MTH UP Veranda Turbine locomotive to sell or not to sell?

This is a really tough question that only you can answer.  Years ago, I bought a Lionel NYC 20th century limited engine along with the four car passenger set with the plan of running it on a future mainline expansion. I never was able to work the wider track curves into my layout and the set sits on my wall as a shelf Queen, but for me, I could never sell it.  She reminds me of a set I had as a kid and I just love the look. I have brought it to my local train store for an occasional run on their layout and if I ever join a train club when I retire, I’ll run her there as well, but in the meantime, she is a work of art for me to view every time I enter my train room, and that’s good enough for me.  Good luck on your decision!

What is the engine and what are your minimum diameter curves? A simple modification might allow it to run on your layout.

Pete

@chefmarkt69  It would be nice to know what loco you are talking about. But that really does not matter. 

I wanted for years and it has been so hard to find. I waited for a week for it to arrive

- your comment suggests this is something you felt attached to enough to seek, find and buy. No last minute oops decision. If I buy a painting I like, it goes on the wall for me to enjoy. This engine could go on the wall and become a proverbial shelf queen to look at and enjoy or it could go on a section of straight track to run back and forth to enjoy its sounds and movement. Unless I needed the cash and have the space, I would keep it to enjoy, I could always sell later. Of course if I needed the cash then I would also have to ask what were you thinking buying the thing in the first place?

But I must say I was reasonably happy with my previous layout and then saw a few things that needed larger curves. So I rebuilt my layout, never thought I would. The only negative about having the larger curves is, you can run the larger engines so there is no longer that excuse not to buy. An MTH Burlington Zephyr pushed me over the edge, and I do not regret it for a moment.   

Why have you wanted this locomotive for quite some time?  Is it because it is a beautiful piece?  Is it because there is some historical connection to this loco?  Is it because you thought it would look good on the point of one of your trains?

If it is either of the first two, keep it and put it on display.  You could always take it to a local club that has adequate curves to run it on occasionally. 

If it is the third point, move it along and let someone else enjoy it. 

If nothing else, just enjoy the "Eye Candy" for a while before you make any decision you might regret.

Tom

Better to Love and not run than to never Love at all. Keep it

If its a steamer, you could always buy a set of o gauge rollers and run it on display, you already made the big investment.  If its a diesel, I guess you really wouldn't see much up on rollers.  Just a thought

You are welcome to bring it over and run it on our 0-120 curves. Or check the LCCA, LOTS and TCA members directories for those living near you.  Contact them and have fun.   John

Maybe along the way of wanting it for many years you do a little research into what the minimum requirements are as well.

Hard to say without knowing what type of locomotive it is but my opinion is Don’t sell it!

@chefmarkt69 posted:

Hello,

I just bought a locomotive I wanted for years and it has been so hard to find. I waited for a week for it to arrive. I received it and set it on my layout and went to run it and realized that the curves I have on my layout don’t work with this locomotive. I cannot expand my layout nor do I want to. It is simple and perfect for me. I own a dozen other MTH locomotives that all run perfectly on my layout. I truly love this locomotive but now I am thinking of selling it because I can’t run it. I thought of keeping it but I am not sure. Just looking for some feedback on this perplexing situation. Thank you

Where are you located I am sure there are Clubs or folks around that would very happily let you run it on their layout I know I would if you were local to me,

Unless you are into staring at locomotives in a plastic case or on a shelf, sell it.

I had the same thing happen to me about 18 months ago.  It was somewhat of a relief to sell the locomotive and start a "fresh" search for a unit that would run on my layout.

The fact that you are "considering" selling it means you want to sell it.  If you loved it as much as you thought you would, you wouldn't dream of selling it.

Mannyrock

All the comments are so helpful and I am outside of Boston.

Everyone here makes good points.  If I could come up with some way to make a simple large loop to run it, whether building a raised track above what you have or a temporary loop to pull out to run on your floor, I'd keep it.  Otherwise, I'd sell it because it would gnaw at me not to be able to run it unless I had a club or a friend's layout to visit, as mentioned, too.

I like the idea of shelf queens, but as your collection grows (if you let it), space really becomes a problem, and you have to cut ties with some of those babies that you kept warm all these years.  I haven't cut ties much yet, but I'm getting ready to start paring down and fine tuning what I like to run and what just sits on my shelves.

Another idea:  build a siding and park it there permanently.  If you aren't going to run it, you can even save on the cost of a switch by just cutting track to make it look like a switch.  And then there it is, part of your layout, parked in front of your industrial area in all its glory.

Mike

I'd be disinclined to give it up in the off chance you may get the opportunity to run it, especially if it took you years to obtain.

Build a roller base and run it as a stationary engine.

Give it to me, I have the curves to run it on.

There’s a great debate going on, and we don’t even know what he has………

Pat

Yes....whatcha got?  Probably somebody else on here has that loco and maybe confronted that problem....and worked around it....

If there is ever the possibility that you might be able to run it (through a club or if more space becomes available to you in the future), I would keep it.  Or else, you might be posting in that "regret selling" discussion going on now!

