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Is there a particular engine, train car, accessory or other model railroad item that you cannot resist if you see it for sale at a train show, LHS or on the Internet?

If so, tell us what it is.

For me, well, I confess I have three Postwar Lionel #736 Berkshire steam locomotives. This Lionel classic is also known as Big Berk. Now, I can see having two of something so you have a back up to run in case one needs to be repaired, or having an extra for parts, but to have three of something, that's a little crazy IMO.

On the other hand, being a little crazy, that is one of the things that make this hobby so much fun.

Here is one of my three Big Berks:

This irresistibility reminds me of the Sirens in the epic,  The Oddysey. The Sirens were so irresistible that sailors had to be tied to the masts of their sailing ships to keep from diving into the water where the irresistible Sirens would devour them.

I guess Big Berk is my model raiilroading Siren, sans the devouring. LOL

Is their something in your train collection that is irresistible?

Arnold

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Any piece of rolling stock that represents a business in the states of Pa or La.  I live in Pa and model the Pennsy and my wife is from La with most of her relatives residing in New Orleans, Metairie, and Baton Rouge.  Mostly these are billboard reefers and the occasional tank car, hopper or milk car.

And of course, I get all our club cars!

-Greg

Last edited by Greg Houser

It dawns on me (before dawn), after reviewing the above replies, that there are several items I find irresistible. Also, whatever reeks of quality has the potential of becoming an addiction to the collector in me.

Big Berks reek of quality.

So does the Postwar Lionel coal dump car. I have 8 of them.

So do Lionel Postwar Sunoco oil tanker cars. I have 10 of them.

This train combines both coal dump and oil tanker cars:

Arnold

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I'm a sucker for local roads, but I don't think that I have two identical of anything (different numbers make them different...right?)

My Dad was at one point a casual collector. He was into 3472 milk cars and Lehigh Valley 2 bay hoppers. When he stopped he had operating milk cars, several non-operating ones, and countless hoppers. My goal on my next layout is to have a platform for them to unload on, and assemble them all into a train and unload them for him. That doesn't sound too challenging until you think of trying to get all 11 to work correctly and not drop cans under the cars!

I only have one 736 Berk, but almost every time I go to a train meet, I seem to pick up a Lionel 6456/6476 LV hopper.  They are ubiquitous and they can usually be had for $10-$15.  With the PW trucks, they don’t track well on my layout so I install MTH trucks.  I also make a coal load.  I have over a dozen of them.

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Since I collect only postwar and specifically (with a few exceptions to nearby years) 1952 year only (to limit my proclivities!), i have two irresistibled: four pacifics...my original first engine 2025, another just like it given as a gift, liked those so much bought a 675 version...and finally to see how much different it would be bought a 1947 Baldwin 675.  Have the last one in tear down mode but have reassembled the motor and repaired E-unit and it is made with nicer bearings and gears and in testing seems really smooth. The first two are given/promised to grandchildren.    

I agree completely about the Berkshires but I will stop with my one 726rr.

Also have four 3474 Western Pacific Box Cars just because I like the livery so much.

Hello, since I call my model railroad the little Boston & Maine, all my passenger cars and MOW cars are B&M, all but one (MEC) locomotives are B&M, and all freight cars are from New England RRs and businesses. However, since I try to stay in the steam/diesel era and I have run out of storage room, the two B&M locomotives in the 2021 catalog are not on my wish list.

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