Budget Model Trains DO still exist.
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Budget HO Scale Locomotives
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Budget HO Scale Rolling Stock
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Budget N Scale Locomotives
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Budget N Scale Rolling Stock
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Wooden Trains
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT - Навчання та стиль
I got started with a kato locomotive starter set (Santa Fe Big Chief). Oddly the dealer I ended up buying a considerable amount of product from after the fact, chastised me and told me I wasted my money on getting a very basic entry level set. I told him he was wrong. While I enjoy my $$$ Steam Engine, I have just as much fun running the starter Kato Locomotive. I agree it is all about what makes you happy and what allows you to enjoy the hobby and have fun. I dislike hobby snobs.
I am more shocked that someone dunked on KATO. I don't own anything KATO since their HO line only does modern railroads which I don't but even I know KATO's are reliable, bulletproof models.
By the way, I start with a Bachmann set, them get some material from Atlas ( it desaperes ). I am from Portugal, and model train shops are maybe two, now. No one have American rolling stock, too expensive to have. 20 years ago was more easy and the offer was big. How I miss that time.
I have only just gotten into the hobby. I have limited money (am a convience store clerk) so I got a Bachmann Norfolk Southern F7 set that had some EZ track (great since I live in 1 br apartment, I'm thinking modular layout for teardown/setup ease). It was only like $170 all told with shipping. May not be a high end model but I get enjoyment out of it.
@@jenniferadams7582I suggest T-Trak since it uses kato track (altho prob can be swapped with some modifications) but definitely a good way to make a layout and I believe easy to store,
@@stitchstudios2404 cool, thanks. Will definitely check that out.
Also going to train shows!! I know not everyone can easily travel and attend, but they are an absolute gold mine for deals, unique equipment, and older, cheaper equipment to get started!
I have now only been in the hobby for a little over a year. I have either overplayed AFTER haggling down prices or been outright scammed any time I buy a loco. The only things I have saved money on are 5 pieces of rolling stock. This is assuming they have n scale at all
@@cault6902 I’m sorry that’s been your experience at shows! There definitely are vendors that ask too much or are pushy trying to sell there stuff. My best advice is to pay those people no mind and just keep looking until you see a good deal! I’ve been back in the hobby now for 3 years or so and with gained experience I know what is worth it or not. Also, I model in HO so I’m not sure what it’s like with N scale
The major online retailers always have good sales. Be patient and shop around. I took advantage of sales last Oct and Nov. and found many items up to 60% off MSRP.
Getting ready to rejoin the model raiilroading family after ~25 years, so this vid really hits home. I am leaning to N scale and DCC, so lots of decisions to make going forward. Really like your videos. Keep up the good work. PS: My Grandfather retired from Canadian National Railways in 1953, after 40 years, as engineer of #2563, a 2-8-0 Consolidation. I think my ERA to model is pretty much decided.
It’s all about what makes you HAPPY👍😀OperateOnOperator
The information you provided is helpful. Since I have my starter set, I can plan and expand wisely. ☕️
I have one of those inexpensive toyz trains. The intent was to make it the "under the Christmas Tree" train. Its battery powered, plastic, and cheap. But it looks really cool seeing it running circles under the tree in December. :-) I just need to find a better "base" for the track, as it doesn't lock together properly, so we don't run it much due to derailments. It is my first train, and it will be the one that I remember with the most fondness honestly, as it is heavily linked to all of the Christmas morning nostalgia now. 🙂
I’ve picked up 3 Bachmann N scale “starter sets” over the past couple of years after 20+ years since my last MRR purchase. While the EZ track isn’t as nice as Kato, it’s fine for quick setups and my Christmas layout. The locomotives run great and are my go-to for a quick run around the track. The power packs work fine and have a nice feel to them. And each set has been $100 or so, purchased from Amazon during a sale (right before Christmas they drop!). The rolling stock is ok, but when combined with my nicer stuff from atlas and MTL, it’s a great way to get a train running. And VASTLY better than my cheap stuff from the 80s. 🎉
One of the other factors is that many people want everything ready to roll nowadays. A big part of the hobby is assembling kits. Used to be you assembled that Atlas shanty or that Athearn boxcar. That was part of the fun and the learning in this hobby. Now so much is like frozen meals, or take out food, no assembly but convenient. DIY is the way to go.
