Jimmy_Braum ...how many locomotives is too many for you?
...how many locomotives is too many for you?
Paul3 The collecting is part of the fun for me. Just like when I was a kid with baseball cards, I collected Eddie Murray cards because I had found his rookie card which was worth some money at the time. So to have something to do, I collected any Eddie Murray card I could find. I still have them...somewhere... But it was harmless fun.
The collecting is part of the fun for me. Just like when I was a kid with baseball cards, I collected Eddie Murray cards because I had found his rookie card which was worth some money at the time. So to have something to do, I collected any Eddie Murray card I could find. I still have them...somewhere... But it was harmless fun.
I'm still working on expanding my locomotive fleet and roster, I'm registered on Pacific Western Rail Systems and browsing through the reservation section full of new stuff coming out next year.
I've already reserved three Articulated Athearn Maxi III Well cars in the TTX Original Scheme for February/March 2018 delivery.
Obfuscates? Maybe escalates. Inundates...extrapolates...elucidates...inculcates...excoriates. How about placates? Yeah, placates. I like placation.
Oh boy!! I need another 20 locomotives if we go by the Law.
Maybe there should be a poll of who has exactly 42 locos, or when they hit that milestone. Or maybe I should develop a logo for Vogon and Grebulon Line. Or Steve should shut this one down before the absurdity obfuscates further...
Well... if we're talking diesels, one is "too many!!"
Ok, kidding aside... I try to scale my loco roster to the number of train assignments my operating plan supports. So when I add up all the needed switchers, helpers and through, local, passenger, logging, loaded & empty coal, etc., trains that will be in service at about the same time - then that's the number and type of locos I need.
It does take some will power!
Jim
"Moores Law" - some is good, more is better, too much is still not enough.....
For me, the current number is about 135 powered units, but that is only locos for about 30 trains, a few spares, and a few self propelled passenger units.
The layout plan holds 25 staged trains, so I have just about the right amount.....
Sheldon
Hello all,
IRONROOSTERThe answer of course is 42. Laugh
LOVE Douglas Adams!
Thanks, this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
To crush the economist theory("Economists explain their thoery of diminishing returns. They say each additional item acquired will have less value than the one before it."), and go a bit off topic: I have 7 snare drums. I use one 90% of the time. My most cherished is a Bill Bruford signature series, I use it rarely only because it is the loudest thing on planet earth. But it's the last one I will ever part with. All locos are not created equal, and a cherished loco that spends most of its time on a shelf may be even more valuable than a workhorse. My 2 cents. And heres my 10 cents: if yer budget allows it, the limit is nobody else's business. I'm still a newbie.. been at this for about 4 years, and I've got 18 locos. And there's always a few (a lot) on the radar...
jjdamnit Hello all, The formula is: N+1≠E Where: N = Number of units currently owned 1 = Number of units needed to be added to units currently owned E = Enough units owned Hope this helps.
The formula is: N+1≠E
Where:
N = Number of units currently owned
1 = Number of units needed to be added to units currently owned
E = Enough units owned
Hope this helps.
The answer of course is 42.
Paul
PRR8259 I am forced to give up on sticking to one era. If I want to run big steam articulateds with 60's to '70's rolling stock, then that will be ok.
I am forced to give up on sticking to one era. If I want to run big steam articulateds with 60's to '70's rolling stock, then that will be ok.
UP did some thing like that when it pulled double stacks with it's steam engine.
It's their RR and it's your RR - thats the mantra!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761It's Friday and that hurts my head!
And the answer is...
≠N (Never Enough!)
Sorry about the headache.
It's Friday and that hurts my head!
snjroySo this notion of too many is all very relative for me. I have a roster of about 30 locos,
Ah, still wet behind the ears I see!
and my latest strategy has been to thin the herd by dismantling the lower quality engines for improving others or modifying/detailing loco kits in construction.
I've been doing that for the past 20 years. I already sold off all my Atlas yellow box diesels and most of my Athearn blue box engines, and others. I've done the same with older passenger and freight cars ...
Of course, I would never wreck a high quality engine, but I do have a few plastic ones that were great for practicing my painting skills, but just don't meet my standards today.
but I'm keeping some to practice weathering on.
I haven't tried selling through Ebay, but I might try some day. Simon
Simon
I did use Ebay about 12 years ago but found I could avoid the fee's and sell stuff either on my RR yahoo group or HOSwap or HOExchange. Patience is required but for the most part I've managed to sell everything I wanted to. I'm shipping a parcel out tomorrow.
How many is too many? Well, that depends on the context of the purchase. Here are my answers:
- When I can't afford it
- When my wife says we can't afford it
- When my kids complain that I don't buy enough stuff for them
- When I run out of space (layout or shelf)
- When I feel guilty about not doing enough work on the rest of the layout
So this notion of too many is all very relative for me. I have a roster of about 30 locos, and my latest strategy has been to thin the herd by dismantling the lower quality engines for improving others or modifying/detailing loco kits in construction. Of course, I would never wreck a high quality engine, but I do have a few plastic ones that were great for practicing my painting skills, but just don't meet my standards today. Otherwise, my plan is to give away some locos to other members of the club who can't really afford DCC. I haven't tried selling through Ebay, but I might try some day.
I have enough Kato Amtrak P42 in Phase III-V to model 1998-2007. I have a few BNSF locomotives but an average number of UP. Last time I counted as around 120 trains.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
MikeFF I'm reminded of a sign on a country and western bar in New York City (yes, they actually exist) that used to read, "Too much is not enough." But, they had a giant lizard on the roof, so I don't know how seriously we could take that.
