If you could only run or own one engine would it be a steamer or a diesel? Lets hear you choice.

I would have to choose a diesel. It would be for the same reason the real rail roads chose them, dependability, tracking and pulling power.

But, I would always miss my steamers!

Steam

Twenty years ago a train buddy told me that if I could have only one engine to seriously look at the Premier Santa Fe Northern.  I bought the Chicago, then the Pueblo, then sold both.  Bought a second Chicago and still have it.  If allowed only one, it would be either the Northern or the Texas.   Both pull well and have good sounds.  John in Lansing, ILL

Sigh...

Ok; diesel.

Curt

If I look at the question from the view that if had to give up all but one of my locomotives (diesels and steamers but no electrics), I'd keep my Legacy L&N Heavy Mikado. And it is an easy choice.

Although my collection includes most of the famous steam, diesel and electric locomotive types, if I could have (or afford) only one locomotive model, it would be my Weaver Brass New Haven Railroad ALCO I-4 Pacific #1389 - a very finely detailed and well-made steam engine. That's partly because of my interest in the NYNH&HRR and partly because of the advanced mechanical engineering required to build a "modern" steam engine. Many years ago, I worked on the development of a low-emission automotive steam engine which was unsuccessful... 

MELGAR

Steam is so much more interesting and rather hypnotic, at least to me.

Charlie, I like your topic.  

Tom 

I would do Steam because of the diversity in Railroads 

However it would be the same for Diesels to...

 

If I just did one, it would be all any Steam Locos in excursion/operating services with some mixed passenger cars for an excursion train.

Steam

Steam- Make mine a Big Boy.

Steam. A MTH big one, Big Boy, Allegheny, or the like. Modified with swinging bell, steam, blowdown, whistle smoke, smoke/steam coming from everywhere!

just thinking about it renews my interest!

Steam, maybe a Mikado, or perhaps a ten-wheeler to do all freight and passenger duties. I would have nothing but steam, except for a Class 1 connection with roads that were running some beautiful first gen. diesels, the Grande, the MoPac, R.I., and Q, at that time.

Assuming the question relates to a model that already exists or is in production, it's arriving later this year...

If it's about ANY locomotive, then it would have to be a model of this:

Rusty

Hey Rusty,

Is that the one that runs in Union, IL?

Chuck

Steam is my choice. Most of the power on my railroad is steam, and of the 28 locomotives on the rails now, 26 are steam engines + one GG1 + one Flying Yankee.

Just one??? OK......

Over the years I've switched back and forth between having a preference for diesels and steam.
I like them both.
If I could only have one engine, it would be steam, the 1946 smoke bulb 726 Berkshire with 2426W die cast metal tender.

Switching to the prototype, I my favorites are trolleys.

Only one?  It would be a Hudson.

Steam would be personal choice.

Like that one on the old TV series Wells Fargo shown in the opening of show.

No question; I'd opt for a steam locomotive every time.  In order of preference I'd take the  Lionel N&W Class J Northern 4-8-4 followed by any Hudson ever made and thirdly the early 726 Lionel Berkshire made in 1946 with the smoke bulb and nickel plated Baldwin Disc drivers.    This is not to say I dislike Diesels because I really do like them for the variety and flexibility they provide for operations on my layout but I have a real weakness for steamers.

Steam without question.

 

It would have to be a diesel for me, I don't own any steamers. 

I really like the color of Diesels, but my favorite engines to see running are Steamers, with the drive rods turning, smoke out the smoke stacks, out the cylinders, and out the back draft, and then the bells and that Whistle...with steam flying out....Wow...I love seeing Rich Melvin take the 765 to limits beyond imagination....Great thread, Happy Railroading...

Looks like all the curmudgeon's posts have been deleted.  Thank you!

My one engine would be a steamer.  The one I'd pick is SP GS-4 4449 in its American Freedom Train colors.

Steam for sure. 100% of my HO motive power is steam (120++) and about 75% of my 3rail stuff. If I only had one engine it would be an 0-8-0 or 0-6-0. Far more play value than a road engine.

Pete

CAPPilot posted:

Looks like all the curmudgeon's posts have been deleted.  Thank you!

Amen to that! 

