Oh boy now the wife's involved!

[Anonymous]

Well im still fairly new to the hobby, and im not technically maried but im well on the way to it!

Any ways I was going to model modern Diesel for the simple fact that It's modern, easy to come by and less expensive...

Well Being the lucky devil that I am my fianc'e supports me in all my tangents and hobbies... don't get me wrong I've been trying to nail MRR down since i was 11 years old... On friday I took her to my favorite train store.. and got to talkin with my favorite Associate or clerk...(what ever you call'em lol) and my intention was to show her the new Atlas products with the ditch lights and sound and DCC,... and high amount of Detail ( I didn't really go to show her i went to look she was kind tagging along and waiting on me to ask her where she wanted to go out to eat at lol)!... Well i was Chit Chatting with my friend and we both Kinda paused and Caught her Starring at a Chesapeak & Ohio 2-10-2 (I believe) and I said "What ya lookin at hun?"....... and my buddy being the salesmen that he is said "Are you interested in something? "....... She looked up surprised that we've caught her.... Well I like this one it's really pretty.....

Well my friend (the salesman) pulled out the loco from under the counter and sat it on their lay out and started showing It off...... I was thouroughly Impressed with the Loco... I'm not sure who made it I just liked watching it go around the loop of track it was on pulling about 7 ore cars and a caboose..... When I looked across the layout at my lovely wife,.... She had lowered herself down to eye level with the edge of the lay out.. Ya know to get a realistic prospective (this engine was really detailed I think it was a boadway limited) she was totally engulfed in watching this train go by.... Now I've always liked trains. I love steam..... But I like trains in general so I had no problem getting ready to model diesel...

Well..... I don't have a lay out yet, so she hasn't got to run a model train ever... Well on this day she did... My buddy asked her... "Would you like to have a go at it?"... O' boy she jumped on top of this.... She is usually really shy around people she doesn't know very well, but she just took right over.... He gave her a quick tutorial on how to ring the bell and blow the whistle, and other general things and told her to have fun.... well me and him got back to looking at what I had come to look at and when we were finished (about 15 min later) we turned around and there she was with her head down next to the table watching the train go by... We couldn't help but laugh.........

We (me and my fianc'e) then spent an hour looking at different steam locomotives.... which I know very little about.... I'm still in a very novice stage..... we looked and talked for a while on this one, and then a while on that one.... And then the question Came...... "Why don't we model Steam hunny?"[%-)] and my answer was hmm. "Idunno..... i just figured diesel would be cheaper... and easier to do!"

Well I told you that Neat little Story because I was boared and had nothing else to do..... No im just kidding[:D]....... i told you this story to ask this Question.... I have bought Three Diesel locomotives and i'm currently in the process of installing decoders in them for club use.... I will Keep these...... But Im not Totally Sold on switching to Steam YET!!

What are some things i should Know, Consider, and Evaluate?..... I do want High Quality! but I don't need Brass.. you Know?.... and I absolutly Love Sound ... and I will be running DCC, In HO scale.... So with this Info I've given you guys Can You Give Me Some pointers and some Pros, and Cons about Steam?

If they're all Pros and no cons so be it!

Just some info on what you guys think would be great!![:)]

"I know the story isn't nessasary, But I thougt It was cute the way she just instantly fell in love with the Steam Locomotives.... It was Great"

[Anonymous]

A C&O engine? Your wife has good taste.

[rolleiman]

This is from a long time brass buyer / runner... I'm sure others opinions will differ but you are much better off in the long run buying plastic.. My experience with BLI (broadway limited) steamers is limited to two, one purchased new and the other one used.. The New one was a Wabash 2-8-2, aka Mikado (google the whyte system to see what the different wheel arangements are) and the other a 4-6-4 NYC Hudson. I'll only speak on the Mike, as the hudson still requires some work (some people shouldn't be allowed to play with trains [:(].. I have yet to hook a train to that mikado that it Wouldn't pull. Rarely a derailment and my track is anything But perfect.. If sound is your gig, it sounds pretty good too.. Brass looks nice but without a lot of tinkering, I've yet to pull one out of the box, set it on the rails and just run it (as I can with the plastics).. For the money, High end plastics are the way to go in my opinion.. That is, unless you want a very specific model.. Anyway, in your Fiance, it looks like we may have another train nut in the making.. Good for her (and you)..

