Who here as ever changed their mind about steam locomotives?

I say another weird topic....

Jim Berger posted:

I say another weird topic....

Hey just asking.

Let's not judge.  Just move on in the absence of thoughts to contribute.

What, me worry?

Seaboard, I started out by buying an F7 diesel set back in the late '60s and ran diesels until I was about 30.  I like steam and first generation diesels about equal now.  Those are some nice trains you are running in the videos!  Keep posting your thoughts and questions.  It was a good question in my opinion!!

Alfred E Neuman posted:

Let's not judge.  Just move on in the absence of thoughts to contribute.

What, me worry?

What else would expect from Mr Happy?😂

My mind has never changed about steam locomotives. But the same is true about diesels. I like them both. 

Moving rods and wheels of the steam locos intrigue me. The color options of the diesels add that dimension... so for me, it’s late steam and first generation diesel.

Good question, though I did the opposite. Started out exclusively with steam. Then when I had an era for my layout 1955 finally, I started adding Diesel but only those that fit the era.

I will add, for myself and a friend we do find the Diesels less troublesome in running.

I just cant help it. I LOVE both! Nick

TM Terry posted:

My mind has never changed about steam locomotives. But the same is true about diesels. I like them both. 

Moving rods and wheels of the steam locos intrigue me. The color options of the diesels add that dimension... so for me, it’s late steam and first generation diesel.

Exactly the same scenario for me

Changed my mind??? No. Changed my perspective, yes - my first train set in the early 60’s was headed by a PW 637 (still have it). It used smoke pellets and I loved it and it was a good smoker. As I got older, diesels were more affordable and colorful, so I got into them and loved them. Finally, as scale, big steamers started coming along, I fell for them hard, but don’t use the smoke -  I don’t care what anyone says, I always smell a petroleum smell for some time after use!!!

I didn't NOT like steamers, just thought their prices were too high.  But then I ran into some Williams/Samhongsa brass and I was hooked.  1st one, a USRA 2-8-2, was less than $190 delivered.  I think the most I paid for any of the 5 I have was $450...BRASS!!!  Even most of my RailKing steam I got for a low price.

With prices of diesels the way they are (my most expensive was the 3rd Rail E7), steam looked better and better.

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for.  They just don't appeal to me.  Hate the way any camelback steam loco looks, don't like the GG1 either.  Don't really care for the modern diesels, I like the rounded look of the 1st generation ones best.

I vaguely recall seeing 1 or 2 steam engines when I was a kid.  Down here, most RRs had dieselized by the early 50s.  I think I recall seeing a steam switcher on the N&W mainline off Route 460 and my 3rd grade class took a trip pulled by a steam engine, but I can't recall which one.

Mark Boyce posted:

Seaboard, I started out by buying an F7 diesel set back in the late '60s and ran diesels until I was about 30.  I like steam and first generation diesels about equal now.  Those are some nice trains you are running in the videos!  Keep posting your thoughts and questions.  It was a good question in my opinion!!

Thank you very much.It was some thing that has been on my mind.After all this is a forum about trains.And the question was about steam locomotives.

TM Terry posted:

My mind has never changed about steam locomotives. But the same is true about diesels. I like them both. 

Moving rods and wheels of the steam locos intrigue me. The color options of the diesels add that dimension... so for me, it’s late steam and first generation diesel.

That is how I feel to.I can recall seeing the SCL gp7 and 9s.

Bob Delbridge posted:

I didn't NOT like steamers, just thought their prices were too high.  But then I ran into some Williams/Samhongsa brass and I was hooked.  1st one, a USRA 2-8-2, was less than $190 delivered.  I think the most I paid for any of the 5 I have was $450...BRASS!!!  Even most of my RailKing steam I got for a low price.

With prices of diesels the way they are (my most expensive was the 3rd Rail E7), steam looked better and better.

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for.  They just don't appeal to me.  Hate the way any camelback steam loco looks, don't like the GG1 either.  Don't really care for the modern diesels, I like the rounded look of the 1st generation ones best.

I vaguely recall seeing 1 or 2 steam engines when I was a kid.  Down here, most RRs had dieselized by the early 50s.  I think I recall seeing a steam switcher on the N&W mainline off Route 460 and my 3rd grade class took a trip pulled by a steam engine, but I can't recall which one.

To me the camelback is one of the weirdest looking steamer around.I did not get to see any steam locomotives.But I got to see the gp7 and gp9s and the boxcars still had the colorful railroad names.I even saw wooden boxcars with steel bracing.Oh I saw 1 E6 diesel.

Apples55 posted:

Changed my mind??? No. Changed my perspective, yes - my first train set in the early 60’s was headed by a PW 637 (still have it). It used smoke pellets and I loved it and it was a good smoker. As I got older, diesels were more affordable and colorful, so I got into them and loved them. Finally, as scale, big steamers started coming along, I fell for them hard, but don’t use the smoke -  I don’t care what anyone says, I always smell a petroleum smell for some time after use!!!