I feel that DIY also allows you to get more creative and less constrained. Like one thing I want to work up to doing is making an ho scale replica of the Salt Lake City LDS/Mormon temple. My best friend is LDS so kinda like a memorial to her. But I'm just beginning so long way before I feel I could tackle something like that.
@jenniferadams7582 Google a guy named Howard Zane. Modern day scratchbuilding wizard- both buildings and rolling stock. Lots of youtube on him out there.
I can second this but sometimes I don't want to assemble a lot of boxcars
I kinda wanna focus my stuff on the locomotives
@@Salvacottontail sadly the days of assemble yourself loco kits are long gone.
@@Quince828 tbh I need them to do a comback I really liked the E2 kit I got and 3d printing
Oh wait 3d printing
Great explanation on smaller companies needing to provide higher end/ higher priced items
Great research and commentary on the entry level products, which DO appear, and in most cases, run better than their comparable pieces from years past. I do find that many train shows are a great bargain for used products if someone wants to get in the hobby even cheaper to start, but there is that shiny new loco in the box that also tempts the desire. As you stated, inflation has hit everything, including this. In addition licensing, R&D, and tooling costs affects new products costs dramatically as well. You can still do this. Like anything else nowadays set and watch your budget, look for deals and bargains, and support your local dealers if you can.
I bought a few locomotives from the BLI Refurb site. Been happy with them. A local hobby shop has a bunch of used rolling stock and Atlas track. Half of my rolling stock is used, as is a bunch of Atlas track.
On the early entry toys you mentioned, my father made us kids a layout with Tommy Blue trains and track. I had so much fun with that, and wooden trains. Such good memories.
Thanks, I get started in 1976 with a Sears set and it was great at that time
I am glad you mention the WowToyz line. Years ago, I went to our local train story (now closed due to retirement) and asked about a transit for my daughter who was young but very interested in trains. The response was, "Model trains are NOT for children" (imagine in Comic Book Guy's voice). I am not an idiot and I can tell the difference between a high-grade model and a toy, but the fact that this store didn't sell ANY (let alone acknowledge the existence of) toy sets was baffling to me. I ended up finding the Thomas Trackmaster sets and it hit exactly what I needed, no thanks to him. They easily could have sold something like the WowToyz line and it would have also worked well for what we needed, and got a customer in the door who would have likely come back for more product.
It is always worth discussing this type of thing. I was also pleased that you took the trouble to compare prices from the 70s. We ALL earn more than was earned in those days and as you say, prices for everything have gone up. It does still hurt sometimes 😅
Those cheap pancake motor lifelike and Bachmann locomotives was all that my best friend and I could afford in the late 80s when we were in high school. $15 got you a loco (F9 or GP38-2) and caboose set. Toy grade but HO, and at those price points we were able to build a scenic layout in the garage with inspiration from the Model Railroader Magazine subscription my friend had. Those HO toy grade products are what is gone now...I don't think I could afford the hobby as a kid on a very limited budget today. Even in college a few years later I was able to build a small N scale layout starting with the a super entry level toy grade Bachmann train set.
Great video. I started with Tyco HO scale decades ago. As an adult moved later on into n scale, Kato. Staying firmly in DC but now looking at track alternatives to Kato like Peco (mainly because of the switches). Moving into a new home (reno'd) later this year and it will mark my sixth opportunity for a layout. Trying to keep it affordable with existing rolling stock and some used pick ups at shows or online. Will try my hand at scratch built for some of the buildings this time around. Just enjoying the hobby on a budget. Here's a few things that were dollar store, online or free: spray paint ribbon on paper cilps for chain link fencing, make my own trees, craft foam roads, 3d printed buildings, paper printed buildings. There are ways to keep costs down, like clean track and clean wheels on locos and rolling stock. I have some locos over 30yrs old still running smooth... VERY budget friendly! I almost forgot; talk with your hobby store for advice. Last visit gave me advice on adjusting wheels on a loco to bring it back to life. Advice was free and the tinkering will be on my own time.
I got started with an HO Mantua 1959 NYC Minute man set My grandfather gave to me! I still have it and it still runs well, later in life I found out that set came in 3 different offerings. it took me over 15 years to find every piece to those sets! Great Video!
