Beginner Question About Building Up Model Train "Fleet"

Well, in a yard, boxcars from any RR would be pulled by a switcher owned by the yard owner. 

I think today, the Colorado Joint LIne is run by UP and BNSF,

As for  your question about inventory, I don't think HO mfg keep an inventory either.   Hobby shops tended to have an inventory based on their customer base.    But I think all mfg, just do a build and sell.   They may build the same model again, but in different paint schemes or something.    So yes you sort of have to keep an eye on what has been announced if you are looking for something speciic.  

However  you can shop the hobby shops via the net or at shows and often find items you want.    And for some of us, keeping a narrow focus and searching out specific models is part of the fun.

I was born in Ottumwa Iowa , so CB&Q is my favorite as well. I think they make a batch and when they sell out, that's it. Sometimes you will see a reissue of a particular model. Today, they don't always make everything in the catalogs. Once MTH closes, your choices will be limited even more.

Keep us in the loop.

Mister Tea - You also have to be cognizant that the 'high end' locomotives are usually Built to Order (BTO). In other words, the manufacturer will only make the 'pre-ordered' number and so if you don't order it in advance you may not be able to find the engine you're looking for (once it's released) as retailers don't like to overstock much inventory.

If you really want O-scale the selection will be smaller than the O-gauge selection of Lionel and MTH.

For specific items with specific road names you will probably have to accept used trains with the best selection at eBay and then at larger train dealers or on OGR forum Want to Buy by posting your desire.  You can check the OGR forum For Sale or Trade first.

Charlie

Lionel has two BN locos - an RS3 LionChief that is avail now and a GP38 coming out.

Brendan

Brendan---I don't find a GP38 coming out. Do you have a sku number or catalog?

Thanks

I remember when I first got back into O scale about 20 years learning the same things you are now about how things work. At first I thought it was weird but I got used to it. One thing to remember is that it isn’t a race. Take your time. Since I have always been on a budget about 75% of my trains were bought second hand. Most were in very good condition and that was good enough for me. Put money aside because if you go to shows or frequent the internet you will eventually come across the locomotives you are looking for. Good luck on your O scale journey. I bet you have fun and make friends along the way.

I went through the postwar locomotives, thinking that is all I would want - all Lionel and one MTH conventional engines.

I should state up front- I am  a Lionel guy, and you will get many advising MTH or others.  Make your own choice- but know it is expensive to do BOTH.

This over about 3-1/2 years.  I started w/ an estimated 280 running feet of Fastrack, two ZW transformers.  As far as engines,  I began with a few conventional postwar steamers, two LionChief Plus - an RS3 and a Pacific- and all were great fun and terrific.

I tried my first Legacy (F3 called F7, diesel set- powered/non-powered AA) about halfway through.  Then a Legacy Steam K4, to several TMCC diesels, even a 2000 Century Club 773 Hudson (TMCC).  I personally have evolved from steamers to first-generation diesels.  I have been delighted with the early 2000's Lionel Legacy engines- quality AND features.

Through this my control system naturally evolved from conventional, and then to TMCC command control  where I am today.

So:

1. Buy used whenever possible. Let somebody else fix the common issues these things seem to have when new.  Even under warranty- packing them and shipping them- even at Mfg.  prepaid basis - is a PIA  (if you get my drift).

2.  Many of the big bid-auction house train specialist "online stores" are very good sources, know their stuff and back their products.  But estate auction houses- I have had a few issues- first they may not really KNOW trains, or THE train you buy.  Many times the estate houses have not and do not possess the ability to even do basic "does it run?" types of testing. Second, they many times cost more by the time you pay the buyers' premium, taxes, and shipping.  The people here are (in my experience) reliable sources of used stuff.

Never buy anything that the seller has not tested!!  Yes you will get a bargain sometimes, but more often there is something wrong and troubleshooting it isn't worth it in the long run.  All in my opinion, of course.

3.  Buy a ZW 270-watt restored transformer as a power source, with 4 outputs, they work great and are just plain cool.  But then add the aftermarket circuit breakers and diodes to protect to protect the newer (post 1995) locomotives from track shorts and from electrical surges.