Tom 

For diesel it would be any ES44 or SD-70 from Lionel.

For steam,  any of the NYC Hudsons by MTH.

Above them all, any of the MTH scale  GG-1 locomotives.

Awww..  just ONE?

Mine would be steam and I think the N&W Class A would barely eek out the mighty PRR T 1 Duplex which would be closely followed by a Hudson for top spot.  In second place however it would be....

Difficult decision for sure

N&W 2300 TE-1 Steam Turbine Electric. If you know me, you know the reason.

"I would have to choose a diesel. It would be for the same reason the real rail roads chose them, dependability,"

Early diesel technology was anything but dependable. The steam technology was. It was an example of the rule that the last of an old technology is typically better than the first of a new one. It took a couple of decades to translate successful diesel switcher technology to diesel road locomotive technology. The internal combustion engine of any type was a weak sister for a long time.

Ultimately, diesel-electric technology was "superior" to steam, especially in terms of costs. This did not make the steam technology "bad".

===============

Now, to answer the thread's question - in detail: NYC J3a Hudson.

STEAM, especially this one:

It would be a diesel. This one

Steam but it would be a tough choice between the N&W J, A or Y6 and then I have to consider the PRR K, M1, Q and the J2 and the T1. All that aside I still have my very first Lionel Santa Fe Set to consider but only on special occasions. 

Steamer but can't say which one.

Confidently I say diesel! Geeps of any kind, either Conrail or BN.

NYC Hudson for me

Definitely a steam engine. 

Reading through this thread one thing kept running through my mind. Only one locomotive for a layout???

A really nice OP would allow a switcher to accompany our road locomotive. Just saying.

Steam for me and it would be SP GS 4 in black.

Mikey

I always play with diesels, but ... my favorite engine is packed away for most of the year because I only have the room to run it at Christmas time .... my Legacy Y6b.

It's a quandary. 

My default answer is my childhood 2037.

  But if that wasn't on the table I'd be running a 6 driver pre war steam switcher with all that great valve gear and rod action packed nice and tight. Like watching fancy clockwork

 If got to have a wish, and a catenary system too, I always wanted the first 3phase loco & first full electric line, Ganz's Valteleena Line, It.. Basically I want a small, loop type pantagraph, electric steeple cab like some folks used to wanted the Jawn Henry, Centapede, or Big Boy. A 2-6-2, jackshaft and rod center cab?; awsome! But even a B&O steeple on bogies would work

Steam!!!  And if it had to be only one steam locomotive, probably my main choice would be my Southern Pacific 2-8-0 "Consolidation," a real work horse in its day.

 

Steam!!!!!

MNCW posted:

CAPPilot posted:

Looks like all the curmudgeon's posts have been deleted.  Thank you!

Amen to that! 

Tom 

Double Amen. What a bunch of....well you know.

Adriatic posted:

My default answer is my childhood 2037.

  But if that wasn't on the table I'd be running a 6 driver pre war steam switcher with all that great valve gear and rod action packed nice and tight. Like watching fancy clockwork

 

Hey Adriatic, I think we must be related. You know from on and off the Forum what I think of the prewar switchers, but my wife bought me a 2037 in 1994 to bring me back into the hobby being away due to misc. life diversions...

Tom 

MattR posted:

MNCW posted:

CAPPilot posted:

Looks like all the curmudgeon's posts have been deleted.  Thank you!

Amen to that! 

Tom 

Double Amen. What a bunch of....well you know.

Sounds like it was no loss that I missed what you are referring to...

Picking one locomotive is like eating one potato chip. You can't do it. But if it were possible to pick one, I'd choose neither steam or diesel.

I'd choose a scale PRR GG1.  An unbeatable combination of power and grace like no other locomotive. 

It would be steam, my Lionel postwar 746, makes me dream of those wonderful O. Winston Link black and white photographs, a bit like stepping into the "Twilight Zone."

 

 

I'm with RSJB18, a Big Boy.

 

Rusty Traque posted:

Assuming the question relates to a model that already exists or is in production, it's arriving later this year...

If it's about ANY locomotive, then it would have to be a model of this:

Rusty

"Hey Rusty,

Is that the one that runs in Union, IL?

