Reasons for train purchases.

For me, how the piece looks is the determining factor. Color is very important to this equation. Like you, road names are not the determining factor.

 

I am probably just the diametric opposite to yourself (to each his own).  I live in the

past, do not care for nor pay much attention to modern railroading, model one particular region, although I am interested in historical steam railroading across the

nation, from Maine Two Foot to the California Western. Closest interest to diesels is

gas electrics.  I just want freight cars that most commonly ran in my modeled region,

for the specific industries of that region.  There was a thread on themes some time

ago, and I buy, and now it is not much, for little is available, but to fit my theme.  If I can't buy the shortline and oddball stuff I like, I try to build it. (If not, no problem...I can build structures until the cows come home)  I like aluminum cars, but they would not have been found on the short line I am trying to model.  And I want real operation, point to point.  Pick up cars at the junction drop them here and there on the way, deliver the balance to the terminal.  Make that train up, come back to the junction.  All short trains with relatively small engines.

When my layout was planned, it was built to run primarily the fallen flag Eastern routes of the 1940's and 1950's; PRR, NYC, Reading, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, & CNJ. That's how my buying has manifested itself over the years. Now that the layout is 95% complete (with four loops running), the train buying is near complete, but there never seems to be an end to the scenery and odd pieces needed to improve it. No matter how you slice it, this hobby still costs a few thousand each and every year.  

I have mostly postwar and postwar style trains, so my collection is destined to be a hodge-podge of roadnames.  That being said, modern purchases (more when k-line was around) were all PRR.  My dad and I were in the KCC, and they offered a good amount of PRR, so that's what we focused on.  My recent purchases have focused around realizing that I'm out of college and have a job with a steady income, so I can finally buy some of those trains and accessories I spent hours circling catalogs for   So recently it's been a bit of whatever catches my eye

I seem to like older stuff about 2008-2010 for some reason. The offerings of those years just appeal to me more than many of the current offerings. Much of my motivation is nostalgia for family trips of the late 50s and early 60s.  In that sense there is no specific prototype, although I generally stick to northeast lines with a few exceptions. It may just be the lines I grew up reading about in second-hand copies of Railroad Magazine my dad brought home. The reality is that I don't have the space for scale curves so I stick to smaller than scale models for the most part.

As I've stated before, there's no rhyme or reason with my purchases. If I like it I buy it. I also purchase multiple cars when buying.

I like how the engine or cars look. I like detail and also the rarity factor   I love hunting for the right car it's a thrill for me

When I first revisited the hobby as an adult modeler, I bought what looked good. I ended with a large collection of a lot of different road name and erra trains. Then MTH was starting and they started producing affordable scale steam engines. I have always loved steam and wanted to own scale models. I sold most of my collection and used the money to purchase some small scale steam engines and rolling stock. I decided that I would specialize in one road name in order to limit my purchases. (Boy - was I wrong. ) I chose the Pennsylvania RR since my interest was primarily in steam and early diesel and the PRR was the Standard of the World in that era. I allowed myself to purchase some non Pennsy stand alone sets that caught my eye - Primarily Passenger since these tend to stand alone and there is no temptation to add pieces. 

I now have over 60 engines and I don't know how much rolling stock. I own mostly Pennsy but I also have a logging train with a Shay, Passenger trains featuring N&W J, UP Challenger, GN E-8s, Pere Marquette E8s, Chessy Steam Special T-1, Circus Train, Amtrak, LIRR and some others. I also have a Warner Brothers Set, a NY Yankees set and some assorted Beeps, Beefs, Dockside Switchers etc. Now my main problem is room for storage.  It's a great hobby that provides years of enjoyment no matter what you are mainly interested in. 

My interests are similar to Dennis in that I prefer fallen flag railroads.  My original thinking was to focus on fallen flag carriers that operated in Pennsylvania.  I adhered to that for the first 4 or 5 years I was back in the hobby but, have deviated from that over the last 20 years and now include carriers from the northeast, southeast and midwest in the mix.  I've done this because a particular paint scheme I've seen; a book I've read; a painting I've seen or a video I've watched have piqued an interest in a particular railroad which leads to a purchase.