I found a windup Marx train from the 1930s at a flea market for $75 with an oval track. I bought it for my daughter a couple of years ago, and she loves it. I play with my trains as toys (that's just the way I've always thought of them). I have an HO layout that's been mothballed for 24 years (will be getting it out this summer as I finally have a place for it), but over the years I've bought old Lionel O-scale trains and play with them (set them up in the livingroom and then put them away when I'm done). My daughter will play with them with me and we have lots of fun together.
My first model engine was the BLI's PRR T1 Duplex. It was a pretty penny, bur i built my layout specifically for it and no other engine would have made me feel as satisfied or happy than that one. Plus I got it on a great deal
I have the N scale version, and its awesome. I had to carefully adjust the tracks of my small layout for it. If the Duplex can handle it, then all of my other locomotives can handle it. It also helped that I replaced the couplers with microtrains medium shank
You really did your home work! Great job, thx.
Hey Jimmy! How about a video on how to clean your landscaping, keeping the dust out of trees, etc. signed Jimmy B.
Thanks for a breakdown. That's a great analysis, that must have taken a lot of work and research to do. Thanks for the video
This was actually more helpful than I anticipated! I, literally, was just noting that I can't afford the hobby anymore; but, you helped me to recall that there are other options. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you Jimmy ! These videos have a lot of good ideas and most important to me, a lot of useful solutions to solve those "kink in the rails" issues that inevitably pop up. Happy Father's Day and I'm having some Peet's Coffee at 9:00 pm P.S.T.
Wonderful Jimmy! Thanks for mentioning Brio and other wooden trains. I sent you a picture of your MRR2 made with my son’s brio a year or two ago and it’s actually fun to operate. Super creative too.
I love my atlas dc switcher loco too. It was about $80 and it only cost about $20 to add dcc. There are also great steam locos by Dapol that don’t cost a ton. English/ British Railways, but still fun and very unique here in the states.
I remember that! It was super cool!
Just bought 2 BLI mikados with sound on for less than 175 each so deals can still be found on eBay
I started with the Bachmann Yard Boss starter set as that was the only thing in N scale I could find around here, plus there is extra track i can buy there too. Quickly bought another set, then the TAD (Train Acquisition Disorder) came in highballin’.
Getting back into the hobby after decades out. Kato set track is amazing, not to bad a price for just an oval to run trains around. Got some old Lima carriages, looking for cheap loco to pull them.
I have several Bachmann Sound Value locos and for a while I thought they were awesome, and they are actually. My wife bought be a Broadway Limited F7A and B (unpowered) unit and WOWZA, it has soo many more features with regards to sound. Model Trains, why is one of my hobbies, its not my exclusive. I'm really happy with my lineup and my layout is progressing. I will likely add another Broadway later and because I'm 1950's steam>diesel era and I love it. Great video!
Tea for me please. I had my first HO scale set in about 1970. off and on ever since with both HO and N scales. I only want to someday build a basic layout in my basement, something for me to enjoy as there are no other model RR people in my area. Thanks for the great videos!!
I am just starting out and your videos have been so helpful. Thank you. I am drinking Green Mountain Dark Magic this morning.
My uncle who recently passed took me to Northlandz forever ago. I need to go back. It's been at least 20ish years since I've been there and I remember vaguely it was incredibly impressive and beautiful. There's a reason it's in the Guinness book of world records
The second locomotive I bought myself is a Walthers Trainline GP9 Burlington Northern and it runs perfectly
Excellent video - I started with a Lionel Steamer, then got an American Flyer train set. Now I model N.
I have a local hobby shop that isnt online but still has a buttload of Athearn Bluebox kits that he sells for $10 or less along with a whole bunch of N scale with the rapido couplers. As inflation keeps going up but your paycheck doesn't, that's when it seems that the hobby gets more expensive. Also the manufacturers now go off pre-orders and not making a mass amount which changes the supply/demand ratio. Because of that, that also drives the cost up. I know everyone doesnt have the accessibility of a local shop but when planning on vacations or road trips, do some homework to find a brick and mortar shop along your route and you could be surprised what you could find that is still very cheap.
THANK YOU! This has been something that's needed to be talked about. We'll said.
