Who buys very expensive locomotives ($500 +)

[vsmith]

Try G gauge, shheeesh ! Everything new coming out is over $500 bucks.

USA'a new die-cast 4-6-4 Hudson is $1600,
LGB engines AVERAGE between $400 and $900 some up to $1400,
AristoCrafts new 2-8-8-2 Y-6 is going to be around $800,
Bachmann's new Hiesler is around $400
These are for PLASTIC engines, folks!

Freight cars average between $40 to $100
Streamliner passenger cars are $120

EACH!

In the past most engines seam to average between $150 and $350, but there is a new trend towards bigger mainline engines and the prices have gone right up along with the sizes of the engines. I limit myself to $100 for a new engine, thats OK because I like smaller industrial type engines, but I dont know who's buying these big monster engines and who has 4 acres of land for the big radius curves needed.

[lupo]

Hello mr. vsmith,
the models that are in the link I posted are 1:32 what scale is that?
thanks for answer
LUPO

[CNJ831]

While I'm willing to agree with the first paragraph of orsonroy's post, much of the remainder simply isn't true. Based on recent eBay sales figures I could expect 2, 3, and even sometimes 4 times what I originally paid for most of the brass locomotives I've acquired over the years. Although venues such as eBay have brought wild brass speculation more or less under control, brass locomotives are still an excellent investiment. On the other hand, it is unlikely plastic ever will be.

As for "quality" plastic killing the brass market, I challenge anyone to actually compare side-by-side a well done large brass steam made within the last 10 years with the very best current plastic version and still say they are comparable. I've actually done this and the idea is a myth. Incidentally, one of my better models is a brass CNJ Mikado with so much separate piping and appurtenances that a similar plastic version would undoubtedly end up costing more than the brass example did!

CNJ831

[MAbruce]

Wow, suddenly I'm not complaining as much about the prices in N-scale. But then again, since you can model and run more in the same space...

[Anonymous]

I'm in the "if you want it, you'll pay for it" camp. I'm not rich, and the few locos I now own are on the cheap end (highest was $240 for a BLI GG1), but there are a few things I'd pay top dollar for if I had it. One of them being a brass streamlined Dreyfuss Hudson with prototypically correct 20th Century Limited consist - I've seen the cars modeled in HO (doubt they're still available, and it was about $4,000 for the set when I did see them) and the loco modeled in O but I'd honestly like to have the entire train (including loco) in HO with a separate O scale brass loco as a mantlepiece. I realize this would be around $6,000 if bought new. If I had the money I'd probably pay it. Then I'd happily go back to my $100 plastic diesels and $5-$10 plastic cars for actually running.

I don't know how many others are like me but I would imagine most modelers also have some display pieces. And model railroad display pieces are like any other display pieces; I mean why pay thousands of dollars for an original portrait or landscape that's going to just hang on your wall? Everybody likes to have nice things for people to look at, and to look at themselves. Nothing wrong with it.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

Hello mr. vsmith,
the models that are in the link I posted are 1:32 what scale is that?
thanks for answer
LUPO

Hey Lupo

welcome to the Land of Confusion, IE Large Scale...

Those 1/32 models are designated as Gauge 1. 1/32 is getting rare in large scale even thought 1/32 is CORRECT scale for 45mm track representing 4'-8 1/2" gauge track. The defact "scale" for standard guage item in LS is now 1/29 scale or A scale. Heres the breakdown FYI:

1/32 scale = Gauge 1
1/29 scale = A scale -or- nmra X scale
1/24 scale = 1/2" scale -or- nmra H scale
1/22.5 scale = Gn3 scale -or- nmra Gscale
1/20.3 scale = Fn3 scale -or- nmra F scale
1/13 scale = M scale or more commonly as 7/8"n2 scale

All run on the same 45mm guage track, Confused? Good, So are we!

[Anonymous]

Here in Australia everyone does, my pride and joy a G guage DR Mallet 99201 cost me A$1,700 second hand and I have spent another $400.00 on it to bring it up to full digital MTS. But it can be heard right across the street with about 7 different sounds and it will pull 4 litres of wine up a 4 % gradient!
My wife is an accountant and she allocates the money and she reckons its better to have a few really good trains than a whole lot of junk that does't do anything. We apid $600 e for several Golden Mountain coaches to go with the mallet and the overall train is really something to see, hear and experience

Ian; Kawana Island Tropical Railway.

[Anonymous]

Here in Australia just about everyone does that is into Garden railways. A number of us from several countries have opined that LGB's pricing policy is stifling the pasttime in our individual countries I am also of the opinion that our local LGB people act as if they have no compettition.

I have an LGB G gauge DR Mallet 99201 that cost me A$1700 second ahnd and I have spent about A$400 on it to bring it up to full digital MTS standard. The same engine new would cost a bit less than A$4000 new. We paid nearly A $600 e for several Golden Mountain carriages to go with the Mallet. The overall train is something to see hear and experience and the Mallet will pull 4 litres of wine up a 4 % gradient.It has about 7 sounds and can be heard across the street.

My wife is an accountant and we have agreed to anly buy good stuff anf not a lot of junk that doesn't do anything.

Regards

Ian; Kawana Island Tropical Railway.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

The overall train is something to see hear and experience and the Mallet will pull 4 litres of wine up a 4 % gradient.It has about 7 sounds and can be heard across the street.

Regards

Ian; Kawana Island Tropical Railway.

That wouldn't be hauling into Banrock Station, would it?

As far as G scale is concerned and as interested in it's concept as I am the fact you're paying so much for so little, especially track. This is a rip off.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

Hello mr. vsmith,
the models that are in the link I posted are 1:32 what scale is that?
thanks for answer
LUPO

Hey Lupo

welcome to the Land of Confusion, IE Large Scale...

Those 1/32 models are designated as Gauge 1. 1/32 is getting rare in large scale even thought 1/32 is CORRECT scale for 45mm track representing 4'-8 1/2" gauge track. The defact "scale" for standard guage item in LS is now 1/29 scale or A scale. Heres the breakdown FYI:

1/32 scale = Gauge 1
1/29 scale = A scale -or- nmra X scale
1/24 scale = 1/2" scale -or- nmra H scale
1/22.5 scale = Gn3 scale -or- nmra Gscale
1/20.3 scale = Fn3 scale -or- nmra F scale
1/13 scale = M scale or more commonly as 7/8"n2 scale

All run on the same 45mm guage track, Confused? Good, So are we!

Vic,

Good thing your a arkiteckt and good with numbers and figurin...cause that hurt my head....[%-)]

[Anonymous]

not me, I expect to build half of my layout on $500 !

[PistolPete]

Expensive for me is currently anything above $50. In time when things are up and running I intend to go for higher quality equipment but not brass or the $500+ loco. It can still be fairly good looking and inexpensive, that way I can still afford to travel some on vacation.

[Anonymous]

I purchase brass passenger cars, however, I have to be very selective when I purchase my cars. 16 cars for the SF, 11 for the SP, 16 for the UP and 7 for the BN would set me back enough to buy a good used Ford Ranger 4x4 in excellent condition. So I have limited myself to 5 cars per road and use plastic locos for power, however, have lucked out as a good friend is a dealer and am able to get the BLI ATSF 3751 for his cost.
Ch

[CP5415]

I haven't yet. I'm sure the word DIVORCE will come up if I do.
While they are nice models, they are way out of the price range I can pay for a locomotive right now.
I'll stick with my Proto PA's I have coming & my Athearns for the time being.

Gordon