Steam is overtaking the diesels on my layout.

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

An odd occurance;

I have seen my diesels gathering dust while I purchased more and more steam engines.
Now my colorful diesels are destined for the eBay auction block.

I am saying good-bye to my E8s, SD24s, GP-40s, SD80 s and 90s FA-2s, F3s GP-9 and7s, H12-44s and SD-40s. I will keep a SW1500 switcher or two.

although, I am keeping my new GG1, Little Joe and Bi-polars; I am divesting my empire of my small GG1s, Rectifiers and Interurbans. Next stop all of my pre-war oh my…!!

I guess unlike modern railroads, I am returning to the past;. . .I’m feeling like a RED state.

Alan

2

I have too many diesels but that is my main interest. Just sold two Williams and need to move a K-Line Trainmaster. You and Tom are steamer guys.

3

Hey Frank, That Trainmaster TMCC?

4

I used to say you could buy 3 or 4 Diesels for One Steamer.
I used to say who wants a bunch of black engines when you could have colorful diesels
I used to say who wants all that smoke in the room phew!!
I used to say all steam engines look alike.
I used to say who wants out of date equiptment that you can’t see unless you are in an museum.
I used to say all steam whistles sound the same.
I used to say STEAM on an electric track
I used to say Smoke is not steam anyway
I used to say the chuff sound doesn’t match the piston action
I used to say these steam engines are way too small
I used to say there’s no fire in the fire box and no valves or gauges in the cab.
I used to say the piping details look like they are molded into the body.
I used to say the drive rods are held in with big set screws
I used to say those aren’t marker lights they are little reflective green jewels
I used to say the cabs have no lights for the engineers and by god where are those engineers?
I used to say you can’t see through the spoked wheels
I used to say the Front coupler is molded into the cow catcher.
I used to say what is that big silver slide lever cut into the top of the engine?

But I dont say that anymore.

Alan

5

Chris, nope just smoke and horn.

6

it hink the reason i like steamers so much is just the fact that having them as toys makes me think of the real thing … and my god are they just so masive!!! just thinking about the size and raw power is enough to make a grown man gitty!!!

7

Right on. Diesels are boring. All they need is diesel fuel from a little pump and hose. And have tinny sounding horns, yuk.

Give me steam any day. Lots of wheel and rod action. Coal tenders need water (water tower) and coal (coaling tower and coal mine to supply it.

Don’t forget in the steamers time they had CABOOSAS, not some cheesy little red light on the back.

Steamers have whistles that sound neat.

Steamers can be painted colors and dressed up and streamlined. Think S P Daylight.

Charlie

8

Steam always more to happen

9

I appreciate your love of steam. However I find diesels more reliable on my layout switches. Can you all recommend some very reliable old and new steamers for my small layout?

Jim H

10

K-line steam, Lionel new steamers

11

I guess I run whatever I like. Some steam, some diesel. It doesn’t matter to me if I’m “correct” or not. If I want to put a caboose at the end of my train that is led by a diesel, I do. I just have fun and enjoy the trains.

No matter how you do it, it’s a great hobby.

Tom

12

Cabooses lasted until well after the transition from steam to Diesel.

13

My love birds prefer the steam engine sounds to the diesel.

You know the saying "a sucker born every day.’ Guess I’m just a sucker for both.

14

I think sounds have given the steam engines a notch up on the diesels. That chuffing sure beats out a diesel motor sound.

Do diesels have the edge in the variety of different shapes?

15

Well, All diesels are are boxes… some are rounded, some slant nosed.

Steam wins in my book.

16

I agree with Lehigh Valley Rail Road.

Diesles are just big boxes w/ a stinky motor in them.

Also Lehigh Valley Rail Road, do you live near the Lehigh Valley Rail Road?

Because it use to run through my back yard [:D] , now it’s just a bike path [:(]

Ow Well
By
Chompers

17

I’ve been into trains for over 55 years and have never owned any diesels until this year, an F3, NW2 and soon, hopefully a Beep (does that last one count?) . My train world is stuck in the early '40s. Simpler times?

Pete

18

What about me? I only have one engine on my layout!!

(I mean I only have 1 thing that can pulll!)

And I only have 4 cars!

19

What about me? I only have one engine on my layout!!

(I mean I only have 1 thing that can pulll!)

And I only have 4 cars!

–

Well, then you cant count…

Nothing is there to be overtaken