very few things are the total package

We probably all have our reasons that justify what we model, and I can certainly understand your logic.  My years as a child growing up in a railroad town is what stuck with me.  The steam era was fading fast, so I reminisce and have a yearning for first gen diesel power, particularly Alcos.  My layout and trains bring that all back for me, which is why I'm in the hobby!  Mis-matched era's of boxcars, some ominously dilapidated, all sizes and body material/types, and many with flat spots is what I miss, and of course, cabeese!  It must have really been something to see the big steamers thunder by! 

Stack   

Being born in the late 40's I really don't remember the steam era even though as a kid I remember seeing some steam switchers. 

So in my hobby I like the era of super steam and nobody was better then the UP. I have quite a few of UP steam from Challengers, 9000's, and many others. I also liked that the UP experimented with the likes of the turbines of which I have several. 

To to me they all look good. 

Hi Stack,

Another thing I admire, is invention... trying something different.

I have models of guys(manufacturers) that gave it a shot; didn't succeed in the long, but they run made an impact, at the time, i.e - Fairbanks Morse's H24-66 Train Master.

Alco/GE had some nice firsts, too. Didn't they have the first road switcher, and the C630 had some new technology, for the time.

David,

The Union Pacific had a great power boss(s) in the old days. They asked for monsters, and they got them...

the Gas Turbine Electric's were part of that great era.

Rick

I like the modern GEs as well.   No nostalgia factor for me - I like power and grace of big locos, and when these monsters pass by, it is a complete experience and a total package - sights, sounds, vibrations, anticipation as the train approaches, perhaps even some diesel exhaust smell. 

Ken,

Toughest sounding prime movers, the late and current model GE locomotives.

Rick

Having been born in the early mid 1940's, i remember regularly seeing steam on the NYC's mainline. In fact my first trip to New York City  from west of Albany was pulled by steam all the way to Croton Harmon.

Seeing early Alco diesels was a treat. Explains why i have 6 compared to 1 EMD unit.

However for sheer grace, design and power the GG1 remains unmatched; The summer after college i regularly rode "clockers" pulled by them from Philadelphia to Newark and return. i now have 5 of them!

jackson

Hi Jackson,

Never heard that term "clockers" before. Electrics are some of my favorites; a superior type of motive power.

Rick

Rick,

"Clockers" were trains that ran every hour (from 7 A.M. to 10 P.M.) from Philadelphia (Broad Street Station) to New York in the pre-Amtrak era. Mostly they were pulled by GG1's.

jackson

This is why I like the UP so much.

Maybe I am not the norm, but I purchase what I like regardless of whether it is steam or diesel, or what the road name is. Just about everything runs smooth and performs as good as it looks. A good example is the ATSF 3000 that in my opinion is one of the nicest steamers ever made and the performance is spectacular.

Thanks, Jackson. I was thinking "clockers" might have referred to how electric locomotives were rated; by the amount of running time they've accumulated.

Rick

I think the modern GE locomotives are an engineering tour de force:that company is really on its game right now. 

But I model nothing nearly as modern on my layout, so I admire the modern locos from afar while running my GTELs and Veranda Turbines.

I really have no life experiences seeing steam locomotives other than museums and Steam Town PA. 

I just find that some engines I see just captivate my senses. Could be any manufacture, could be diesel or steam. I wish I could understand my own reasoning on this to narrow down my selections but they remain extremely varied.

I love them all but some just hit me as "I gotta get one of those" my love of model engines has led me on a path to read just about whatever I can about the protypes and their original uses.

I agree, Lee, that GE is, and has been, doing something right. Some might think GE is somewhat of a latecomer, to the motive power industry. When you take a look at the information available, GE has a significant history, re: building various types of locomotives.

Jeff,

I have often bought whatever hit the spot, at the time.

Rick