Model Railroading > How many cars ya got circa 2014

Yup, its a call out thread...once again, how many cars ya got on your layout? And please, try to include pics from your layout populated with those cars, and last but not least, the size of your layout....yes, you too Bruce....LOL...

Pictures of the collection please....thanks!!

Current era. Central Pennsylvania local. Interesting seldom modeled industries in that area. Pics are in the because trains thread. 40 locomotives in active service. 200 plus freight cars. 100 of them covered hoppers. 6 x 14 currently but going to be at least doubling in size in about 2 months.

Wow! Penn-Central in 2014?

There is a weird dichotomy in model railroading. MFGs love to make the newest locos, but contemporary freight cars are quite rare. Particularly bad in N Scale.

Scott Schifer
Torrance, CA
TinyTrains Website

Shogun Wrote:
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> Pictures of the collection please....thanks!!


Show us yours first Mr. Sho!

P5r24

tinytrains Wrote:
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> Wow! Penn-Central in 2014?
>
> There is a weird dichotomy in model railroading.
> MFGs love to make the newest locos, but
> contemporary freight cars are quite rare.
> Particularly bad in N Scale.

I just ordered a PC loco to bring some of my NH fleet into the future (although shortlived) I already have 1 Conrail,

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

You asked for this to be a "call out thread" so here goes. Sorry if I brutally offend some of you. I love Trainorders for the latest gossip, the helpful hints, latest opinions on new products and pictures of nicely-done models. What I don't understand, however, is why anyone would care how many cars I own. That's personal information and I don't feel like bragging (and don't really care how many cars you-all have either). Really, what is constructive about this?? Yes, I know I don't have to read this type of thread, but how can I avoid it when it's right there when I do my daily scan. And no, it's not "sour grapes" with me because I have 50+ years of freight and passenger cars in my collection, so I'm not jealous, just bewildered!

I'll Brag....toooo many to count!

cabman Wrote:
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> You asked for this to be a "call out thread" so
> here goes. Sorry if I brutally offend some of
> you. I love Trainorders for the latest gossip,
> the helpful hints, latest opinions on new products
> and pictures of nicely-done models. What I don't
> understand, however, is why anyone would care how
> many cars I own. That's personal information and
> I don't feel like bragging (and don't really care
> how many cars you-all have either). Really, what
> is constructive about this?? Yes, I know I don't
> have to read this type of thread, but how can I
> avoid it when it's right there when I do my daily
> scan. And no, it's not "sour grapes" with me
> because I have 50+ years of freight and passenger
> cars in my collection, so I'm not jealous, just
> bewildered!

Well, since you asked, Mr. Douglas Downer, here's the answer. I switched from N scale to HO about two years ago, and am rebuilding my rolling stock to a level that will allow me to start the layout. So the reason I asked how many cars is not because I or we truly care, but because I am trying to gauge how many I need...plus, it's always fun to see what everyone has and is running....you know, you really didn't need to comment, you could have just gone to another string and left it at that.

P5r24 Wrote:
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> Shogun Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Pictures of the collection please....thanks!!
>
>
> Show us yours first Mr. Sho!
>
> P5r24

Well, it aint much....this is a little less than half of what I have gotten so far....about 100 or so cars here...I have only been redoing my collection since February of last year...but am at nearly 300 cars and counting...but I need two to three times this amount to do it right...and about 50 engines....

---

Over 1500 freight cars, 450 passenger.... And that's built ready to run. No telling how many kits I have.

Brian Ehni

Even though I have a large collection that involves dozens of locomotives and hundreds of railcars, I'm starting to view things more in light of quality than quantity. It doesn't matter how many cars you have if most are substandard and have issues that makes them unreliable. Many people that I see that bring their trains to the various clubs that I've been to can't even get around a layout without a derailment or other issues. It goes to show they have not put any time or effort into their equipment to make sure it runs reliably. Anymore I'm buy fewer and fewer cars, and putting effort into upgrading the cars I already have. It's highly important that the cars meet critical standards of kadee couplers, metal free rolling wheelsets, coupler height, trip pin height, coupler swing and centering, truck swing and rocking limits, car weight. Trust me, reliable equipment greatly affects your enjoyment of the hobby. Far too often I've seen people with unreliable equipment go home in disgust.

