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 Posted - April 12 2013 : 12:29:16 AM
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I'd like to see all of your top 3 favorite locomotives, any gauge, any type, anything. See I chose Top 3 cause there's no way any of us can pick just one 
Pictures not required but are helpful and appreciated for us all!
And if you don't mind i'd like to know why it's your favorite.
Thank you! 
My 3 are all steam and all Roundhouse
 My #1 favorite of all time is my custom Roundhouse SSW 4-4-2 #605 modeled and crafted dead on to the actual prototype 4-4-2s that the SSW ran. Has a smoke unit, completely painted running gear, and many wiring and weighting repairs I've done. I Love everything about it, how it runs, how it looks, and most of all I got it for christmas. A good buddy of mine found it while browsing ebay 2 weeks before christmas. He sent the link to me of this custom SSW set with the 4-4-2, auxilary tender, 5 SSW daylight coaches, and an SSW caboose. Was poorly listed and stole it no bidding competition for $50!! Christmas is my favorite time so it always reminds me of a happier time
 My #2 favorite. Another Roundhouse 4-4-2. This one I made my way. See after christmas I browsed a different train store near the one I always go to. See the people who run that shop aren't friendly, mark everything full blown retail, and just aren't helpful at all. I only go to browse their used section and what do you know i found something there for a good price and that I'd want. It was an unassembled but out of the box in pieces 4-4-2 kit. I had already spent my money so I asked a favor of the train store my family has been giving business to for over 2 decades. The favor was that they buy the 4-4-2 kit for me and hold it at their store so I could be the for sure owner. I agreed to buy it off them for a little more so they coudl make money. Took my wallet getting stolen, and a busy schedule but finally I got down there and bought it and in 3 days I had it 85% assembled and a few weeks later I finished the rods and final pilot work and some frame adjustments to get her working like a champ but now she is. See I wanted it to be one of my favorites and I always wanted and orange steamer being its' my favorite color so that's the engine you see here. Sorry for the long explanation but that's her story.
 here's my 3rd favorite engine, a Roundhouse David Lee's Circus 2-8-0. Found it on ebay back in June of 2012 NIB as a kit. ALways wanted a kit to build and the rare circus roadname added to the intrest so stole it off ebay for $50! Has gone through 4 boiler resprays, multiple test runs and repairs but she is operational and only lacks main rods and a headlight. See I couldn't figure out how the crosshead fit on the main rod and long story the rod isn't good for use now. So I have a deal with EM-1 to get #3 her main rods and headlight then she can enter service! I wish she could have operated on my old layout while she was there but at least she can run on my newer improved layout.
Well that's my 3 favorite engines! Lets see yours!
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - April 12 2013 : 12:37:16 AM
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My 3 fave's and pictures to come soon:
Rivarossi Casey Jones 4-6-0 or my B&O 2-10-2 and Big Boy and Stream Lined Hudson.
I own lots of Mantua's and Bachmann's and Varney's, just that 'Rossi's have way more detail and run better than most of my other steamers. Some many and hard too choose!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - April 12 2013 : 09:40:23 AM
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Big Boy, Challenger & Northern
Don't have them cause of expense  but someday I'll get them 
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Posted - April 12 2013 : 10:03:42 AM
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my 3 favourite are simple locos first 2 decided by railroad and 3 as its one of my oldest ken
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Posted - April 12 2013 : 1:35:23 PM
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This was a hard one...
1947 HO Scale Penn Line Crusader 4-6-2 Streamlined Pacific Steam Locomotive. Fully restored by our own Tony Lucio!:
A Mantua Custom Brass 2-6-6-2 Logging Steam Locomotive:
Made of diecast (chassis and cab) and machined brass (boiler and details). The smoke box cover is made to swing open and looks to be a Cal-Scale casting.
The engine is partially scratchbuilt and the rest is a kitbash of 2 Mantua 2-6-2 parts.
The logger was part of 17 steam locos and 14 tenders that were purchased on eBay by me, as a "Lot of 31 Black Train Pieces" for $330 inc shipping/handling back in 2004-2005.
Lastly, a Mantua pre-WWII All Brass 2-8-0 Consolidation:
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
Edited by - Mustangs_n_Trains on April 12 2013 2:46:49 PM
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 01:11:08 AM
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I will admit I LOVES the Streamlined steam locos too
The one NYC did looked more like Buck Rogers design
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 04:24:24 AM
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I'm not sure what order these are favorites-wise, so here they are in chronological order. Pictures to come later.
