress that had a model scene where various elements of the scene flipped over to show how they changed from 1890s to 1950s. Yes, there would be some time spent changing from one era to another-- but that could make it more special.
IDEA #2
Excursion and museum trains are frequently mentioned. But what about the executive business train. Santa Fe had one, using sleepers, diners, lounge, observations and a special "theater inspection observation car" as thoroughly documented in Passenger Train Equipment 1870-1975 of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Vol. 2 Business and Special Purpose Cars by Frank M. Ellington & Joe W. Shine. 1975, Railcar Press I & II, Colfax, Iowa. 177 p. (This HUGE book, 19" x 12" horizontal format, opens up to more than a yard wide.
Your Burlington Zephyrs wojuld be gone, but there was a Burlington Northern official train. (I think the BNSF official train still runs.) and UP has a directors' train or such. Those can all be run alongside modern Amtrak and freights and TOFC/ COFC.
Note that the operation of a directors' train, though it looks like a passenger train, would be somewhat different from a scheduled revenue passenger train, AND from a museum/excursion train.
IDEA #3
I model 1950s, with passenger mixed streamline and heavyweight. But I plan to run an occasional movie train, recreating the appearance of a train assembled to tell a story-- the soldier leaving for or returning from the war in the 1940s, the gamblers meeting in their Pullman drawing room during a Prohibition era gangster story, the small town girl going to the big city in 1911.
Again, this would be different kind of operation from all of the above. For motion picture purposes, it would be necessary to have a train run through a particular scene where the location fits or has been "set-dressed" for the era. Have to be when nthere is not a modern train passing in the bg. Movie train would probably make on run-past or arrivial or departure, then back up to repeat for another take. Entirely different operation from a regular scheduled passenger train.
Happy railroading.
Hi, Vic,
Since buildings change over time a lot more slowly than rolling stock, it would be simple to maintain two different sets of rolling stock, and have operating sessions for different eras, as suggested by others above. But if it bugs you to see '50s rolling stock passing by modern-day industries, having a layout that can easily change its time period cues could be a fun modeling project, too.
Suggestion: Buy two copies of key structure kits, detail them differently, and affix them to the layout via a base that the building can be slipped onto and off of. For instance, detail a small downtown storefront block (such as Walthers' Merchants Row II) with a corner malt shop, a TV-repair shop, and a record store -- businesses that set a '50s/'60s period mood. Then kitbash the other version of the kit to modernize the storefronts, and give it signs for a Starbucks, a cell-phone store, and a FedEx/Kinko's -- definitely modern brands. Swap the buildings between operating sessions, and your operators will have no problem telling which era they're operating that night. Likewise, build two versions of a depot, one open for business, the other boarded up and derelict (or maybe restored as a museum, excursion-train headquarters, or antique shop). Rooftop and roadside billboards can be mounted on pins and swapped out, too, as can vehicles. Have fun with it!
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Exactly what Steve said. If you're like msot of us, you have far too much equipment to have it ont eh tracks all at the same time anyway. So when the mood strikes, populate the rails with teh turn of the century stuff. Or on a different day, the modern Amtrack equipment. Or the 50's era stuff. That way you cna have your cake and eat it too (and have an excuse to buy more locos and cars). Nothing will be out of place, because you won't be running a 1920's heavyweight train alongside mdoern Amfleet stuff, yet you can have all those trains that you enjoy.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
One word "Excursion" trains. That's what I do. I have a modern layout, but most of the passenger trains I have (or want), are the 1950's era.
Same thing for steam. Museum excursion trains are my excuse anyways.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Vic,I never been one to promote "its your/my layout" which IMHO is nothing more then a weak excuse for enjoying the hobby in the manner that pleases the hobbiest..
Here's my thoughts..
Its your hobby enjoy it in the manner that pleases you.
If you have no quams about running a Super C along side of Amtraks Super C enjoy and have fun with what you allow.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Here's what I do, and it may work in this sitiation.
