Do You Buy Trains You Like, or Ones that Fit Together?

[Sir TophamHatt]

So I've been looking at these: http://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/SiteResults.aspx?searchfield=pannier%20tank

 

But not sure what to buy.  So far, I have just bought trains I like the look of.  I have a 4MT tank, which is weathered and black.  I have a Class 45xx Prairie tank, which is green with GWR or Great Western down the side (I can't remember which!).  I'm not particularly modelling a certain era, but at the same time, don't want to end up with a whole bunch of trains that don't really go at all.

 

So when choosing trains, do you buy things that fit with your mode, or ones that you like the look of?  Or a bit of both?

On a side note, if anyone has any suggestions about a Pannier, that would also be great - would like a green one though I think.

[Big James]

I did try to stick with stock that only run in Cornwall but then it went completely out the window with the great run of south western stock that has come out. I’m still thinking of getting a bullied Diesal to so that’ll be the final nail in the coffin of trying to keep it all together.

 

Big james

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

I buy the models I like, which all happen to fit together in my modelling scenario. I understand that there were other railways that weren't equipped wih the delights on offer from Doncaster, Gorton and Stratford, but they possess few attractions for me which makes it easier.

 

...On a side note, if anyone has any suggestions about a Pannier, that would also be great - would like a green one though I think.

Bachmann's 57xx/8750 has the considerable merit of a sprung centre axle. Good for operation.

[jonny777]

My purchases are all in boxes at the moment, awaiting a loft conversion which seems to get further away each year to due finances (or lack of them). 

 

However, I have my models' geographical area set in my head, and I would only buy what I thought I could get away with running without pushing modellers' license too far. I bought a Heljan Garratt because at a pinch I could probably get away with it on a coal train from Toton very occasionally; but probably a good percentage of that was because I liked it, and never saw any in the flesh - or if I did, I was too young to remember. 

[Pete the Elaner]

I sold a lot of my non-conforming stock a while back in exchange for stuff which does look correct on there.

I allow myself a few exceptions though.

[crompton 33]

I only bye BR blue loco's and 3rd rail emu's. As my layout is the southern region mid 1970's / late 1980's.

[Horsetan]

Anything that's preserved, with a fair chance of being seen in the flesh, gets my vote in the form of kits for P4. Rarely touch RTR, but the ones I have generally get converted to P4.

[DCB]

I try to keep to specific types for the area and period of my layouts, BR WR pre late 1962, before yellow ends, before the Kings were withdrawn, but BR Black Dean Goods and lined black Saints mingle with and double head with 9Fs and locos with post 1956 late crests.

 

Outside it is BR Scotrail 1987 as near as possible, Large Logo 37/4s and just the one class 156.

 

Several LNER monstrosities are half built for the "Bed" layout and a whole series of weird free lance locos planned for a future "Isle of Skye" layout, as for out of period and wrong gauge stuff, its going on Ebay!

 

That won't stop me buying anything no matter what scale, gauge or period as long as it is a bargain...

[steve1]

Both.

 

And then employ them as required.

 

steve

[The Johnster]

I buy trains that fit together because I like them to fit together, which sort of looks after both arguments, but you should not allow anyone to dictate how you enjoy the hobby; run what you like with what else you like as you want and enjoy yourself.  Nobody will mind, and it wouldn't be any of their business if they did, so long as you make no unsupportable claims about the accuracy and realism of your layout.

 

I would only warn you in what I hope is a friendly way that, as you become more involved in the hobby, you will very probably develop specialist interests based on a company, period, or geographical area (or combination thereof), which might mean that you spend money on stock you ultimately don't need.

[RANGERS]

Blue diesels, green diesels, GNR Atlantic, LNER 'Scotsman, various BR (E) heavy freight steamers, standard gauge and 009 steam and diesel industrial railway stock, M&GN golden gorse tender loco. It all fits together as far as I'm concerned!

[Mike Storey]

They are your very hard earned sovs (unless you are a Royal?) so you do what you flipping well like. 

 

Me, I am no rivet counter, nor do I have very great knowledge of locos/units or rolling stock authenticity in historic terms. My three previous layouts have been largely works of fiction, confined only to a particular country. But, this time, I have tried to buy (or make) only those items that would be more or less right for my chosen period and location. Purists will no doubt punch several great holes in the eventual outcome, but it will be good enough for me, if it looks atmospherically right.

 

So, as said by others above, so long as you are aware that your creation may not be "accurate", and do not pretend that it is, then who has the right to criticise? But if you eventually choose a certain time and space, as many of us have done over time, for whatever reason, you do begin to narrow your options in the quest for believability. It all depends on whether you want to impress others, or just please yourself.

Edited November 28, 2017 by Mike Storey

[davefromacrossthepond]

Perhaps I see it in a different way.  If I don't like a train, then it doesn't "fit" and I won't buy it.  

[fozzy280472]

I model OO BR blue late 70s and adhere strictly to that era ..........so can someone explain to me why I've spent the last hour on eBay looking to buy HO CIWL Orient express coaches by Rivarossi .

