Condition Survey

[Jumijo]

I only have a few that are in "shabby" condition, but I run them.

Jim 

[otftch]

Other than to clean them up when I get them home,I leave them alone.They look better with the patina of age.

                                             Ed

[underworld]

I run 'em!!!! Just like the 1:1 railroads!!! A few of mine have cracked and "alligatored paint" but they are from before 1920 and were hand painted when new. I think they look really cool. They are Marklin gauge 1.

 

  

underworld

[mickey4479]

Because you are a "runner" and not a "collector", you could always weather the cars that are in less than perfect shape.  Of course doing that does affect the "collectability" but if it is not in perfect shape, the collector value is probably not going to be there.  So far my cars have not experienced that worn look.  I just can't weather a pristine $45 car at this point.  Is it Weaver or Williams that will weather their new cars for a price?

[LL675]

I run everything I have. I have some new cars, but mostly pre and post war, and some I've rescued from junk boxes. I like looking at a piece 50+ years old, and imagining the joy a child had putting the dents and scratches on it. Besides, if it's already "broken in", I don't have to worry abouy hurting it.

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[traindaddy1]

THANKS GUYS!  I needed that.  Come to think about it, I'm not a "collector" so what if they don't look pristine, the real ones aren't. Guess I'll concentrate on repairing or replacing the 'operating cars' if necessary. GLAD I ASKED.

[csxt30]

I run mine !!

Thanks, John

[dk99358]

gotta agree, run them

Dale

[envfocus]

 what Frank53 stated-Run 'em.

[Frank53]

run 'em!

[traindaddy1]

I promised not to refer back to my HO days in 2007 but I think it will be OK in this instance. In those 'good old days' I never noticed wear and tear on the rolling stock. But now that I'm into O27, I am paying more attention to the larger cars' appearances. Some of my 'gifted' post war cars have definitely seen better days and I am slowly replacing them with like cars in better condition.

Now, I have been studying your posted photos and have been looking very closely at your stock but have not been able to determine an answer to the following question: Besides the brand new goodies that you buy, do you have any shabby looking cars and if you do, do you replace them, hide them, display them or just run them?

As always, many thanks.