I have two kinds of sessions for running trains.
1. Operating Session. The purpose is to simulate actual operations on a given railroad, at a given place, and at a given time. In this case, the train equipment is restricted to fit with the 3 criteria. If you are running 1070's freight operations, you will have the 1950's passenger trains in storage off the layout, in a staging yard, or somewhere else.
2. Running session. The purpose is to run trains, and anything goes, Run your favorite trains. If your layout allows continuous running, you can run a favorite train indefinately.
Enjoy your model railroad and your favorite trains.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Vic:
I agree with what has been said. Like Steve says, change buildings, have some with modern or the 50's look.
I remember a story about a lady who was at a convention and she watched trains run on the railroad then returned the next day. She made the comment that the car that was trying to cross the tracks was still in the same position. "That car is never going to cross the tracks." The guy changed the position of the car the next day before she returned.
So, I guess move things around. Besides, since I am president of my railroad I can run what I want at any time. I know that goes against what some folk like in this hobby, but, like some say, "Have fun".
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
Flying switch56 My operating interest lies with western roads (Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and the occasional visiting road) between 1980 -2000.
My operating interest lies with western roads (Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and the occasional visiting road) between 1980 -2000.
Well Amtrak started in 1971, so your time frame wouldn't have to change that much. If you decide to not include steam (or only include the various steam engines that operated in excursion service during that time, like N&W 611, Pennsy 1361, UP 844 etc.) You'd only have to go back to 1965-70 to run diesel powered versions of pre-Amtrak passenger trains. Since you don't mention BNSF, but rather BN and ATSF, you apparently aren't going much beyond 1995 or so, so modelling 1970-95 would be doable.
If you want to shift eras, the time periods are close enough that it wouldn't be that hard to do. I photographed GN "Big Sky Blue" boxcars in service in 1990, so having some cars from the sixties being around in your later timeframe woudn't be that big a problem. Have one period of say 1965 and one of 1995 maybe??
FWIW my "under construction" layout is planned to shift from roughly 1940's to the 1990's.
Yep as has been mentioned, business trains.
Santa Fe's business car fleet contained several cars that were former Super Chief cars. These include Regal series sleepers (Regal Lane, Regal Lark, Regal Manor, Regal Hunt, and Regal Spa) and a 600 series diner.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Thanks for your kind replies and interesting ideas.
Richhotrain's idea is very similar to the layout plan I abandoned (I think it's still posted around here somewhere). It was to be doughnut shaped with a "passenger main" circling the perimeter and a hidden staging yard behind a backdrop. I even toyed with the idea of elevating that entire main to further separate it from the rest of the tracks. Unfortunately, since the new plan is a walk-in design I just couldn't make this idea fit anymore.
Then, it was while reading the rest of the posts concerning swapping out structures that I had a EUREKA! moment (that's less than an epiphany but several steps up from a "Hmm...I wonder," kind of thing). Basically, if I tweak the yard design slightly I could not only make it, but the entire railroad serve two purposes.
1. By keeping the yard simply ballasted I can use it and the rest of the layout for running my moderately modern era freight operations. However...
2. By placing a somewhat large removable station that sits above one end of the yard and a couple removable platforms I can run a 1950s all passenger train layout. This would also permit a fair bit of switching opportunities with head-end cars, sleepers, diners, etc.
And as some suggested, by carefully choosing the appropriate buildings (and a neutral backdrop) it would then be simply a matter of moving all or most of the freight equipment to staging (something I'll need to increase in my design).
I'd also like to mention that I'd forgotten all about modern business trains. That would be a fun addition to the freight era.
Thanks everyone. Your input has been a great inspiration to me.
No dilemma - its' your model railroad so operate as you like. Your skills will be demonstrated in your models and by the execution of the railroad itself. If there are those who pooh-pooh your efforts, so what?