Jeff

[GN-Rick]

You lucky devil!!![:D]

[Anonymous]

lol I know!! HAHA...
I'm Just Curious About Steam are there any good books or any thing!!! on modeling Steam... Im thinking 40s and 50s as far as era what do you guys think... Yeah i've been up doin a little lookin tonight it's almost 2am here so im off to the bed I'll Check back here tomarrow! Thank for the current replies and the input Jeff

[Berk-fan284]

Broadway (high quality, detailed, DCC ready, sound equipped, strong pullers, smooth running), Bachmann Spectrum (well detailed,strong pullers, smooth running, DCC ready, modestly priced) are both excellent choices.Athearn Genisis Challengers are another excellent pick( deailed, DCC compatible,well detailed, strong pullers), LifeLike Proto 2000 steam engines are well detailed, smooth and quiet (newer releases are sound equipped) but a bit too light and weak pullers.Rivarossi (late production) are reasonably well detailed, smooth, quiet,some are DCC compatible, good pullers, pricesvary depending on the loco (Rivarossi has been bought out by Hornby and the availability of new locos is mainly on ebay or hobby shop new old stock, rerelease dates for new Rivarossi engines are somewhat vague). Bachmann's lower lines are too iffy on quality and performance. Generally speaking the longer the wheelbase on your steam engine the larger you want to go on the radius of your curves and turnouts. An Articulated loco might get by on some of the smaller curve (18 inches) but will look very wierd doing it. If you ever get a long rigid wheelbased loco like a 2-10-2 ( 4-12-2 or go Pennsylvania RR Duplex drive locos T1 4444 or a Q2 4464 you will really need a broad curve 26 inches+) you will be looking at 22 inches minimum. You will also have to make sure your trackwork is flawless a steam engine (articulateds especially) will find any dips, rises, misaligned joints that your diesels will breeze through trouble free will derail a steam engine with maddening regularity. Having said all that I like my diesels and LOVE my steam engines!!

[RedGrey62]

Have to chime in here too. I model diesels, but I sold off 2 Kato SD-40s to get the BLI Mikado. I t was one of the better things I've done. The lights, the sound, and just the pure pleasure of watching the running gear do its thing is worth the price. Its great you have soemone interested in what you like, and even helping steer you in a direction. My wife tolerates my trains, helps with the scenery, and enjoys the look on my face when she gets me a new toy.

Rick

[PNWRMNM]

You might want to consider small steam 4-6-0, 2-8-0. These are small locomotives, they pulled short trains of relatively small cars. For modeling purposes they involve the least mechanical compromise in terms of switchcs and curvature. That is they will not look as out of place in a #6 switch or tight curves as will larger later power.

[pcarrell]

Yup, she's a keeper!

[ramoutandabout]

souns like yoru a lucky guye my wife is intrested in the scenery! and has no problem changing oil ona car or building a shed !

[CP5415]

Good to hear that you have support in the hobby Dock!!!!

But I have a question for you?
Do you plan on modeling a specific era?

If not, why not run both steam & diesel together?
I haven't seen a rule anywhere stating that you can't do both? This way you can have what you want, the fiance can have what she wants & both of you can enjoy the hobby.
I run both together.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[tcf511]

My wife is also involved in building our layout although not to the extent that I am. She has built buildings and is very good with scenery and detailed painting. You'll be surprised how much your train budget goes up when she is involved as well.[:D]

I have three BLIs, a heavy mikado, a light mikado the N&W J. Iove all three. They run well, pull well and I love the sound.

[DrummingTrainfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

Good to hear that you have support in the hobby Dock!!!!

But I have a question for you?
Do you plan on modeling a specific era?

If not, why not run both steam & diesel together?
I haven't seen a rule anywhere stating that you can't do both? This way you can have what you want, the fiance can have what she wants & both of you can enjoy the hobby.
I run both together.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

I agree, nothing says your layout has to be prototypical. After all it is your layout.

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DrummingTrainfan

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

Good to hear that you have support in the hobby Dock!!!!

But I have a question for you?
Do you plan on modeling a specific era?