Chuck"

Yep. 

Rusty

That's a tough one, but if this is based on what I own now, I'd say my PWC Texas Special F3s. 

 

I am mostly a diesel sort of guy but if I had to pick only one it would be my Kline 4-6-4 tank loco.  Affordable, interesting, great runner.

So many choices! Modern super power era Steam with all the motion of the drivers and rods. Streamlined steam like the Santa Fe Blue Goose, etc. or the C&O Turbine combine some of both. F units, E units, and PA Diesels with their fantastic paint schemes. (Maybe a 5 stripe Brunswick Green GG1, though I never know which way it is heading:-) Modern Diesels with their massive look. And aren't we fortunate to have all these possibilities to chose from!

Did this scheme get us all started somewhere along the way?

I'd favor either the 726 or 736 version Berk, or the 682 turbine for steam.

For diesel it would be the 2343 and 2343c which makes an F3, A-B-A combo, or the A-A 2023 pair of yellow UP Alcos.

 

But then again I have these and more so it's a choice I rather not have to make as I enjoy them all.

 

Bogie

My 1948 2-6-4 Pacific that I received my first Christmas. Santa must have had a wonderful time with it. Still have the entire set and boxes. It runs great.

We have a lot of engines, most worth a great deal more in dollars. None compare to what this engine means.

Wow!  Very tuff question.  If I were ever in the hard place of choosing one engine ( from my existing fleet )  and running in a realistic prototype way on my layout,  I'd pick my passenger equipped B&O GP 9 ( in gray, blue, and gold livery ) because of its utilitarian use.  It virtually can execute every task on a railroad from yard switching, long distance road freight engine, and commuter & long distance passenger work.   I hope I never have to make that choice.  

 

Steam!!  Which one us problematic because there us so much to like.  If we're talking passenger power then a NYC Niagara and a PRT T1 top my list.  If we're talking freight haulers I like the classic look of 1920s power with Elesco FW heaters on the front of the smokebox with double airpumps on the pilot deck. The NYC L2a Mohawk is a classic example, but their are similar examples from other roads.  

Too many options to narrow to just one.  I like the potato chip analogy...

My K-Line Big Boy.  Here's the why in order of importance;

1) It's steam.

2) The Big Boy is my favorite locomotive.

3) It can make O27 turns.

4) It's got TMCC.

Atlas SD40s

If were in the awful position of having only one lokie on my layout, I, too, would choose a steam engine from the latter days of steam.  But it wouldn't be a Northern type or an articulated,  It would be something like a lowly 2-8-2 Mike.  Why?  Because that one engine would have to provide all services from freight, peddler freight, switching and even any passenger duties.  In my opinion, the Mike is as "universal" of an engine that you can get

Paul Fischer.

My choice would be a Shay, any type, any road name, any time.

Steam for me.

BobbyD posted:

Did this scheme get us all started somewhere along the way?

I was amazed at how many people chose "diesel" until I saw this photo. 

This might not be part of Lionel set 6-14588 (OK, probably isn't) but that's what I've got and what I would keep. 

(My Dad was VERY partial to Santa Fe diesels.) 

Why limit yourself?

Mitch

If the limit was to be one locomotive currently on my layout, it would be the Lionel Legacy Santa Fe GP7.

• It is prototypically suitable for any type of service.
• It has very good speed control.
• The sound is excellent.
• It has no operational issues.

trumptrain posted:

,  

I'd pick my passenger equipped B&O GP 9 ( in gray, blue, and gold livery ) because of its utilitarian use.  It virtually can execute every task on a railroad from yard switching, long distance road freight engine, and commuter & long distance passenger work.   I hope I never have to make that choice.  

Your choice is based on the same logic as mine, and I love it when you post photos or videos of your beautiful torpedo boat geep.

BobbyD posted:

Did this scheme get us all started somewhere along the way?

It had me from the start.  Still does.

TM Terry posted:

Reading through this thread one thing kept running through my mind. Only one locomotive for a layout???

Sure, The RR I model only had one type of locomotive at the time I model it (though they had three of them running at that time). One type suits me just fine (and I have 4 of them, including one they'd sold to the White pass & Yukon less than a year before).

