ok i see alot of guys that model smaller railroads will collect ,said run of certain locos
say guilford 500s
well I model union pacific transition era , so slowly i have decided that im going to collect the whole big boy run , all 25
so far im up to 12 i have 5 BLI, 1 athearn 1 MTH,5 rivarossi , & no im not going to collect high end brass but if 1 shows up on evilbay that is reasonable i will get it .
does anyone else collect a whole run of locos of thier" road "
thomas81zdoes anyone else collect a whole run of locos of thier" road "
Russell
Well, I collect Maryland & Pennsylvania as they are available and reasonable - not that all 21 steam locomotives have been produced.
Paul
Since I model the NYC and given the large expanse of its roster, there's NO way I'll be collecting an entire series of anything. Like Mel - I'm not a collector, per say. One to two pieces of primary power and switchers is all I need and desire for my layout.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
thomas81z ok i see alot of guys that model smaller railroads will collect ,said run of certain locos say guilford 500s well I model union pacific transition era , so slowly i have decided that im going to collect the whole big boy run , all 25 so far im up to 12 i have 5 BLI, 1 athearn 1 MTH,5 rivarossi , & no im not going to collect high end brass but if 1 shows up on evilbay that is resonable i will get it . does anyone else collect a whole run of locos of thier" road "
so far im up to 12 i have 5 BLI, 1 athearn 1 MTH,5 rivarossi , & no im not going to collect high end brass but if 1 shows up on evilbay that is resonable i will get it .
For a real rarity you should seek out the Bowser metal Big Boy which was not available for all that long (compared to their UP Challenger which they sold for decades). The tender was an interesting mashup -- the plastic tender from the Monogram plastic unpowered Big Boy with a frame and metal wheels from Bowser so that it could pick up current. You'd also want to seek out the Bowser detail set for the Big Boy because the unadorned kit was just that -- stripped down.
Just which series or order of Big Boy the Bowser and other models represent, I do not know. I believe there were subtle detail differences.
Dave Nelson
I do not have a picture of it (shocking, because it is my favorite diesel), but I have the entire run of STRATTON & GILLETTE EMD SD-7 locomotives. All one of them, number 2600.
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
As I model the Santa Fe, they had a few locomotives of which they just had one or two. Examples are a single Alco RS2 (I have that, made by Kato), an Alco DL107/108 AB set (I have that, made by Overland (brass), plus an additional Proto 1000 A unit), or the Fairbanks-Morse Erie-built ABA set (Proto 1000). However, in my case, the winner is the only true articulated "doodlebug" ever produced, the Santa Fe M-190. While the Santa Fe only had one, I have four (all brass). Two were imported by Hallmark; they are OK. The other two are imported by Key, one in green gullwing delivery, the other in Warbonnet paint. While they are much improved over the Hallmark products, they are not on the same level as the truly excellent non-articulated Key ATSF doodlebugs.
To the OP: You are not the first one to "collect" all 25 Big Boys, not even on this forum. Around 2008, there was a poster, Magnus Lillen, who got 25 Big Boys from PCM, as shown in the exchange below.
___________________________________________
Maybe you should ask Magnus why he has 25 PCM BBs and the PCM brass BB on order ?
I will end up buying a H-8 and an A class (love em both), I have a SP GS-4 and a PRR T-1 on order from BLI, I've got a couple of N&W Proto Ys and a PCM Y6, plus a number of other RRs equipment. I like BIG engines and streamliners and while these other engines will not be run on the layout all the time, they will be run.
I just like TOO many trains !
Cheers,
Warren
Hi, I was wondering when my name would show up!
For me, the Big Boy simply is a beautiful locomotive that looks impressive. The PCM version is a very nice model that I really enjoy running. Even though as Mr Poteet points out the Big Boy was not many of the superlatives that are often used to describe it. It was close to them all. I was a good all round engine, heavy, fast, strong, tall, long and was around for a interesting time. That fact, that it can be compared against the biggest, strongest etc. in so many ways I think is part of it's lure.
Why get so many then? Well, I like them and I like to collect entire series of things. The Big boys where an easy thing to get all of, had I gotten bitten by the Challenger bug there would have been problems, both financially and with the marriage!
Just like Warren I like to many trains, I have some Y6b's, I've also ordered the GS-4 and complete set of cars just like Warren. But I myself is a collector, I will run them, but all 25 BB will never run, that is impossible.
I'm currently trying to decide, should I go all out B&O or UP or try to do what I've been thinking of doing all along, making my own world where the two meets some where south of Chicago.
As for BB being popular in general, I think the name helps, much sexier then H-8 and the UP public relations office have done a great job. The BB still today ads to their PR. Also, the number of videos featuring the BB alone must be the single most common engine to be seen.
