One Locomotive

[mkearns]

The earth's magnetic field wobbles and then swaps (long overdue actually). A new global ice age arrives. Ice caps expand from the poles at lightning speed, exceeding any previous glacial maximum.

Before your house is crushed by a mile-high wall of ice (and after you've gotten your loved ones and necessities to safety) you have a chance to go into your train room one last time. Time and space are limited, and you can only bring one locomotive with you. What do you pick? 

[Peavine]

Kato Santa Fe F-7 in the warbonnet scheme.

[mkearns]

Bachmann Spectrum N 2-8-0 Consolidation Chesapeake & Ohio #702 (DC).

It was my first locomotive after re-entering the hobby and the one that I'm building most of my future plans around. As a model, mine is a solid and smooth runner. Prototypically, it's a decent stand in for a G5, G7, or G9 class locomotive. Those hung on until the bitter end of steam on some of the smaller and steeper C&O branch lines, handing mine runs, locals, and even some small passenger/mixed trains.

[Kentuckian]

Key brass Kanawha in C&O scheme. But God gave me two hands so in the other one would be the recently released Atlas GP-7 in C&O. I know, I cheated!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My kitbashed SD40-2, 6366.





I have a bunch of projects I've done that I like and think are actually better models, but it's the only one I really have a sentimental attachment to.

And I say that because my model of SRC 90 lives with my parents...

[mkearns]

Haha, that didn't last long. I figured someone would try to bend the rules of the game and take two. Or would say their collection was "necessities" or "loved ones".

@Kentuckian

Interesting that a brand-new locomotive has catapulted into your top tier. What do you like so much about it?

I got both C&O road numbers of the new GP7 (silver series). One is back with Atlas right now, as it stopped running (but lights still work) after about 24 inches. Nice models, but I lean a little toward the odd-ball C&O diesels like Alco, BL2, etc.

[Lackawannae8]

Kato E8 with esu that I installed.

[spookshow]

It'd have to be something I couldn't just go out and buy again, so AB6 -



-Mark

[btrain]

I’d save my kitbashed Nickel Plate Road Hudson #175. It’s far from perfect detail wise, but the nicely running Model Power mechanism would propel a local freight or passenger train equally well. Plus in the new world, I can eliminate all those other modeling distractions and finally get the trailing truck to sit properly on the tracks.

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[u18b]

The one thing that would be very hard to replace.

Brass OMI Western Maryland Shay.
Super detailed with sound.  Redesigned drive train.
Probably spent 100 hours on it.

[mkearns]

@u18b That's an amazing looking locomotive

[jargonlet]

While I’m not much of a Nickel Plate guy, mine would be my ho NKP 587. I received it from a friends estate after he passed. It got over 200 parts added to it including a tender swap, tender truck swap, and a new pilot.

[wm3798]

Not a fair question.  Depending on what coat I'm wearing (you said Ice Age) I'd have enough pockets to carry quite a few jewel cases.

But this is my current selection.


Don't ask why, probably because this engine was the first major addition to the Retro fleet when I went around the bend a few years ago.  I always wanted one when I was 11, and I'm sure I'd want one again after the world came to an end.

Lee

[mkearns]

@jargonlet Absolutely shocked you didn't pick something Erie or PRR. Hahaha.

[Missaberoad]

My Atlas (Canadian Hobbycraft) Algoma Central GP7 that my late friend Paul Sincerny taught me to airbrush on.

Probably one of the only items I own that has real sentimental value.