Yesterday I was at our local NMRA meeting (Indian Nations Division in Tulsa), and one of the members was selling off some HO scale gear. He models O scale (and rather well, I might add), and had no use for any of it. Among the items was a Proto2000 E8A, Proto2000 FA2, and Atlas S2- all in B&O paint, and all for 15 bucks apiece. Well, needless to say, I'm not a Beano guy (although I think the diesel paint scheme looks cool), but the S2 caught my eye, I had the cash, so I went home with the diesel. And yes, it was in excellent condition, and yes, it runs. Checked out the MSRP for this run (2006), and it went for 89.95. Now, the seller didn't care to make a lot of money, he wanted the stuff to have a good home, and I can tell you this S2 will- after a new paint job and addition of details, plus the addition of a DCC decoder. Even the missus was impressed- I told her I fully recognize how expensive the hobby can get, and I always look for bargains and sales. Bob's Primary Law of Model Railroad Purchases is thus: THOU SHALT NOT PAY FULL RETAIL PRICE The bargains are out there- swap meets, clearance sales, your fellow modelers....if you're budget-minded, this hobby can be followed at a decent price. Now, where did I put that 91% isopropyl.........?
Ken, like me, you first gotta attend these shows. We both suffer from the same problem, ain't no shows within a coupla hundred miles of our homes...:crying:
I like to follow these rules too. Esp being almost every hobby shop will discount off MSRP, and if they won't there is always mail order. Boxcab, not too sure how far from Spokane area you are. But there was a show in ID today, didn't know about it until last night. But there is another one in 3 weeks...I've seen a few deals at these shows.
Since I retired I "live" within my retirement pay. And train shows, etc. are not too common in my area, were it not for the discounters I could not afford or enjoy many of the items I have and do. I'd still be model railroading, but it would be somewhat more restricted.
Sucker Light Was On AGAIN! Frisco Kid,It's a good rule you have there. I agree 100%. I just paid MSRP for a locomotive that is in my opinion one of those returns that didn't work for the previous owner. Allegedly fixed, returned to the shelf...in order to recover the profit. After thought: I did get a discount, so you can't point those wagging fingers at me and say I paid MSRP. Does a 10% discount count? Then I found two of them on the internet for sale at half price. So the deals are out there. Oh and I use 50% isopropyl alcohol...cheap b@$+@rd that I am.:uhoh:LOL To cheap to buy a larger bottle of vaseline but I may need one if I keep making decisions like this.
A show in Idaho? Where? As you noted, I did not hear of it. For me to reach the eastern Spokane vicinity generally requires a steady push the limit drive of at least five hours. Airway Heights/ Fairchild AFB locale, add more.... The price of gas to find those (N scale for me) deals.... Yikes.
What? No E8? Ya don't need any more race horses? I miss going to area meets as one normally could find great bargains or make decent trades. Now I am pretty much relegated to "that auction" site. But then, I am very selective and there isn't much decent Frisco stuff to be had at a bargain.
It was in Hayden, so north of CDA. I'm actually in Spokane, except for work, like right now, where I'm sitting at work... Sounds like me with the Missoula show, be nice to go, but can't see any reason to drive 3 hours to go to a show that is only on for a day.
Nah, I didn't feel like messing with the details on the E8, and I'm not a big varnish-type. I only have one FP7 and an E8A, with a ConCor E7A somewhere in my collection. As is, I may either paint the S2 in Northeast Oklahoma RR colors or in Frisco livery. I'm also planning to use it as my first decoder install project. But you're right, it's tough sometimes (less than it used to be) to get Frisco stuff at a good price. Been fighting that one since I started modeling Frisco in 1984.
As far as train shows go, I haven't been to one in almost 2 years. I've got one coming up in 2 weeks in Bixby, OK (just south of Tulsa), and I'm hoping to go to the NW Arkansas show in Springdale next year. For me, they're always great places to find bargains. And with a self-imposed restriction on buying things (I'm focusing on my new model railroad), I'm not going with a big wish list.
As a self proclaimed New England Yankee, I too am cheap. My newest vehicle which I took to the last train show cost me a grand total of $400.00. At Galesburg this past summer I was able to score three N scale undec locomotives, two Atlas GP9's and a Kato B unit for $80.00. The nice surprise when I got home was the Digitrax decoder in the one Geep. Generally I will shop around when it comes to retailers. I have one local favorite and a few on-line ones here as well. The deals are out there, and thankfully they are not all on eBay.