I say again, it's your model railroad.
duckdogger No dilemma - its' your model railroad so operate as you like. Your skills will be demonstrated in your models and by the execution of the railroad itself. If there are those who pooh-pooh your efforts, so what? I say again, it's your model railroad.
I absolutely agree that anyone should operate their own layout for their own pleasure, and anybody who doesn't approve can just walk out the door. For decades I ran whatever equipment I wanted on the same layout and I've never had a qualm with anyone doing the same.
In my case, however, several years ago I became intrigued with the concept of trying to model a railroad to a specific era or theme and I found that it's a bit more difficult than I thought, especially with my interest in such divergent eras.
But the good thing is, I'm enjoying the challenge.
I took these two pictures 30 years apart one day...
Since then, I've added old-style glass top gas pumps, and different gas price signs to the Texaco station in the background. Visitors to your layout who aren't "train people" will recognize autos and other details more readily than steam vs. diesel as indicators of era.
Flying switch56 In my case, however, several years ago I became intrigued with the concept of trying to model a railroad to a specific era or theme and I found that it's a bit more difficult than I thought, especially with my interest in such divergent eras. But the good thing is, I'm enjoying the challenge. Vic
I more than slightly resemble that.
In my case, the showgirl at the church social was my desire to include a specific major colliery - in an area that never had a working coal mine. My solution? Change universes.
In Universe 3, Neil Armstrong, things happen the way history books say they did - including Amtrak in 1971. In Universe 1, Leslie LaCroix, railroads were supplanted by `rolling roads.' In the Universe of your choice, the CPSC came along early enough to ban consumer use of gasoline as too dangerous for untrained people to be anywhere near, Henry Ford made his money mass-producing sailboats and the railroads not only have the great trains, they have a hammerlock on intercity travel. If your alternatives are stagecoach, horse and hike it...
As for me, my completely prototypical (except for station names) Nihon Kokutetsu interchanges Japan-size unit coal trains (with cars of no acknowledged ancestry) with the Tomikawa Tani Tetsudo, a railroad that never existed in the real world. I even found holes they could fit into in the September, 1964 employee timetable.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in Universe 13, Alfred E. Neumann)
To me, the answer is simple. You just have the wrong western RR prototype. If you go Rio Grande, you can have it all. Run a California Zephyr, then slide the era forward to SP or even UP-era. Heck, you can even run narrowgauge, although that is stretching things before 1980 a little...
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
MisterBeasley I took these two pictures 30 years apart one day... Since then, I've added old-style glass top gas pumps, and different gas price signs to the Texaco station in the background. Visitors to your layout who aren't "train people" will recognize autos and other details more readily than steam vs. diesel as indicators of era.
MisterBeasley - It's not only amazing that you found practically the exact same spot to take the photos 30 years apart, but that the area hadn't become overgrown with trees, or even become someone's backyard (unless it's your own backyard).
Seriously, that's very nice model work. It's also the effect that I'll be striving for: i.e., scenes that can be well detailed, yet can sit comfortably in several eras with just a few simple changes here and there.
tomikawaTT Flying switch56: In my case, however, several years ago I became intrigued with the concept of trying to model a railroad to a specific era or theme and I found that it's a bit more difficult than I thought, especially with my interest in such divergent eras. But the good thing is, I'm enjoying the challenge. Vic I more than slightly resemble that. In my case, the showgirl at the church social was my desire to include a specific major colliery - in an area that never had a working coal mine. My solution? Change universes. In Universe 3, Neil Armstrong, things happen the way history books say they did - including Amtrak in 1971. In Universe 1, Leslie LaCroix, railroads were supplanted by `rolling roads.' In the Universe of your choice, the CPSC came along early enough to ban consumer use of gasoline as too dangerous for untrained people to be anywhere near, Henry Ford made his money mass-producing sailboats and the railroads not only have the great trains, they have a hammerlock on intercity travel. If your alternatives are stagecoach, horse and hike it... As for me, my completely prototypical (except for station names) Nihon Kokutetsu interchanges Japan-size unit coal trains (with cars of no acknowledged ancestry) with the Tomikawa Tani Tetsudo, a railroad that never existed in the real world. I even found holes they could fit into in the September, 1964 employee timetable. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in Universe 13, Alfred E. Neumann)
Flying switch56: In my case, however, several years ago I became intrigued with the concept of trying to model a railroad to a specific era or theme and I found that it's a bit more difficult than I thought, especially with my interest in such divergent eras. But the good thing is, I'm enjoying the challenge. Vic
That was brilliant Chuck! You've helped to easy my feelings of fishman alienation due to my (now faded) desire to build the Lovecraft Central, a branch line jointly owned by the Arkham Necronomicon Printing complex and the Dunwich mine.
