Equipment Selection
From Donboy
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One of the things that seems like it would be fun to me is to select locomotives to run on the layout based on some kind of economic model. There is a good chance I might be like other model railroaders and end up with to many locomotives for the size of the layout and if that is the case they can be part of dealer inventory to power new trains. If a locomotive is the only one available and costs to much to run or is a bit to small that is what the prototype had to deal with from time to time.
With a narrow gauge layout I will start with Porter and Baldwin locomotives. I also plan to add geared steam and small switching diesels later.
I should end up with a range of choices:
- Low purchase price vs High purchase price
- Low speed vs High speed
- Low traction vs High traction
- Low maintenance vs High maintenance
- Low fuel cost vs High fuel cost
Of course every locomotive would have a least one good point and low or high would be a range. I will start with the best prototype information I can find and then make some changes so the managers are not fighting over the same class of locomotive if I have to. With narrow gauge power I might be able to work with the prototype information and have a nice blend of choices for different types of work without mucking with the facts. When a manager is shopping they would use a catalog that lists all the relative points for each class of power. I want to avoid one of a kind power as much as I can so each class will end up with at least three engines as a general rule.
If I can stick with it “older” classes of power will go on the railroad first and over time they will be available cheap on the “used” market. It seems like a neat way to add an operating history to my layout.
Cars and other equipment will work like locomotives.
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