Looks like I might be leaving the hobby......

[andrechapelon]

Another thing one can do.  If you are starting out you don't need 20 locomotives.  If you want to model your own short line.  You can look for gp7-9 or an s1 or sw1500.  some rr that some store has a lot of and wants to get rid of them.  Patch out NH or nyc, put you own rr name AOK.  You can have a lot of fun doing your own thing. 

You don't need 20 locomotives even if you're an old-timer. Jared Harper is modeling the Alma Branch of the Santa Fe as it was in 1943. His entire steam roster is a single 1050 class 2-6-2.

SP's Monterey Branch in steam could easily be handled by a couple of 2-8-0's, a 4-6-0, a 4-8-0 (for variety) and a P-6 4-6-2 (for the Del Monte) and not have all 5 engines used in one operating session. In diesel, 3 or 4 GP9's would suffice, with a couple of them boiler equipped.

Andre