First, is the first HO locomotive I ever had, my PT-powered ChattNoogo 2-8-0 that came with the first HO scale train set I ever got, for Christmas 1975. It is in sad shape, with a broken valve gear hanger, pilot and front steps. Also broken wiring and probably other damage I can't remember right now. When I was little my dad liked to listen to Big Band music and, being fascinated with trains, one of the songs that caught my attention was "Chattanooga Choo Choo," so when I saw a train set by the same name, I had to have it. Not long after I got the set, I put my 2-8-0 and a friend's loco on the track together and for some inexplicable reason it damaged them both.  I then traded it to another friend for 5 Tyco cars. I had trader's remorse and managed to get it back. In the meantime he had repaired it.
EDIT: I finally have a picture of this one:
Next is the first "serious" scale locomotive I had, an Athearn U33B with metal trucks, lettered for Seaboard Coast Line. I grew up about a block from a small SCL yard and really wanted some SCL equipment, but Tyco didn't offer any (the So76 notwithstanding). Judging from Tyco's offerings at the time (mid to late 1970s), I concluded SCL wasn't colorful enough for them. My dad took me to a hobby shop in the next town, and I chose the U33B. I think it was my birthday. That loco racked up a lot of miles pulling Tyco consists!
Last but not least is a Life Like BN low nose GP38-2 from a train set my wife gave me for Christmas when we were dating. She had told me there was something in particular she wanted to give me that Christmas, but it turned out she couldn't afford it. Then, she couldn't afford her second choice either. In her disappointment she settled on the Life Like train set. Of course, even wrapped up, the shape of a train set box was unmistakeable, and I had no better sense than to say something stupid like "I know what that is!" It was obvious I hurt her feelings. I don't know what she originally wanted to give me, but it doesn't matter, that train set is one of my most precious possessions.
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
Edited by - gmoney on November 16 2014 4:30:35 PM
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 10:55:37 AM
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Great stuff guys...
In no particular order, my AHM/Rivarossi Big Boy circa 1969. I call it "God's rod of Discipline" because I bought it for way more than I allow myself to pay for locomotives. The adventure starts after an online sale that was badly packed, having beaten itself to pieces along the way. The tender was a mismatch almost 30 years younger than the original loco. After a 1 1/2 year search for parts and applying the necessary repair, installing a DCC harness, then weathering it to hide the mismatched loco and tender, I have this...
[URL=http://s126.photobucket.com/user/1shaygetz/media/bigboyc.jpg.html] /tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/bigboyc.jpg [/URL]
My circa 1972 Cab-forward was purchased from a widow selling off her husband's collection at a train show. Priced at $25, I told her she could get alot more for it. She said that her son told her $25 because there was something wrong with it so that's all she'll take. I did notice a tippy toe action in the drivers, paid my money and tore it down once I got home. I found the boiler weight had zinc pest and badly warped. I found also that they were rather hard to find and that they had changed over the years so...I broke mine into three pieces, glued them back together straight with JB Weld, then filed and fitted it into what you see here. I added weight and DCC to it as well...it pulls 25+ car trains up 1.75% grades with ease.
[URL=http://s126.photobucket.com/user/1shaygetz/media/cabforward1a.jpg.html] /tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/cabforward1a.jpg [/URL]
My final one is this circa 1974 NWSL 18 ton Shay I got from Ken. I always wanted a teakettle Shay since I was a teenager in the hobby, so when the right combination of timing and funds came together, I turned in a requisition to the CFO of my railroad and got it...
[URL=http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/3shaygetz/media/IMG_4495-950.jpg.html] /tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/IMG_4495-950.jpg [/URL]
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 10:57:08 AM
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Lovely shay there shaygetz!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 11:30:29 AM
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cool locos, shaygetz
The #4005 still exists at the Forney Museum in Denver 
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 12:05:54 PM
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I have the #4005. I thought that's the one UP wants to steam up again!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 12:12:10 PM
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quote:I have the #4005. I thought that's the one UP wants to steam up again!
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - April 13 2013 : 12:05:54 PM
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no its #4014 in Southern California they want to get running again
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 5:53:05 PM
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| My 3 favorite engines are the 1970 Chevy big block 454, the 427 and the Chrysler 426 Hemi of the same year....
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 8:07:26 PM
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What a challenge! Boy, this will take some thinking...Ok, done! Since I like the unusual and arcane, this makes it MUCH more difficult for me to select even 3. But I will do my bestest.
#1 on my list - the EMD BL-2. Much maligned, plagued with issues, it nontheless was a trail-breaker in modern road switchers. And the look is cool.
#2 on my list are the humble 44-ton and smaller switchers. I can't ever say I've seen one in real life, but I just like the smallness of it, and it's utilitarian purpose. Plus the fact that they can do 200 scale MPH when you wind up those rubber bands with that motor!