@harmonyards posted:

There’s a great debate going on, and we don’t even know what he has………

Pat, if he's willing to give it to me, I don't care what it is.

keep it.  run it back or forth or on a temporary larger diameter track.  Then find a club with big curves and show it off to your new friends!

If you are north of Boston. There is a club in Wilmington. Boston Metro Hi-Railers. They have a good sized layout.

www.bmhrc.com

I have a 027 layout. I know my limitations and try to stay within them.

That being said... a 072 loop on the floor scratches the itch.

Sounds like the time put into finding this mystery loco was well worth it and you should keep it.

Throw down some track and post a video so we can all enjoy it with you.

Then find a club and let her stretch her legs so to speak.

Bob

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Pat, if he's willing to give it to me, I don't care what it is.

Maybe he’s got a Vision Line Big Boy, ……….that’d be a home run,….😜

Pat

@NJCJOE posted:

Build a roller base and run it as a stationary engine.

NJCJOE,

Would you mind sharing where you bought this roller base or where to get just the rollers to build it?

Mike

Interesting - still don't know what it is.  Any thoughts on what happens to these beauties when the electronics inside inevitably becomes obsolete?  Or fails, with no replacement parts?

Way off topic, but I just ferried an aircraft with a 2005 vintage GPS radio.  It had not had a software update since 2006, and while it could find the satellites, it refused to navigate.  An update would make it work, but guess what?  No amount of $ will buy an update.  Semi- useless.  $2500 in 2005.  Will PS-2 be like that?

Maybe the OP is ashamed of his choice of model, and that is why we do not know what it is?  Is it pink?

I should take a photo of my MTH Croc and its operating base. Just a few standoffs under the trucks and spring power contacts. No track needed, no rollers, cleaner look. attach to the two wires coming out of the base and you are running.    OK here is the photo - When I mentioned a base - this is what I was thinking.  Connect power to the r/b wires and it operates. Advantage here is that the traction tires are not compressed sitting on a display track.  The 4 plastic standoffs are visible under the trucks - 2 are close to each other on the center, the other 2 are just inboard of the outer wheels.

@IRON HORSE posted:

NJCJOE,

Would you mind sharing where you bought this roller base or where to get just the rollers to build it?

Mike

Here’s where you get the test rollers.

https://www.micromark.com/O-Ga...s-Assembled-Set-of-4

@chefmarkt69 posted:

Hello,

I just bought a locomotive I wanted for years and it has been so hard to find. I waited for a week for it to arrive. I received it and set it on my layout and went to run it and realized that the curves I have on my layout don’t work with this locomotive. I cannot expand my layout nor do I want to. It is simple and perfect for me. I own a dozen other MTH locomotives that all run perfectly on my layout. I truly love this locomotive but now I am thinking of selling it because I can’t run it. I thought of keeping it but I am not sure. Just looking for some feedback on this perplexing situation. Thank you

What I've found is that there may be items of interest that will be in your collection and possibly never on your layout due to size or configuration. In that situation, there's the tough choice of whether it stays in a box, gets sold, or becomes the proverbial "Shelf Queen". I'd opt for the last one. As someone above posted, a nice thing to add would be a roller base -- better still, a roller base built into the base of a display shelf/case so the wheels have the appearance of being on the rails (more work).

I have several locomotives and a couple of brass rolling stock items that will likely see little track time. The plan is to display them.

One thing I have not heard is build a shelf layout around the top of the room. Being that high, you can have the curves even larger that what is needed.

@IRON HORSE posted:

NJCJOE,

Would you mind sharing where you bought this roller base or where to get just the rollers to build it?

Mike

Mike - I made one with Fastrack based on NJCJOE's design. The rollers are available at Micro-Mark. Works very well and can be used as a display piece.

This link should get you started.

Built New Test Track | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

@IRON HORSE posted:

NJCJOE,

Would you mind sharing where you bought this roller base or where to get just the rollers to build it?

Mike

I built the roller base myself. This this thread.

https://ogrforum.com/...1#153322190097937211

@harmonyards posted:

There’s a great debate going on, and we don’t even know what he has………

Pat

I updated the topic and added the type of locomotive. It is a veranda turbine ps3

@NJCJOE posted:

I built the roller base myself. This this thread.

https://ogrforum.com/...1#153322190097937211

Thanks, Joe.  Very cool and very helpful. 

Mike

@NJCJOE posted:

I built the roller base myself. This this thread.

https://ogrforum.com/...1#153322190097937211

NCJOE Thanks for reposting the instructions for your roller base I now have everything to build it and downloaded and printed the instructions.

The Veranda is a cool locomotive, so I'd recommend keeping it and using some of the previous suggestions.  Here's my TMCC model, they're a real beast!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The Veranda is a cool locomotive, so I'd recommend keeping it and using some of the previous suggestions.  Here's my TMCC model, they're a real beast!

John,

I respect you very much and thank you!! I will and you also have a beautiful model!!

Oh no.  Now I might have to buy one of those and I only have 0-42 curves!

It has to and no if and or butts run on O72!!! It is massive