Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Anything You Regret Not Buying?

13374 views
115 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Sunday, February 11, 2018 2:09 PM

Something I regret not buying? Yeah I got a story...

I was helping this lady we know that runs a antique store/flea market, well she needed some stuff loaded up from the local auction house then unloaded at her house, shop, and market, well the auction house was getting ready for another auction that weekend, they had about 6 or 8 gallon freezer bags full of NRHS "National Railway Bulletin" booklets and also some MOW, timetables, ect... thrown in... by the end of the week I had forgotten about the auction till the day after! Grumpy

But on the bright side when I stopped in the market the other day she gave me a bag of the booklets she had bought for me, sorta a Christmas/birthday gift!Smile, Wink & Grin

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 77 posts
Posted by nycstlrr on Sunday, February 11, 2018 3:50 PM
Not train related but in 1982, I regret not buying a girl that was the most beautiful person I had ever seen a soda, candybar anything. Talking to her. Fate works in a strange was though. We both felt the same way. Only took us 36 years to figure it out..... God, I feel stupid.
  • Member since
    February 2015
  • 869 posts
Posted by NHTX on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 2:10 AM

    Decal sets by Walthers, Islington Station, Herald King, and Oddballs before they went out of business, especially the private owner sets that will probably never be available again in HO.  Fortunately, Champ notified the modeling community in advance of their exiting the hobby and I was able to acquire my treasured hoard.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: Ohio
  • 231 posts
Posted by josephbw on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 9:33 AM

I regret not buying more Lindberg trucks back in the day, and giving the ones I had to our RR club after I tore my layout down. Those things bring crazy money now. But then I spend a lot of money on vehicles now, so maybe I should just buy them anyway Sad

Joe

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 11:32 AM

josephbw
I regret not buying more Lindberg trucks

.

Are you talking about the High Rollers?

.

I used to buy those for a buck or two at the McCrory down the road when I was in elementary school. You are right, they bring crazy money now. I would never have guessed those would be the toys from my youth to go up 2,000% on a collector's market.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • 409 posts
Posted by Autonerd on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 3:21 PM

I passed on a Conrail-painted Spectrum E33 a couple of years ago. Found it at a Portland, OR hobby shop. When I returned a few months later, it was gone. Sigh.

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • 1 posts
Posted by RGS490 on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 5:02 PM

The only thing I regret is not buying the Accucraft K-37 that was for sale at the National convention in 2005.I was thinking about it and went back to take a second look and it was gone.I was totally shocked when it arrived at the house and my wife said "happy birthday honey." yes I'm still glad i married her 42 yrs ago and have regretted a day since I said "I do". Rick

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, February 22, 2018 3:28 PM

I have a new one now. I saw a brass PRR transfer locomotive recently for $300.00, and decided against it.

.

It seems as each week goes by, I am regretting not buying it a little more.

.

It was long, I doubt it would negotiate my hidden 22 inch curves. That is what I keep telling myself.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 25, 2018 1:01 PM

At the Atlanta Train Show last weekend there was a dealer with an HO scale "Flying Hamburger" set for $75.00.

.

I am really regretting not buying that now. With some redetailing and STRATTON & GILLETTE paint, it would look great.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, March 25, 2018 8:55 PM

I know the feeling of "pasing up" wanted model after model.

I was thrilled in 2015 when Walthers produced the Budd Metroliners! (been a fan of those speedsters since the late 1970's) Add to that, the stainless steel Penn Central version was one of the offerings. But due to budget constraints, I had to pass it up and lamented "Oh well, maybe I'll eventually buy one unit at a time on ebay".

I was pleasantly surprised when, earlier this year, I checked Walthers website and saw a 4-car set (Penn Central, DC version) for $259! Excellent bargain. I called Walthers and ordered one. It was delivered just a week later.  Days later, I checked the website and that particular set was out of stock.

I plan on installing a LokSound decoder setup in one car, and non-sound decoders in the others.  Summary.....I'm a happy camper! Once my work schedule slows down, I'll post at thread with photos.

