I know the "Brute" and certain other things are very valuable, but mostly to a very select few institutions, or individuals.
How much would you spend if you could find it and what piece would you be looking for?
What's on your search list on ebay, in case it comes up for sale?
I buy the best grade of any item that I can reasonable justify paying for. Although I COULD currently buy collector grade vintage items, I wouldn't be able to justify it with myself. I like to run all my trains, so I usually buy things in the very good to excellent catagories, and ocassionally, I buy like new or mint rolling stock. I also just plain don't like to spend a lot on things.
I'd love to own a 773 or some other old scale Lionel Hudson, but I can't see myself ever buying one. I'd rather have 5 or 6 other locomotives than the one Hudson.
I'm not currently looking for anything in particular. I might be interested in a set of 2344s if the right set for the right price comes along, and I'd like to acquire a few pieces of pre war rolling stock or coaches to go along with my 1688 Torpedo. But to me, the thrill of any thing is in the journey, not the destination. It's just as much fun to want this or that, and search for it, as it is to finally find it and buy it.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Since everything I buy is going to be run on the layout I don't have to worry about the high priced Post War stuff. The most I paided for rolling stock was $56 and my limit on locomotives is around $200. ThePost War limit for rolling stock is around $100.
My limit for new modern engines is $400 so I don't even have to consider all those beautiful steamers. My rolling stock limit can go as high as $100 if it is something I really want.
I reserve my right to spend more than the above limits but I'm really going to have to want it badly.
As a preface to MY thinking, I think of the old saying of what is good can also be bad. I think the hobby to day is ripe with examples of both: for example, the technology is wonderful and enhanced enjoyment of the hobby for many. It has at the same time created much argument and division. And we all agree, competition has been good but as an after-result, it has created some fierce brand allegiance wars and blind loyalities.
So while I recognize the financial element of the "collector" mentality has absolutely helped the hobby in lean times, it has also hurt the hobby in other ways. I've never bought into the financial collector way of thinking. For example, I'd love to own an original Lionel New Haven F3, one of my childhood engines. I saw one when I was out of work at a sale where the seller desparately needed money himself (out of work too with health problems) and was willing to part with it for $150. But again, I wasn't working myself so even that BARGAIN price was out of reach.
My approach on the hobby is that it is a HOBBY... a pastime. More often than not, I have found trains I really did want, at a price I wanted to pay by simply being patient, waiting and looking - and eventually I was blessed. And if I don't find it, oh well. If I really want that train item and it is too expensive, I've found I can make it myself.
And now that so much of my collection is custom painted, custom modified and even built by me, I find those are the trains that mean the most to me. Some joke with me that my trains would hardly bring much on the after market. Well, maybe so - though I have had some very generous offers for some of my custom made or custom painted trains. The reality for me, is what they are worth to me - and that's it.
I have a uncle in the TCA who has often joked my trains are junk. He always said early K-Line was junk as was low-end Lionel. I know where he is coming from: a collector/after-market financial way of thinking. But I also think of another definition of junk as something you paid good money for that fails to work at all or as advertised.
By that last definition, I do not own not one single solitary piece of junk.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
So brianel027, after saying all that...How much would Y-O-U spend...?
I have unwisely spent $500 to $675 on engines in the past. Now I keep everything around the $350 mark.
Being dutch, my answer MUST be as less as possible.. But honestly I don't spend much on any single unit and calculate shipping and taxes to it. Normally about 200 euro's max for a locomotive and about 50 euro's for a freightcar. If taking taxes and posting away that is $150 for a locomotive and $25 for a freightcar.
Nevertheless, I can find loads of engines for $150 each, even with sound and even premier models, but all proto 1 or conventional. The best thing is that it's even cheaper to buy from germany (when it comes to freightcars) compared to all the extra addings when I buy on ebay..
At this moment I'm focussing more on rolling stock, since I do have about twice as much locomotives then I have freightcars, so I need to create some balance first..
Trains is not the highest priority in life, my doughter studies, I have a family to look after and mortgage to pay. Those things go first and the leftovers are for the trainroom.. Honestly I don't see the point of cramming my trainroom anyway, just some nice stuff to run with is okay!
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
I'm a lot like Daan. I generally try to spend as little as possible on trains. 90% of mine are used that I bought at shows or on-line.
I guess the most I've spent at one time over the past year is $250 for a particular set I want. I'd love to find a nice prewar magnetic crane in operating condition and would pay up to $250 for one. Outside of that, I really don't have much on my wish list. Oh, and like Doug, I do like the #96 coal tower, but I'm not actively looking for one at present, although if I came across one that was a good deal, I'd probably buy it.
I buy whatever the boss tells me to buy.
Yes, Mrs. Buckeye, I'll be right there.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
"I think this is all relative to our incomes and family situations - ie train restrictions, " border="0" /> other expected expenses."
I don't think reasonable people regardless of this spends more than what they can justify as wisefull spending. However rumor has it there is a group that has no understanding of the value of a dollar and spends large sums on mulitple trains just because they can.
With that said I choose to keep my spending habits reasonable since the dollars I earn are through hard physical labor. Thus those dollars are more valuable to me personaly. Being able to spend more really has nothing to do with it. Again this is just my right or wrong.
I have placed myself on voluntary train restriction, due to the mounting real-life repair bills I've been paying lately.
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