Trends of N scale person fleets

[drgw0579]

In Bryan's personal fleet posting, he implies he replaces older equipment when acquiring newer and better models. The composition of my fleet is very similar.  I am of the opinion that if I own something, it should be on the layout, and not in a "off layout box".  So when I basically ran out of room for any more rolling stock, I started a policy of only getting something new if it replaces something that is inferior.  Initially it was a no-brainer what was replaced, but soon all the easy retirements were made.  Doubling the size of my primary staging yard fixed that!

But as newer models with better detail come out (and a higher price tag), will we always see the need to dump older stuff?  My layout's goal is to be operated by a group of friends.  I am not necessarily a detail freak.  Current Micro Trains cars are fine with me.  I probably have 50 Atlas 90 ton hoppers on the layout.  For unit trains, I still think that is a good model for that service.  Or should I  consider replacing them with something better?  Wife say No!  Most of my friends are HO modelers and can't see the detail anyway.

So I am wondering whether most of you are settling for cars with "molded in grab irons" and plastic details instead of etched metal parts.  I do really appreciate special models such as the ESM X58 box cars which probably wouldn't be available any other way.  But am I going to replace all my Micro Trains cars on the layout?  Will there be a trend among modelers to do that? 

Bill Kepner

[peteski]

So I am wondering whether most of you are settling for cars with "molded in grab irons" and plastic details instead of etched metal parts.  I do really appreciate special models such as the ESM X58 box cars which probably wouldn't be available any other way.  But am I going to replace all my Micro Trains cars on the layout?  Will there be a trend among modelers to do that? 

Bill Kepner

Bill,
unless the added-on free-standing details are truly in-scale (they are usually oversize), I prefer the more delicate look of molded-on details such as grabs and ladders. Micro Trains cars are especially well done on that regard. Some other brands might have the engraved details a bit heavy for my taste, but generally, in N scale I  still think that molded-on ladders look better than free-standing ones.

[up1950s]

Would you sell your earlier born on eBay if your newer had better looks , I think not . You can use the less attractive for MOW , parts , bashings , or gifts to newbies  . There will be plenty of time to sell them once your dead .

[mmagliaro]

I dump and replace as long as I have too much stuff.  It's as simple as that.

How much is "too much stuff" ?

Simple:
I have set of drawer storage units under the layout.  If my engines and rolling stock don't fit in those,
something has to go. 

As long as that space isn't full, I can keep older items.

Of course there are some exceptions.  No matter how much better a PRR T1 one of you guys makes,
that engine isn't going anywhere!  No matter how old or inferior it gets, that one stays.