MRR on a Budget? Yea, even 2nd hand prices gone 'off the rails' [pun intended] on Ebay. And, although all but one hobby shop have closed in my metropolitan area, what I do have access to is the the MRR show & swap meets that happen in and around my tri-state area. Those shows allow you to avoid the ebay markup, have options from 'fixer uppers' to class A brass, and provide for that in-person inspiration that keeps it real. Thanks Jimmy.
Great video Jimmy. I have been impressed with the level of detail of Intermountain trains. No they are not an entry level and they can cost more. I use to buy Con Cor but they are not the company they use to be. I still snagged a galloping goose in N scale. Still waiting on Intermountain to produce a cab forward SP loco. (Sat in the cab of the last remaining one in California). Now in to unit trains (one can never have enough tank cars).
Good morning Jimmy I’m drinking Italiano espresso blend coffee. And it’s delicious. Of course you released another great video with great subject matter. You really explain things the way they need to be explained I have a brother who is trying to get into the hobby and this is exactly what he needs. Sometimes too much information on the same subject seems overwhelming. The little history lesson really helps out also. Kind of puts the price point into perspective. Having said that I think I’m gonna go order. Another piece of rolling stock. Have a wonderful weekend. Keep filming keep putting up videos and keep playing with Trains.
CMF
I remember that I started with a "plastic" train. Was obviously not modeled after anything real, but I spent hours (possibly days) reconfiguring the tracks that came with it. That was until I was old enough to mess with the electric trains. Though I do remember around the holidays, messing with my grandparents N Scale layout. I would always move stuff around or knock stuff over. My grandmother, seeing stuff move would exclaim..."Hurricane Ray" has been here!! Nantucket blend in the cup as always!
One of my childhood friends now has two very young sons and I discovered he's into model railroading but doesn't know where to start. I'm thinking one of the off-brand Brio compatible sets would be a great launching off point to surprise his family with come Christmas before seeing if I can find some decent resale stuff in HO as the kids get older. We may not be blood related, but it seems to be a bit of a family tradition from my own Dad's side.
I got an ho mth sd70ace with protosound 3 for 145 at a local train store. It was nos. I also got a used digitrax zephyr xtra for the same price. I plan on running unitrack for my layout buying a little at a time. Im using part of my tax return to get the rivarossi dcc big boy and some cars and more track
I started out in ho in the 80s. Then O in the 2000s now N. We came a long long way from grass mats and cork road beds
If your new to model railroading then I highly recommend going to local train shows to see what the used market has to offer that honestly how I got started two years back
How timely! I had a coworker ask me today about train sets for his 10 year old son who loves trains. I will forward this video to him!
I know you've done some DCC-EX and JMRI videos in the past (some are a cuple years old), so could you do a video - even just a brief update video - that explains the current hardware for these systems (and maybe touch on the Arduino vs. Rasperry Pi differences)?
If you like Japanese N, a local geek culture shop has gotten a load of Tomix in, which are surprisingly cheap when you consider they're in Australian money. A lot of passenger sets for a lot less than a speciality HOn3.5 locomotive, and some freight vehicles for less than 20AUD each.
Lemon Myrtle tea.
You are so right Jimmy, I bought a couple of older Hornby Hall class steam engines with clunky old motors. For a few dollars I upgraded the motors to more efficient ones that enabled me to add simple inexpensive decoders. After a clean up and general service, including adding a crew into each. I now have what amounts to 1960’s locos up to an equivalent 2000’s standard. They run extremely well and have good pulling power. To top it off, they look the part on my layout too.
How did you go about finding better motors?
@@danielranck0520 I found them through a utuber called Horns And Whistles
OMG, I LOVE WOODEN TRAINS!!! I LOVED them when I was little, and the realistic ones, I still LOVE to acquire them as collector's items!!! And I love to film and edit videos of them for my younger audiences! I actually am working on my second wooden train video of my series which I'm hoping to release sometime next month or sooner, Chicagoland Wooden Trains Volume 2.0. I'm sure your son would really enjoy my Wooden Train series. It's mostly based upon what's local to me, but he might still enjoy it if you're interested. :)
The other tip that I would add is to not completely avoid websites that aren't major retailers. One of my favorite sites to order N scale from is in Japan. My most recent order was for two 3-axle diesel models made by Tomix that came to about $50 total (and that included paying for shipping from Japan!). They're not superdetailed and they are DC, but they look great, run smoothly and quietly, and are easy to upgrade with more details. They will work perfectly as small industrial locomotives for a project I'm building, and once they're weathered and detailed (which I think is a major part of the fun of model building), they'll look right at home in my U.S. themed module despite being models of Japanese prototype locomotives. Good quality is out there for cheap prices, it just takes a little more effort to find sometimes.