 

And it never stops with just an engine, of course.  In much the same insidious manner that a new comforter can lead to new bedroom furniture, new carpet and new paint, the new engine requires a caboose and then I'll focus on adding enough home road rolling stock to make a respectable showing on weeks I run a particular railroad on my layout.

 

Curt

I have to separate between how I rationalize train purchases and the real reason I buy them.

I rationalize the purchases by believing it keeps my 92 yo mother engaged by providing an ever changing operational environment with a variety of different trains she’s expressed an interest in.

The real reason is because I can and I think the ones I choose are pretty cool.

When Dad was still with us the trains we bought were determined by road names and genealogical connection. Usually an ancestor or family member either worked for the rail line or traveled it extensively. Since Dad has passed, our purchases are more driven by sparkle and color.

Nostalgia! That's it for me, pure and simple.

 

As a kid, I had Lionel. Not much made back then that I could see around my neck of the woods. Mostly"Lionel Lines" or the big US roads.

 

Now, I am a sucker for what ran in my own backyard! I will buy locomotives that I actually road behind or saw in my own locality with relish! That makes it mostly CP for me. Late steam and early diesel.

 

I was very tempted buy the VL Big Boy. I aways was attracted to the brawn of US "Big Steam." And it's a fantastic looking and sounding model on the videos! And I've seen and touched 4012 at Steamtown. But I desisted and reserved my pennies for the stuff I actually saw as a youngster.

 

I get a kick out of being able to look up the actual prototypes on the 'net too. Sometimes, photographed in locations I haunted. I really wish I had recorded loco numbers!

 

Now, if I could just find CP's E8 in Beaver Crest/ Tuscan red livery, I'd be happy loco-wise. Not the hideous Pac-Man Multimark paint scheme CP defaced them with and MTH offered in their 2010 catalog. That's not "my" CP1800! It was the first diesel I ever saw. I took a picture of her as she glided to a halt at Montreal West station in 1955 or 56 at the head end of The Canadian. Unlike her later years, when she was grubby-looking, she was only 6 years old, clean, shiny, and huge, throbbing with power! While I am an inveterate steamer enthusiast, having CP's 1800 roll in beside me was a "railroad epiphany" for me as a boy!

 

Weaver offered it but I don't know in what year. Quite some time ago I think.

 

So that's it for me. Reverting to childhood!

Likewise!  

It is all about Chemistry...When we see something through our eyes, light is converted to an electrical signal where the brain processes this info and converts it into several chemicals that are then stored in memory cells....When you see a train, your brain recalls these chemicals, some are pleasant some may not be so pleasant. So when we see a train, it generally "feels good" to most o us but in very different way to each of us. This is why I may like a cab forward with the Daylight paint scheme where some one else just hates it. Of course one can also adjust his feelings and thoughts to like/dislike anything related to trains.

 

I did not really see many steam engines growing up, yet when I see them, full size or models, it makes me very happy and it sends good signals to the brain. For me, I model trains, mostly Steam,  because I like their looks, sounds and all the moving rods...My son who saw his first steam engine, an LGB #2080S 2-6-2 tank engine, just fell in love with it and now he likes model trains too...So its all about the "pleasant brain chemicals" that makes us love this hobby......

 

So, enjoy the brain Chemistry

 

BTW; Every thing Bob S said is also true for me!

For the most part we are ALL "train junkies" 

 

 

Face it... Every "junkie" need his fix. 

 

 

I like way more of them than I can afford or have room for, so I went with the road name of the rail road near our home that I see all the time. I stuck with diesels only because most of the steamers are above my price comfort zone for the cost of one engine and I didn't want to (and probably couldn't afford to) take up the whole basement with large diameter curves and a layout. I limited my layout to o-63 maximum curves. However, I am still managing to accumulate way too many of these things.  

