passenger or freight ?

[eastcoast]

I run more passenger trains and find freight trains to be more of a challenge .
Both are very different in the type of scenery and structures that accompany them. I model both on my layout in one complete "world"[:p]

[Anonymous]

I prefer to model business/excursion trains, however, I also model passenger trains. I find passenger equipment more challenging to figure out what the car is (except for head end equipment).

[Anonymous]

I model freight only just the fact it can generate more money also get to use more loco's setting may be different far as equipment used like rolling stock to haul different kind of materials.

[therailnut]

i would like to model both. I have a facination with both frieght and passenger trains.

[Anonymous]

Freight operations offer more variety (although someone is sure to challenge this), however combining RDC, excursion trains, and regular passenger operations are a nice change of pace.

[Jetrock]

I'm fond of industrial areas and like a lot of switching, so I am inclined more towards freight, but passengers have their appeal. I do plan on having a few pieces for "fan trips" along my freight line, especially as a "plot device" to make operating sessions more complicated.

[METRO]

I model heavy rail commuter operations and as a result freight and long haul passenger plays a very different role on my line. Most freight originates offline and terminates offline, serving to congest the main line and create more challenging sessions. Passenger either originates or terminates at the downtown terminal and takes priority durring non-rush hours. The real operations, however, consist of two rival commuter lines, very fast and frequent service. I do get a good dose of switching in though with two coach yards and a few on-line industries.

[Jetrock]

That sounds pretty interesting--I imagine that an older commuter line would also do some "switching" in the form of LCL and parcel freight, one benefit of which is that you wouldn't even need a siding, just a quick stop on the track to drop off a parcel at the drugstore or pick up cans of milk at a milk stop.

Inspiring!

[METRO]

There is a much higher importance put on on-time running as well. In freight running who really cares if a coal drag is half-hour late and how many times have we been on Amtrak trains that are running hours late, even in short haul? If commuter trains were that late the entire workforce of a city could be in serious trouble.

[Anonymous]

Right now, my mainline is from Melmatt to Marcstadt to La Michelle to Royston. That is the the length of my imaginary land called Dalreada. It is the route of the Golden Express. I am sure I will build routes to handle freight, I have to, but for now,it is purely passenger.

[preceng]

Just like the diversity that freight offers. I mean specifically the multiple types of industries that can beemployed, even changed.

[bluepuma]

My freights all tend to look the same, only have so many 40 ft. box cars, tank cars, like mixed freight best. I can change the locos. But have 5 sets of different passenger, and locos for more. I'm more of wanting to travel First Class or Coach than Hobo Class.

[Hawks05]

whenever i start my layout and get going i'm going to do most if not all freight. we hardly have if any passenger trains come through here so i kind of want to take after my town without all the stuff in town here. so it will be mostly freight.

[vsmith]

Industrial narrow gauge short line = All freight

[vw-bug]

Samll branch lights like mines and timber ways. I run the ocassional passenger to mix things up a little now an then

[Anonymous]

Come on now, no contest....passenger baby, it's the challeneg of getting one train to run where you could normally get 3-4 freights going.

Lanscaping, track design, and not to mention the sheer look is enough to say Wow! Freight holds nothing over passenger.

[ddechamp71]

My future Z scale layout: Tehachapi Pass, modern era = definitively freight.
Cheers
Dominique

[aiireland]

i've noticed that my non-railroading friends seem to comment more or relate better to the passenger trains on my layout. (the brewery gets a close 2nd)

ai

[AggroJones]

Freight cars offer more variety in the weathering and trains look less uniform. Less like a long squared tube.

[Anonymous]

I thinks it's fun to set out big, long haul frieghts and long passenger trains at the same time.[^] When I start modeling the UP, the frieght and passengers trains will be both run frequently, though frieght would probably be the dominant.[:)][:p]

[Anonymous]

Freight trains are cool. I model them becuase passengers are
SOOO boring. I like to switch alot of trains and do things to stay
busy.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentucky

Freight trains are cool. I model them becuase passengers are
SOOO boring. I like to switch alot of trains and do things to stay
busy.

ho so? ever tried to model a passenger system? you have, unless you're running an acela, switching yards to change cars between runs, a terminal for unloading the cargo (in this case people). some passenger trains also had box cars tagging along.

In all instances they are pretty much the same as running a frieght layout. Now they are more challenging since they usually require larger curves, and more skill in getting the layout to work for them.

I guess i could slap an 4'x8' frieght laout down and be happy i can run 3 trains and switch all day. But i prefre the greater challenge of trying to get 1 passenger train in there with it's switchings as well as it's run to another station for it's switchings.

Believe me, passenger setups are not boring, if anyone says so, it's because they like the easiness of frieghts and don't like to try a challenge. Freights are fine and dandy, i don't have a problem with them, but to me they're not a challenge and i like challenges.

Jay.

[Anonymous]

I like to run a good mix of passenger and freight and steam and diesel on my layout (although I do have more freight). Variety is the spice of life!

[AggroJones]

Although I 'm not a big passenger train fan, I must admit the new Union Pacific modern excusion smoothsiders from Rivarossi are totally awsome. Done very, very lovely. But the price is a killer.[V]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Although I 'm not a big passenger train fan, I must admit the new Union Pacific modern excusion smoothsiders from Rivarossi are totally awsome. Done very, very lovely. But the price is a killer.[V]

Hmm...around $40 a car, not to bad, probably can find them around $25-30 if you really look.

At least they sell them as a set of cars (making each car actually cheaper this way) and have a matching 4-8-4 avaible: http://www.aat-net.de/pdf/0028.pdf

Hmm....now you got me thinking.....

Jay.

[krump]

I'm a freight runner, however I like the passenger trains that I've seen in recent years (West Coast Express[^], Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours[^]...). I don't have any passenger trains at present, but if I did, the single passenger car would be # 17 in a line of 30 freighters - just because[}:)] - they can't go anywhere, being stuck in the middle?)[:o)][:D][:D][:D]. I only have a freight terminal anyway. Actually, a passenger train / terminal will be added to my railroad in the future - currently using what I have and spending time and money on building the railroad.

[Anonymous]

You got to love both. Without the frieght and industry you have no drive to your layout... no purpose. Yet without the people and people movers there isn't life to the layout. People are the purpose of all the supplies going everywhere.

My church railroad I've really shot for both. People have got to get places, and there is so many stories to tell at the station and of people on the trains and where they are going. While the industries (mine and port) tell their own tales of supplies constantly needing to get someplace.

I think your robbing yourself if you sompletely cut out the possibility of either in your modeling. Practically almost everywhere rail is both people and stuff is going... maybe not in a loggin operation or a heavy industrial yard, still maybe at least have a corner of your table with a tiny kitty corner of some passing line of passenger car line.

[Anonymous]

When I'm watching trains I just love seeing how many freight cars are being pulled

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rabbidgerbal

You got to love both.
My church railroad I've really shot for both. People have got to get places, and there is so many stories to tell at the station and of people on the trains and where they are going. While the industries (mine and port) tell their own tales of supplies constantly needing to get someplace.

Rabbidgerbal, I recall one of your earlier posts, but don't remember if you have the model r/r located IN the church for this ministry?[^], I think that's a wonderful opportunity. How did you get started with that? Perhaps that's something that can get set up in the church that I go to here... you got me thinking

[Anonymous]

Passenger trains rule! I don't mind an occasional freight, but watching a passenger train run on a layout is much more interesting. I'm glad that I don't have to follow real-life operations on my train layout because if I did, that would mean largely freight. That would ruin the hobby for me.