Thanks, great. I use Brio with younger kids and they love it. “Adjusted for inflation” doesn’t seem to fully register, so I’m wondering if less discretionary income is the real issue for some. Drinking some sort of Jamaican style coffee, not a huge fan.
I get most of my mid-to-higher-end rolling stock cheap at about $10-15 a car, or $20-30 for intermodal/Autorack equipment at train shows. But I may also be walking out with only half a dozen cars that both fit my detail requirements and budget. Train shows are were the best deals are, but you do have to sort through the chaff of worthless Tycos and Bachmanns to find where the good deals are hiding. Also if you're interested in multiple cars a vendor has, you might be able to negotiate a slight discount.
Great video! Some of my best buys actually came from estate auctions and yard sales! Plus, there are deals to be had on Ebay and other online sellers as well, you just gotta be patient and look in the right places! But I feel the other problem is, there's a section of the hobby that wants EVERYTHING to be high end, details to the max models, and that lower end budget line models should be banned from the hobby because "it doesn't meet THEIR insanely high standards"! This is an incredibly dangerous mentality, because it would chase away new people coming into the hobby, which means fewer customers to purchase models, which leads to even higher prices, which could end up killing the hobby as we lnow it!
Model Railway exhibitions are the BEST places to obtain absolute BARGAINS. I believe around March 2020 (Long time, I know), I obtained an old 70's Hornby King Edward I for just £28. Visually? A bit of an eyesore, I must admit, with some glue like substance and almost crust-like stuff around the smokebox, but alas, I couldn't care less then just as much as I can't care now. And what a stallion it was! When I bought it, my rolling stock collection was small enough to where the King could pull everything I had!
Now, 4 years on, that old King Class is tired, used - and absolutely undefeatable. There's been times where it's motor's smoked, It's wheels have slipped violently against the track beneath them, and yet the old boy keeps on keeping on! Undoubtedly, my best bargain ever.
Good video bud👍
Kato DC is the way to go when you make the switch to N. You start off with some cheaper locomotives, then as your layout grows overtime (DCC, more room for locos, enhanced operations, etc) you can begin to chip them for about $30-$40 bucks with a Digitrax decoder that in the case of Kato diesels usually just drops in. There isnt much easier or cheaper in the hobby thats for sure.
The more toylike ones are great for learning painting and weathering
Great information. I started into model trains back in 1968 and I felt that with inflation taken into account price is still about the same in terms of man-hours of work.
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BTW: my coffee is Chock Full o'Nuts
I regularly get 4 - 6 car sets of Japanese trains by either Kato or Tomix direct from Japan for under $100. DC only, but excellent quality. I probably have too many, but that's another story.
Love your Content
I just was saying this the other day!! Plenty of cheaper DC trains. When I think back to the mid 80s when I got my first train set, my god we’ve come a long way.
Didn’t you have a similar video a year or so ago? Still it’s good to update this info as a refresher for any new viewers.
Yes! Ive actually done a couple of videos similar to this one. I’ve never focused solely on new items though.
I've gotten into the Don Francisco's Kona Blend from Amazon. Good coffee without breaking the bank.
Train shows Train show Train shows.... This is where I get 80% of my HO rolling stock. Lots of NOS kits for $3-$7 a pop.
Thank you for this video. I get so annoyed when people say there aren't cheap trains anymore; there ARE, but you can't just look at all the high end stuff coming out and say "see everything costs more now." There are still many options for budget minded modelers.
This
Plus the fact you can still get older high end models at a fraction of the cost as current ones depending on how rare and desirable it is (this applies more to steam engines). Lots of places to get items on the cheap. That is how I built up my collection. I didn't go to TrainWorld or the company's MSRP page and start complaining. Model trains isn't Amazon or Steam (the gaming platform) where you get instant gratification.
