Where do you tend to buy your rolling stock...

Sumner May 6, 2019

  1. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    Tex n Rails still has a internet site, but while I used to buy from them as well, their prices stopped being competitive over 10 years ago (loved getting their little 'catalogs' in the mail) Hog Trainz website is a hurricane of a mess. Can't hardly find anything (unless it's HO or G) and then only in very limited amounts.
     
    Onizukachan likes this.
  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    More thoughts on where I order my stuff from. Before I get there. My ordering of stuff has dropped off significantly. Most new items are out of my league. So I watch, drool a little, wish this, wish that and then set out with a plan that might make it happen. Let's see if I sell this on E-pay then will I be able to order this? Usually the answer is, "No way in hades."

    Mail Order or ordering over the internet, I like to order from Fifer Hobbies or Wig Wag, both sponsors here on TB.

    I've used a lot of Mike's, Model Railroad How-To's on BarstowRick.com. Hopefully, we will get it back up and running but I'm not betting on it.

    One other location, I think it's in Baltimore but I can't share that here on TB. Not a sponsor.

    Entirely to much time on my hands.:whistle::)
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
  3. Thomas Davis

    Thomas Davis TrainBoard Member

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    I buy more through private deals on sites like trainboard, or the various yahoo, groups.io and facebook groups than I do eBay. And frankly, pricing on eBay has gotten to the point where in several cases, I have found internet retailers selling new items cheaper than eBay dealers. If there are particular cars or car types you are interested in, put up a "want to buy" listing and see what offers you get.
     
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  4. dualgauge

    dualgauge TrainBoard Member

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    Being in southern Utah, may be a long way to any shows. Have been to several smaller shows that have better deals due to lower table prices. Would try to find swaps in the area.
     
    BarstowRick likes this.
  5. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Simplest answer from me is a little bit of everywhere. Here on the TrainBoard swap meet, on line shops, ebay, LHS, train shows, and FB yard sale pages. Always try and find a good deal but sometimes I am bad and it's just a straight out impulse buy.
     
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  6. Boilerman

    Boilerman TrainBoard Supporter

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    My buying has been greatly reduced to some purchases at the train shows I attend and from Fifer Hobby.
    I use to pick up a lot of train cars by bidding on the Bay, however it has been over 3 years since my last purchase as the price is close to what Fifer sells a boxcar for and I would rather give him and his wife my business.
     
    mtntrainman, catfan and BarstowRick like this.
  7. thenightfly

    thenightfly TrainBoard Member

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    Mostly online, because I don't need to actually physically check the merchandise. Kato, Microtrains, Athearn, ConCor, Fleischman, Arnold etc have all been good enough to trust that they will roll well with my locos. Japanese specifics (Tomix & Japanese Kato items) I get from PlazaJapan on fleabay, ICE train I can't remember but it was some European vendor. Many from some train store.com. But I do visit one brick and mortar store each week since I've been retired, and always manage to buy at least one car or loco with every visit, just to help keep them in business. I go to the Greenberg train shows just to walk around, but will pick up anything interesting that I see while there. I know I'll be paying a bit more, but I feel I have to support the merchants that bring out all the merchandise for us to examine in person. While I might be enthralled by demonstrations of new products on youtube, there's nothing like seeing and examining it in person.
     
  8. trainsbybob

    trainsbybob TrainBoard Member

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    Sumner,

    If and when you make it down to Phoenix, check out Obie’s Trains In Apache Junction. Probably the best stocked “old school” hobby shop in the valley.
    https://obiestrains.com/
    Cheers!
    Manny
     
    MP333 likes this.
  9. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    20 years ago, there were over 15+ LHS's in the great Seattle-Tacoma area, now down to just one good one in Kirkland, Wa.

    I never go though, 5 miles north, but sometimes up to a two hour drive depending on the traffic.....

    No bueno!!:(o_O

    Nowadays, it's either someone on here, 2 on-line vendors, or the Epay.
     
  10. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I am on a, more or less, permanent hiatus from purchasing anything in the way of locomotives and rolling stock. My purchases of late have been for DCC decoders, scenery materials and tools. Except for a few 'must haves', I stopped buying rolling stock when the prices exceeded the $15.00 per item level. There was a time when one could go to a train show and have a reasonable expectation of getting a good deal on something. Those times are long gone as I haven't seen what I consider to be a good deal in years. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that I get in free with the club's participation in the show, I probably would not go. Similar situation with prices on Ebay. I consider myself to be very fortunate that I went through my accumulation phase when prices were low and this whole bit about the situation with China was absent. But that is a story for another time. Currently I am now in the process of selling off my non DCC friendly stuff and rolling stock I do not use. Parting with the locomotives stuff is not easy as some of them are my favorites. So, right now, unless Atlas puts out the former Lifelike SW9 in Montour RR paint I don't anticipate buying anymore locomotives or rolling stock.
     
    MK likes this.

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