prrjim posted:Mason,
I suggest you focus on quality rather than quantity. Aim for 1 or 2 "good" engines. By good, I mean one that runs well, looks good and is a scale model in a paint scheme that the real RRs used on that engine. The Atlas O SW9 is such a model that is readily available and works well on a smaller layout.
Do the same for freight cars. Aim for the more detailed scale models.
On a tight budget, you may want to stay away from passenger cars for now. The nice ones are geneerally more expensive and take more space, as do the locos that ran passenger.
If you are building a model RR and accumulating a collection this should make sense. If you want to be a collector, then you focus on the things you want to collect. it still is good to have a narrower focus rather than a shotgun approach (buy everything you see when have the money).
Then develop a track plan that does something. Avoid just making a loop. Set up an interchange track and then some industries. Use your locos to move cars back and forth between the industries and the interchange. Your track plan contain a loop, but I suggest not making that your primary focus. Do some research in model RR magazines about ways to generate switching and adopt one or develop your own.
Again for a model RR, you may want to focus on an RR you like (Your favorite) or one near your home or one that used to be near your home. Aim your purchases to model this RR. You would want locos and cabooses only for this RR. Freight cars move all over, but there might more eastern road cars seen on eastern roads than Western cars. Do some research on your favorite railroad on line or at the library. Learn more about it to make your Model RR more realistic. Also focusing on RR in one era, limits what you want to buy. therefore you don't need to spend as much to get where you want to go. If it does fit your RR and the era you are modeling, you can enjoy looking at it, but can tell yourself not to buy it because it does not fit.
I thank you all for giving me the advice but I don't know any manufacturers that produce Delaware Lackawanna Shortline Locomotives, I know I can get locomotives repainted but I want to know if any obscure company makes Locos from the DL in O scale, I have an HO scale phase one Alco c420 in the paint scheme made by Atlas, do they make DL locos in O scale?
