Your talking the TCA York PA shows each April and October -- yes? It's save to buy at TCA Shows. Remember, you must be a TCA Member to attend TCA York.
8 Halls full of Trains, 1,200 Member Tables, 260 Dealers and Manufacturer's tables, booths, and displays, a 3 day show !
Attendence over 14,000, Members of TCA ONLY, the public is not allowed in !
TCA Members are "Required" to deal fairly with other members, --- to mark all items with a starting price, (your free to negotiate the price on all items ) --- at York, member's names are on each table --- failure to comply with TCA or York rules can result in being Banned, Suspended, or loss of Membership. Complaint forms are published in each issue of the "TCA National Headquarters News". You must file your complaint within 30 days.
In my 37 years in TCA, I have never had a problem with a fellow member. For me, it's a 350 mile drive to York and I have not missed a York Show in 23 years.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
the "price guide" is built into eBay. just do searches for what you are after in the closed auction search. Shows will always have the advantage that you can put your eyes right on the piece you are concidering. That way there is no difference in grading between the seller and you. Also, sometimes you can negotiate the price, another plus to the shows.
On the flip side, eBay offers better buyer protection than a show. So it all is up to you. btw, All of my 402's, 392s etc have come from the bay. The last local show I went to had 392s for three times what I was paying for similar condition online.
I am just wondering which is better: To buy at a train show or on ebay?? Yeah, it will cost me about $120 in gas, tolls, and entrance fees to go to York. As for ebay, all I have to do is point and click. I could use that $120 toward something on ebay. Plus, adding miles to my already high mileage car. Its just does not sound right to waste money like that, but yes, I love going to shows, but, I might just stick to local shows. York is a haul for me to go to. Yes, they have a lot of trains. But, the economy and raising tolls on the turnpike, just is not worth it. Plus, prices are higher at the shows than on ebay. Oh well, I will take my chance with my quick trigger finger on that mouse. LOL. Yeah, I agree that the 400E just doesnt look right. The 392E looks better and is cheaper as well. I guess I will countinue to keep my eyes open for either a 402E or 392E. Thanks for all the help. Ebay in some way will be the death of the train show. I hope it does not happen in my lifetime. Anyone come out with an ebay train price guide book yet?? A more adjusted price guide would be more useful, it seems that no one is buying big at the shows, rather online.
I have a few of these locos The 392 six-wheel tenders are very susceptable to warpage of the tender top casting, look carefully. A nice 392E with the six wheel tender will probably cost you a minimum of 650 bucks, even higher at shows. I think these are the best looking steamers that Lionel did, as to me the 400e just looks "wrong" somehow. i like the proportions of the 392 and its based on a real type (kinda) the Atlantic class.
392E, introduced in 1932 and running to 1939 (becoming the 392EW in 1935). A quick check of my catalogs shows "The Chugger" being introduced in 1933 and running to 1936 only. In 1935 the 12 wheel tender was added as was the Whistle, and in 1935 and 1936 they had both "Chugger" and "Whistle".
The "402" no "E" unit first shows in the 1923 catalog and ran until 1929. The "402E" is listed starting in 1926 to 1929.
The "408E" was introduced in 1927, as a "402" with added detail and the "E Unit", it is cataloged until 1935.
As for the York Show, you will find some in verious condition, original, restored, or reproduction. Price ???
Do these steam locomotives have a chugger unit in them? How much do they cost at train shows such as York? And are they easy to find in original condition? I have narrowed my search for a new standard loco, I have narrowed it down to a 392E or a 402E. I am looking for the 392E with the 12 wheel tender with whistle and would like a 392E with a chugger if they have them installed. Any info on the 392E is good enough. If you have one of 392E's tell me about what features yours has. Now, does the 392E able to navigate 042 curves?? As well as go over 210, 222, 223 switches?? Thanks.
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