Another factor in your fleet of equipment is more subjective, but can be a big factor in how others view your trains. I believe most people simply buy what they like, their favorite railroads and some cars that catch their eyes. This is perfectly fine, and I don't have any problem with that. But when I see a train of mismatched cars that really have no rhyme or reason, then it only rates a passing look and on to the next train or scene. On the other hand if I see a train made up of prototypical equipment set to a specific timeframe, a train that truly is a scale model of trains that once ran, then it literally commands much more attention. Then I'm looking at every engine and car that passes greatly admiring the time and research put into such a train. When I put a train together and explain to people what train train it's a model of and when it ran, people really look close at the train and start asking questions, learning a lot in the process.

As a life long model railroader, I strongly urge quality over quantity, and the sooner you learn that, the better. You will enjoy the hobby so much more!!!

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Answer, too many to count, too many to post. (especially considering the locomotive count is in the 250-300 range)

But if you want to get an idea, many of them are posted within the numerous galleries on my pBase site...

http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/ho_freight_cars
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_action
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_model_photos
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_roster
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_stuff
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_model_photos
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/misc_pix
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_action
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_model_photos
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/cn_models
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/amtrak_chief
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2007
http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2008

Or simply browse the Trainorders image archives, roughly 10 years worth of image uploads of much of my work can be found right here.
http://www.trainorders.com/images2/index.php?category=3&search=MrMRL&author=on

Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
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> Answer, too many to count, too many to post.
> (especially considering the locomotive count is in
> the 250-300 range)
>
> But if you want to get an idea, many of them are
> posted within the numerous galleries on my pBase
> site...
>
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/ho_freight_cars
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_action
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_roster
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_stuff
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/misc_pix
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_action
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/cn_models
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/amtrak_chief
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2007
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2008
>
> Or simply browse the Trainorders image archives,
> roughly 10 years worth of image uploads of much of
> my work can be found right here.
> http://www.trainorders.com/images2/index.php?categ
> ory=3&search=MrMRL&author=on
>
> Mr. MRL

Now that's just bragging right there Robbie......LOL ;)

MrMRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Answer, too many to count, too many to post.
> (especially considering the locomotive count is in
> the 250-300 range)
>
> But if you want to get an idea, many of them are
> posted within the numerous galleries on my pBase
> site...
>
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/ho_freight_cars
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_action
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/mrl_roster
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_stuff
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bnsf_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/misc_pix
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_action
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_model_photos
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/cn_models
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/amtrak_chief
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2007
> http://www.pbase.com/mrmrl/grain_train_2008
>
> Or simply browse the Trainorders image archives,
> roughly 10 years worth of image uploads of much of
> my work can be found right here.
> http://www.trainorders.com/images2/index.php?categ
> ory=3&search=MrMRL&author=on
>
> Mr. MRL

Robbie that was fascinating to look at! I dont have my all photographed. Let me put it this way when we have our train show in October i usually take around 600 cars and usually around 50 engines, when all of that is loaded up and you look at the layout you wonder hmmmm what did i take? Thanks for sharing, It is fun to see what other guys are running. I will try to post some pics from our train show in Hays ks in October. Yes i too agree with Ted, Quality is very important!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/14 15:22 by trainupaboy.

I don't think you need to go off on Cabman, calling him a "... downer" as you did in your reply to him.

To answer your question, I have about 35 on my layout, serving about 18 car spots at industries. I probably have about 35 more in the storage cabinet that can rotate on and off the layout from time to time. The layout is small, about 6 x 17 feet.

Jimmies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think you need to go off on Cabman,
> calling him a "... downer" as you did in your
> reply to him.
>
> To answer your question, I have about 35 on my
> layout, serving about 18 car spots at industries.
> I probably have about 35 more in the storage
> cabinet that can rotate on and off the layout from
> time to time. The layout is small, about 6 x 17
> feet.

It was a little sarcasm. The male version on "Debbie Downer". Someone who never has anything positive to say. There's always one I guess...I just feel that if you don't like it, move on. don't leave a comment like that...

How many cars do you need? Probably a lot less than any railroader has.
Roger Beckett

Cars? Did someone say cars?? I have 4, well one is a 2012 Silverado LTZ, the others are a 1970 Chevelle Nomad wagon (1 of 442), and a 1965 C-190 Mercedes, but the one "in picture" is the only one you need to worry about.(complete frame-on restoration) This is what I do when I'm not working on my trains.
Ed

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I would guess in the 450-500 range. That being said not all of them are the era that I model nor are they all in operating shape. As far as I'm concerned thats not bragging as I have been in the hobby since i was 13 and 450-500 isnt much when i read about guys in MR mag who have 4-5000 (wow! where do u put them?). My wife would kill me lol.

its almost therapy to go hunting for rolling stock on occaison.

Jon

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