 

I also consider them toys for me and my grandson to enjoy. I am not a collector, it's all for fun and something to do in retirement that isn't physically demanding (can't do what I used to be able to do). I am probably somewhere between a toy train operator and a modeler, where ever that is. I like the operating accessories and some actual realistic detail. I am prototypically challenged so the number of rivets does not matter as I don't know how many they are supposed to have in the first place?

 

I like the new command control systems, that was a big attraction in getting me back into the hobby, among several other things like the detail of the trains, the sounds, other peoples layouts I had seen, etc. I really no longer have any desire for anything that is conventional only operation. I also like the tinplate trains and if I ever get caught up with the modern stuff, I hope to get some someday. Probably not a lot, but sure would like a couple of them just to get out and run once in a while. Gives me something to look forward to, as if there wasn't enough already...

Sam:  You should change your name to MISTER SCIENCE!  Thanks for the endorphins.

 

and I can quit anytime. 

My reasons are much like Terry Danks.  I collect the trains that were part of my childhood.  My parent's business was on the ATSF, so I have a lot of Santa Fe locos and rolling stock (~1950s to 1970s).  One of my grandmothers lived right beside the FW&D, so I have high nose red or black SD9 locos and CBQ, CS, FWD rolling stock.  I am looking forward to the day when a good representation of an EMD E-5 ever materializes, so I can start collecting a Texas Zephyr. (a real E-5 blowing past you at mainline speed will make you a "changed person").  Another grandmother lived near the Frisco, so I am starting the difficult task of putting together a QLA, CTB type train.

     Instead of all these words, I could have said briefly; the reason for what I purchase is to recreate my childhood...(when railroads possessed infinite variety and mystique).

Primarily steam era N&W and the fallen flags that made it up. Occasionally I act like a large mouth bass and just get it "because".

 

Gilly

I grew up around the B&M and the New Haven in the 60's.  My faves are the McGinnis "bluebirds" and the NH orange/white/black McGinnis livery.  So I collect the steam/diesel transition era equipment with rolling stock primarily from the other New England connecting roads.

 

And yes, when a package shows up on the doorstep, my wife hears, "but honey, it's only one more train". 

Because I don't have one!

If I like it, I buy it, so long as I can run it.  So, while I do not have a VL Big Boy, I do have the Lionmaster Challenger and if a big boy Lionmaster comes out, I'm sure I'll get one.  I have a slew of cars that make up a train called "things I like".  Consists of Tabasco, Sam Adams, TastyKake, President Lincoln etc. etc.  You get the idea.

A man after my own heart.  I once had a beer train, a food train, and an all-caboose-train.  Things I liked at a moment in time.  

I have fairly strict rules for choosing what to buy.

• It has to have operated locally

• It has to be modern, 1970's and later (no roof walks on boxcars)

This doesn't prevent me from having steam engines, I have a few, but I'm not really into steam anyway

Hmmm...wonder if I could work a deal with the UPS man to just leave the packages in the egress window? Then I could just retrieve them from the basement un-detected and all would be well.

One must be vigilant.  Always remain in "stealth" mode.  My wife is like Sherlock Holmes.  She can smell a train while it's still in the UPS truck.  

Bob,

   My favorite O Gauge trains are mostly Tin Plate Lionel originals or MTH Tin Plate Reproductions, road names mean little to my Child like Christmas layouts, colors however can determine whether I purchase some of my trains.   I have a Christmas Box Car train with all kinds of different colored Christmas box Cars, unfortunately I have not found a Tin Plate Christmas Train that really catches my eye.  Have been looking for an old #7 Tin Plate Christmas Train for a long time.  WBB had a modern #7 Christmas Train, that I just missed picking up, at a steal of a price, AMCDave was lucky enough to get one of these beauties.  To me our Christmas trains are part of our family tradition, they should be kept child like and colorful.

PCRR/Dave 

If it appeared in any American Flyer catalog  -  I collect it.

If it is a variation of something that appeared in an American Flyer catalog -  I collect it.

If it can be documented that it was made by American Flyer whether it appeared in a catalog or not  -  I collect it.