I'm reminded of a sign on a country and western bar in New York City (yes, they actually exist) that used to read, "Too much is not enough." But, they had a giant lizard on the roof, so I don't know how seriously we could take that.
You just can't get away from those C&W folks! I've listened on and off to C&W music for much of my life and was a bit surprised how many stations were on the air when I moved to upstate NY back in the late 1980's.
Hmmm there are operating locomotives and there are display locomotives.
Only 2 can be operated at the same time. Currently however the only loco on the layout is an Alco S - 4 in MOW service.
On display is
3 GP 38-2
1 GP 40
2 GE 70 tonners
2 0-6-0
1 2-6-0
1 F unit
And my Lionel O scale holiday train a walthe subway set an M & M hawthorn village train and a wedding train I made but did actually use at the reception
Now not all these trains could operate on my layout as some are dc only but of those than can they see service on a rotating basis.
Joe Staten Island West
Paul3 How many locos are too many? That number would be determined by outside factors, like, "Do I have enough money to pay the rent?" or "Do I have enough space to store another loco?" Things like that.
How many locos are too many? That number would be determined by outside factors, like, "Do I have enough money to pay the rent?" or "Do I have enough space to store another loco?" Things like that.
Yep.
I model the New Haven. My dream has always been to own one model of every NH loco, and just talking about the diesel fleet that's well over 500 locos. Throw steam and electrics in there, and the number is well into the thousands. Is this a realistic goal? No, but the fun is in the attempt, and I started with simple goals: First, get any NH engines; then when I learned better, get accurate NH engines. My current goal is to have at least one of every NH loco type. I'm close, but there's still a few holes in my collection, some of which will most likely never be filled because they are too unique. The next goal after that is to get a loco in each paint scheme they wore, and if you know the NH, that's a bunch of locos. I have a long way to go with that goal. The collecting is part of the fun for me. Just like when I was a kid with baseball cards, I collected Eddie Murray cards because I had found his rookie card which was worth some money at the time. So to have something to do, I collected any Eddie Murray card I could find. I still have them...somewhere... But it was harmless fun.
My current goal is to have at least one of every NH loco type. I'm close, but there's still a few holes in my collection, some of which will most likely never be filled because they are too unique. The next goal after that is to get a loco in each paint scheme they wore, and if you know the NH, that's a bunch of locos. I have a long way to go with that goal.
I sort of assume when someone askes if you can have too many loco's, it implies something less than harmless, but thats for the OP and others to wrestle with.
Part of my train hobby has been similar to you, regarding my favorite RR. Rio Grande had a (e.g. early 1980s) roster closer to half of what the NH had, so more attainable for a modeler. I'm not after every engine Rio Grande had in in the early 1980's but I have been shooting for a somewhat representative roster proportionally and enough to run a bunch of freight trains typical of that era. Thats still a pretty tall order and could but us in dangerous territory with some forum members here!
Mike
I model the New Haven. My dream has always been to own one model of every NH loco, and just talking about the diesel fleet that's well over 500 locos. Throw steam and electrics in there, and the number is well into the thousands. Is this a realistic goal? No, but the fun is in the attempt, and I started with simple goals: First, get any NH engines; then when I learned better, get accurate NH engines.
peahrens I have a small layout so I definitely utilize the 4 bookshelves dedicated to rolling stock temporary storage.
I have a small layout so I definitely utilize the 4 bookshelves dedicated to rolling stock temporary storage.
They might as well be collecting dust on shelves than no dust in boxes! At least you can look at them. Get a can of compressed air for the dust.
I model the UP (so far) with a very strict era bent (that seems to cover the entire 20th century). If I like a loco type that is available I tend to go for it.
You are being very naughty! I used to have a quarter of a century era, and that was just eating my lunch. I'm trying desperately to narrow things down to 5 year period (~1977-1982) and getting more brutal about selling rolling stock later than 1982 but still have a way to go - hmm... those SD50's could be going on the block soon. I have around 25 F units that, of course fall out side of that time frame too - the only ones that fit are the Rio Grande Zephyr F9's. I am chipping away however ... things I was hanging onto a year or two ago have been getting sold so there is hope!
For many diesels, I like to have two or three of a type to run together. If I had a large layout for longer trains I'm sure I'd justify four.
Thats why I have so many 2nd gen diesels. D&RGW typically ran 3-5 diesels MU's. So my 16 D&RGW tunnel motors, thats only 4 trains for example. Ok, I'm going to need a good sized staging yard! I have 11 staging tracks on the current layout and may need to increase that by a few more next time! We'll see!
I'm sure I'll keep building them when I run out of room.
Pfftt. I bet most here are already out of room. In my town house, I was cheek to jowl so I'm hoping for a bit more space.
I'll be a bit repetitive but maybe add a thought or two:
One of my current favorite activities is converting an acquired like-new DC loco to DCC and sound. The activity itself biases towards acquiring another. It's analagous to my like of freight car kit building. I'm sure I'll keep building them when I run out of room.
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Yes it makes me feel better to get rid of stuff I dont need. I also remind the family of what gets paid for with the proceeds...but then more always accumulates, somehow.
Oh hoarder or collector, it sounds so ... so dirty, sooo bad! And in a forum full of model railroaders who are so well known for it!
I think that is why I am constantly selling stuff I don't need, cause it salves my conscience of having too many trains, maybe. It also helps me fund more trains that I justify as fitting my "focus".
IMHO as many as you need to operate your layout beyond that and again IMHO you're a hoarder or collector.
However..
Seeing there's hoarder or collector in all of us there is no escape from becoming a overstock hobby shop.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"