Oh Sean how good it is to have your realistic take on this hobby front and center once again. I swear these formers and their elaborate high priced locomotives are going to take this hobby way beyond the means of many. There is little doubt that a few of them are in the manufacturers back pockets and others are just content to max out their credit cards until their wives finally had enough. Thanks for showing us the tried and true way to enjoy this hobby. That being realistically!
There is certain rolling stock that I will pre-order only because it normally sells out and goes for much higher on eBay. However that doesn't seem the case with Lionel now. I noticed that Lionel had so much roll ling stock left over they put it in the new catalog on-line. I haven't been happy with the Lionel made in Vietnam rolling stock. I have been trying to stick with MTH premier and Atlas O. Just like you I have been going back and buying older modern O Gauge trains for the price and lets face it much of it is better quality. Sure I would love to own the Lionel Visionline Big Boy #4012 because I seen it at Steamtown. But that's two mortgage payments for me lol. I often wondered how people couple buy multiple brand new steam locomotives these days with the costs of everything else. But as you mentioned they are selling to rotate trains through their collection. It's also hard to believe a brand new Lionel diesel locomotive such as the SD50 is what you paid for this entire set.
I like the concept of this video. If I may add something to this, then I'd like to share what I do to save on costs of adding to my collection. I have a set of MTH heavyweight passenger cars, and they all say Pullman on the cars. That way, I can run any engine in front and don't have to run out and buy another set of cars every time I buy an engine. I can do either excursion or prototypical running with them. I found this works for me, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
Sean, you STOLE that H3 Consol man! Can't beat that price of $300 and so what if it needed a little work to make it presentable? Yes, I concur about some engines being just too big for a layout. I had an MTH N&W Y6b I bought because the price was right and it was oh-so-cool but quite honestly it looked ridiculous on my 4 x 8 layout. So after two years of hardly using it I sold it. Absolutely, this hobby doesn't have to be super-expensive, in fact now's a very good time to get into it if you're not interested in sophisticated operations. Many Post-War Lionels (And American Flyers for that matter) are coming on the market now as aging collectors downsize. Also larger dealer/distributors such as Charles Ro, Gryzyboski's, have unsold "New Old Stock (NOS)" conventional starter sets for sale for reasonable prices. Outfits like Trainz have good deals as well. And of course there's train shows. There's a lot of good stuff out there! And your're right, tht H3 and PRR car set DOES make a nice quasi-Strasburg excursion train! Good to see you posting again!
Strongly agree with you on this topic! If you have a fairly large space go with 072 curves or larger. For most of us space limits our layouts to smaller curves having to run shorter trains. Your mix & match comment WELL stated !
You have great insight to the hobby.Since I found your channel I have always thought you were one of the most insightful people in the hobby.that little train is a winne.
Thanks Sean. You are absolutely correct. It is wonderful that there are so many beautiful trains out there, but the cost has made it harder for some folks. The great thing about what you put together here as an example, it that is looks great on the layout and would look great under the Christmas tree! Just the right size. Thanks and keep on having fun!
Great video Sean. Glad to see you back and doing videos. For me personally I love All brands but Williams have always been my numbef 1 go too. Thank you for this great topic.
Too bad the Williams line isn't made any more but the good news is there's still a lot of it out there and with little to no collector interest the prices are VERY reasonable indeed.
Thanks for the sound advice and the great excursion around your layout, Sean. That MTH Consolidation is a very fine looking engine and the passenger consist is just right. I wish more collectors were conscientious of the foolishness they encourage others to get into by their buying habits.
Here I am just trying to get started with a layout that has O48 and O36 on a 5x10, 😆 the complexity of the hobby isn’t bad it just doesn’t have a lot of start here. So thank you for this!