 

I also have a smattering of trains from the pre war era from other manufacturers that provides a comparison to what American Flyer made.  I use these in educational presentations.

 

If it is American Flyer Narrow Gauge (O gauge) and made before 1942 it makes an appearance on my layout at some point in time.  All automobiles and advertising that appear on the layout are limited by being representatives of something that was in existence by 1942.  Most, but not all, buildings and accessories are were made by American Flyer.

 

There seems to be a theme here.

 

Greg

Dave:  Last year, Lionel Corporate catalog showed a RED Comet O gauge train.  Three passenger cars were offered.  I thought it would go great with red/white 710 passengers.  The 710's were available, but the engine/tender was cancelled.  Much to my disappointment, because I had begun to purchase the 710's.  Hopefully, someday, before I travel on my final journey, they will again be offered, and I will be able to snag a set.  

 

Bob

I have a couple of reasons -

 

I, like probably so many of you buy what I remember  seeing in the catalogs when I was a kid or stuff my Uncle had that we didn't.   When I was a kid I remember all those cool MPC catalogs with the Alton set, the UP F3s, etc. and looking through my Pop's postwar catalogs at all those cool sets.   We couldn't afford them back when I was a kid, so my goal is to get all the stuff I wanted as a kid. Almost there w/ postwar & still have some ways to go w/ MPC but not sure if I'll even have room to get it all

 

Another reason would be my kids, mainly my daughter. ( My son is too young yet). My daughter likes sea related stuff, so I recently picked up 4 MTH aquarium cars for her of her fave sea creatures - Lobsters, Crabs, Seahorses & Sharks.  She also loves the NKP for some reason, so I got a NKP Berks & the GP7 diesels for her. 

 

third reason would be my favorite railroads growing up - Conrail, PRR, CNJ.  I lived along these lines & feel like I have a connection to them, so I like stuff from those roads. 

 

Final reason would be some connection to it - having lived in NJ for many years, I had to get a NJ transit set  & having gone to school in PA, I bought the Penn State boxcar & some other PA related stuff.  

For me engines have to be related to my main railroads or the fallen flags of those railroads.  I want my engines to remind me of something I have seen and loved and help complete a vision that I have for my layout.  I'm not a rivet counter, but I do appreciate as much realism as my talents and budget will allow.  The scenes are what is important to me.  The "stage" if you will that my little "railroad drama" plays out on.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking with it. 

 

Art

Art:  always stick to your story.  Under cross examination, you'll hold up.  

Definitely stealth mode. The sense of smell must be a female trait? My wife can also tell the new from the existing rolling stock. (I didn't think she knew one from the other?)  I have recently been trying to explain this to my grandson. He was over a while back and he knows I have some new rolling stock stashed under the layout. He wanted to get some out so I said OK. (He gets around under the layout like a monkey, I do not, have to roll around on a stool) On the next visit he wanted to get more out. I had to explain to him that after the last visit, Grandma doesn't like to see a LOT of new cars on the train layout all at one time. She only kikes to see one or two at a time on there, so we have to be careful what we get out.

My three sons NEVER got away with anything.  To this day, they are able to fool or confuse me, but never their Mom.  And, unfortunately, neither am I.

I tend to cluster around these:

 

New York Central

New Haven

Penn Central

Conrail

New York Ontario & Western

Pennsylvania

 

.....and how could I forget: Lionel Lines?

 

Peter

Peter:  I think many of us started with good ole Lionel Lines.  I still have some, and relish it.  Bob S.

 

For me, it's about what I really like and a particular era. I love steam. I have little to no interest in diesel or electric. Being from and living in Maryland, I'm fascinated with the fallen flags from our great state - particularly the Western Maryland and the B&O. My purchases reflect this. Almost everything I own is Western Maryland, with a decent amount of B&O mixed in, and a little diversity of rolling stock from other fallen flags of that era - PRR, NYC, NPR, Reading, C&O (late 40's/early 50's). I think that's the great thing about our hobby - it has wide appeal and there is room for different tastes.