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Demise of the hobby shop (an observation, not an emotional response)

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  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 12:12 PM

PRR8259

Hmmm.  What you don't need now you can buy later if you do...RIGHT! Sure!

With model trains I disagree.

I didn't need Amtrak Heritiage phase 1 passenger cars until Athearn finally announced the engine I needed to pull a 1970's San Francisco Zephyr.  It looks like Walthers ran them a few years back.  But when I saw Athearn announce my SDP40F's with ice breakers, I started hunting and figured I'd be screwed.  Instead I managed to find most of the pointless arrow and phase 2 passenger cars I needed: baggage, lounges, diner, plenty of sleepers and even an ACF 44 seat coach (which arrived from Sweden).  All I need are a couple more coaches and I'll have more than enough dog's breakfast cars for a San Francisco Zephyr.

I guess it just depends.  But brass, well, brass engines have pretty much always been out of my price range anyway.  I've struggled to afford the brass cabooses I do have although unpainted have come down.  I picked up a UP CA 5/6 for $90 and a D&RGW 1500 series caboose for about the same.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,668 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 4:03 PM

I see brass detail parts all the time on ebay, MV also. Need to know exact model you wanted. I just got a Westside class A climax for $200, mint in box, had a bunch to choose from, painted, unpainted. If you need it now, you will pay a mint for most things, patence is what you need.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,668 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 4:28 PM

The reason I see the point of waiting is I want a Walthers RTR turntable but not enough to pay $300 for it, got one for $50, out the door. Had a bit of a skip, do to a gear on the bridge, worked fine but then I am a profectionist. For for $20 I got a pair bridges, one 90' and one 130' (needed 90'), got my perfect bridge and a replacement gear off the longer one and lots of other parts too.

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