Where oh where to buy locos

[barclaysierra]

You folks were so helpful on my last question, I am prompted to ask another.
I'm having a ball with with my grandsons and a new MTH O gauge set I bought for a Christmas train. It is running all the way around our living room. I added a bunch more track to extend the run. Set was $359 retail and best as I can estimate the cost of the steam engine, with Proto-sound 2.0 and DCS ready was ~$120. I'd like to get a second engine, a switcher of some type, either diesel or steam.
I've looked all over the local hobby stores and more common web sites, including Lionel and MTH and there seems to be very little available for a second engine, and most start around $350 and go up rapidly from there.
Any suggestions as to where I might find something more reasonably priced? And what is the general availability of same? Do I have to go scouting the train shows? Ebay (had one good experience there, but have been warned there are a lot of scams on trains unless you really know your product). What surprises me is the dearth of product. The other scales have it coming out of the woodwork, it seems, including G, which I also have. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places?

JB in Folsom

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for some very nice locos that run very well at resonable prices check out Williams trains. They do not have all the sound whistles and bells but are very well done and run very well.
Dave.

[Anonymous]

I'll second the vote to check out William's locomotives. Marty at Ma&Pa Junction is great to deal with and has good prices with prompt shipping.
http://mapajunction.com

[spankybird]

HI JB,

If you are looking for MTH then you should check out there web site. They have a feature called ‘Product Locator’. By either putting in a description of the item or the item number, it will look it up and also provide you a list of all dealer in the US that have it in stock. You can then e-mail them for the price.

Here is the link
http://www.mth-railking.com/advsearch.asp

[wrmcclellan]

MTH's web site also lets you look at older catalogs so you can see what products they have offered in the past. There have been several offerings of 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 switchers in the Railking line.

Pick up a copy of Classic Toy Trains magazine and there are lots of ads for products from all the manufacturers. Many of these ads have products that go back several years. Many of us here have mail ordered from these folks and I would say most of the advertisers in CTT are reliable. So if you see an item you like and want a recommendation on the vender, many of us would be happy to provide advice.

Re older catalogs, you can do the same at Lionel's web site.

Regards,
Roy

[SPFan]

JB, This forum is sponsored by Classic Toy Trains Magazine. It has adverts and listings for hundreds of train stores. You owe it to yourself to pick up a copy. While HO might be found in nearly every hobby and toy store, you will have to find a dedicated train shop to get an idea of the variety of O gauge that's available. Its out there and can be overwhelming [8)]

Pete

[barclaysierra]

Went back to the MTH site today and a whole bunch of locos had popped up since I looked a couple of days ago. Patience is not only a virtue, it also solves some problems.
I'm going to get a copy of CTT, waiting until after Christmas to see if anyone picked up on it as a suggested gift. :-)
I already get MR and GR, both great but little on O, and "toy trains". Those guys don't know what they're missing!
Thanks all!

[Buckeye Riveter]

JB, take a look at the top of this web page and you should see in tiny print "shopping" Click on the word shopping and it will take you to another web page where manufactures are listed.

The manufactures page is : http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/003/003cmdyz.asp

Scroll down and you will see manufactures who build O scale equipment.

[Anonymous]

ebay has some super prices on trains. I got a brand new in the box MTH premier greenbrier for 500. from a dealer.
Not bad for a 1000 engine.
Trains are not selling too well and many dealers are letting stuff go at super low prices. I also got a HO lionel challenger for 260.00 which is a 700 dollar engine.
Why would a 3 railer want HO, my best friend is into HO and Dcc and this will be my visiting loco when I go to his layout.
DAve.

[daan]

If you browse on ebay, check out the seller. For me the other opinions of former buyers tell me if it's safe to buy. I also check them to have paypall.. The last option is mostly done by sellers who sell more than once. (besides that there are hardly other options for me to get money in the us without creditcards.)
There are a few big sellers who really do their stuff right, and it's certainly safe to buy there. I've had most of my K-line out of the states..