How Many Locos?

[RobertInOntario]

This is kind of a silly question, but I'm curious! Just wondering how many locos you have in your collection?

I realize that various factors can skew the results. For example, I have about 25, but 1/3 of these are poor quality, another 1/3 are "OK," while another third are excellent models that I use a lot. And some of us build and operate model railroads while others are mainly collectors.

At any rate, I'm hoping that this will be an interesting poll. Thanks.

Rob

 

[shaygetz]

Rivarossi---

4-8-8-4 Big Boy
4-8-8-2 Cab-forward
0-4-0 Docksider
4-4-0 Genoa
three GG1 electrics
Santa Fe RS3

Athearn---

FP45 Amtrak
two Pennsy PA1s powered and dummy
two Espee DD40s both twin motored
N&W Trainmaster
Espee GP7
Espee SW1500
two Hustlers
two New Haven RDCs powered and dummy
two CSX C44-9Ws
L&N U30

Tyco... yes, Tyco

Spirit of '76 Alco Century 430
Brill Trolley
2-8-0

Bachmann---

4-8-4 N&W Class "J"
4-8-4 Santa Fe Northern
Cass Scenic Railway 80 ton 3 truck Shay
0-6-0 Thomas
Birney Trolley

Life-Like---

0-4-0 Saddletanker
two P2K ACL E8/9s powered

Jeouff---

SNCF B+B electric

Marklin---

4-6-2 DNR Class O1

PFM/United---

HOn3 4-6-0 C&S Mogul

Pemco---

GG1

Bowser---

4-6-2 Pennsy K4

MDC/Roundhouse---

Boxcab

IHC---

Pennsy 4-4-0 American

Model Power---
4-6-2 CP

Scratchbuilt/kitbashed---

HOn30 0-6-0 Saddletanker
" Galloping Goose
HO B+B Boxcab electric

N scale---

Rivarossi Onion Specific 0-8-0 switcher
Trix Beano 0-6-0 switcher
Bachmann Santa Fe 4-8-4 Northern
" Union Pacific 4-4-0 American
Life-Like Amtrak F7A
two Atlas Pennsy C Liners

Errr...that is a rather eclectic mix... :thumb:

 

[RobertInOntario]

19 steam, 17 diesel, 6 electric, 3 trolleys :thumb:

Interesting! Of the ones that work (see my note above), I have 12 British (all steam); 4 North American Steam and; 4 North American Diesels.

I also have 2 steam, 5 diesels and 1 electric (that I inherited from my Dad) that either do not work or run very poorly. These are all North American locos.

BTW, I really like Spurgeon. He had a powerful influence & it's great that his books are still being used today.

Rob

 

[Renovo PPR]

At the average price of $300 for new ones I am very limited. Well counting the girls we have 4 steamers and 2 of those oil burning ones.

 

[shaygetz]

Obviously Global Warming is having an effect on posting...

 

[shaygetz]

All mine work but not all are top runners. Of the fleet, the obvious, Rivarossi, Athearn, MDC/Roundhouse, the high end Bachmann and Life-Like and AHM are my most reliable, the others are sentimental favorites. They run, but usually after a good thump on the layout:thumb:

We could use a Spurgeon or two today.

 

[LongIslandTom]

I realize that various factors can skew the results. For example, I have about 25, but 1/3 of these are poor quality, another 1/3 are "OK," while another third are excellent models that I use a lot.

I learned early on not to fall for the cheap locos... the hard way. My first loco was an HO-scale Bachmann E60CP with a pancake motor, and it was a piece of crap. My second and third locos were also piece-of-crap pancake motor Tycos and Life Likes. None of them lasted longer than a week. Considering that back then I was 15 and had to work 3 months to pay for each of those pieces of crap, it was a terrible loss.

Then I discovered Athearn locos... Looked at an issue of model railroader and one had a photo of the mechanism, and I thought, " gee, that looked a lot more heavy-duty than the mechanisms in my pieces of crap locos." Bought an Athearn for my 4th-ever loco purchase, and I was sold. From then on I resolved to buy only good-quality locos.

29 locos on my present roster, all high-quality stuff-- Atlases, Athearns, P2Ks, and Katos. No cheapie stuff. I think I saved myself quite a bit of grief.

 

[RobertInOntario]

All mine work but not all are top runners. Of the fleet, the obvious, Rivarossi, Athearn, MDC/Roundhouse, the high end Bachmann and Life-Like and AHM are my most reliable, the others are sentimental favorites. They run, but usually after a good thump on the layout:thumb:
We could use a Spurgeon or two today.