Worth mentioning along with the bit about conventional that you can also save more by using semi-scale stock. Just tends to be cheaper overall, especially preowned, and the smaller size is a boon for smaller layouts with tighter curves. Built a T&P heavyweight passenger train out of MTH Railking baby mads with a combine, coach, and observation, threw in a Lionel baby mad Pullman for a sleeper and a Lionel REA boxcar up front for express. Only 5 cars long, but it looks good behind the T&P Mikado Jr. I have. Counting the engine I'd say there's $400 on the outside in the consist. Did even better sprucing up a set of 4 junk MPC O27 streamliner cars into Missouri Pacific colors with my own roadname on 'em. Paired up with a postwar FA Mopac A-A set that's about $150 for the lot. Present day Lionel prices are nuts, I'm a trifle puzzled how they expect to stay in business with quadruple digit pricetags on locomotives and triple-digit ones on rolling stock.
I’ve saved a lot of $ just by watching and learning from your videos. Really good insight and I appreciate the informative videos. I don’t comment much but wanted to say thanks for everything you do.
You can get some great deals on the secondary market. I like to do any upgrades necessary along with lighting changes and eventually weathering the steam engines. I don't have the concern of lowering the value or increasing the value when the price is reasonable to start. Great job and I enjoy all your videos. PRR Joe
My shelves would be pretty empty if it weren’t for guys buying the new stuff and selling it after a while lol. Some people have to have certain sets or trains because that’s what they want and how they are. Good thing about this hobby is there aren’t any rules, do what makes you happy. Thanks for your videos, Sean.
HAHA, well they won't be coming from me anymore, but luckily lots of guys still think they need every engine made every year so you should have plenty of supply! LOL.
I’ve done this with my PRSL passenger set. Picked up a good TMCC engine here…some passenger cars there and with a railroad like the PRSL was I can throw regular Pennsy cars in to fill the train out and still be prototypical. However, a few months back I was eyeing up some of the PRSL cars from around ‘05 on the bay and my jaw dropped when I saw how much they sold for. The prices of the new lionel stuff also seems to be inflating the price of the old stuff unfortunately.
Hi Sean, This video is well timed with the prices on the rise. I'm not sure this hobby can take much more of that? Especially with quality on a downward trend. I too am selling a lot of trains, simply due yo overbuying years ago. I have decided to fo the same as Motocraze 40, and reduce the number of railroads to just 2 or 3. It's tough to do as you well know. I will be running O gauge and standard in my small layout. So many wonderful ideas from your layouts, and I feel flattered that i was able to buy some of your items to use on my layout. Best, Joe Gozzo
I am pretty new to the hobby but I have to admit that the buy in (at least for O Scale) is really just too darn high for most people… way too high if you want something relatively new.
Sean excellent video has always. It’s a great train set if you like it. I have many sets that are inexpensive that I made up on my own. I get compliments on them from the guys at my train club all the time.
Hey, what I'm doing now is taking Lionel Post-War steam engines in so-so exterior condition such as chipped, faded, and dull paint and refinishing them into something Lionel never made but probably should have. 🤩 For example, I'm in the process of making a 1920's era Richmond, Fredecksburg & Potomac Pacific out of a basic Lionel 2046 Hudson. Mind you I wouldn't do this to a pristine example but since the prices are dropping on the marginal ones in my opinion it's no sin to do so. I got the engine for around $150 at a show and for another $25 worth of paint I'll have a nice model and I'm there at less than $200! I've got Pullman cars I can run behind it, at least until I can find some inexpensive used Madison-type cars and refinish those as well. If you're creative this hobby doesn't ahve to be expensive at all!
That consolidation looks great Can you give me product number? I remember talking to you at Allentown about Lionel quality. Brand new NS heritage unit. Smoke unit doesn't work Very disappointed Also got my first MTH proto3 engine.really nice.waiting to get DCS.
Oh Sean how good it is to have your realistic take on this hobby front and center once again. I swear these formers and their elaborate high priced locomotives are going to take this hobby way beyond the means of many. There is little doubt that a few of them are in the manufacturers back pockets and others are just content to max out their credit cards until their wives finally had enough. Thanks for showing us the tried and true way to enjoy this hobby. That being realistically!