4.  Buy either a TMCC command control system (about $ 100 if you shop bid auction sources) or a Legacy System (a lot more but not a deal breaker, either).

5.  Buy from Local Hobby Shops when possible.  The LHS generally doesn't have the space or money to stock much in the way of engines- but they DO have structure kits, freight cars, and all those small things we all need.  You will need strips of wood, paints, glues, etc. etc. etc.- and its impractical to buy all that online.  The LHS's are your lifeline as you get further into the hobby.  I never go into one without buying SOMETHING.

Not that you can't buy small stuff online. But someday when you need something fast- you might drive up to an empty building where the LHS used to be.  Make yer own balsa, bucko!

6.  ANY good source of information, in any scale is applicable.  Scenery techniques used in HO are fully applicable in O scale as well.

And- hook up with others- we (as one example) have a great group of 20 guys or so in Northern Ohio who get together to learn from each other.

@prrjim: Thank you, that's a good point about multiple road names in a yard.  I suppose that it will be a bit fun hunting for the stuff you want.  It adds a "thrill of the hunt".

@GVDobler: Ohh, I didn't know they didn't even make everything in the catalogs.  Thank you.  Regarding MTH, that has me a bit worried, too. I've read some of the threads on here regarding them closing down, but it's a bit worrisome losing such a big part of the hobby.  I hope someone else steps up.  I don't want to just get into O-gauge as it's dying. (fingers crossed)  I'm starting by building a small 5'x8' island-style layout using plans and how-tos I found in a magazine.  If all goes well with this layout, I'll use what I learn to build a bigger permanent layout in a 12'x14' spare room.

@PH1975: Thanks for the info.  I guess that adds to the collectable-ness of O-gauge, but I don't think I'm going to invest in any of those high-end locos quite yet.  I enjoy operations, so I can get by with the cheaper trains.

@Choo Choo Charlie: Thank you.  I don't care if it's exactly to scale. I'm probably more O-gauge than O-scale, but I do want to get stuff that does look pretty close.  I have a Lionel starter set and it is noticeably smaller than my other rolling stock which is all from Menards.  I've read that the NW2 that I ordered is supposed to be close to scale ("semi-scale, maybe?).  I've just checked the for sale forum here and there looks to be a lot of nice stuff.

@Brendan: Thank you, yes, I've actually got my eye on that GP-38!  I like that it has the older logos on it.  I went with the NW2 because it has LionChief+ and I've read that it does much better at controlling at slower speeds.  I'm going to be doing switching with it, so I thought that was important.  I plan on eventually getting the GP-38 as my "road" loco.  LionChief (non +) should work fine for that.

@Hudson J1e: Thank you very much for the kind and helpful words!  This forum seems very helpful and friendly!  Yes, there's a bit of anxiety because I feel like I might miss out of getting the exact equipment I want.  And with MTH going away, I hope the hobby stays strong.  There's nothing worse than becoming interested in a dying hobby.  But, like you say, it's not a race, I need to be patient and when something I want does pop up in a catalog, that will make it all that much more exciting!  I do think I'll start trying the used market much more, though.  I checked out the for sale forum here just now and it looks full of nice stuff.  I feel like O-scalers take very good care of their stuff in general, so buying used seems like a good deal here.  I look forward to making a lot of O-gauge friends! Especially once we aren't all locked in!

@GVDobler posted:

Brendan---I don't find a GP38 coming out. Do you have a sku number or catalog?

Thanks

I believe this would be the one: https://www.lionelstore.com/Bu...-LionChief-GP38-2085

@Mike Wyatt:  Thank you for the very detailed post!  I'm starting to see the many benefits of buying used.  I'm going to make a point to keep a list of used forums to trawl.  I plan on only using command control systems.  I'll stick to the various LionChiefs at first, they seem very nice and easy to use yet inexpensive.  I do plan on upgrading to Legacy or TMCC in the future, though.  The quality I've seen from Lionel looks great!  It seems like they are doing really good now.  I hope they can stick around for another 100+ years.

I love local model railroad shops!  There aren't any close to where I live, but I always try to stop at one whenever I'm in a larger city.  I agree, it's important to support them!

Thank you for all the valuable information!