Also not too sure where the two O gauge SD40s fit in .........

[Mike Storey]

I model OO BR blue late 70s and adhere strictly to that era ..........so can someone explain to me why I've spent the last hour on eBay looking to buy HO CIWL Orient express coaches by Rivarossi .

Also not too sure where the two O gauge SD40s fit in .........

 

Yes, I can explain that. For £50 per one hour session, cash.

[fozzy280472]

Thanks for the offer mike ...I think I'll pass on that ...that £50 could be used to help contribute to the SNCF BB7200 Roco electric loco I don't need for my layout ......but hey it looks nice !

And there we are ....can't explain it.

[Legend]

Ones I like . However I usually run them with locos and stock of similar era . Rails have just informed me my class 68 is on its way. My previous purchase was a Wrenn 2-6-4T , and the one before that a Dapol Blue 52 Western. So I’ve got a bit of everything

[ColinK]

While I model the 'blue diesel era',  I am now trying to focus it on trains that personally meant something for me.  For example, the Blue Pullman which is too early, but I remember seeing it. Likewise the APT-E which I saw on test while living in Leicester.    I could be tempted to get some DRS coaches to make up one of the current 37 hauled Cumbrian Coast services which I see most days.

[Hound Dog]

Currently building my first ever layout which started out as Scottish based BR Blue era, as that is what I grew up with.........hence initial purchases of Class 26's and 27's, then a Deltic caught my eye.........but hey that EWS Class 66 looks cool, so I what if I had an EWS fleet for freight purposes and so this would also need an EWS 47, but remember the sound of Blue Class 20's ( but need a pair to be prototypical).

 

......and of course the Class 47 Scotrail push-pull livery looks the business, as does the eye catching Strathclyde PTE orange Class 156.........a SLW Class 24 is a must, and of course a Peak for good measure and to recall the Saturday afternoon Midlands service into Glasgow Central........better get another 26 just in case there is a need for double-heading.

 

Wind forward and after looking at so many locos on-line and on web forums, this Diesel diehard is actually getting a faint interest in the occasional large Steam loco........perhaps my layout could have a Railway Hertitage centre where I could house the Flying Scotsman, a Mallard, and hey these new Hornby Duchess's look the part.

 

Not forgetting I do need a shunter, so better get the EWS Class 08 to keep the freight look, but what about breakdowns and permanent way - sorted by the yellow Network rail Class 31....

 

.......yes, I am absolutely am sticking to an era but just not sure which one..........now if I could fit cantenary, then it would open lots more options.......

[Kris]

I restrict my purchases to a very narrow geographical area and timeframe. If I don't believe the the stock I'm purchasing could have been seen in this area, at this time I try my hardest to resist purchasing, and have previously moved on most of the stock that I owned that did not fit these boundaries. Doing this has saved me lots of money and has allowed me to be very focused when looking at models. It does not mean that I am not tempted by other models, I am constantly, but when will power wins it does feel good. 

When I run my stock it fits the scene I am trying to set, except, I'm not sure how James and Thomas fit in. 

[Londontram]

I model the Caledonian in late the Victorian period or to be more precise the Callander and Oban section on the west coast of Scotland and try very hard to keep within this time and location and struggle to justify locos and stock from other areas of the Caledonian yet alone other railways.

 

My biggest concession is as I'm restricted to such a narrow time slot I do have locos that would not have run at the same time one being scrapped by 1900 the other not being built until 1905.

 

So I tend to blur the cross over point and have a broad period from say 1880 to about 1905 so I cam run them together which with the pace of loco and stock development during this period is taking  quite a liberty

[MGR Hooper!]

I buy what I like the look of, especially if their's a good bargain to get.

[Legend]

It is all about having fun. What’s fun for some people might be creating a particular section of line in a specific time period, for others it’s a little bit of what you fancy . As I said I run a wide variety of time periods but what jars with me is Trains that don’t look right. For instance blue diesels on crimson and cream coaches don’t do it for me . I do have both but they are run within context ie Crimson and cream coaches behind BR steam and blue grey or maroon coaches behind blue diesels.

 

I admit. I play Trains and love it

Edited November 29, 2017 by Legend

[Torper]

I like to buy kits that fit together.  Unfortunately they don't always.....

 

DT

[Andy W]

It is all about having fun. What’s fun for some people might be creating a particular section of line in a specific time period, for others it’s a little bit of what you fancy . As I said I run a wide variety of time periods but what jars with me is Trains that don’t look right. For instance blue diesels on crimson and cream coaches don’t do it for me . I do have both but they are run within context ie Crimson and cream coaches behind BR steam and blue grey or maroon coaches behind blue diesels.

 

I admit. I play Trains and love it

Well, blue diesels on crimson and cream coaches is definitely a heritage railway phenomenon. But BR steam on maroon stock is absolutely fine, and since steam lasted until 1968 in the North West of England, there were plenty of trains there containing blue & grey coaches (often randomly mixed with maroon ones) pulled by steam in the final years.