Magnus
I tried to collect every type of locomotive, than reality sets in. I managed to get 6 to 8 modern diesels like the SD90, AC4400CW, C44-9W, SD70 series. I'm okay with that.
I'm waiting for athearn to make #4004 Big Boy.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
I’m not a collector. I’m a model railroader. So I don’t see the point of acquiring 25 model big boys.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Yes, actually. I have obtained the entire roster of Western Pacific's GS-64s "War babies." Ordered by Espee but these six were diverted to WP by the War Production Board in '43. Nos. 481-486.
WP Lives
I don't see the point of collecting for collectings sake. I have collected quite a few engines but with the purpose of modeling some trains and operations. My goal is to build a representative roster which mirrors what the D&RGW had in the 1970's thru early 1980's in rough proportion to what that RR had. They had a lot of SD40T-2's, 73 in all. It makes no sense to try to have that many SD40T-2's and I'd never be able to run them all. As it is, I have sold off some of the earlier run versions but still have 18 as it is, which is still more than I may be able to use. Really what I want to do is model D&RGW operations with enough diesels to cover the major freight trains across the west end of the route.
I'd imagine it is a pretty costly goal to collect a sizable roster of large steam engines but if you aren't going to be able to run them all, some day it may become someone elses job - perhaps your wife - to find a way to sell them. Food for thought.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 I have collected quite a few engines but with the purpose of modeling some trains and operations.
I am not a collector, but I do buy some equipment that will never run on my layout.
I have a few "Modern" cars painted for the STRATTON & GILLETTE that are for fun.
I have a bunch of steam locomotives I call the "Prop Fleet". These are for photographic purposes only and are functionally dead. I even have a BigBoy I bought for $15.00 that will be redetailed and painted for the SGRR. I only plan to have 8 to 10 operating steam locomotives, but I plan a lot of dramatic photographs. These guys are just actors.
I also have collected a few pieces that are special to me. Old N scale stuff that I painted for the SGRR when I can find it. Tyco train cars from my childhood. Things like that.
I have no railroad memorabilia in my house. Model trains only.
lol mel because of you I'm going to be kitbash cabforwards into AC9s thanks ha ha ha ha ha
thomas81z lol mel because of you I'm going to be kitbash cabforwards into AC9s thanks ha ha ha ha ha
I've collected a few modern diesels (horrors!) that I'll occasionally run in "flash forward excursions" on my 1930-1945 era layout once I get it back into existence...
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Collecting Big Boys??
LensCapOn Collecting Big Boys??
dknelson For a real rarity you should seek out the Bowser metal Big Boy which was not available for all that long (compared to their UP Challenger which they sold for decades). The tender was an interesting mashup -- the plastic tender from the Monogram plastic unpowered Big Boy with a frame and metal wheels from Bowser so that it could pick up current. You'd also want to seek out the Bowser detail set for the Big Boy because the unadorned kit was just that -- stripped down. Just which series or order of Big Boy the Bowser and other models represent, I do not know. I believe there were subtle detail differences. Dave Nelson
I think Darth SantaFe has built one--maybe he knows...
Gary
SeeYou190 I am not a collector, but I do buy some equipment that will never run on my layout.
Collector seems to be a dirty word in recent years, where hobbyists who are blessed with space for a layout disparage other hobbyists who just seem to "collect" trains. Some, perhaps many of those sorry sods are building up a roster until they have the means to have a layout space and build that layout and run those trains. Of course there some who simply collect.
To some degree, I think we all do that, and sometimes "degree" is a difference between loading up insanely to the point its a financial burden and takes up a lot of space, just for the sake of having a lot of something we fancy.
It's reminds me somehow of that old Dr. Suess story about Gertrude McFuzz, the bird who wanted a tail with fancy tail feathers but loaded up so much as to be a burden - looked great but she couldn't fly anymore and it took a bunch of other birds just to move the massive weight. Where that "tipping point of having so much it is a burden is a judgement call. And sometimes it isn't obvious until later or "after the fact".
Even in my desire to build up a fleet of trains for running operations for my time period, I'm reaching the point that it's probably more than I'll be able to manage realistically, so I'll probably be re-evalutating and selling off more trains. I do that anyway as an ongoing process, which helps to slow the buildup from becoming even larger and I can then use the proceeds to purchases as I refine the fleet. Some of this comes with age as we realize we've reached a practical limit too, which is different for everyone.
I have no railroad memorabilia in my house. Model trains only. -Kevin
Like many, I have some "off topic" trains or out of scope. I never had an HO steam engine for many many years and finally bought an IMRC SP cab forward and am slowly building up a fleet of PFE ice reefers for it to pull. But what with much of the very nice, more accurate items being offered in recent years that fits my focus from Tangent, ExactRail and Moloco, I simply don't have the budget to stray too into collecting anything that catches my fancy.
