I seem to have an addiction for billboard reefers - I cannot turn one down when I see one on display or in a catalog. I have many more than I need but the fascination for the billboards controls. Anyone else have an overwhelming need for a certain kind of rolling stock - by carrier or whatever?
I have a thing for heavy duty flat cars. Wow, the Pennsy sure had a lot.
Ed
No, but I’ve heard the Billboardreefer Syndrome can be fatal if you’re trying to create a realistic layout. Billboard reefers were rare even when they were legal. Display cases are a possible way to mitigate the disease.
Mark
I used to have a whole bunch of the tyco billboard cars. Sorry that I got rid of them. I still have a couple of Swift cars and a Shlitz and Coors beer cars that aren’t Tyco. I too have a strong urge to buy them when I see them.
Butler, don’t go look at Branchline Billboard cars then. You could wind up in rehab![swg]
I was in denial. I suffer with Too-many-itis. I have too many locomotives, too many cabooses, too many non-box railroad cars, too many foreign-road cars, too many craftsman car kits to build, and too many railroad cars altogether. Fortunately, my Out-of-era-itis is nearly under control. I’m solving my Too-many-craftsman-car-kits-to-build Syndrome by subcontracting.
Mark
Yes I’m addicted to billboard reefers, HO and N scale…maybe I need therapy. [;)]
I got a half dozen for Christmas and am in the process of getting hooked. I really am enjoying the process and it is nice having an adiction that is legal but does not have a hangover. And it is cheap compared to golf and next to good Scotch, WOW. I will post a pic when I get a yard full.
Not billboard reefers (though I have a couple) but just refrigerator cars in general. I cannot pass up a refrigerator car, either kit or RTR at my hobby shops. In fact, the guys at Bruce’s Trains have a standing joke when I go in there. “Ahah, Tom needs another reefer fix.” And no, we aren’t talking the ‘other’ kind [:P]!
I’m very prone to PFE, ART and URTX/Milwaukee. Also BREX and for some strange reason, NYC/MDT. NP and GN/WFEX send me into frenzies of delight, and those plain, yellow FGEX wood reefers just fascinate me. Oddly enough, ATSF does not do that much for me–in other words I’ve only got a couple of dozen or so–but if I had my druthers, my locos would ONLY be hauling reefer extras. On my MR, it’s ALWAYS produce season! [:D]
Tom [swg]
Yeah I have some and they’re 20 years before my era. But I love them and will continue to buy them I also seem to have a fondness for hopper cars - without meanng too, I have way more of those than I need. Actually, I have more rolling stock than I can actually use, but I keep buying more as they appeal to me. I guess whatever else I am in this hobby, I am also a collector with a capital C.
Enjoy
Paul
36’ MDC/Roundhouse reefers from the '80’s runs. I think I managed to get just about everyone made. The new runs arn’t the same. Also, I can’t resist the small tank cars.
Several years ago I put a loop of track around the Christmas tree and ran a train of 8 beer reefers.
Yep! I know what you mean! They’re very hard to resist and I find myself always at the ready to buy another one. I just THOUGHT I was into them and then I got the new Billboard Reefer book for Christmas and now I’ve been foaming at the mouth just thinking about them. I was surprised at how little time they actually ran on the railroads. That really stinks as it was way before I model. Good thing it’s MY RAILROAD!!!
Roger
I received the same book for Christmas. So far I’ve resisted the urge. I’ve worked too hard to fight Not-in-my-era-itis. Must…hold…on.…
Mark
What a relief!! I thought I was the only one with this “problem”. I really want that reefer book. Its a little pricey and I think it will drive my addiction over the edge.
mp:
Maybe it’s too late for you. Try it once and it’s Reefer Madness…
The 20s and 30s really are a neat and underappreciated era - they’re old enough to be classic standard railroading, and yet you had the big, modern steam, and even a diseasel or two for those who can’t live without 'em. [:-,]
Here’s a nice photo of a bunch of Swift reefers at the SC* packing plant…lots of billboards.
*Either Sioux City or South Chicago, depending what part of the page you believe. Ah, wikipedia…
Hard to believe it’s 1917, if Wikipedia is correct…it just doesn’t have that “long ago” look to it.
Another addict checking in. I have managed to keep my assortment down to about a half dozen (not counting the PFE). But, yeah, they’re hard to resist.
Tom
My thing is TOFC, especially if the truck has billboards on it…
Meanwhile, what is the appropriate era for this car…
Regardless of era, I might have to get this one.
I’m not an addict (I can quit anytime…really) for billboard cars, but I do like em an awful lot!! I have enough to run a decent sized refrigerator express.
BTW I found this book to be really good - I have it sitting by my recliner and pop it open when things get slow on TV or I just want to relax for a while. I’m now going thru it from the start for the third time I think, it’s just fascinating to look at the pics!!
Your not alone, my weakness is the MDC “Battle Mountain” kits, I already have at least 1 set of most of them, with about 10 kits waiting to be assembled, if I catch them on Ebay, for under $15.00, with 2 minutes left…I can’t help myself. The Galloping Goose and Steam shovel kits seem to go for the most coin, even though the Goose is un powered and standard gauge. [:o)]
Prior to my wife getting into the hobby I had 3 maybe four. 4 dozen later along with another 2 dozen plain jane reefers, she gets to put on a nice show at the shows. Throw on some loaded flat cars and instant spectator jam.