Let the collecting addiction begin


oxfordlawn

oxfordlawn

Still learning
I have been lurking here for a couple weeks asking advice and enjoying the reading. I have been wanting to start a collection of HO scale locomotives and get a display going. It was suggested to get a theme to narrow the focus down which was great advice. I have decided to go with trying to gather a complete collection of UP locos from the beginnig to present. I am astounded by the amount of info available and have been glued to this computer day and night it seems. Well on the suggestion of a couple members here I grabbed this locomotive which was at a very good price on EBay. Sooooo....here it is, the first in my collection of 1 LOL. I am very impressed at the level of detail of this Athearn Veranda Turbine 88668
 
Not sure what one would cost, but if you are looking for the unusual, UP had a steam critter with 3 cylinders and a 4-12-2 wheel arrangement. Saw a review of it in IIRC Model Railroader, which was somewhat critical of the model due to requiring almost impossibly wide curves to successfully negotiate...which was the same problem UP had with the real ones! There is also a model by ConCor of the UP M10000 unit train, which preceeded the Burlington Pioneer Zephyr, but did not prove as popular.
 
Here's a few other ideas from ebay:

Rivarossi Big Boy:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rivaross...597358?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5647d9186e


You might find a cheaper price. Note there is a sound/DCC version and a DC only version. The later is cheaper, but the sound version comes with a nice Loksound decoder, so might be worth it.

There is a number of older runs by Rivarossi strectching back decades, so be careful to check you are bidding on the lastest run.

Marklin also has done big boy runs. They make the Trix range, which is their two rail version. Basic Marklin is three rail (has a centre stud system for electrical pick up). You would probably want the Trix version. I'd go for that one if I wanted a big big (and assuming I had just won the lottery). It may well be the best steam loco model of any US prototype in HO scale. Even better than brass!

So there is a little advice about big boy models.



Much more affordable is the Bachmann DD40AX:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bachmann...584102?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2a15fdd8e6


Bachmann makes their models in huge numbers so there never seems to be a shortage. You could leave that one for later.


Well, that would be a pretty good start. I guess an E series streamliner set would be good too. Here's an E-7 set by proto:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Proto-UP...603482?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item43ac01bb5a


Well, that should keep you broke for some time. I wonder where to get a display shelf from? Will you go wall hung or cabinet?
 
flyboy2610 said:
That was the UP 9000 series. BLI is sold out of them, supposedly they'll have more.... in Jan. 2013! MTH makes them, as well. I suppose if you're just collecting and not running MTH would be OK. Retail is in the $550 range.
http://utahrails.net/up/up-4-12-2-sounds.php
Click to expand...

yes sir I saw the MTH's listed and the reviews werent so great due to some weird articulation issues. Since theres no rush for me and the MTHs will be around for some time...Im thinking I will wait and see what BLI comes up with that you mentioned for Jan 2013. Also the $550 price tag is a little on the high side too LOL
 
@PAULB---I do like that Bigboy and the streamliner you posted but now I foresee another upcoming problem. These trains are great looking and with DCC and sound installed...well you know..Im going to want to hear and see them move haha. Me thinks I may be seeing a single line (as I look around the house) maybe a high shelf iin the living room done nicely, to get to hear the sounds. OH boy what an exploding can of worms this is going to turn into :D:D:D
 
Revell makes the UP Big Boy in a plastic model for about $20. Great for a static display if you just want a few locos sitting in the roundhouse or in a display cabinet. I have that one and another smaller steam, 2-8-2 I think. Most people think they are expensive collector items. You can mount them on ballasted track that is nailed down to a strip of wood moulding for additional detail. Heck, through in a dwarf signal next to the track too.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
flyboy2610 said:
That was the UP 9000 series. BLI is sold out of them, supposedly they'll have more.... in Jan. 2013! MTH makes them, as well. I suppose if you're just collecting and not running MTH would be OK. Retail is in the $550 range.
http://utahrails.net/up/up-4-12-2-sounds.php
Click to expand...

I really do not mean to be hijacking right now, but that is the most UN-natural sounding steam engine I have ever heard, with that underlying 3rd cylinder! :eek:

K, I am done now :)
 
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