My top runners are either the new Hornby or Bachmann, or Proto 1000 (a CNR diesel), or the old Hornby Dublo from the early-1960s. These Hornby Dublo locos are diecast and, while their detailing isn't as good as today's models, their performance is often better (this is still true after some 45 years).

I also have a few sentimental ones that either run poorly or not at all.

And I certainly agree that we could do with a few Spurgeons today!

Cheers, Rob

 

[Thoroughbreed]

About 60~70 Athearns, all powered and 6 dummies (1/2 converted to dcc now)
27 Rivarossi's (1/2 converted to dcc)
16 Atlas (4 dcc)
2 Spectrum's dcc
2 tower55 dcc & sound

recent acquisitions:
P2K E7B FEC, P2K IC E6A, P2K ACL E6A&B from Ebay
BLI CNW E7A dcc & sound(thanks CRed:thumb: )
2 PCM F3's dcc & sound(thanks again CRed:thumb: )
1 Athearn Genesis NS SD70M (thanks CPR9100:thumb: )


I'm more of a collector right this minute, till I get moved into my new house and can setup the layout.

 

[RobertInOntario]

I learned early on not to fall for the cheap locos... the hard way. My first loco was an HO-scale Bachmann E60CP with a pancake motor, and it was a piece of crap. My second and third locos were also piece-of-crap pancake motor Tycos and Life Likes. None of them lasted longer than a week. Considering that back then I was 15 and had to work 3 months to pay for each of those pieces of crap, it was a terrible loss.
Then I discovered Athearn locos... Looked at an issue of model railroader and one had a photo of the mechanism, and I thought, " gee, that looked a lot more heavy-duty than the mechanisms in my pieces of crap locos." Bought an Athearn for my 4th-ever loco purchase, and I was sold. From then on I resolved to buy only good-quality locos.
29 locos on my present roster, all high-quality stuff-- Atlases, Athearns, P2Ks, and Katos. No cheapie stuff. I think I saved myself quite a bit of grief.

I agree about avoiding crap locos. On eBay and flea markets, etc., you can often buy locos that are 20-30 years old for only $30-$50 each. These might seem like deals at the time, but their quality is mediocre at best.

I tell myself that it's far better to save up my money to buy only a few new, high quality locos for $150 to $200 (depending on the model), than to buy scores of cheap ones for $50 apiece.

Rob

 

[CRed]

I have TWO locos,but at least they're decent models.

1-Tower55 NP ES44

1-BLI DM&IR RSD-15 Both with DCC/Sound. Chris

 

[CRed]

Off topic,but is anyone else having problems with FireFox today?

 

[LoudMusic]

I think this kind of poll could use quite a few more options in the lower numbers. Like ...

1
2-5
6-10
11-20
21-30

Just a thought

 

[LoudMusic]

About 60~70 Athearns, all powered and 6 dummies (1/2 converted to dcc now)

They're all powered? Even the six dummies?

 

[DOUBLEJK]

I've only been at this for a bit over a year but have 10 Loco's ... But thier all DCC.
5 Athearn Genesis SD70Mac's BNSF
1 P2K GP38-2 BN
1 Athearn GP35 Rio Grande
1 Spectrum 4-8-2 Unlettered
1 Spectrum 0-6-0 Colorado Mining
1 Spectrum F40PH Amtrak
So far they all run pretty well...:thumb:

Regard's
John

 

[shaygetz]

Off topic,but is anyone else having problems with FireFox today?

Good...someone else has noticed, too.

 

[CRed]

Yeah,nice to know it isn't just me.

I just started so Knowing how I go overboard at times I'll certainly be adding to that total soon

Damn I hate when I HAVE to use IE,but the-gauge isn't working for me using FF.

 

[RobertInOntario]

I think this kind of poll could use quite a few more options in the lower numbers. Like ...

1
2-5
6-10
11-20
21-30

Just a thought

Yeah, you're probably right. I was just trying to keep it simple but a few more options in the lower numbers may be more helpful (maybe someone could ask this poll again in a few months or so!) Rob

 

[RobertInOntario]

Good...someone else has noticed, too.

I'm using Safari on my Mac and it's been a little slow at times, but nothing really unusual.

Rob

 

[Ralph]

Yeah, you're probably right. I was just trying to keep it simple but a few more options in the lower numbers may be more helpful (maybe someone could ask this poll again in a few months or so!) Rob

I'm already surprised that six people say they have over 30!
Ralph