We all know SG tinplate is just plain gorgeous. The big massive 400e, the big and beautiful state cars, the hefty 408e to name a few. However, with my modest size layout....I'm thinking that maybe this equipment may be a bit too big. I feel as if these big boys don't really have the opportunity to stretch their legs. Perhaps I should have gone the route of something a little smaller...for example the 385e, 8e,10e and 500 series cars. Just a thought...has anyone done a redirect?
Sunrise
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We all know SG tinplate is just plain gorgeous. The big massive 400e, the big and beautiful state cars, the hefty 408e to name a few. However, with my modest size layout....I'm thinking that maybe this equipment may be a bit too big. I feel as if these big boys don't really have the opportunity to stretch their legs. Perhaps I should have gone the route of something a little smaller...for example the 385e, 8e,10e and 500 series cars. Just a thought...has anyone done a redirect?
Sunrise
Oh yes indeed. For the very reasons you suggest. Turns out that all of the prewar trains can lead you to a redirect. For an example, I was focusing on Lionel 500 series freight cars, 300 series pax cars, and the apropos locomotives (385's, 390, 8,318 stuff like that) then I got my hands on a American Flyer wide gauge 4018 boxcar. WOW! Changed my whole direction. I even revamped an area on my O gauge hi-rail type layout so I could run all the Flyer AND the Lionel 300/500 cars.
Frankly I have had a thought or two about ripping out all of the Hi-Rail and going strictly prewar SG... with a little O gauge thrown in.
I run the smaller equipment on my home layout for exactly the same reasons. The Lionel Hiawatha and the Super 381 are strictly for open house days at the museum layout, although I do have wide curves and plenty of clearance so I can test run everything, even if it looks silly on a 13x13 ft layout. If I'm just playing trains at home, a 385e, a 392e, or the McKeen car will do just fine. I actually like the 392e better than the 400e; it looks more like a real steam locomotive, while still being tinplate. The 385e is very, very nicely proportioned and is in some ways my favorite steamer, especially in black with nickel trim.
Bigger isn't always better. Smaller equipment looks better on my layout. I have the 400E only because I wanted one for so long. That is the biggest I have or am going to have.
My advice, join the Standard Gauge Module Association and have fun running both your big and small Standard Gauge. Run your small SG on your home layout and run your big SG on a SGMA layout at a train show near you.
See SGMA in action in Milwaukee this coming November 9th and 10th at Trainfest 2013.
Bob
The SGMA is also considering doing Oaks Pa WGHT in January. The Big E show is 2 weeks later if we can get space too display there. The group can do both shows.
Anyone interested in building a couple of modules is welcome to join the party.
At the very moment of purchasing some SG I made the choice to redirect to O instead just for the size & expense. I'd love to have it, but it dawned on me right then & there that SG is for the rich guys with lots of room & $ & that don't fit my profile. Ate a slice of humble pie that day for sure let me tell you. Still LOVE to look at it though, as long as it's someone else's.
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