Not too long ago, I dismantled and packed up my layout. Thank you to Hemi and a couple of others for some great tips and discussion on that. Now that it is done and the search is on for a new house, I am finding myself thinking about what to do with the layout when we find a new home. One thought that I seem to be coming back to every time is the possibility of changing eras. So, for the past 15 years or so, I have concentrated on BNSF post 2000 . So probably 80+% of my locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles fit that time period. What seems to be reaching out to me is ATSF and/or UP in the late 40’s to early 50’s. I know that will be a drastic change on some fronts but with minimal detail and scenery updates, all but 2 sections are generic enough to work for that time frame. About 2/3’s of my buildings would work too with just some signage changes. It really is updating the fleet of locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles where the biggest amount of work would need to be done to make the change. So, with that said, I would love to hear any thoughts on making this kind of a change. It would also be interesting to hear pros and cons from anyone else who might have done this as well. Lastly and probably the most dangerous question is thoughts on choosing ATSF or UP for the main focus of the layout?
Well, you could always just have both. Most US buildings and stuff, signage aside like you said, didn't change much in the past 50 or 60 years, especially in more rural places! I know some nice steam as well as early diesels exists for UP - Challengers, FEFs, and what have you. I am less sure about ATSF. Regardless, both are popular enough as roads to attract a fair share of manufacturer attention. I think it would be a relatively painless switch - as painless as it gets in N scale, at least. I'd go with Uncle Pete, but that's just because i like their paint scheme more. Being from the northeast, I don't have much of a personal connection to the western roads!
Well here is a thought from crazy town, I have locomotives and rolling stock from the 1920's through modern day so I can run whatever I feel like. This was a bad move on my part because I have way more rolling stock than is reasonable. And to top that off, I really went overboard on all the different road names...... Learn from my mistakes!
I say do it, it has been a quite enjoyable change for me. I was modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1980's I am now modeling the Pacific Electric in the 1950's and can't be happier. Same layout, about the same location.
Model both. All you really need to change is the engine and some rolling stock in most cases and having extra rolling stock is like the wife having extra shoes.
I model two eras. First was 1972, which gives me plenty of old school modeling. Still love to do it. And now I've added "Today", which is modeling what I see on the rails right now. For this second one, I am actually removing rolling stock or locos as they are removed in real life. Keeps it very current. Most of my "today" rolling stock fits, but much of it is going to time out in the next few years.
LOL, as much as I love that idea, I can tell you that would not fly with my wife. If she had her way, all the trains would go and be replaced with shoes for her.
I will keep a few favorites that I have so in a small way, this would sort of happen. For the most part though, if going this route, I would downsize by selling what I can and using that to finance equipment that would fit the new era.
I will admit, I like what you are doing and it all looks great! You also hit upon something else and that is I feel like I would probably be a little more happy with a change.
Colorful passenger trains of varied heavyweights and lightweights, iced reefer blocks, cabooses, steam and first gen diesels, water tanks, shorter (curve friendly) equipment, semaphore and searchlight signals and on it goes. Would be a cool choice. (I model a freelance early '80s anthracite regional created in the wake of CR. Like the real Reading Blue Mountain and Northern, I run steam and varied diesels in legacy paint schemes. I crafted the theme and first version of my road in 1980 (pre-dating the RBM&N!) and almost 40 years later, my Delaware, Susquehanna & Northern still provides enjoyment. DS&N RR v3.0 is underway.)
When the wife says something, that's when you compare your rolling stock to her shoes. When she stops buying shoes, you will stop buying rolling stock. Also, point out how much less space the rolling stock takes. You can easily fit 20-40 cars in ONE shoe box...
Selling is a tough way to go to get funds these days...... I have tried to sell off some stuff but only offering $50 for a Kato SD90/43 MAC with ESU Sound install is just insulting.
That is pretty bad David. You do have a good point there and it's one of those things I know will require me to be patient and wait for the right offer to come and know that it may never. I also know I need to be realistic about how I price stuff as well. I am pretty sure I will take a loss on most if not all of it but the upside is, it will mean I can't reaccumulate as much very quick.
Indeed, it is tough to sell these days, may be better to donate to the Train Museum for the tax write off
I've received ridiculous lowball offers on items too and have even received unpleasant replies when I declined the offer. Perhaps some Buyers hope to take advantage of highly motivated Sellers, but not all Sellers are highly motivated and eBay makes it darn easy to determine what items are actually selling for by clicking the Sold Listings checkbox. An offer of $50 for a desirable unit like yours just wastes everyone's time.
The object of this hobby is for an individual to simply have fun. Change eras if that would make you happy. Change back if it doesn't work. Model two eras if that will do the job for you. Just have fun, whatever you choose!
Before I downsized drastically I flirted with being able to model three eras. All steam, transition, and finally all diesel that was basically 2nd and 3rd generation diesel and stayed in the 80s with the modern stuff. I essentially was able to just buy a few diesels and separate my rolling stock by eras to accomplish that.
I may be a little late, since this discussion seems to have a lot of replies, but I like these kinds of "theoretical" topics. One thing to consider is your motivation. Why do you want to get rid of the stuff you have now? Do you like ATSF 4-8-4 steam locomotives? The passenger trains? Most of my collection is BNSF in 2001, similar to you, but I am doing a few projects right now that don't really "fit in." You could keep your modern stuff and buy an ATSF Northern and use it for heritage runs. There is that one in California or wherever that is being rebuilt right now. You could have private cars on the back of the Southwest Cheif. I saw one yesterday inbound to Chicago. There is probably a way to include the aspects of the 1950's that you like in a modern layout, that way you don't have to sell your models at a loss.
