I almost posted this under the "I almost pulled the trigger" thread just below, but I thought a new thread would be more appropriate.
Regarding operating "incorrect" loco equipment on your model railroad -
My HO model RR is set in the mid-1970s with the yard placed "in the only flat spot in West Virginia." Without trying to focus on a single road I've wound up with most of my diesels in the CSX family tree. But I also run some engines from other roads like BNSF and UP. And I know, some railroads and hence their locos like CSX and BNSF are "out of my mid-1970s period." However, it doesn't bother me.
On the other hand, when I run out-of-area/off-their-home-road locos by themselves on a train or mu'd with the other railroads' units, I don't have to "justify" them BUT in the real world there are lots of reasons that do apply:
(Please feel free to add to this list; I probably missed some, and this list kinda fascinates me.)
- Railroads A and B have a loco run-through service agreement on certain trains on certain routes
- Railroad A is testing some of railroad B's locos because they are thinking of buying some (new or some of railroad B's locos)
- Railroad A just bought or merged with railroad B
- EMD or GE have a particular repair or update service only on railroad A, so you could see almost any road name operating or being pulled dead-in-tow
- Special moves of old equipment going to a museum. I'm speaking of locos but as a sort of example I currently have two "old fashioned" empty passenger coaches in the middle of one of my 65-car freight trains - 'one museum bought or traded for them with another museum'.
- Special trains: For instance the UP could permit one of their steamers on the head end of an NRHS special passenger train running on say the NS from Altanta to Louisville.
- Some old locos could be/would be moved on the head end dead-in-tow to a salvage yard.
- Emergencies - floods; snow storms; etc. where railroad A lends railroad B some locos
- Shared industry switching agreement
[your input here appreciated]
DougC
Regarding operating "incorrect" loco equipment on your model railroad -
My HO model RR is set in the mid-1970s with the yard placed "in the only flat spot in West Virginia." Without trying to focus on a single road I've wound up with most of my diesels in the CSX family tree. But I also run some engines from other roads like BNSF and UP. And I know, some railroads and hence their locos like CSX and BNSF are "out of my mid-1970s period." However, it doesn't bother me.
On the other hand, when I run out-of-area/off-their-home-road locos by themselves on a train or mu'd with the other railroads' units, I don't have to "justify" them BUT in the real world there are lots of reasons that do apply:
(Please feel free to add to this list; I probably missed some, and this list kinda fascinates me.)
- Railroads A and B have a loco run-through service agreement on certain trains on certain routes
- Railroad A is testing some of railroad B's locos because they are thinking of buying some (new or some of railroad B's locos)
- Railroad A just bought or merged with railroad B
- EMD or GE have a particular repair or update service only on railroad A, so you could see almost any road name operating or being pulled dead-in-tow
- Special moves of old equipment going to a museum. I'm speaking of locos but as a sort of example I currently have two "old fashioned" empty passenger coaches in the middle of one of my 65-car freight trains - 'one museum bought or traded for them with another museum'.
- Special trains: For instance the UP could permit one of their steamers on the head end of an NRHS special passenger train running on say the NS from Altanta to Louisville.
- Some old locos could be/would be moved on the head end dead-in-tow to a salvage yard.
- Emergencies - floods; snow storms; etc. where railroad A lends railroad B some locos
- Shared industry switching agreement
[your input here appreciated]
DougC