I run more passenger trains and find freight trains to be more of a challenge .
Both are very different in the type of scenery and structures that accompany them. I model both on my layout in one complete “world”[:p]
I prefer to model business/excursion trains, however, I also model passenger trains. I find passenger equipment more challenging to figure out what the car is (except for head end equipment).
I model freight only just the fact it can generate more money also get to use more loco’s setting may be different far as equipment used like rolling stock to haul different kind of materials.
i would like to model both. I have a facination with both frieght and passenger trains.
Freight operations offer more variety (although someone is sure to challenge this), however combining RDC, excursion trains, and regular passenger operations are a nice change of pace.
I’m fond of industrial areas and like a lot of switching, so I am inclined more towards freight, but passengers have their appeal. I do plan on having a few pieces for “fan trips” along my freight line, especially as a “plot device” to make operating sessions more complicated.
I model heavy rail commuter operations and as a result freight and long haul passenger plays a very different role on my line. Most freight originates offline and terminates offline, serving to congest the main line and create more challenging sessions. Passenger either originates or terminates at the downtown terminal and takes priority durring non-rush hours. The real operations, however, consist of two rival commuter lines, very fast and frequent service. I do get a good dose of switching in though with two coach yards and a few on-line industries.
That sounds pretty interesting–I imagine that an older commuter line would also do some “switching” in the form of LCL and parcel freight, one benefit of which is that you wouldn’t even need a siding, just a quick stop on the track to drop off a parcel at the drugstore or pick up cans of milk at a milk stop.
Inspiring!
There is a much higher importance put on on-time running as well. In freight running who really cares if a coal drag is half-hour late and how many times have we been on Amtrak trains that are running hours late, even in short haul? If commuter trains were that late the entire workforce of a city could be in serious trouble.
Right now, my mainline is from Melmatt to Marcstadt to La Michelle to Royston. That is the the length of my imaginary land called Dalreada. It is the route of the Golden Express. I am sure I will build routes to handle freight, I have to, but for now,it is purely passenger.
Just like the diversity that freight offers. I mean specifically the multiple types of industries that can beemployed, even changed.
My freights all tend to look the same, only have so many 40 ft. box cars, tank cars, like mixed freight best. I can change the locos. But have 5 sets of different passenger, and locos for more. I’m more of wanting to travel First Class or Coach than Hobo Class.
whenever i start my layout and get going i’m going to do most if not all freight. we hardly have if any passenger trains come through here so i kind of want to take after my town without all the stuff in town here. so it will be mostly freight.
Industrial narrow gauge short line = All freight
Samll branch lights like mines and timber ways. I run the ocassional passenger to mix things up a little now an then
Come on now, no contest…passenger baby, it’s the challeneg of getting one train to run where you could normally get 3-4 freights going.
Lanscaping, track design, and not to mention the sheer look is enough to say Wow! Freight holds nothing over passenger.
My future Z scale layout: Tehachapi Pass, modern era = definitively freight.
Cheers
Dominique
i’ve noticed that my non-railroading friends seem to comment more or relate better to the passenger trains on my layout. (the brewery gets a close 2nd)
ai
Freight cars offer more variety in the weathering and trains look less uniform. Less like a long squared tube.
I thinks it’s fun to set out big, long haul frieghts and long passenger trains at the same time.[^] When I start modeling the UP, the frieght and passengers trains will be both run frequently, though frieght would probably be the dominant.[:)][:p]