BTW: Walthers currently has some Metros left in stock -> DC versions for $75 and sound versions for $116.  Amtrak, Pennsy, and Penn Central.

Quality and detail-wise.......these are a H-U-G-E LEAP over the 1970's production Bachmann versions.

 

 

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    October 2015
  • 107 posts
Posted by jk10 on Sunday, March 25, 2018 10:11 PM

When I got into the hobby as a high school student, I went crazy buying whenever I could and whatever I could. I recently went through and downsized the collection to reinvest to fit what I'd like to model now and in the future. 

In terms of regret, there are several things I regret buying because the return when I resold was less than what I paid to begin with. 

Regretting purchasing anything, several things that I can think of and probably many others I have now forgotten. Most recently, got to a show yesterday not expecting to find much, and being surprised that there was a lot of items of interest. Saw several buildings that I wish I could have added for future use. Also several built kits that fit my modeled era, but had already spent the budget. 

Learning to budget and prioritize is going to be important as my wife and I hope to start a family soon. I'm sure there will be more modeling regrets in the future, but the alternative will be worth it. 

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Northern California
  • 163 posts
Posted by softail86mark on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 2:06 AM

I regret not getting the 2nd and 3rd runs of BLIs CZ cars. And some more of their WP stuff. But I'm slowly working on them. I have about a third of the cars that were missing from my collection. Kinda spendy though. That's why I only get one or two at a time.

WP Lives

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • 1 posts
Posted by gnwlines on Sunday, April 1, 2018 9:07 PM

A house with a extra room for my trains. I thought that the kids would move out after college and I would get one of the rooms for my trains. Wife will not give them up, need for whenthe grands come to visit.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, May 4, 2018 6:18 AM

gnwlines
Wife will not give them up, need for whenthe grands come to visit.

Welcome

I'll bet the grandkids won't mind sleeping in a room full of trains Wink

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, May 4, 2018 7:00 AM

I can´t really say there is anything I regret not having bought, but I sure do regret having sold quite a few items, especially my childhood trains.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, May 4, 2018 3:09 PM

Tinplate Toddler
but i sure do regret having sold quite a few items,

.

This keeps hitting me more frequently now.

.

My biggest problem is I forgot I sold something, then I tear through the house looking for it, only for my wife to remind me that I sold it at the last train show!

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 917 posts
Posted by Southgate on Friday, May 4, 2018 5:00 PM

Southgate

eBay!

Keep an eye open for what you're looking for there. Eventually most everything I've ever missed earlier on came up there, and often at a pretty good price. Other times the price may be too high, I wait for it to show up again. Patience and parsistance are the key. Dan

 

Yes, I'm quoting my own reply. I recently learned 1st Gear quit making 1/87 IH TD-25 bulldozers. I missed them, my (not so) LHS was out of them.  Watching eBay, Buy It Now prices pushing toward $80 per, plus shipping.  Along came a reasonable seller, Buy It Now, at about MSRP. Grabbed a couple, his last 2. 

Then I watched bidders take others ones, at about MSRP too.

Case in point. Dan

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Friday, May 4, 2018 7:28 PM

Yes I'm regreding a lot of stuff now. Since my favorite hobby shop is closing. But I don't have a credit card to purchase everything that I want now. This is being a sad year for me.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,553 posts
Posted by PRR8259 on Sunday, May 6, 2018 8:06 PM

Some have taken me to task for the way I change my mind and trade trains...

I've owned and played with so many...

The list of models I regret not buying is actually very short:

1. Overland Models/Ajin Precision ICG SD-20 f/p Orange and Grey.  It's a neat model with factory lights that runs really well.  Almost bought one years ago from Canadian Model Trains, but was getting out of brass at the time and just couldn't quite pull the trigger.  I have regretted it ever since.  Never saw another in person though there are about 60 of them or so.

2.  A good plated and finished Burlington E-5A...always wanted one.  Owned a defective, corrosion-showing-on-plating earlier brass one years ago, with bad gears, but never a good one.