On a side note, just as I was preparing to start work on the Lovecraft layout my house was flooded. After nearly a years worth of repairs, I was again about to start building the layout when my home was hit by a larger and more devastating flood.
Mere coincidence, or was someone somewhere trying to tell me something...?
mlehman Vic, To me, the answer is simple. You just have the wrong western RR prototype. If you go Rio Grande, you can have it all. Run a California Zephyr, then slide the era forward to SP or even UP-era. Heck, you can even run narrowgauge, although that is stretching things before 1980 a little...
Mike - I've no idea how I left out the Rio Grande in my first post (and being from Colorado that's almost a crime). The same goes for the SP.
One of my favorite California Zephyr's is pulled by a pair of PA's wearing the black with yellow stripes honeybee scheme. That kind of locks it into around 1948-1949, but who's to say it didn't run into a mysterious "Colorado Triangle" and ended up in 1980?
Then again, maybe there was a little known restoration project funded by a deep pocketed railroad enthusiast who loved the look of the 1948 Zephyr so much that he rebuilt and painted the train in the original scheme for his own private rail transportation?
As for narrow gauge... Um...
Looking for plausible explanations is giving me a headache.
I need to just run some trains.
Flying switch56Mike - I've no idea how I left out the Rio Grande in my first post (and being from Colorado that's almost a crime). The same goes for the SP. SNIP As for narrow gauge... Um... Looking for plausible explanations is giving me a headache. I need to just run some trains. Vic
SNIP
Headache? I get those when I do algebra
Maybe you just need a huge staging yard. Then you can park different eras out of sight, then bring them "on stage" depending on what you feel like running?
One thing I've found out is that I've tended to settle into one era and run it for awhile. So maybe you just need a chest to store the equipment from eras that are off the layout right now? That works even if you don't have room for massive staging infrastructure.
Amen!
Like Duckdogger said, it's your layout, you're the CEO. Do as you wish.
I'm modeling the D&H, MY WAY. I have PA's running passenger trains CPR, VIA & Amtrak trains.
I'm even thinking about putting together a Santa Fe train, just because I like the Santa Fe railroad.
Gordon
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
Obviously there are many great ideas here, depending on how authentic you want the world to be. My railroad is modernish say early 90's, but with some first generation power hanging around. Additionally, B&O exists as an east coast Passenger only railroad simular to Amtrak. BN, GTW, and DM&IR all run passenger trains on my layout. They use older passenger cars, usually walthers or Rapido but they might have modern power depending on if it is HEP installed. I just got the Athearn BN GP60M, and I am looking to modify it for passenger service. So I subscribe to the theory of do what you want, it is your road?
In my little N guage universe, I have created a mythical company named "TRAC" which is an acronym for the my company's name "Transcontinental Rail and Cruise". This organization had the good forsight to buy up many of the great name train sets when Amtrac came along and they have carefully restored each train set to their formal beauty.
Now days, they offer a transcontinental rail/cruise package that departs from several terminals on the east coast. After a 3 day luxury train ride, passengers arrive at my terminal in the Mojave desert where they are bused down to hill to board their cruise ship in San Diego where they are treated to a 9 day cruise through the Panama Canal returning to their East Coast point of departure. Of course, the service is offered in the opposite direction as well and a new cruise option to Alaska and back has recently been added.
