Is it important to you to have unique numbers on all your cars?

When possible, I do seek out unique numbered cars.  If I can only find one road number, then I have no problem purchasing multiple cars with the same number.  In fact, I just pre-ordered five of the Lionel PS-4 flats with piggyback trailers in Lionel Lines...all with the same number.  My Tropicana Juice Train has a few repeat car numbers.

I try to have different numbers whenever possible.   It's my OCD rearing it's ugly head. 

-Greg

I prefer different car numbers, but it doesn't bother me overly much if I have a few of the same road number.  I'll get around to renumbering them someday.

Yes, but it won't kill me if I have a dupe or two in the train.

If you are going to be concerned about those kinds of details, maybe you should go two-rail ... ? 

No…I’m not that fussy with my Rolling Stock, but, Engines would be a different story.


K.C.

2 Rail yes, 3 Rail no. First case I'm looking for realism, second case not.

 

Simon

not important.

Ill have many of the same cars

all the same numbers.

Run em fast and furious!!

 For Legacy/TMCC engines I use the first two digits of the engine number for remote ID #. As far as freight cars, it would be nice to have 10 Milwaukee Road PS-1 boxcars with 10 different numbers but it's not necessary.

Yes very

 

I am doing realistic movements using a basic car/card system.  

It is, but I haven't done anything about the existing fleet to this point.  There are too many other higher priority items demanding my attention.

 

I certainly want all my engines to have different numbers, and in fact, I want the engines to be numbered accurately - with those numbers that actually ran on the Panhandle.  I'm fortunate in that Lionel's M1a #6759 actually did - no renumbering required.  But the others, K4s, B6sb, L1s will have to be changed.

 

As for cars?  Hmmm, maybe.  I certainly buy cabin cars with unique numbers already.  I have some H21a's and H22's with unique numbers.  Other cars will need to be renumbered.  Again, this is a much lower priority for me.

 

George

There are more people using the car card system for realistic operating sessions than I would have thought in 3-rail.  I know it is big in 2-rail.  It seems like the electro couplers on engines and uncoupling tracks for cars would facilitate operations.  I hope to find out soon.

 

Art 

Chugman;

That is why I keep requesting a DCS module to add to most cars:

It only needs a settable ID # and a protocoupler.

Use the totally ignored AUX button and it should give us at least 99 valid ID's.

This would allow you to make any car uncouple anywhere on the layout.

Awesome for operations and lots of sidings.

One of my favorite trains to run is the postwar ABA Santa Fe with 2343. (Both engines labeled 2343?)  Then about 8 or 10 2530/1/2/3/4 series passenger cars with not only the same numbers, but the same names!  So, in no way does it bother me.

Not at all important.  Trains are for running.  Besides, with two cataract operations on the horizon, car numbers are, well, ....rather blurry. 

 

Come to think of it, I never look at car numbers while waiting for a 1:1 passing train at a grade crossing, either.

 

Several of our (LHS) customers are really into the operations 'thing'.  They're all HO modelers.  At my age and with my sight, having to read HO car numbers for a night of 'operations' would be akin to model railroad water-boarding.   UNCLE!

 

The topic reminds me of a York meet several years ago.  My wife, also very much into the hobby and it's idiosyncrosies, encountered a vendor selling coffee mugs painted in different logos, etc..  Knowing my interest in Santa Fe she spied a mug decorated like the side of an old Santa Fe refrigerator car, which included the car number.  She said to the very talkative and bubbly vendor, "This is really nice!  But, do you have any others in different car numbers to make a set?" (She wasn't serious, of course.)  I thought the guy was going to split a gut laughing at the idea.  I remember he gave her a nice discount for the humor!

 

I like some form of unique ID for operations.  Placing the first available boxcar on a siding isn't the same as placing a particular boxcar.  It gives the conductor (me) something to yell about to the yardmaster (also me).  Now unique ID can be nothing more than NH versus NYC.

 

Jan

 

 

Russell - That is an interesting suggestion.  I wonder if there is any chance of it happening?

 

dkdkrd - I can relate to the failing eyesight problem, but maybe we can associate ourselves with younger conductors and be engineers?  Let them read the car numbers and decide where they need to go?

 

Your wife's comments on the mugs is pretty funny.

 

Art

No it is not, When trains are running I don't stop to look at the car numbers. I am enjoying running my trains and if I have 5 tank cars with the same number who cares!  My trains and layout are for enjoyment I do not count rivers either.

Rich in NH

 

I wonder how many rivers you actually have on your layout?

If you have more than one, does that mean you are not a main-stream modeler?