I don't have any train memorabilia to speak of either, very little anyway.
I AGREE, i have a layout but i want to slowly complete my collection of big boys i figure 3 a year for 4 years & im done , no way im doing challengers since the UP had 105 of them
riogrande5761 SeeYou190 I am not a collector, but I do buy some equipment that will never run on my layout. Collector seems to be a dirty word in recent years, where hobbyists who are blessed with space for a layout disparage other hobbyists who just seem to "collect" trains. Some, perhaps many of those sorry sods are building up a roster until they have the means to have a layout space and build that layout and run those trains. Of course there some who simply collect. To some degree, I think we all do that, and sometimes "degree" is a difference between loading up insanely to the point its a financial burden and takes up a lot of space, just for the sake of having a lot of something we fancy. It's reminds me somehow of that old Dr. Suess story about Gertrude McFuzz, the bird who wanted a tail with fancy tail feathers but loaded up so much as to be a burden - looked great but she couldn't fly anymore and it took a bunch of other birds just to move the massive weight. Where that "tipping point of having so much it is a burden is a judgement call. And sometimes it isn't obvious until later or "after the fact". Even in my desire to build up a fleet of trains for running operations for my time period, I'm reaching the point that it's probably more than I'll be able to manage realistically, so I'll probably be re-evalutating and selling off more trains. I do that anyway as an ongoing process, which helps to slow the buildup from becoming even larger and I can then use the proceeds to purchases as I refine the fleet. Some of this comes with age as we realize we've reached a practical limit too, which is different for everyone. I have no railroad memorabilia in my house. Model trains only. -Kevin Like many, I have some "off topic" trains or out of scope. I never had an HO steam engine for many many years and finally bought an IMRC SP cab forward and am slowly building up a fleet of PFE ice reefers for it to pull. But what with much of the very nice, more accurate items being offered in recent years that fits my focus from Tangent, ExactRail and Moloco, I simply don't have the budget to stray too into collecting anything that catches my fancy. I don't have any train memorabilia to speak of either, very little anyway.
Collecting a large number of steam engines is a bit different than diesels, mainly because steam engines (on the averge) cost a lot more than diesels. For example, over a 10 year period I have collected 18 D&RGW SD40-T2's which costs ranged from $69 to about $99 each. I'd imagine Big Boy's average out to a lot more cost.
And while I am no steam expert, a few here have commented that steam engines often have a lot more issues than model diesel engines. Just ask John Mock here who has had enough issues with plastic HO steam engines that he has largely sworn them off and is now a brass steam engine fan. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.
If you want to collect a large number, 25, Big Boys, do your homework rather than just spend spend spend. Hopefully you'll be able to improve your experience a little by stacking the deck in your favor.
thanks i am well versed on steamers , honestly riverossi is bullet proof since the casting is from the 60s dressed up lol
my favorite is BLI &
riogrande5761 Collecting a large number of steam engines is a bit different than diesels, mainly because steam engines (on the averge) cost a lot more than diesels. For example, over a 10 year period I have collected 18 D&RGW SD40-T2's which costs ranged from $69 to about $99 each. I'd imagine Big Boy's average out to a lot more cost. And while I am no steam expert, a few here have commented that steam engines often have a lot more issues than model diesel engines. Just ask John Mock here who has had enough issues with plastic HO steam engines that he has largely sworn them off and is now a brass steam engine fan. Just something to keep in the back of your mind. If you want to collect a large number, 25, Big Boys, do your homework rather than just spend spend spend. Hopefully you'll be able to improve your experience a little by stacking the deck in your favor.
I hope my comment won't be taken as inflammatory. I do NOT mean to bait anyone or to claim some exalted status for some obscure philosophical reason. It's just that, at 65, with some potentially serious health issues beginning to clear their throats and wanting to be reckoned with, I'm not taking things quite the same way any more. Life's too flippin' short. Or, could be.
I'm a collector. Unashamed, uncowed, unabashed, and oh-so-enthusiastic about it. With that orientation to the hobby, it should surprise no newcomers who don't already know about my tastes that I have a wide array of locomotives, diesel and (mostly) steam. But, they're not all from one railroad. Against the well-meant advice of some when I first joined to constrain my enthusiasm to one road in order to maximize my in-depth learning and modelling skills, not to mention keeping the lid on expenses, I realized I like only certain locomotives, across many roads, and wanted to see them run in my scenery on my track system. And that has been my orientation to my enjoyment. I collect steamers, and the bigger the better.
Yet, even though I love articulated steamers, I don't have, and have never seemed to have, a hankering for a Big Boy. It's a Challenger on steroids. A Y6-b could drag a Big Boy around the yard if you go strictly by tractive effort. So could a DM&IR or NP variant of the 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone.