If not, why not run both steam & diesel together?
I haven't seen a rule anywhere stating that you can't do both? This way you can have what you want, the fiance can have what she wants & both of you can enjoy the hobby.
I run both together.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

I agree, nothing says your layout has to be prototypical. After all it is your layout.

Who says it can't be prototypical? Model maodern rails that are shared with a railway museum, then you can run ANYTHING and be correct in doing it.

I have just such a museum just up the tracks from me. Those tracks running just behind my back yard have everything from modern diesels to SD7's to F3's to a 2-8-2 Mikado. You just never know whats going to come down the tracks next. I even a trolly built in 1902 come down those rails once![8D]

[tmcc man]

Well, you could model diesel, but have a few excursion services with the steamers that you both like.

[selector]

If my wife showed a strong interest in a particular loco, and I was not particularly interested in steam, I would get her that loco. It would be different if she had asked to see several, and kind of liked all of them because they had side rods and valve gear, but she seems to have identified that 2-10-2. So, she gets involved and helps you with your hobby, she gets to satisfy her individuality, and you get your modern diesels. When either of you wants a break from what you like (it happens), take turns at each other's cab.

You are a very lucky man. Most modelers are content to have a wife who indulges them only to the extent that they don't stand in the way of their hobby.

[Anonymous]

You are blessed to have such a lady. Wish you both the best. As the other post said run both diesel and steam its your, I mean your boths railroad. Just watch the curves. Phil

[Anonymous]

When you get divorced who gets the steam engine? LOL

[Anonymous]

Keep her!

I'm surprised someone hasn't suggested modeling the transition period. That way you can run both steam and diesel.
Andrew

[Anonymous]

Im looking into the transition period!!!

I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting Railroad! I do want prototypical! I Love operations and prototypical scenes..... Im thinking About modeling the Southern Railroad... during the trasition period... Im going to model Spencer NC for sure and run some C&O and pensy throught it... Just for some thing different.....

But here is where it would get interesting! Spencer looks just about the same now as it did... say 40 to 50 yrs ago.... The only real difference is there is a shopping center across the street. (there are some other things too,.. not many) But I really think It will work I can take Spencer and make it my Main Yard And model all points north (hypothetically speaking)... and go through my home town of Winston Salem... alot of it is still very old too... the reason im pointing this out that there are some old areas in both of these places is because if I model one era and use older structures and things.. then a modern era can run through it and still look prototypical...... All i would do is switch out a few buildings and cars and the scene would fit! I would do this for say... club meets and such.....

OH MAN NOW IM TOTALLY INVOLVED LOL.... this will be a fun project for me and my future wife......

on a side note,.. I am lucky in another since, the person who got me started in railroading my grandpa is still around and is a huge fan of the Southern Rail Road, he doesn't have a southern engine though so Im gonna get him one for his birthday i september,... this Idea I have come up with in the last night and this morning, will be a neat surprise for him.... I hope that he will be encouraged to come to the house and operate with us..... He hasn't ran a train in a long time! This is gonna be a very good thing,.. It should bring us all a little closer, and it will be some thing that will teach the kids the way things used to be! and maybe get them back on earth and out of mainstream mayhem,

Im looking to have something operational by Fall of this year!! I don't know if this is possible but Im gonna try..... I hope to have some pics soon! Thanks for the kind Compliments guys... My Fianc'e is one in a million and Im extreemly lucky... it's hard to believe She is mine.....

As far as Divorce goes.... well unfortunatley it is a very real threat in todays society.... My father has been through 3 marrages. and is In his fourth.... I have been through 2 marriges with him...... so I do understand divorce and why it happens me and my Fianc'e have been dating seriously for 3 yrs in september.... and are waiting for life to begin before we settle down.... She is one of these people that will be hard to get rid of.... I doubt she would leave me either lol.....
But if it did come to that I WOULD HIDE THE LOCOMOTIVE!!!!!! LOL

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by george745

Keep her!

I'm surprised someone hasn't suggested modeling the transition period. That way you can run both steam and diesel.
Andrew

I was going to, but he said he liked "modern".[8D]

[Anonymous]

I'd say get that engine for your grandpa and get him over and running trains as soon as you can. It's those good memories of him that you will cherish your entire life and can not be taken for you. I never finished my layout before my grandfather passed away but I still remember talking trains with him. And I think about him each time the first train pulls out of the yard.
Andrew