Exactly! Some of my best buys came from estate auctions, ironically! I went to one and got a whole stack of rolling stock, plus a mint in the box Walthers tank car unloading rack for $6! Yard sales can have some surprisingly good items as well, for literally pennies, you just gotta be patient and look in the right places!
I'm drinking Everyday dose mushroom coffee and I'm loving it. Tastes and smells just like Coffee, but is dramatically healthier with significantly less caffeine!
Scale trains bought all of MTH Ho tooling including the European stuff hopefully they come out with at least a small selection of those models.
Oh how we wish the Australian prototypes had an affordable tear. Loco's usually start at $250 mark and go up from there.
Let’s not forget the used market. I’ve scored some awesome deals on eBay, and if I had Facebook Marketplace I bet I could get far more bang for my buck. Let’s face it: aren’t you going to balk at weathering rolling stock when you drop $40-50 bucks on it? I’ve picked up cars and locos at flea markets and consignment shops, swapped out the couplers with Kadee, weathered them with acrylic paint and chalk, and have had a blast with the results. The only thing that I consider super expensive is DCC, and for now I’m running DC to keep things on budget…
Train shows and antique malls can yield some good finds, but you have to do some research BEFORE you go! I've seen used equipment at bargain basement prices, as well as going for over new MSRP pricing.
I have bought many "cheap" cars for under $5 and upgraded them with frame-mounted knuckle couplers, metal wheels, and custom weathering, spending less than $20 total (they end up looking as good as some $40-50 cars).
No idea how much the American Flyer S guage set I got in 1959 cost ('though I'm sure it'd be worth more than just the inflated price if I still had it) but in the mid'-80s I bought a TYCO set w/ a loco, caboose, two cars, & a circle of track for $35.00 at K-B Toys. 30+ yrs. later, in Nov. 2019 I bought a Bachmann Rail Chief set (MSRP at least $300, loco, three cars, caboose, and an oval of track) on-line from Bed Bath & Beyond (Christmas special) for $131.00. I suspect that's completely in line w/ inflation, & I'm pretty sure the Bachmann is better detailed & made than the TYCO was.
I am not even sure if its a cheap thing, but I miss the kits like the Athearn Blue box cars and even some of the other craftsman kits.
As you said, yes, the inflated prices of today do match with sets of the era. And indeed the trains are more prototypical and in general run better. But then, in terms of old starter sets, you also got so many other interesting elements that hinted to a greater hobby than just an oval of track. Even just simple additions like a crossing or signs, telephone poles or buildings, to more complex ones like operating accessories and elevation. They made you actually want to build a layout and expand. Bottom line is, for me, that the often sterile and skeletal sets of today lack any significant play value or creativity besides watching a train go in a loop.
Bachmann still makes the Chattanooga set that has a station, signal bridge, telephone poles, road signs, and miniature people. You can still find lots of new old stock train sets from Bachmann, Life-Like, and Tyco floating around the market that have starter accessories too.
I agree 100 percent gone are days $20 got you two athearn blue box kits a package of kadees and lunch at McDonald's. That's $50 today without lunch. Personally I prefer the Kato Atlas engines from late 80s early 90s for there smooth running and there resilient handrails and details . They use to retail out the door $50 to $60. Today same engines from atlas made in China. That okay you can keep them I will stick to my 30 yr old engines with less detail but the running ability of some of best brass you can buy.
Locos are the most expensive part of the hobby. Here in the UK there is always Ebay, plus some online retailers do sell their locos at slightly cheaper than others (15% off rather than 10%). You just have to shop around.
I want to learn more about the UK market. My main source of info on it is Sam’s Trains.
There are plenty of other YT channels. There are also a lot of model railway related FB groups.
@@DIYDigitalRailroadalso Charlie at Chadwick Rails and Model Railway Quest.
Walthers is awsome, but unfortunately Bachmann’s prices go up by crazy amounts every year…
I had Ho trains as a kid I also have wowz toys trains Right now I'm modifying one to be RC, I always bring them when I go to meet my little cousins they are cheap Good quality and will last quite a while
In my opinion, model design peaked in the 2000's. Therefore, anything made in the past 20 years still looks good and is relevant even by today's standards apart from the electronics that can be gutted and replaced. These older trains go for a fraction of the price and hold up. Most of my collection is models at least 10 years old or older.
