Has anyone ever purchased an engine for display only?

If you just want to admire a Big Boy there are lots of beautiful photos and art prints available. I've never purchased any locomotive or piece of rolling stock - N, HO, or O - for display only. Every train I've had since 1953 has been for running. In O gauge a Big Boy would cost well north of $1000. If I plunk down that much money for a locomotive it's going on the front of a train, not on a fireplace mantel or in a display cabinet.

hello guys and gals.........

 

NO.............. that's throwing money away. 

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011

Tiffany

I have 5 steam engines, none of which are on the layout, mainly because the layout is still too messy and dangerous to put them out. Of the 5, only the S-3 Pilot will never turn a wheel. It will sit in its display case on the mantel. Last time it was out was for my avatar pic. The other four, which includes a Big Boy, will all be runners.

 

Not me. If I can't run it I don't need it!

Yes, I bought the Millenium MTH gold Hudson, boxcar, GG1 and passenger set.

I only bought them last year, not a bad price, and I think they just look extraordinary, particularly, the Hudson, just stunning.

i bought an MTH Big Boy in 1:32 scale (gauge1) without a layout to run it on, so i suppose that would fall under this category, but it was one big chunk of locomotive at a price i would expect to pay for an O scale model.  too good to pass up and i have a feeling it would not be difficult to excess should i ever decide to sell.

Yes! I purchased several of the early J.C. Penney engines such as the 8006 Silver Shadow, PRR EP-5, Wabash FM and the L&N Berkshire "Big Emma" in the early 1980's that I still have. I also bought the JLC Hudson and caboose, and the Gold Hudson and caboose. Several of my prewar locos like the 752E U.P. M10000, 350E Hiawatha, 700E, and 227 are just getting too fragile to run, so they have become shelf sitters.

Regards,

Randall

Yes, just once. I have a used MTH scale Union Pacific Coal Turbine I bought used from trainz.com for about 50% of typical price because it was "cosmetically perfect but does not run."  I really wanted it only to display in comparison to my other Turbines and the big UP steamers.

 

Beyond that, many times sort of.  I run everything I buy when I first get it, but I have anumber of locos on display: JLC Big Boy and Alleghency, EM1 Yellowstone, MTH GTEL, that are really too big for my layout even if they will negotiate its curves.  I bought all of them knowing they would almost never be run.  

All runners for me save a Lionel Lifesavers tank car that is mint.  I bought another one for 50 bucks that has been run to do the work.  Even run my Vision line Hudson why just look at them? Have fun!

Yes, of course...

 

I see nothing 'wrong' with the idea.  There are people in our neighborhood who have purchased 'artwork' to hang on their wall for the price of a Big Boy.  Of course, that's what their art...painting, sculpture, pottery, football jersey, signed baseball, ...whatever... is supposed to do...hang on a wall, or sit on a shelf.  That's fine for them.

 

However, for me...

 

Even though 95+% of what I buy is for running on the layout, there are some pieces that are just too big for the layout, but I consider too awesome, handsome, beautiful,...pick an adjective..., to pass up (at a good price).  And so, yes, I bought that handful of pieces to be displayed...proudly and with great appreciation every time I look at them.  Definitely an investment...in my (our...wife's into this every bit as much as I) enjoyment, only.

 

TEHO, I say.

 

KD

 

 

There is something to be said about just being able to admire a model of (insert locomotive here) in all three dimensions, without having to power up the computer and going through photo files, plowing through apps on your i-whatever, opening a book or popping in a video.

 

An if a person feels a model locomotive on display will enhance his living space, who are we to criticize?

 

Rusty

 

I have purchased several. The Lionel N&W Warhorse J Set was the first, followed by the Lionel Gold Hudson and the last one was the MTH 400E Blue Comet. All were just displays until I decided I had to run them.

Scott Smith

I guess I did !!!!!

Yes I have...but it didn't last. I could not resist running it. A Big Boy will simply not run on my layout, the big ones that need 072 and bigger to run on that is. I would buy that for display but I would occasioally creap her back and forth on a straight trac section just to watch it move. 

 

I do not see anything wrong if you want an engine for display only simply because it is a form of art and beauty to you.  Go for it....wonderful idea. 