Its all good their your trains run them the you like.

Always loved steam locomotives. Always will.

I like Steam, Diesel and Electric but being one of the old men of the crowed my favorites are Steam, Electric and Diesel in that order.

Bob Delbridge posted:

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for... don't like the GG1 either. 

Heresy... heresy... break out the pitchforks and torches   

TM Terry posted:

My mind has never changed about steam locomotives. But the same is true about diesels. I like them both. 

Moving rods and wheels of the steam locos intrigue me. The color options of the diesels add that dimension... so for me, it’s late steam and first generation diesel.

Yup, that about sums it up for me, too.

Alfred E Neuman posted:

Let's not judge.  Just move on in the absence of thoughts to contribute.

What, me worry?

Some if not up to there almighty standards, it becomes a weird topic, If your not interested move on, no-one  making you read or comment. 

I personally started out with a 2359 B&M Gp-7/9. I was into diesel for the longest time. In fact it took me about 40 years to get into really enjoying steam. I was a diesel type person. Now I enjoy both. 

I've always favored steam.  Saw the AFT pulled by the ex Reading T-1 as a kid and that cemented the passion that has never changed.  While I like the occasional first generation diesel, my current O roster is all steam.  Someday hope to add some NYC E8s though.  I think the lightning stripe scheme with silver trucks looks fantastic  

rtraincollector posted:

Alfred E Neuman posted:

Let's not judge.  Just move on in the absence of thoughts to contribute.

What, me worry?

Some if not up to there almighty standards, it becomes a weird topic, If your not interested move on, no-one  making you read or comment. 

I personally started out with a 2359 B&M Gp-7/9. I was into diesel for the longest time. In fact it took me about 40 years to get into really enjoying steam. I was a diesel type person. Now I enjoy both. 

I have seen pictures of those.They had a nice paint job on those locomotives.One day I am gonna get me a 2 GP9 locomotives.One of the local trains always had 2 of them.

I started out the other way. Enjoyed steam first with it's weight and exposed moving parts. It took a while to appreciate diesels but  now I have and appreciate both.

Good topic, keep them coming.

I will ATTEMPT to keep this brief:

Started out liking what I saw as a mere lad in the mid-fifties in Kansas City: Diesels. (Might have seen ONE steam engine at a service rack at the Santa Fe engine area... but not for sure.)

Modeled what I saw until what I saw (and liked) started being phased out. (i.e. 1st generation diesels including my beloved F's and GP7's.) This was status quo UNTIL...

The Awakening: I saw the GS4 Freedom Train laboring northward through a cold night north of Tulsa, OK. Wow... ENTIRELY NEW sensory inputs. I've liked steam from that point on. Came home from The Awakening and started reading up on the history of the railroads and steam in my region. (At the time I lived in the Fort Smith, AR region.) The history of Fort Smith, and the Ozarks, and the coal belt to the south of Fort Smith, etc, was fascinating in the days of steam. Tried a small foray into modeling HO steam and became disillusioned with the steam kit offerings of the time. SO...

Back to my "status quo" (diesels) for the next several years UNTIL...

The Experience: That happened while riding the woodpile of the tender of Eureka Springs & North Arkansas' Mogul #1. NEVER had trains been as moving (goose bumps, even!) as that experience (and that includes a LOT of onboard experiences on/in/working-off-of diesels).  Steam has been my mistress ever since... always a flirtatious temptress.... but I was seemingly married to diesel. Soon after The Experience, I got a paid position as an extra hand at the ES&NA and pretty much ran their steam engines weekly. My best railroading memories are from my years at the ES&NA.

Until recently, my layout efforts have all been diesel, but this time (on my upcoming layout), I'm going to try my hand at modeling 19th century Colorado: All steam.

So... yup... my perspective changed toward steam: Went from diesels only, to embracing steam as well.

It's all good, though.

Andre

If I’m at a hobby shop and if you see me pacing back and forth, stay away from me, I’m thinking. 😂 

In all I think about if I buy any engine, that it’s something I like or have cars to go with that loco before I buy it.

Apples55 posted:

Bob Delbridge posted:

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for... don't like the GG1 either. 

Heresy... heresy... break out the pitchforks and torches   

Whoa !   That's like saying "I don't like Lorna Dunes".  Nobody doesn't like Lorna Dunes.....LOL

I like Steam and Diesel from the post war era in the west so I have some hefty steam and E & F units.

Mikey

Wish I could go back in time and see steam engines in action. Heck even a day / week / weekend trip on one.  

Few places I've gone to, passenger cars pulled by an older diesel. One day, want to fly up to Oregon and see the SP Daylight. 

