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Time For A Reality Check

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 7:33 PM

Tophias

My point is it's a bit disappointing that I won't be buying any additional locomotives, and I'm wondering how you all feel about this? Have you had a similar moment? Should I just "get over it" and be happy I'll be saving money? How did you all know when enough was enough?  

After I read your post, I took a look at my locomotive roster. At one time, I had 92 locomotives and that is far fewer than a lot of guys have on this forum. Over the past few years, I have sold 50, leaving me with 42. I just sold another 6 back in December, so now I have 36. For the most part, I sold locomotives that did not fit my era or layout plan.

40 locomotives is not so bad, but it is probably best that you decided to stop buying. You did the right thing. When you start asking yourself if you have too many, you have too many.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 7:32 PM

Tophias

...Suddenly, I've come to realize I have way to many engines! Close to 40!... ...Should I just "get over it" and be happy I'll be saving money? How did you all know when enough was enough? 

 

I'm getting to this point myself.  If things go well, I will probably get another 22 years out of my carcass. But if I keep acquiring locomotives and rolling stock, it'll take a dumpster or some determined modelers to get the stuff I've acquired away from the home when I TX.  Fortunately, I seem to have naturally begun to slow.  I intend to acquire only one more locomotive, the newly announced H1a/b from Rapido and I have all the others I find appealing.  Thank the Good Lord, too, because it has been getting spendy with the newer releases.

I don't keep all my stuff out in the open.  About 80% of it is stored in boxes.  I play with a consist or two, maybe for a couple of months, then put them away carefully, leaving notes in the boxes about what doesn't work, if I've lubed them, etc, and take out new items to enjoy them...a rotation that typically takes about 12-24 months, depending.  If I keep buying, there'll come a time when I receive an item, play with it to make sure it works, put it away, and its next appointment will be with the dumpster or someone who would like it...but not with me...ever.  That doesn't make much sense.  So, I have to consider slowing continuously from now on.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 7:27 PM

Get the number of locos and cars you need.  I'd say you're good with 40, but who am I to judge?  I have a handful and only get them on my birthday.  Although I might not this year to get other things--a large structure and oil truck.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 7:19 PM

I was never informed that there was a limit to the number of locomotives one may own.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 542 posts
Time For A Reality Check
Posted by Tophias on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 6:04 PM

I've been constructing my layout for about 20 years. I have been a lone wolf railroader for most of that time (my brother-in-law has joined me over the last few years). Over that time I have always looked to build my engine roster. And I have succeeded. Suddenly, I've come to realize I have way to many engines! Close to 40! Yikes! My layout is modest in size, 16' X 16' (u shaped). A classification yard in the middle is a focal point with an engine facility at each end. Plus a 8 track hidden staging yard underneath (via a helix). So I can have a decent amount of engines on the layout, but man, I just realized I have too many. So no more looking over ads for, and announcements for, new locomotive introductions. I guess the good news is I'll have more budget for other things. My point is it's a bit disappointing that I won't be buying any additional locomotives, and I'm wondering how you all feel about this? Have you had a similar moment? Should I just "get over it" and be happy I'll be saving money? How did you all know when enough was enough? 

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