What Railroad....

Jack Swan5010 posted:

I am starting to build a large layout, but I need trains first.

REALLY????   You don't think you should start with a plan, i.e. a TRACK plan first, in order to fit the space you will be aloted?

 I love SD40-2s and I would like to start an o scale fleet of them, but I can't think of a road name.  My layout will be based from 1970 to now, and will have scenes from all over the country.  I will hopefully be getting Lionel and Atlas O models.  Suggestions?

"Ah ha"  I'm another person fond of SD-40-2. I have six of them all powered all different numbers. Since I like SD-40-2 and long trains, with large locomotive consist's, I went with Union Pacific.  

BN

Jack...good luck with whatever you decide and HOW EVER YOU DECIDE TO DO IT....i go with BN...all the best...joe

"1970 until now". That is nearly 50 years; perhaps a little more focused; 50 years is pretty much no focus at all.

The SD40's are still around, though not in mainline service like they used to be on larger systems. I see them used as heavy switchers around here on CSX.

As diesels go, I like SD40's (Dash or no Dash) also. Weaver offered a tough-as-nails version for some years, often available at reasonable prices, and easily upgradeable to TMCC(ERR) command.

I would recommend searching for "SD40-2" on RailPictures and just cruising the photos for who had/has them; also Wikipedia.

Again, you might enjoy the experience more if you focus your era (the focus can be part of the enjoyment); no more than 20 years, certainly. 

D500 posted:

"1970 until now". That is nearly 50 years; perhaps a little more focused; 50 years is pretty much no focus at all.

Good point. Plus, the EMD "Dash-2" of locomotives didn't come out until 1972, anyway.

 

Jack Swan5010 posted:

I am starting to build a large layout, but I need trains first.  I love SD40-2s and I would like to start an o scale fleet of them, but I can't think of a road name.  My layout will be based from 1970 to now, and will have scenes from all over the country.  I will hopefully be getting Lionel and Atlas O models.  Suggestions?

It's your railroad, and do whatever is fun to you, but ....there is no particular railroad that served all over the country.

Even though different railroads often share their locomotives with other railroads, you're most likely to see different roadname locomotives from the same region of the country.

So, maybe narrow it down, and choose a railroad on one side of the country? Eastern or western railroads? And, stick to that region?

If you choose the east, you could have SD40-2's from Conrail, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National .... and you just pick a favorite for your home railroad.

As far as starting to buy locomotives before you actually have a layout, or layout plan .... lots of people do it! For various reasons. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Have fun.

Consider Soo Line: bright colors

Kansas City Southern

Missouri-Kansas-Texas

Santa Fe

Canadian Pacific

Doesn't Lionel have a RJ Corman SD40T-2 in its latest catalog? Nice bright red.

To try to answer a comments:   I am more focused on 1980-2000.  My layout will highlight areas west of the Mississippi, but I am not restricting myself to western railroads, so anything goes.  I am doing this to get a look at the SD40 market and to see generally what the community likes.  My layout will roughly be 18x30 feet, and I do have a design.

Just to clarify, I live in NY, but I will be modeling the Rocky Mountains. All rrs work

Hi Jack,     Buy and build whatever floats YOUR boat! Enjoy the hobby as a hobby, not everyone has to have scale items and not everyone has to have a specific era. I run modern diesels with steam era locos. . I run what I like and you should enjoy whatever you like. I too live in NY. I'm on Long Island, if you are nearby come to the Railroad Museum of Long Island and see our large layout.   Lenny

Jack Swan5010 posted:

 I am doing this to get a look at the SD40 market and to see generally what the community likes.  

Please remember to be specific between the "SD40" and the "SD40-2" models, as they are quite different.

UP, SP, ATSF, MKT, KCS, etc

Lenny J posted:

Hi Jack,     Buy and build whatever floats YOUR boat! Enjoy the hobby as a hobby, not everyone has to have scale items and not everyone has to have a specific era. I run modern diesels with steam era locos. . I run what I like and you should enjoy whatever you like. I too live in NY. I'm on Long Island, if you are nearby come to the Railroad Museum of Long Island and see our large layout.   Lenny

I will!

SD40-2, I think? Other than trucks, whats the difference?

For my SD40's I have BN, GT, SF (preorder)

BN and BNSF. Oh and I do have a Norfolk Southern.  

The SD40-2's frame is about 3 feet longer than the SD40's frame (3/4" O-scale). An easily trained eye can notice the longer rear porch of the SD40-2. 

You could argue that most modelers might consider the differences negligible. Each modeler must decide their level of fidelity to prototype.

Conrail loved their SD40's and SD40-2's. You gotta love that bright blue and white paint scheme.. and those red marker lights!

TM Terry posted:

The SD40-2's frame is about 3 feet longer than the SD40's frame (3/4" O-scale). An easily trained eye can notice the longer rear porch of the SD40-2. 

You could argue that most modelers might consider the differences negligible. Each modeler must decide their level of fidelity to prototype.

Oh, ok.  I knew there must be a difference.  I like the SD40-2s a little more, so that would probably be my focus.

Thank you for all the replies!

How fun! I was going to suggest modeling your local area but 'out west' sounds great. I suggest consideration of the Union Pacific - there's a lot out there - though with 'trackage rights,' you can really run anything!

I am partial to the BN SD40-2 locomotives, because they were the workhorse of the BN for decades. I never got tired of seeing them. Plus, BN was a great mostly (but not exclusively) western road.

Hi Jack,

I would go with Conrail & NS

Also, consider lease units - they look good anywhere

I have decided I will start with some NS SD40-2s.  Some BN will come soon too!  Also, should there be and Official SD40/40-2 thread?  Let me know!

Jack Swan5010 posted:

  Also, should there be and Official SD40/40-2 thread?  Let me know!

Only if the O-scale manufacturers offer AWVR #1206. 

TM Terry posted:

Jack Swan5010 posted:

  Also, should there be and Official SD40/40-2 thread?  Let me know!

Only if the O-scale manufacturers offer AWVR #1206. 

Hahaha!