I probably will end up with one. I usually develop a crush on a type eventually, as I did with the Class J 4-8-4. When that happens, it qets added to my collection. I have two of those.
I think the great shame in the hobby is, or ought to be, that people think they need to conform to the druthers of others. I feel they should always be encouraged to find out, for themselves, how to enjoy their experience. That means a bit of maturity, internal security, and a focus, or a strong understanding of what one finds appealing in play time. Whether in stamps, rope-making contraptions, steam tractors, or RC aircraft, a person should learn to have fun, even if it's just collecting all the kinds that he/she can find.
selector I hope my comment won't be taken as inflammatory. I do NOT mean to bait anyone or to claim some exalted status for some obscure philosophical reason.
I hope my comment won't be taken as inflammatory. I do NOT mean to bait anyone or to claim some exalted status for some obscure philosophical reason.
Well, I admit to being a collector. I have more freight cars than I need. And all the locomotives available in S for the Ma&Pa - plus a few more. But I still buy cars and locomotives as they appeal to me and the price is right in S, but also in HO and O.
I also have the room for a layout in my new house and expect to start construction early next year after we finish moving in. But I also set up temporary loops of track to run HO and O from time to time.
As others have noted this is hobby, I do what I enjoy - collecting, building layouts, building kits, etc.
Well, I have the Proto 1000 model of ATSF Alco No 50, a since they only had one, that is the whole class...
From Rivarossi I have the two Deutche Bundesbahn Class 10 Pacifics, 10 001 and 10 002, the first a coal burner and the second an oil burner... That's the whole class.
I have a presentation set of the Bachmann LNER A4 "Commonwealth of Australia" issued in 2001 for the centenary of Federation, three locomotives in the 1937, 1950 and 1960 colour schemes. You should only run one at a time, of course.
Peter
thomas81z thanks i am well versed on steamers my favorite is BLI & MTH
thanks i am well versed on steamers
my favorite is BLI & MTH
I am not well versed but was just passing on what one of our members here has brought up regarding plastic steam engines. As some say, don't shoot the messenger.
Well, it is a diverse hobby that can be enjoyed in many ways.
There is surely nothing wrong with running whatever you like, or collecting whatever you like.
Likewise there is nothing wrong with being highly focused on very specific goals to the exclusion of things that do not pretain to those goals.
Personally, I don't have any interest in owning one Big Boy, let alone all 25. But I have long joked that so many model Big Boys have been manufactured that surely in some warehouse somewhere there are enough of those things for nearly every modeler to have all 25.........
I have a fair sized "collection" of model trains, about 140 "powered units" at last count, and about 1300 pieces of rolling stock.
But the number of pieces that are outside the narrow focus of my layout goals can likely be counted on my fingers and toes.
I have pretty much stopped buying locos, I have what I need for the layout plan.
OK, there are a few pieces that if someone made them, or the right piece in brass showed up at the right price, I might add to the roster. But mostly, after 50 years, I'm done buying locos.
And I can count on one hand, the number of locos I have purchased and then decided to sell off as not being suitable or needed.
Are steam engines "more fussy" than diesels? Sure. But I don't seem to have that much trouble. My fleet of steam includes:
Bachmann Spectrum - 28 pieces
Bachmann regular line (newer 2-8-4) - 5 pieces
BLI/PCM - 7 pieces
Proto2000 - 4 pieces
Rivarossi - 1 piece
Mantua - 2 pieces
Brass - 2 pieces
IHC - 1 piece
They all have their good points and bad points, and I have modified, improved and kit bashed most of them in some way. But they all run fine and look representitive for my needs.
Diesels - I model the early 50's, when road diesels were the hot new thing. I only model four railroads when it comes to locos, B&O, C&O, WM and my freelanced ATLANTIC CENTRAL. I have lots of the same diesels, since they generally ran in matched sets in that era - a few examples:
ALCO FA/FB (B&O and ACR) - 3 ABBA sets, 1 ABA set
EMD GP7's (B&O and ACR) - 10 units
EMD F3A, F3B, F7A, F7B, FP7 (B&O, C&O, ACR, WM) - 23 units
EMD BL2 (ACR, WM, C&O) - 5 units
and so on.....
Point is, it sounds like a lot of locos, until you assign them to trains, nearly all of which require 3-4 diesels and in many cases double headed steam.
Then it becomes just enough "locomotive sets" for the 25-30 trains that the layout can store in staging...........
So not really a "collection", just the bare minimum operational roster for the layout.......
One of the goals on a layout like mine is to achieve realism by modeling the "ordinary"........
Sure, we have a few big flashy pieces, but we also have 8 Mikados, 9 Mountains, 9 Consolidations, etc - the day to day work horse locos of America......
25 Big Boys, go for it, have fun, whatever that means for you.
Sheldon