 

Models I wish I had never sold:

1.  A really nice Westside SP 4-10-2, c/p and weathered, that ran really well.  Never got another with good paint at a good price.  Never even saw a good one since.

2.  Overland Models f/p Alco Demo C-430.  Mine had a very small paint blemish, and the front "windshields" were applied over the body.  Could have looked a little bit better.  The engine was otherwise perfect and looked and ran great.  I mean, it was at least a 9.5 even by my picky standards.  Never saw another one that hadn't had handrails damaged by improper handling, which is common with the OMI diesels of that era.  The handrail stanchions are flexible brass and will bend when people handle them wrong, and can then be difficult to straighten without breaking solder joints.

3.  OMI/Ajin NKP C-420 propainted with magnetic read switch to operate flashing light.  Ran great and looked great.  Sold because not enough radiator louvers per prototype...never should have sold it.  Who knows if will ever see that one show up again?

4.  OMI/Ajin f/p RDG C-430.  Had one nearly perfect, and didn't keep it.  Should have...

5.  OMI/Ajin RDG C-630's (two) pro-painted with lights, by a friend...

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 5:38 PM

Yup. A 1976 Bicentennial Seaboard coast locomotive and Caboose that my grandfather bought for me when I was around 10. 

You know what a 9 year old does. He sees how fast it goes and beats the crap out of it.

I still have that Seaboard Coast on my mantle, it is very sentimental to me.

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 6:04 PM

Well to conclude my post as I had a pizza delivery and I was cut off.

I regret not buying a seaboard Coast duplicate of what my grandfather gave me when I was 10 off of eBay 2 years ago. They are rare.

I have kept my eyes open and one came up again. It is mint condition and an excellent Runner. 

I found it, I got it, I bought it, I am very happy. I cannot wait to see my old childhood first locomotive run on my new layout again.  Wink it's going to be fun

Take care.   Track fiddler

 

 

PS...... As l am finishing up my custom bridges and after I lay my track.

My Grandfather's Bicentennial will run first...... Of Course! 

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: Jersey City
  • 1,925 posts
Posted by steemtrayn on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 6:44 AM

 

NYBW-John

Signs you have bought too much stuff.

You have unassembled kits on your shelf that are 20 years old or more. One of mine is over 30. And I still plan to build it. Someday.

You have duplicates of the same kit because you forgot you already had one. I've done that. Three times. Actually one of them I didn't forget I had. I forgot I had it on back order with Trainworld. That one arrived about a week after I bought the same kit at my LHS. 

 

 

 

One day at work, I saw an interestimg freight car in the yard next door, and thought it would be nice to have a model of it. A few days later, while working on the layout, there was a model of it staring me in the face. I forgot I bought it about a month earlier. Same roadname, almost same number.

 

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 6:26 PM

Sounds good we're all good. Time is the essence but the thing you got to remember is all's good on your time.Big Smile

      Thumbs Up

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 10, 2018 1:16 PM

I regret not buying an expensive pair of prescription reading glasses years ago. I paid the price about a week ago and so well worth it.

I found out my right eye is two optical lenses weaker than my left eye. No wonder I was getting such terrible eye strain from the drugstore cheater glasses.

My wife is always saying you have all the time in the world, it's a hobby, give your eyes a break. Now I don't have to. What a difference. I can do my modeling for hours and hours now.Big Smile

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 10, 2018 1:48 PM

In response to steemtrayn's post. I do what you did on purpose.

I have a fetish for Northern Pacific box cars and Duluth Mesabi Iron Range ore cars. I buy multiple cars of each. They look cool all lined up.

At least you were fortunate enough not to get the same road numbers on your other car. I try to stay away from that happening but I got to admit it has happened a few times. I have a hand full of cars with same road numbers.

The thing is with N scale you have to pick the car up and look at it with your reading glasses to see the numbers are different. I know HO is different you do notice.

With my road number duplicates, I'm the only one that will ever know. I can live with it, I don't care.Whistling

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!