And, #3 on my list, although I've never seen one in real life, nor operating on a model railroad - the United Aircraft Turbotrain. Driven by 5 aircraft turbine engines, 4 for power, 1 for heating/steam purposes, it was another trail-blazing attempt at faster trains with unconventional power. A propensity to catch fire, noisiness, etc were major drawbacks, and their unconventional mechanical requirements caused maintenance headaches, but the look was just awesome with that tadpole nose and tail. And being able to sit up in the passenger / observation area behind the engineer in the lead engine/car you could see what the railroad pilot was doing and where you were going. A pretty rare feat with any passenger train.
I'm afraid , at this time, that I don't have a favorite steam engine ( or type ). Well, I take that back, the N&W J4 bullet nose was a very sleek and attractive engine, but I don't have one (complete) yet. A future acquisition for sure. Those are my 3 selections ( for now ) as to my favorites. I'm sure time and more steam engines may change my selections, but for now, these are my 3 favs. [Wink
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 13 2013 : 11:32:52 PM
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Jerry, sell me your Penn-Line whitcomb!!!
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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mph
Switcher
Status:
offline
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Posted - April 14 2013 : 10:25:35 PM
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Interesting topic because of the reasons behind each of our selections. These locomotives may not be our "best" or most expensive, but they are favorites because of the story behind them and the meaning to us.
My top three at the moment are my Westside SP 4-8-2. Brass was the holy grail in my mind since I was a kid. I finally had the funds at right time and bought this beauty 15 years ago.
My next favorite is a Roundhouse 2-6-2 that a friend of mine weathered. I hadn't pulled this out of the box for years and I see that I have some work to do on it...
Finally, my current favorite diesel, an Atlas Classic GP7. Normally, my favorites are locos that I've customized or saved, but this one was purchased used but in new condition through eBay. What makes this loco favorite is the exchange that I had with the seller. He had to get rid of it and wanted photos of it in use. This made me feel that he trusted me with something that was meaningful to him.
Mark
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Posted - November 16 2014 : 5:17:37 PM
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My top 3 favorite engines. That's a hard one. Here's the best I can come up with.
My 3rd favorite locomotive would have to be my Mantua Pacific due to the fact that it looks awesome, runs really good, is my oldest H0 scale locomotive, and I got it for $30 with a $10 freight car.
My 2nd favorite locomotive I have would be both the Daylight and the Flying Scotsman. Why? Because I think they're both equally as cool looking. Unfortunately though, my Daylight doesn't run all that well. It's very squeaky and isn't that smooth. The Flying Scotsman though is a very good runner. Overall though, they are both equally as cool in my opinion. Especially considering the prototypes are both among the most famous steam locomotives in the world.
My #1 favorite H0 scale model train is something that may or may not surprise you. It is, by no means, my coolest looking locomotive or even my most finely detailed locomotive. It is my very first H0 scale model train. An Athearn CSX F-unit that came in a train set I got about 10 years ago. The reason I put this as #1 is because it's the engine that started it all. We went to a hobby shop to buy a model train set since I was good for a week or two in Kindergarten back then. We still have photos of the original layout we had for this thing back in the day. The locomotive still runs just as good as it did back when I first got it all those years ago since it uses the high quality Athearn flywheel drive.
These pictures of my first train set were taken within a month or two after joining this forum. Since then, my family has gotten rid of the box and I've gotten a new coupler for the tanker car from this set. (The coupler broke off as you can tell in the picture.) So there you have it. My top 3 favorite model I currently have.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
Edited by - kovacste000 on November 16 2014 5:20:53 PM
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Posted - November 16 2014 : 7:50:36 PM
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1. An AB set of modernized FT units <> Cary Lead Alloy bodies with modern Athearn Drives <> Real Stump Pullers
2. A pair of ALCO RS units <> MDC RS3 and AHM RS2 Dummy <> My first custom paint with dry transfer letters.
3. A Santa Fe style Northern <> Bachmann with can motor <> I just like these massive looking engines
My honorable mention would be:
I have a set of ALCO AB PAs in Daylight colors. This is a Athearn powered A and dummy B set.
These units are mine again after they were donated to the train club. They must have a few hundred hours of run time on the same drive train by now. Irv built really good units.
Regards John
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” <> A. Lincoln, 1863
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 Posted - December 06 2020 : 3:19:17 PM
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Some tough choices for collectors.
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Posted - December 06 2020 : 3:23:50 PM
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the United Aircraft Turbotrain was recreated by Rapido
Do want one in Amtrak!
not the DOT one but the full on Phase 1 scheme
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