Like so many of the rest of y'all I too usually end up too far away from any decent shows. Occasionally a local club will set up some kind of show but usually turns out to be more of a kid's day and displays that anything for sale. I am fortunate to live closer to my hometown that I used to and now about 2 hours drive to Pittsburgh area and lots and lots of shows, sales and conventions.
LHS consignment shelves are good places to check regularly, too... I just got a P2K SD7 in B&0 paint for $35
While it may still be possible to participate in the hobby at a reduced cost and pay less than retail today, this is a situation that is becoming increasing difficult, especially if one is interested in the latest models. There was a time, not too long ago, when product runs numbered in the multiple thousands; there were many local train shows with bargains; there was always a local hobbyshop around that gave discounts. All this is passing into history now in many areas. Product runs grow ever smaller and in many instances unless you buy at the time of issue at a generally inflated price you and others will do without. Train shows are in decline and whereas they were once THE great source of bargains, at least along the East Coast bargains are increasingly hard to find as most smaller sellers find it easier to deal through eBay than the many hoops shows make one jump through to sell today. I would also note that many of the remaining train shows in my area cater much more to Lionel trains than smaller scale and one also often finds the shows are populated by a few "virtual traveling hobbyshops" that sell at retail. Gone are the days of individuals selling off unused items cheaply. Likewise, where do you find a hobbyshop today? My immediate area once supported up to 4 at a time. The last one close 15 months ago and currently I have to travel 45 minutes at highway speeds to reach the nearest and this in an outer suburb of NYC! So...count your self lucky if you are still finding bagains at local shows, shops, etc. Many of us no longer are and can only turn to eBay for a price break, if we can find what we want there in a timely fashion and that still can often prove be a situation of buying blind. NYW&B
I have also noticed this- you're seeing fewer of the individuals thinning out stock, and more folks who operate their businesses only at train shows. And with Athearn not making blue-box kits any more, even that old standby is getting more expensive. At one time, Athearn and MDC were my primary purchases, and I still like buying cars in kit form. As for train shows, I'm blessed to have several within a couple hours' drive from me (Tulsa, Okie City, Bixby, NW> Arkansas, Joplin, MO), but again, the restricting factor there (and even in my gas-sipping minitruck) will be gas prices. Trust me, every bargain I stumble upon that I can capitalize on is a blessing to me.
When we lived in the "big city" I had a choice between several decently stocked shops. My favorite was the one who not only knew what, where, and when you modeled, but also kept an advanced reservation book at the counter. One not only knew what was coming out before most of the mags, but he offered a 20% off price with no $ up front. Granted if you ordered and didn't buy it, that option was never again offered to you. Unfortunately he moved to a bigger city and I moved to the middle of almost nowhere (meaning the biggest town that I am close to has 430 people). As a result, I do most of my "hobby shopping" online. And every once and a while I do strike gold i.e a BL light mike with DCC and sound for $70 (Frisco no less).
I whole heartedly agree about all of this. I just want to add that even wood for bench work is out there for free. I found all the studs, 1x2, and plywood I needed by driving the alleys of my neighborhood. The only thing I spend real money on is wood glue, water putty, and other materials that need to be new. Places worth shopping: Ebay, yes Ebay... I just set my price in my head, then I wait a long time for something I need to show up at the right price. I bid on a lot of things and mostly lose, but sometimes I get exactly what I wanted. The trick is learning to wait. Used stores of any kind. Here in denver we have a place called surplus metals, you can even find tools like jewelers screwdrivers there for cheap. those of you in Denver should check out Surplus Metals it isn't far from caboose hobbies. Habitat for Humanity stores are good too. I once bought some unmarked spray cans that had sprays of colored paint, only to find out it was 5 cans of clear finish. I think i paid maybe a dollar each for those. turns out I needed clear spay more than I needed colored paint anyway. My local HH stores front door looks on the BNSF joint line. Seems like every time I go there I get to do some train watching too.
Don't forget to "shop" local thrift stores. Iam not talking about the "big chain" stores like Salvation Army. In the area, we have a couple of no-kill shelters and granted a lot of stuff is junk, but one can find a needed tool or whatever really cheap. Knives for foam carving, sifters, etc. I needed a small piece of angle iron and found a single piece of bed rail that was perfect. Cost me a buck.