I wholeheartedly agree!
Yep. I have three well detailed Bachmann HO locos that are old enough they don't appear on the Bachman site, which cost me $50, $100 & $112. Two have DCC & sound, one has DCC w/o sound, but is fully sound ready, w/ space & holes for the speaker. All I had to do was search "HO ATSF Zebra stripe locomotive".
Have you 3d printed any G SCALE things yet?
I use tomy playrail trains. They are most of the time about 20-50 dollars for the trains, but I have seen some older ones and rolling stock go for 8 or 9 dollars. Sometimes if they are rare they could go for 200 dollars 🥲
But most are not like that. They are toy trains and are battery powered. I wouldn’t consider it cheaply made though. They aren’t really that realistic but they work. They mostly have Thomas and freinds trains.
The Kato car sets are a great value. 1/2 the price of Micro trains or others.
I'm just drinking Green Mountain Half-Caff with a little sugar. Nothing too special 😂😂
My first train was a NYC switcher engine off eBay 40 bucks
Good show, I haven't thought they hobby just like that. But don't think the hobby is either as the manufacturer are still investing and I'm sure the wouldn't be bring out more model too a dying hobby...😊😊😊
How do I get a short video of my layout to you
email it to ddrrcommunity@gmail.com
US Models became slightly (very slightly) less expensive than German and Austerian model trains, which used to be the most advanced, detailed and expensive model trans. However, there is a quantum leap in quality and details of US models. They are not the clunky cheap toys they used to be. They stand now next to brass models as far as accuracy and details are concerned. I mean Walthers, Genesis, BLI and the Canadian brand I forgot its name. Bachmann is still there, however, for those who are looking for reasonably priced trains. IMO bachmann models have the best value for the money.
I just want cheap trains because building a fleet using the high end stuff is too expensive.
The used market has been somewhat useful, but the more oddball stuff is still up there in price
1973 Ford Mustang cost me $3000 new. Yeah things have gone up jusssssssssssssst a little bit since then. LOL I use "legacy" N scale with the rapido couplers as the rolling stock is quite affordable on eBay. The knuckle couplers are really tiny for my old eyes and for me (notice I said for me not everyone), uncoupling rapido couplers manually is pretty easy. So it's not just about money spent, it must be spent on something that makes and keeps one happy for their hobby needs. My railroad is far from "super detailed realistic" and I am quite OK with that. Spoken from the world's worst track ballaster who finally just gave up on that part. LOL Kato unitrack is close enough for me.
I got a 1999 john deere gp38 set that was about to be thrown away and run it along with a tyco set i got seconhand. Hours of entertainment
3:00 Thomas trains
Finishing off one batch of cold brew and starting another. Still plowing through my stash of Starbucks Odyssey Blend.
Also, those Wow Toys sets are actually super cute. I'd love to grab a set of those for my future kids.
Black rifle!
In the American market they are lower and have a greater supply compared to the European market (the U.K. has a quantity of material but the prices are a little high). Kato doesn't even see himself and I know he has good material. German companies do it with quality but at a high price. Yes, there are other companies but they are in the U.K. and soon the pre-payment skyrockets. Yes, nowadays the sets are better and I speak from experience. I miss seeing Bachmann and Atlas here. Perhaps it is the size of the market that creates the conditions. You are lucky, you don't even know. I am a N Scale with american trains and there is two ways to buy. Or there is nothing or price rise to the moon. One efect of the size of the market for example, DCC European companies there material is cheap there. Oh lucky ones
Hello
My 50's and 60's Märklin isn't that realistic but then you need more imagination. ;)
No sound decoders for me, just metal trains on metal tracks. :))
Trade tariffs with China. 10% in 2018 then another 10% when the new guy got in. So we are paying 20% more.
That only applies to the newest of new products. There are tons of older products out there that didn't fall under this rule that are just as good as the new stuff. Model design peaked in the 2000's so anything in the past 20 years minus electronics still holds up today and can be had for a fraction of the cost. Even the old electronics can be gutted and replaced with current designs.
Blackout coffee 1776 Semper Fi
🤠🖐🚂