WITWIGO?

this post had the best replies. So it should be shared again!

Thanks to all who shared.

If I'm not building (layout), I don't allow myself to buy. I don't even look, except new catalogs. Right now I'm saving money, which is not what I should be doing. Zero progress on the layout in the last 2 months. And locomotives are my soft spot.

@Engineer-Joe posted:

I tried to limit myself

I'm just reminded of the old cartoons. Was it Daffy that said I want them all! All of them!???

And I also remember a cartoon of a woman with a goat by her side ,talking to her husband sitting in his recliner ........ " IT WAS ON SALE. " 🤑

Just remember, for each locomotive that you have, you should have at least a hundred freight/passenger cars!

I have always said about having to many engines.  “More then I need, but not as many as I want”.  Works for me.😆😀🥳🤪😊

@laz1957 posted:

I have always said about having to many engines.  “More then I need, but not as many as I want”.  Works for me.😆😀🥳🤪😊

Yep...........pretty crazy, huh !!?!!  😨🙃🤣😉

@Engineer-Joe posted:

this post had the best replies. So it should be shared again!

Thanks to all who shared.

Good idea, Joe!!

I'm looking for a support group for my caboose addiction..........I know I have over 100 brass cabooses.

BTW, Engineer Joe: "Bills" are exactly the problem!

So a lot of you guys have managed to at least pick one railroad, one scale, sometimes one time period.

Others of us, like me, are undisciplined in the best possible way. I started with HO a long time ago, branched into postwar Lionel when Dad came upon a treasure trove of the stuff for $100 (2 Bonneville wagon carloads), then Standard Gauge. Back to HO, then back to O, then back to Standard Gauge. And toying now with vintage HO. And some of it goes away with the change, but a lot of it carries forward. And now, with my 3D printers, I can make what I can't buy - in standard gauge. Four or 5 projects under way and a bunch completed (GG1, GM Aerotrain, PRR E6, K4, T1, F7's, and parts to customize others (domes, pilots, boiler fronts, trailing trucks and tender trucks). Knowing young capable CAD designers lets me get the printable models since I would never be able to have the patience to do it myself.

So the stuff keeps piling up. A small builder of standard gauge locos from the late 70's early 80's said 'I build trains to buy trains'.  I guess that's part of my motto. What does 'too much' even mean? If you like it buy it, or make it. Or both.

Have fun with it, as several have said, life is short, money in the bank is just a number.

Merry Christmas

Jim

One way to cut down buying too much stuff is to build a layout. Hmm, maybe not.  I have a smallish layout 21 x 19 and just realized the other day if I put all my rolling stock and locomotives on the rails they would occupy every inch of track!!!  Forget that idea!!  LOL

Peter

@Keystoned Ed posted:

The approach I've adopted to control my instinct to collect the alphabet of PRR Power  was to develop a roster based on a specific era, and region.  In my case it's PRR in 1952 centered around Altoona PA.  That filters out about half the imported brass PRR steam locomotives available in O scale.  As a result I've sold off a large number of locomotives including classes N1, S1, S2, Q1, HH1, and several pre-war detailed M1's and K4's.   My next filter was to develop a concept of operations for the railroad and determine what classes and number of locomotives (4 I1sa's) I'd need to execute it.  Though I've made a few exceptions  (like a K5) I've been able to trim the roster to one that won't overflow the railroad  onto shelves.  Not for everyone - but it works for me.

Ed Rappe

That is a great concept, Ed!  Well done!

I also have worked at controlling my impulse to collect all of the Pennsy steam.  I've also used the era and region as well as the layout limitations (Panhandle 1 had a max curve of O54) to restrict engine purchases.  My Panhandle 2 represents the 1952-53 time frame in the Weirton-Steubenville area.  I am approaching the absolute limits of my rather large layout, but at least I'll be able to run most of motive power.  The rest will be stored in the Staging Area - ready to run trains.

The final suggestion is:  Have a primary train(s) designated for every locomotive you own.  All of my locomotives have specific jobs (coal drag, ore drag, mixed freight, passenger, fast mail, slag train, etc.)

George

I love this thread.  

I also love the advice that Matt gave.  Solid.  Every time I think I have too many, I "rationalize" well I don't have that SPECIFIC engine.

The killer ones for me is "SALE" & "FREE SHIPPING"  Combined and I am doomed.

I am going to try something this year that I tried last year.  I am going to attempt to run every engine I own between today and next Sunday January 3.  Last year when I did this I got stuck on an MTH PS3 UP engine that I could not get to read or respond to anything, and my OCD allowed that to take on a life of it's own.  I was going shelf by shelf, and this year I am going to try it road name by road name.

I actually lost track of the number of engines I own now, but this will be a good way to count.  I know with Covid, I purchased several.

I will also take some videos and post them on my YouTube channel.

So let's get it started with my recent acquisition of a NYC MTH Premier F3 and the others that are currently on the track, which will include CTA, Conrail and DT&I.

This should be a lot of fun!!!!

John

I live in PA and model the Pennsy, so I keep all my engines to Pennsy and rolling stock to railroads which were headquartered in PA with a few exceptions.  This way I keep things manageable.   The only rolling stock not from a PA based railroad are the club cars we put out and a piece of rolling stock from favorite railroads which were the favorite of or modeled by friends who have passed on.  I also own some billboard reefers from La based companies as my wife is from there.

-Greg

I got back into trains about 5 years ago now when I finally cleared some real estate to build a small layout.

The buying bug quickly bit and didn't stop until I had over 40 engines and more rolling stock than I can use.

Regrets? What are those????

I have slowed down recently and have limited future purchases to lines I run.

Bob

@AGHRMatt posted:

Originally Posted by 86TA355SR:

Originally Posted by AGHRMatt:

....My advice is to tightly narrow your focus to one primary and one secondary road. That will be the only thing that saves you.

I failed miserably at that theory, Matt!

UP steamers keep calling my name and I can't resist.  Last count was over 30, no need to know the actual number!

And, I ordered more!  Not to count a 2R model.  Or the scratch build I'm working on...

Face it fellas, I got a problem!  And, I love it!

I used to spend all my money on cigars and whisky, the rest I just wasted..

Sadly, I too must join the ranks of those who failed and/or are heading in the wrong direction here. Since this thread started last year, I've added several more locomotives and rolling stock items to the stable, though I've gotten rid of a few, but I have a few more items on order. I did start on a personal switching layout which will in and of itself consume even more space.

The guys at the club are starting to wonder about me as every new item has scale wheels and Kadees. Oh well.

So In other words Matt, you finally got off the "isle of denial"?

For me and my collection, I'm still "holding back the floodwaters". Im still trying to stick to my 1998 max time frame (abeit fissures are exposing themselves)

I have avoided:

tank cars with conspicuity striping

Any BNSF without the "circle cross" logo

Any 53ft trailers with windskirts.

My biggest issue is the 1:50 scale tractor trailers to complete scenes. Barely anything from the 1960-1980 exist in 1:50 scale. Iys either current or 1930-1950. I see 1:43 scale making some inroads with New Ray, ixo, and Neo but its really tough!

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

So In other words Matt, you finally got off the "isle of denial"?

I didn't leave voluntarily. I was unceremoniously kicked off due to my addiction to SD70ACe diesels that caused me to buy a couple of BNSF "Swoosh" diesels (with scale wheels, of course).