Handling Locomotives and General Service

[Greg@mnrr]

I have several locomotives in my fleet that I seem to run more than others and they are a mix of finely detailed locomotives to those lacking delicate features.

With several locomotives I have broken hand rails just by catching them on utility poles or right or way mishaps. I now been ordering spare hand rails shortly after purchasing a new locomotive to make sure they are still in stock and I'll have them if and when the need arises.

The same with lift rings. I forgot that some of the locomotive have these delicate creatures and they maybe be missing in areas on a couple of locos.

I try to be as careful as possible and handle locomotive only when necessary.

Is just me with this problem?

Greg

 

[bnsf971]

No, it is an unfortunate fact of life when we get models with so much fine, fragile details installed.

 

[wheeler1963]

No, it is an unfortunate fact of life when we get models with so much fine, fragile details installed.

I so agree. The old days of the Athearn blue box kits with metal handrails are over.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Is just me with this problem?

No, I have yet to get out, use, and put away one of the supper detail models without some issue. Broken horn, hand rail, MU hose, lift ring, radio antenna, etc. I cannot wait until I get a real layout where I can just put the equipment on and leave it.

For operating sessions I intend to have a different fleet of less detailed models that can withstand the abuse. Roll the good stuff out for photo ops and public exhibitions only.