choosing a locomotive & cars

[Anonymous]

I've been looking at all the sites that have been posted, but now am a bit overwhelmed. I don't know what to choose. I know that you want a locomotive and cars that go with your time frame, but other than that what should I do. I am going on a 1950's theme so if anyone has done anything like this please let me know what you have done. One final question: if you could get one locomotive what would it be?

Thanks all

[jeffrey-wimberly]

On the question of locomotives. There are three things I look at. 1 - Time frame. 1950's? E series to GP18. 2 - DC or DCC.  3 - cost. Less money = Bachmann - Athearn. More money = P2K, Atlas, Kato.

[tstage]

JZ,

First off: to the forum!  Good to have you aboard!

By choosing the 50s to model, you've picked the most popular era choosen to model AND and most abundant merchandise to pick from.  So, you have LOTS of choices to pick from.

Jeffrey has started you out thinking about two other things:

1. How do you want to run your new layout (DC or DCC), and
2. How much do you want to spend?

Since the 50s was nearing the end of the transition age of steam to diesel, you have the choice of running either/or or both on your layout.

JZ, I model the early 40s so my choices are a bit fewer.  But I have chosen to go with DCC (Digital Command Control) because I can run my layout more "prototypical" - i.e. more like how the railroads would have run them.  Simply put, with DCC, you can independently control your locomotives around your layout vs. controlling your track in order to control your locomotives.  I have also chosen to run BOTH steam and early diesel for variety.

If I were to pick one locomotive to run?

Steam: Trix 2-8-2 Mikado (Click picture to enlarge)

Diesel: Stewart FT A-B

Both locomotives run like swiss watches and can be acquired at very good discounts.

JZ, a few other questions for you might be:

1. Do you want cars that are ready-to-run (RTR) or in kits (i.e. you assemble them together).  If the latter, how much experience to you have putting together models?
2. Are you interested in modeling one particular RR line or several?
   

Most of my rolling stock has come from kits and that has allowed me to learn the different parts of the various cars that the RRs ran on their lines.  If you are interested in kits, let me highly recommend the Accurail kits.  They only manufacture boxcars and hoppers but they have VERY nicely detailed (especially the wooden and woodend boxcars) and are $8-10 each.  Accurail is starting to also manufacture RTR cars in the $12-14 range.  Better and more challenging kits are Branchline and Proto 2000s.  The Protos also come in RTR versions.

JZ, like you said, your choices can be overwhelming.  But the more you learn and absorb, the easier your choices become.  Just remember: The ONLY stupid question is the one NOT asked.  So, ask away.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks for those great posts. I'm probally going to run a DCC setup for my layout. I also will build some cars and buy some depending on my moods and how lazy I am that day.

Thanks so far

[ARTHILL]

Well, you are off and running, at least dreaming about running. I started with a Spectrum steamer, because it was nice and moderatly priced. I then decided that I liked articulated steam engines and had to make some choices, The $3000 Big Boy looks nice but I decided that I could get other things and it would take me a long time to save that much.

When you get a little track and a little experience, you will find your tastes changing, so don't put all your eggs in the first checkout basket.

Keep us posted.

[nbrodar]

I'm partial to Alcos so I  would start with an Atlas RS3 road switcher, or an S2 or S4 end cab switcher.  DCC ready versions list for about $100, but can usually be found for a good discount.

For car kits, Accurail, Bowser and Branchline's Yardmaster kits are a great place to start.  They cost between $10 and $12.   Proto 2000 and  Branchline's Blueprint kits cost more, and are much more challenging to assemble.

For RTR cars, Proto 2000 and Athearn's retooled cars are good to start with, basic cars start about $15 and range up to $30.   Kadee, Intermountain, and a host of other's make high end RTR cars that start around $25 and go up from there. 

Nick