Not yet, but if the price is right I would buy Lionel's Smithsonian streamlined K4. The one in the wooden case.

 

The only reason I wouldn't run it is because it is two rail.  But I would run it on it's display rollers.

 

Everything else gets run, or has been run.

 

Before I even owned 16 pieces of 072 curved I bought Lionel's scale S2.  I believe 89-90 time frame.  The reverse unit got a workout as I ran the engine back and forth on straights.  Ancient history now.

Here are some more "virgins"

 

Not intentionally.

Frank

AS PRIMARILY A COLLECTOR WITH APROX. 1100 O SCALE LOCOMOTIVES AND CARS, I HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED THAT HAVE NEVER SEEN A TRACK AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL. I HAVE 8 LOCOMOTIVES I RUN ON MY LAYOUT AND SOME 20 OR SO CARS .

frankly even on O72, most scale articulated locomotives still look odd to me.  3' radius is slightly more than twice as sharp a curve that most of these engines could negotiate (20° or 0146) which can again be doubled for mainline track profiles.  with #1 gauge, add 50%.

quote:

BTW, At least I display trains. Think of the collectors with closets or basements stuffed with crates and boxes of rotting PW trains..

Some of that stuff hasen't seen daylight in half a century or more..

 

Without collectors, your beloved Lionel wouldn't have made it past the 1970's.

Exactly what parts of genuine postwar trains rot?

Kind of, sort of. The Lionel MPC gray 783 scale Hudson. It is my display piece along with the 1990 scale Hudson w/display case. But I have run both of them and enjoy them as is....Jim

Everything runs, the older Williams engines that I've had electronic problems with get their DCRU's replaced with rectifiers and old mechanical e-units. I don't buy the fancier brands with sound & computer control, etc. (which gives you an idea how long it's been since I've bought from them), I don't need shelf queens.

No never, if I buy a locomotive it better well run. I have had PW Lionel mint sealed in the a  box that I opened and ran although now I just run more scale engines from the modern era. No need for beauty queens here.

Kind of...
I bought a Lionel Commodore Vanderbilt 264M, for a fraction of the going price, knowing full well it didn't run.

I do plan to get it running...eventually.  I have replaced a few parts and some if the wiring.  At this point, it is just displayed until I get time to fix it.  It can actually run now, but not reliably and the electro coupler flies open.  It is getting closer to being a running beauty.

Kind of also, but both are used as flat car loads, one on a Southern other on a Pennsy flat car.  They are the "Best Friend of Charleston" and the "John Bull."

If you've gotta have it, I can think of 2 options...

First, buy a PS1 Big Boy with dead electronics that someone doesnt want to fix, and just display it.

Second, buy a working Big Boy, and put it on Jax Rollers on the shelf, connect power to it and let it run in place.

 

I believe you may be misinterpreting his comment. I dont think he feeels that PW trains rot, I think he was referring to them rotting away in boxes and crates not being used.

 

I saw this Chicago PCC at Chicagoland Hobbies 20 years ago and had to have it.It is the best looking brass model I have ever seen.The person that custom painted it was a true top craftsman.I would run it,but it is two rail,so it is my one display only piece.

Dan  

I have a 1 gauge live steam locomotive I have never run and likely never will.

 

GUILTY - My most expensive engine as a matter of fact.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Dave.  I have everything except the GG1.  As soon as I got that Hudson, I pulled the battery because this one will never see power.

P.S.  I got mine at a great price, too.

mine will be both ran and shelf queen..lol   as soon as i get all the bugs worked out of My PRR S1 its going on display till next fall/christmas..

Roy, please put me in your will!     I will pick up !!  

 

- Mike

I never buy any of them with the intent of being shelf queens, but they may end up on a shelf for years before they get run again. They usually get run upon delivery, then put on a shelf until the next running session.

not intentionally

We have the early Lionel 'Classics' Standard Gauge Blue Comet set for display only. My wife's favorite train!

I've picked up various HO pieces that appeal to me for display only too.

 

All the O gauge stuff sees service....

Yeah, I agree with the answer "not intentionally". 

 

George

I have bought several HO guage trains with no intention on running them. I really enjoy displaying them and just looking at them. I have considered buying some older O guage trains for the same purpose but haven't done so to date. I probably would if I had more room to display them.