Puchased some bachman trains and was wondering if I over paid

[Anonymous]

Hi, I recently purchased 14 cars which include 7 engines, all bachman. They are ho scale and mostly santa fe models. There was one Union Pacific #1836 as well. With the trains I also got 3 transformers and about 600 feet of ho track with houses towers and bridges. Outside of everything being a little dusty, they are in very good condition and everything works fine. He threw in a n scales set as well which is the "illinois central gulf" engine and 6 cars. This set included about 30 feet of track.

Anyway I purchased everything for 150 and I feel I may have overpaid for I found the Union Pacific engine still in the box on ebay for 10 dollars. Anyway, and feedback from anyone that knows trains would be very helpful.

I purchased these to use with my son, he is only 2 now, but will grow into them and I figured with all the track and all the engines, we could set up a few different arrangements for him to play with and run.

[Philcal]

From your description, I don't feel you overpaid considering the quantity of equipment you recieved, as well as it's good condition. Bachman is an old line manufacturor, and actually has three lines, or grades of equipment quality. Top of the line is Bachman "Spectrum" This is really pretty good equipment in terms of accuracy and performance. Next is Bachman "Plus". Pretty good stuff, maybe not quite as good as Spectrum. The third line is relatively inexpensive, and does not perform at the levels previously described. Still, not a bad investment,as both you and your son will be starting the hobby. Should you later lose interest,(hope you don't) you won't be out all that much money.

[Anonymous]

How can you tell what line each train is from? I did not recieve packaging for and of the trains except the n scale. Most a fairly heavt trains and the transformaers are tech II.

[IRONROOSTER]

You could go to Bachmann's page http://www.bachmanntrains.com/ and try to match up your locomotives to their online catalog (depending on age they may not still be in production). MRC Tech II transformers are old but MRC is a top of the line manufacturer.

Prices in the used HO market are not well established and tend to be low for most entry level items such as Bachnmann (there are exceptions). Since everything works and is in good condition, I don't think you overpaid. You would pay several times $150 if you bought it new.

Welcome to the hobby. I think you and your son will find it very fascinating.
Enjoy
Paul

[selector]

I agree with the foregoing. I have no Bachmann equipment, but if it runs well and looks pleasing to you, then what ought the cost for that pleasure to have been? The $150 question, right? A new Spectrum level loco would probably cost you a winning bid of $50-80 on e-bay, depending on its availability...closely related to its popularity and reliability. The $10 price you saw, was that an opening bid, or just the latest one? In any event, if the equipment is still functional after another three hours of you having fun with it, you undoubtedly paid a fair price. I hope you are tickled.

[Anonymous]

I think you got an OK deal if you like the stuff, and apparently you do. Yes, once in a while you'll catch a bargain on E-Bay, but what good is that if you have to pay first-run retail prices for brand new track and/or transformer? If it works, and the HO pieces are compatible, you have a LOT of layout options!!