Singalong... On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me.... ...Fiiiiive SD40's Four U30C Three 90 Macs Two F7's And a cute little SW1
I posted this earlier on another thread. But it really belongs here now that we have a specific thread talking about locos. So, in case anyone missed my sparkling wit on the other post.... "I've got enough locos to fill my (admittedly small) yard, and I'm still anxiously awaiting the first reports on the MP American and Mogul because I "have to have" them. I went into shock when Bachmann indefinitely postponed the release of the Ten Wheeler. But of course, those are locos that I really do need because they fit my layout/era better than the locos I bought because they were the best available at the time." My collection pales in comparison with some of you. I've got (more or less): 16 locos 100 cars (mostly freight) Of that total, probably 20% is left over from 16-20 yrs ago when I was first in N scale. Probably 15% is actually earmarked for junior if he ever gets interested (generally too modern for my layout). Maybe 20% of the cars are just stuff I bought cheap on ebay with the idea of having a stock of cars I plan on repainting, changing couplers/trucks, and maybe using in the future. So I actually have about 8 locos and 50 cars that I'm in a position to use on my layout today. That fits pretty good as I can accomodate maybe 20 cars on the layout, plus my daily northbound and southbound freights would need about 12 each (dreaming about temp staging). Now, having rationalized that I really don't have too much stuff, I'm ready for them to bring on the new MP Mogul and American!! Regards
Ummmm, Now I know what has been getting me. At the moment all of my "stuff" is in boxes in a carton. You have all of that excess, er, I mean _backup_. How do you store it? Is it on a shelf? In a box? In the attic? Over there under the, um just to the left, ...?
Ed- The operative word is "need". I think most of us here have mild to severe obsessive compulsive personalities not to mention the anal retentives.
Well, it won't be me! I'm too far behind. Only about 30 locos, and about 185 cars. Boxcab E50 </font>[/QUOTE]Don't feel bad Boxcab, I only have 35 locos and about 250 cars (freight and passenger) Shannon WP LIVES ATSF LIVES
Hey now, I RESEMBLE that remark!!!! Seriously, I only get anal about my Frisco modeling- the rest of the diesel & rolling stock I'm a little more loose about, detail-wise. As it is, I have a pretty good treatment for "gotta-get-it" disease- lack of money.
One reason I changed from modeling the Espee to modeling the Ann Arbor Railroad was that the SP had thousands of engines of varoius models. The AA in 1963/1964 had 10 "road engines" FA-2's and then GP-35's, 2 RS-1's and 3 S-3's, a number I could surely match. Thus on my model AA I had those 15 locos on the layout and in reserve I had 2 more sets of FA's, a pair of GP-35's and a couple of RS's and S-3 switchers. The operating layout also required engines for the "interchange trains" that operated over the AA, thus I had a couple of engs for the Wabash, NYC, DT&I, PRR, B&O and the DT&SL, thus the 30 engines I had was all I needed therefore I was not inclined to keep buying engs just for the sake of buying them. However, my car fleet of over 420 was constantly increased.
One of the few things that can be modelled prototypically , in terms of the space available to layout builders is a divisional engine terminal, or one assigned to serve a Union Station that has multiple carriers . If one wishes to incorporate a shop performing heavier class repairs, that can be done also, although this would not be a multiple carrier facility. Hence , you can construct a layout that services and despatches locomotives to serve trains absent from it. Locos will go and return from staging areas. You can incorporate railcars into delivering coal (any fuel), and parts, ,lubricant,chemicals , and so forth. If you have lots of space then a passenger car cleaning and servicing facility, or freight car RIP track ( ie -Repair(s) in Place, done to bad ordered cars , and cars needing cleaning before further loading can be done). If you are modern type, then build a locomotive rebuilder( a la "CHROME CRANKSHAFT,et al ) so you can account for all the disparate eras and carriers represnted in your roster... for your layout. Here too, as in the other example, you can run in some freight cars to provide the where withall to rebuild locos. If you have more space in any of these locomotive oriented layouts, then consider a freight car or passengercar shops. Obviously, if you have a surfeit of freight cars, and not enough space for a prototypically acceptable layout - then building a car shops makes sense. Many members of the Prototype Modelers Group(s), who are devoted to faithfully reproducing every detail found on real freight cars, will find this an ideal solution since it answers to some extent the basic problems associated with their avocation. To whit: firstly, the matter common to everyone of not having enough space to duplicate the real world; and secondly, their specific problem of having the detailing upon their miniature cars being knocked off or otherwise damaged in conventional layout operations. Think outside the pages of MR,RMC, ML,NG&SLG, or their non-English language equivalents around the world. Make: a loco terminal; car shop ; express and/or mail terminal; loco rebuilder or manufacturer; or similar entity having lots of whatever type of railway equipment you favor - your layout. Good-Luck, PJB
I believe one needs at least 1 locomotive for every square foot of layout or module space, and at least 6 locomotive purchases a year to satisfy the urges.
First, you need one engine fore ever building. Then, one fore every stall in the roundhouse...and one fore every bay in the locomotive shop...if you want to get off easy, then you need one steamer ofr every consist you can imagine. YOu need one fore the work train. And then one for the wreck train...make that two or three....Cranes are cheap these days...You need a different one for each passenger train, and then, you need the helpers, in some cases, pushers, in other cases, hed/lashups. And if you're in diesel, multiple everything by 4. Now, there is another rule, measure the space under your bed. This is your maximum Engine allowance, and make sure it is good and strong under there. You have your fount and side fascia, so no one will kow what you have !!!
Plain and simple...You can NOT have too many. It is a hobby, and therefore meant to be fun. If you enjoy collecting locos as much as I do, then buy all you can afford.
Three of everything. (for Santa Fe, that is, for me). Of course, for selected locomotives, if four or five show up, that's OK too. (smile)
IMHO, when you have more of one model than the prototype you model does, you have too many. If you model freelanced, you can buy as many as you want! I try to model 1% of BN's 1989 roster, and 10% of Rio Grande's 1987 roster. The reason I model more of DRGW, is because DRGW was a much smaller railroad, and had a smaller roster. This helps keep the fleet managable.