If I had to choose I would definitely choose steam. I have always loved steam engines. These engines are the reason my road of choice is the Pennsylvania RR. If I had to limit myself to only one, I would probably select the versatility of a consolidation to the pure brute power of the J1, S1, T1, or Q1. A K4 Pacific might be a compromise between size and versatility. Heck, I don't want to choose. 

Steam! # 765!!

Lionel postwar steamer, 736 or 746. They make lots of noise.

Traindiesel posted:

Picking one locomotive is like eating one potato chip. You can't do it. But if it were possible to pick one, I'd choose neither steam or diesel.

I'd choose a scale PRR GG1.  An unbeatable combination of power and grace like no other locomotive. 

Funny I said that and nothing else ( GG1 ) and my post got deleted. 

Number 90 posted:

trumptrain posted:

,  

I'd pick my passenger equipped B&O GP 9 ( in gray, blue, and gold livery ) because of its utilitarian use.  It virtually can execute every task on a railroad from yard switching, long distance road freight engine, and commuter & long distance passenger work.   I hope I never have to make that choice.  

Your choice is based on the same logic as mine, and I love it when you post photos or videos of your beautiful torpedo boat geep.

Coming from you Tom ...your words mean A LOT!!  THANKS!!!  AND thanks  for your support of my posts and videos of my GP9.   It's interesting ...  when I first saw this topic, immediatley the  GP 9 popped into my head.  As I gave it more thought, while visualizing my locomotive fleet, steam, diesel, and electric, the GP 9 consistently took precedence.   I, and I assume you,  love our steamers, GG-1's, and all our diesels but the GP - 9/7 is our one answer to this question.  General Purpose locomotive.  A great idea!

This is a no-brainer for me. Steam, and it would be a J1e NYC Hudson. 

John 

No questions about it! My choice is my Lionmaster Big Boy! This is a living, breathing beast!

Steam...specifically Lionel scale K-4.......

NYC Steam. Why? Because I like it - something big, but not a large articulated. Definitely scale with a lot of detail. Smoke and accurate sounds are important....

A Hudson for sure.  With those big drivers you get a lot of action with the rods.

Dennis

Yes it is hard to beat the Lionel F3 in Santa Fe red, silver and yellow.  Trouble is I do not have one, just a repainted Marx F3 ABA set.  Still pretty good looking.

Charlie

I would prefer the Big Boy or the Triplex and my second choice the F3 Santa Fe red,silver and yellow or the GG1 Pennsylvania

My first post here!

I like anything that moves on rails.

My first train was a loop of track, a steam outline engine, a couple of freight cars and a caboose. I was between 4 and 5 years old (~1945). The engine was a (long departed) steam engine (possibly Marx, but I'm no historian). I do remember that the loop of track was mounted on a piece of plywood. My father and a couple of guys he worked with liberated the plywood from their aircraft company employer right at the end of WW-2.

I grew up appreciating all kinds of propulsion machinery. Lots of memories of steam, diesel and electric motive power.

Just starting on a new (mostly) On30 layout. First motive power will be steam. It will interchange with a standard gauge line using a single Budd Diesel car. Kind of like the NWP and the California Western RR interchange at Willits, CA, except the Cal Western segment will be narrow gauge.

Rereading the question: I would run what I have or what fits to the modeled era!!

Steam. Why? Cause I like it and it's my railroad. 

That part was easy. Now to decide which one steam engine it would be....

To the point - STEAM

Neither!

Under the wire with my B+B-B+B articulated freight motor...

Steam all the way

Steam for both grandson and myself. We both have a special place in our hearts for the Frisco 1630 at the IRM in Union, IL. My first taste of the 1630 was back in the 1970's, courtesy of Phil Hehn... haven't seen him for a long time, not sure if he still volunteers out there or not.

I honestly don't know what I would chose if I could only have/run one engine on my layout. I guess I would have to say a steam engine, since I like the look of the steam engines better running than diesels. As to what steam, I guess first choice would be NKP 765, since I have ridden behind that one, second choice would probably be the N&W J 611, since I have that one, then probably the Big Boy by MTH.

Now, if I had to choose one that my wife would want me to have, it would have to be a 19th Century Steam Engine, since that is the only kind she likes.