1 engine and one train

[atsf3751]

I was watching a Ken Patterson podcast the other day and he asked a question which I found interesting, so I will repeat it here. If you could only keep one engine and one train, what would it be? It can be freight or passenger. I will start with an Athearn articulated or Scale Trains GTEL Big Blow with weathered freight cars appropriate for the selected engine. And before anyone comments, I have several hour's running time on both engines and they are running great.

[peteski]

Why would you expect negative comments about the Big Blows?  Mine run well and I have not see any negative comments about their running qualities.

There is no way I would ever only keep one train, so I'm not playing. 

This is a perfect thread for the Crew Lounge. 

[altohorn25]

Fox Valley 4-4-2 Atlantic and passenger car set.   

[atsf3751]

Why would you expect negative comments about the Big Blows?  Mine run well and I have not see any negative comments about their running qualities.

I have read many negative comments on appearance, some even here. About steps being crooked, horns not straight (very easily fixed), bent steps, etc. For me, that is a good thing because railroad equipment does not remain factory fresh while in service. I like the small irregularities as that shows normal wear and tear for the engines. These are hundreds of parts added by hand per engine, so naturally some may not be perfect. You are correct about running, they are excellent runners and good pullers.

[mmagliaro]

Does it have to be a commercially available engine?   

[tehachapifan]

Does it have to be a commercially available engine?   

Better not be as I would choose one of my bashes for sure.

[atsf3751]

Does it have to be a commercially available engine?   

The intent for the question was something that you own, either bought or built.

[peteski]

I have read many negative comments on appearance, some even here. About steps being crooked, horns not straight (very easily fixed), bent steps, etc. For me, that is a good thing because railroad equipment does not remain factory fresh while in service. I like the small irregularities as that shows normal wear and tear for the engines. These are hundreds of parts added by hand per engine, so naturally some may not be perfect. You are correct about running, they are excellent runners and good pullers.

Ah, since you only mentioned that your Big Blow set runs really well, I thought that you expected the negative comments to be about its running quality (not appearance).

[DKS]

Most of my layouts can only hold one engine and one train. And of those I still have, only one layout is "done." So here's the train I choose for that layout:

[MK]

Thomas, Annie and Clarabel.  Always a big hit at the train shows with kids AND adults. 

[havingfuntoo]

My mind does not equate such an absurd idea, that is like torture, why would one even consider it? I like trains!

[coosvalley]

 "one train"  ..Can that "one train" include all of my freight cars?

If I had to make this choice, I'd find a new hobby.

[wm3798]

An F unit and some coal hoppers.  Maybe a few hundred coal hoppers, and when they were new, an A-B-B-A was considered one locomotive, right?



Lee

[up1950s]

Sounds like a tortured heaven or a rewarded hell . Given the restrictions a through freight or passenger train would get old fast . So I think switching would give more entertainment . That opens up logging , ore , or industrial . I think industrial has more varied cars and venues than the other two . My choice is what I always thought was a link between steam and diesel , the Atlas ALCo RS-1 and a mixed freight . The road name would not be the UP as I still would like to remain in the '50s . So my Wyoming & La Grande or Long Island RR would fit the bill for an industrial switching setting . 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

This is easy for me:
Conrail Quality B23-7, and the Wonder Bread train including two PD5150 Wonder hoppers, two PCIX "hocky stick" ACF Pressureaid hoppers, one BNFE 57' reefer, one FGE "Solid Cold" 57' reefer, a corn syrup car and my scratch built N11 transfer caboose.

That's the train I grew up with. Some of the best paint schemes in modern railroading. Short enough for a shelf layout. The perfect modeler's train.