There is certain rolling stock that I will pre-order only because it normally sells out and goes for much higher on eBay. However that doesn't seem the case with Lionel now. I noticed that Lionel had so much roll ling stock left over they put it in the new catalog on-line. I haven't been happy with the Lionel made in Vietnam rolling stock. I have been trying to stick with MTH premier and Atlas O. Just like you I have been going back and buying older modern O Gauge trains for the price and lets face it much of it is better quality. Sure I would love to own the Lionel Visionline Big Boy #4012 because I seen it at Steamtown. But that's two mortgage payments for me lol. I often wondered how people couple buy multiple brand new steam locomotives these days with the costs of everything else. But as you mentioned they are selling to rotate trains through their collection. It's also hard to believe a brand new Lionel diesel locomotive such as the SD50 is what you paid for this entire set.
I like the concept of this video. If I may add something to this, then I'd like to share what I do to save on costs of adding to my collection. I have a set of MTH heavyweight passenger cars, and they all say Pullman on the cars. That way, I can run any engine in front and don't have to run out and buy another set of cars every time I buy an engine. I can do either excursion or prototypical running with them. I found this works for me, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
Great idea, and I bought a Pullman set myself and for the same reason. Pullmans go with anything.
Sean, you STOLE that H3 Consol man! Can't beat that price of $300 and so what if it needed a little work to make it presentable?
Yes, I concur about some engines being just too big for a layout. I had an MTH N&W Y6b I bought because the price was right and it was oh-so-cool but quite honestly it looked ridiculous on my 4 x 8 layout. So after two years of hardly using it I sold it.
Absolutely, this hobby doesn't have to be super-expensive, in fact now's a very good time to get into it if you're not interested in sophisticated operations. Many Post-War Lionels (And American Flyers for that matter) are coming on the market now as aging collectors downsize. Also larger dealer/distributors such as Charles Ro, Gryzyboski's, have unsold "New Old Stock (NOS)" conventional starter sets for sale for reasonable prices. Outfits like Trainz have good deals as well. And of course there's train shows. There's a lot of good stuff out there!
And your're right, tht H3 and PRR car set DOES make a nice quasi-Strasburg excursion train!
Good to see you posting again!
Strongly agree with you on this topic! If you have a fairly large space go with 072 curves or larger. For most of us space limits our layouts to smaller curves having to run shorter trains. Your mix & match comment WELL stated !
Great set and runner. Awesome info for the newcomers. Thanks for your insight as always.
Sean, another great, informative video. Glad to see your back doing videos. Thank you for sharing.
You have great insight to the hobby.Since I found your channel I have always thought you were one of the most insightful people in the hobby.that little train is a winne.
Thanks Sean.
You are absolutely correct. It is wonderful that there are so many beautiful trains out there, but the cost has made it harder for some folks.
The great thing about what you put together here as an example, it that is looks great on the layout and would look great under the Christmas tree! Just the right size.
Thanks and keep on having fun!
great info for a toy train operator , where 3 rail , non prototype model railroading is followed.
Great video Sean. Glad to see you back and doing videos. For me personally I love All brands but Williams have always been my numbef 1 go too. Thank you for this great topic.
Too bad the Williams line isn't made any more but the good news is there's still a lot of it out there and with little to no collector interest the prices are VERY reasonable indeed.
Thanks for the sound advice and the great excursion around your layout, Sean. That MTH Consolidation is a very fine looking engine and the passenger consist is just right. I wish more collectors were conscientious of the foolishness they encourage others to get into by their buying habits.
Here I am just trying to get started with a layout that has O48 and O36 on a 5x10, 😆 the complexity of the hobby isn’t bad it just doesn’t have a lot of start here. So thank you for this!
Great video, I picked up some great deals at the trains shows that I go too as well. Hobby stores and eBay too.
The old time pennsy cars are beautiful. They really knew how to paint steam engines and cars back at the turn of the century.
Great video Sean. That engine looks and sounds awesome.
Worth mentioning along with the bit about conventional that you can also save more by using semi-scale stock. Just tends to be cheaper overall, especially preowned, and the smaller size is a boon for smaller layouts with tighter curves.