Back to layout talk... used to be all for diesel only. Well when I ran HO layouts. Then I bought my 1st steamer, in HO, but just to run it on display at hobby shop I worked at. Something about all those moving parts. Now I'm looking for a premier or legacy one for my shelf layout. 

Dan Padova posted:

Apples55 posted:

Bob Delbridge posted:

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for... don't like the GG1 either. 

Heresy... heresy... break out the pitchforks and torches   

Whoa !   That's like saying "I don't like Lorna Dunes".  Nobody doesn't like Lorna Dunes.....LOL

To be honest, I don't like the GG1 either, I have a couple just cause every collection needs one. But other than that, don't really care for them! Sorry!

If it trundles down the track,  I like it. 

If it doesn't trundle down the track,  but I can fix it so it does,  I like it even better.   

I now have an inexplicable craving for Lorna Doones, however.   

GG1s are best when painted in Razorback Red or Giraffe Express blue,  but that's just me.   

Mitch 

What the heck are Lorna Dunes (Doones?)? Like Indiana Dunes or Colorado's Great Sand Dunes?  Don't know what they are...do think a GG-1 is some kind of electric loco that never got to Pittsburgh, so how could it be a Pennsylvania RR loco? Coal and steel WAS the PA. RR.  I played around a station where Southern RR hoppers were dropped off by steamers. My first train set was steam outline.  Then l saw a test run of multi unit green SRR F's grinding a long freight up the creek bottom below, and the stores were full of Lionel warbonnets.  So l bought a Marx #21.  And then l rode the Colorado narrow gauge.  While the early E's and PA's "shore air purdy", l only want steam.

MattR posted:

Dan Padova posted:

Apples55 posted:

Bob Delbridge posted:

Now there are some engines, steam and diesel, that I don't care for... don't like the GG1 either. 

Heresy... heresy... break out the pitchforks and torches   

Whoa !   That's like saying "I don't like Lorna Dunes".  Nobody doesn't like Lorna Dunes.....LOL

To be honest, I don't like the GG1 either, I have a couple just cause every collection needs one. But other than that, don't really care for them! Sorry!

I thought it was just me!

I bought one in one gauge and it sits there. I like it overall. It has some pretty cool main drivers. Our grandson comes over and runs about everything I own in rotation. He has never asked to run the GG1. I tried to suggest it one or two times, and he passed. I tried to assign it to my Amtrak pass train. He prefers an Amtrak diesel, or any steam engine (it seems like).

 I almost cut it up looking for a steam engine that I could morph it into.

 It is an important engine in history. For me, it represents those big (over-styled) car bodies. I never saw one run in person, in real life so maybe that's why?

After watching several films about it, I am starting to really appreciate what it did. I won't carve it up now!

When I was young, I had one heavy HO steam engine that liked to derail. We did not get many toys so it made me hate steam engines. I remember taking a large drill bit to it in an attempt to lesson the weight of the beast. Nothing I did ever helped it. I always went to the dependable diesels.

 With about every guest I get preferring to see steam, I had to go back and see what the problems were all about. Now I have dependable steam engines that run, sound, and smoke great, so I like them. I prefer diesels to this day.

Dan Padova posted:

 Nobody doesn't like Lorna Dunes.....LOL

...I thought that was "Sara Lee"... 

Mark in Oregon

colorado hirailer posted:

What the heck are Lorna Dunes (Doones?)?

I had to look them up too.  I thought maybe it was a stripper's name or something!

I grew up in Chicago in the 50's, and saw both steam and diesels in regular use every day. I have always loved them both. My first Lionel was a Santa Fe warbonnet; my best friend had a Lionel Lines steamer (can't remember which one), and I have always loved models of both, too. It shall always be thus.  

To me lionel and 3 rail trains will always be steam. my uncles marx set I played with as a kid was a steamer. I always wanted the nice fancy steamers that smoked. last few years though I have gotten the diesel bug. have been getting lots of modern stuff lately. I have a few good legacy steamers and legacy lionmasters I will never part with. for now though unless a real good deal comes along. lionel steamers are to expensive for me right now. I maybe interested in the some good used mth steam if the price is right. I prefer legacy for my steamers but I have had a few new proto 3 steamers and they ran ok. I sold them though to get some great diesels.as far as maintenance goes diesels hands down are a lot less hassel than steam. I love them all though. If I ever won the lottery though I would by all the steamers I missed out on and then some. 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

 

GG1s are best when painted in Razorback Red or Giraffe Express blue,  but that's just me.   

Mitch 

Fortunately, Mitch, it is just you - and you are scaring Fortesque (and me)  

My memories of a lot of train watching as a kid, 1948-54: With steam, you could count on a engineer or fireman returning your wave most of the time...diesel, maybe a third of the time.