This explains why you can see the full length "Broadway Limited" or "Daylight" train arriving at my little Santa Fe style station in a desert setting while Amtrac "Superliners" go by on another track. "TRAC" has even converted a GG-1 to a diesel/electric configuration which allows the GG-1 to pull the historic "Braodway Limited" even though there are no wires overhead.
"TRAC" is very successful with at least 3 historic name trains arriving and departin each week from several different spots on the East Coast and Midwest. The company is hopeful that in the near future it will be able to acquire an N guage "20th Century Limited" from a well known Japanese company. If a Hudson stem locomotive is included in the deal, it will be perfection.
Gerry
I say your delimma is bigger than simply saying it is my railroad and I'll do what I please, and just running the trains becuase you want to.
Isn't it more than simply running a passenger train around on the tracks? I can't imagine running passenger trains without stations for them to run to. Most passenger stations were gone by 1980. I mean even many big ones like St. Louis, Wichita, Omaha stations were out of use by that time. Then there is the lack of trackage for locomotive and front end work. I mean what would the Super Chief be without swapping the RPO car out in La Junta, CO. Or the CZ without swapping out the power in Denver or SLC. That swapping the CB&Q E units for the D&RGW PA units in Denver or them for the WP F7ABBs in Salt Lake. I guess I'm saying the track plan for passenger service is different than one for freight in 1990.
My delimma is different. I have many trains that never met each other in real life. In real life the 20th Century Limited and Broadway Limited would never meet the Santa Fe Chief (even though they shared cars) since Santa Fe ran out of Deerborn and NYC & PA used Chicago Union. I haven't solved my delimma, but here is how I am dealing with it. I operate at enough other layouts where I can take my equipment to. So I run my cool passenger trains where they are applicable on other peoples layouts, or at the club, or at the museum. There is no way could justify a Portland Rose or City of St. Louis my layout, but I have two friends with layouts where they fit in perfectly.
Think about VIA's Canadian, a pretty traditional looking streamlined passenger train operating along side of contempoary freight equipment. Swap the F40's for an ABBA set of your choice for visual (IMHO) improvement.
Texas Zepher My dilemma is different. I have many trains that never met each other in real life. In real life the 20th Century Limited and Broadway Limited would never meet the Santa Fe Chief (even though they shared cars) since Santa Fe ran out of Deerborn and NYC & PA used Chicago Union.
My dilemma is different. I have many trains that never met each other in real life. In real life the 20th Century Limited and Broadway Limited would never meet the Santa Fe Chief (even though they shared cars) since Santa Fe ran out of Deerborn and NYC & PA used Chicago Union.
Maybe they never met, but they came close. The Broadway Limited and the Santa Fe Chief crossed each other at Alton Junction (21st Street) as the PRR headed for Union Station and the Santa Fe headed for Dearborn Station. On its way to LaSalle Street Station, the 20th Century Limited crossed over the Santa Fe on elevated tracks at 16th Street, while the Santa Fe passed below on submerged tracks headed into Dearborn Station. And, of course, the 20th Century Limited and Broadway Limited ran side by side into and out of Englewood Station at 63rd Street.
Rich
The more I think about keeping strict era, railroad policy the more I think it shouldn't restrict modelers choice in most cases. I think such rules make good sense if modeler has or operates on a layout modeled after a specific area and era, i.e. not freelanced. Another reason would be during a large operating session, in which you would want to stay close to realism, because realism is the actual point of the operating session.
In most other scenarios, I think it doesn't really matter. Most of the time you are running train on your own, through a non prototypical layout - so there isn't anyone present to care. In a big scheme of things we are just running pretty trains around the track.
The reason I *try* to stay in the specific era and passenger railroads is simple - so that I don't go broke buying all those pretty trains