Built a T&P heavyweight passenger train out of MTH Railking baby mads with a combine, coach, and observation, threw in a Lionel baby mad Pullman for a sleeper and a Lionel REA boxcar up front for express.
Only 5 cars long, but it looks good behind the T&P Mikado Jr. I have. Counting the engine I'd say there's $400 on the outside in the consist.
Did even better sprucing up a set of 4 junk MPC O27 streamliner cars into Missouri Pacific colors with my own roadname on 'em. Paired up with a postwar FA Mopac A-A set that's about $150 for the lot.
Present day Lionel prices are nuts, I'm a trifle puzzled how they expect to stay in business with quadruple digit pricetags on locomotives and triple-digit ones on rolling stock.
I’ve saved a lot of $ just by watching and learning from your videos. Really good insight and I appreciate the informative videos. I don’t comment much but wanted to say thanks for everything you do.
You can get some great deals on the secondary market. I like to do any upgrades necessary along with lighting changes and eventually weathering the steam engines. I don't have the concern of lowering the value or increasing the value when the price is reasonable to start. Great job and I enjoy all your videos. PRR Joe
This is a great Video Sean, The Engine and Passenger Cars do look Amazing.
My shelves would be pretty empty if it weren’t for guys buying the new stuff and selling it after a while lol. Some people have to have certain sets or trains because that’s what they want and how they are. Good thing about this hobby is there aren’t any rules, do what makes you happy. Thanks for your videos, Sean.
HAHA, well they won't be coming from me anymore, but luckily lots of guys still think they need every engine made every year so you should have plenty of supply! LOL.
@@seanstraindepot in all honesty though, I’m looking to pick up a 20th anniversary Polar Express…..in 2030 or so.
Great video and great advice. Patience is your best friend in this hobby.
I’ve done this with my PRSL passenger set. Picked up a good TMCC engine here…some passenger cars there and with a railroad like the PRSL was I can throw regular Pennsy cars in to fill the train out and still be prototypical.
However, a few months back I was eyeing up some of the PRSL cars from around ‘05 on the bay and my jaw dropped when I saw how much they sold for. The prices of the new lionel stuff also seems to be inflating the price of the old stuff unfortunately.
Great thanks for sharing.
Hi Sean,
This video is well timed with the prices on the rise. I'm not sure this hobby can take much more of that? Especially with quality on a downward trend. I too am selling a lot of trains, simply due yo overbuying years ago. I have decided to fo the same as Motocraze 40, and reduce the number of railroads to just 2 or 3. It's tough to do as you well know. I will be running O gauge and standard in my small layout. So many wonderful ideas from your layouts, and I feel flattered that i was able to buy some of your items to use on my layout.
Best,
Joe Gozzo
Sean: I had the same thought today about moving towards steam before I looked at the video
I am pretty new to the hobby but I have to admit that the buy in (at least for O Scale) is really just too darn high for most people… way too high if you want something relatively new.
Great thoughtful video!
Sean excellent video has always. It’s a great train set if you like it. I have many sets that are inexpensive that I made up on my own. I get compliments on them from the guys at my train club all the time.
Hey, what I'm doing now is taking Lionel Post-War steam engines in so-so exterior condition such as chipped, faded, and dull paint and refinishing them into something Lionel never made but probably should have. 🤩
For example, I'm in the process of making a 1920's era Richmond, Fredecksburg & Potomac Pacific out of a basic Lionel 2046 Hudson. Mind you I wouldn't do this to a pristine example but since the prices are dropping on the marginal ones in my opinion it's no sin to do so. I got the engine for around $150 at a show and for another $25 worth of paint I'll have a nice model and I'm there at less than $200! I've got Pullman cars I can run behind it, at least until I can find some inexpensive used Madison-type cars and refinish those as well.
If you're creative this hobby doesn't ahve to be expensive at all!
That consolidation looks great
Can you give me product number?
I remember talking to you at Allentown about Lionel quality.
Brand new NS heritage unit.
Smoke unit doesn't work
Very disappointed
Also got my first MTH proto3 engine.really nice.waiting to get DCS.
MTH 20-3430-1 is the product number for this one.