I was watching a bit of footage of my BLI Cal Zephyr from '07 or so and whilst I never really regretted letting go of the cars I have always had a pang or two about that silver with orange warning panel PCM A-B-A D&RGW PA lash-up. Never seen another set for sale and probably let it go for a song in the hard times after the crash.
Anybody else have similar seller's remorse?
My employer gave me a Bowser Big Boy Kit for Christmas 1964. I built it and it turned out fantastic. Great runner and looked terrific.I didn’t run it very much over the years and when I built my current layout I used Atlas #4 turnouts in my yard, the Big Boy couldn’t clear the turnouts without derailing so it sit on display for 20 years.Being an SP guy from head to toe I decided to sell my Big Boy. Even though it couldn’t operate in my yard it would run great on my main lines.Big mistake, I miss it dearly. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
That did turn out very well, Mel. Especially considering the vintage.
Curious about why your employer would dish out nice locomotive kits for Christmas?
When I backdated my layout to the late '30s, I sold-off a lot of diesels and too-modern rolling stock. Most of it went very quickly, and at very good prices, too. I did give some of it to friends, at lower prices, and still can see those items when we get together.
These two are my "most-missed", partly because of the work involved in building them, and partly because their prototypes were my favourite diesel passenger locomotives...
I do have several more of those Model Power A- and B-units, but little interest (or time) to repeat the process.
Wayne
I didn't sell it, but I don't know what happened to it...
When I was in N scale I built a streamlined 4-8-4 complete with smoke deflectors and a scratch built tender. It started as a Bachmann Santa Fe 4-8-4, but ended up bearing no resemblance to the donor-kit.
I do not know what became of that model. I have a feeling it was left on the layout when we vacated the dream house, and was in the house when it was razed.
Sometimes when I am going through old boxes, I hope that I will find it at the bottom.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
TheFlyingScotsman That did turn out very well, Mel. Especially considering the vintage. Curious about why your employer would dish out nice locomotive kits for Christmas?
Back in 1964 the Bowser Kit was $38 and he was a very generous boss. He new my love for trains.
Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
My biggest regret wasn't a sell, but an alteration. Being a strapped for cash teenager and convinced I was going to model a fictitious road, I repainted my very first locomotive in my imaginary scheme. While I still have it, I regret not being able to see it in the state of which I have so many great memories.
Mike
Well, I've bought/sold/traded a lot of motive power through the years because I've changed my mind too often, and one or two people on these forums love to remind me of that. However, I got to play with a lot of really cool trains along the way.
I have had regrets in the past regarding certain engines that maybe I should have kept: A Westside SP 4-10-2 nicely weathered would probably be at the top of that list. Even with the original open frame motor, it ran exceptionally well. It was one of the best open frame motor models I ever saw run. I traded it (back to The Caboose) for an Oriental Limited CB&Q E-5A that had issues and had to go back. By the time the E-5A got back to them, the steamer had sold.
Then there's the PFM Crown Rio Grande M-75 4-8-2 that I once owned. It was perfect, brand new, had never been run on track, with a perfect box. I didn't like the growl of the open frame motor...but should have kept it anyway. I never saw another one in that kind of condition again.
However, I can honestly say that the 2 ScaleTrains BNSF ES44C4's and 3 BNSF ET44C4's that I now have on hand (a few other diesels are pre-ordered) are the best motive power I've ever had. This is regarding the detailing, the running performance, the sound, lights...the whole package. The first two were so well assembled and so good on the layout that after getting them and running them I literally put all my other locos out for sale.
At the present time my only regret is that I have some engines and freight cars out for sale that are...excess and tying up too much cash. I had too much stuff that doesn't fit the post-2017 era (of the ST diesels).
John
Interesting forum topic!
I gotta say for the most part I dont regret selling anything. In fact, I currently own some items I probably should sell bc theyre out of my era/are excess, but I just cant get myself to sell off, including a Bowser A5s with super detailing, a Bachmann K4s with super detailing, and a Walthers PRR FOM 4-4-2 sleeper. I feel like these locos are worthwhile keeping just for their memory value, since I spent hours working on them.
The one loco I do regret selling is my Sunset ATSF 2-8-2. I sold it off because I thought it would be cheaper to simply buy a BLI ATSF 2-8-2 when their prices were expected to be $299. Figured I would save money selling it off for $280 than invest in paint and a dcc decoder into the thing. Then suddenly BLI changed them to paragon 4 and the prices shot up to $399...
The first run Sunset 2-8-2s looked great, probably just as good if not slightly better than the BLI ones. Only issue with them was the boiler being too low and the pilot extending out too much. I already made modifications to improve the look but ended up selling it off anyways.
(Sitting along side a Westside O scale ATSF 2-8-2 I bought impulsively)
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
A part of me regrets selling my entire O scale Lionel layout, which covered 2 4x8 boards. I was about 12 and I wanted to get away from toy trains and into HO, to start my long journey in more realistic railroading.
It would have been impressive today. I've seen the same GG-1 model I had at a train show for $1000. I had the vertical rocket launcher with the gantry tower, an exploding boxcar, a firefighting car, a tie-ejector car, the vibrating cattle car, the milk car, and others.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Trainman440 (Sitting along side a Westside O scale ATSF 2-8-2 I bought impulsively) Charles
Simon
Bought a pair of Pemco PRR GG-1s several years ago, the green and brown. They actually ran pretty OK even though those pancake motors were a little noisy. Even replaced the headlights with yellow LEDs.
I finally decided to sell 'em because I knew those motors wouldn't last. The rest of my engine fleet is Protos, Bachmann Spectrum and a Genesis, far superior. The Pemcos were fun but slightly better than toys.
Where's the regret? I coulda kept them for curios. They looked pretty good. But I just bought the newer Bachmann GG1 and that is a special beauty. Pemcos you were fun for awhile. -Rob
snjroy Trainman440 (Sitting along side a Westside O scale ATSF 2-8-2 I bought impulsively) Charles That O scale Mikado is a beaut'! Hopefully, you did not go broke getting it! Simon
That O scale Mikado is a beaut'! Hopefully, you did not go broke getting it!
Not at all! It was an "impulsive" buy because it was way too cheap to let up even though I have 0 supplies for running an O scale loco, let alone two rail O scale.
Got it for only $240 (plus $40 shipping), was going to flip it for profit, but was too beautiful to let go.
Very glad I didnt sell this off :D
Might get into O scale someday, people like Norm on Youtube really got me craving...
Water Level Route While I still have it, I regret not being able to see it in the state of which I have so many great memories.
I think it is so much better to have something you made.
Very few possessions please me more than the fact that I still have the very first "locomotive" painted for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE" all the way back in 1982.
I've never sold a single model RR item. No regrets that way, but of the ones that "got away" in a shed fire, I wish I had my first Athearn GP 35. It was perhaps the single most influential item that kept me in the hobby. Dan
Anything?
My 1974 Dodge Charger that I sold back in 1980.
- Douglas
Doughless Anything? My 1974 Dodge Charger that I sold back in 1980.
HO or 1:1?
DoughlessMy 1974 Dodge Charger that I sold back in 1980.
I have only sold a few train items, none of which I regret parting with.
However, since the OP said "anything", I would mention my 1972 BMW 2002 tii and my 1968 MGC GT. Needed the money!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Oh now this is going somewhere off-piste yet interesting! I hadn't thought about cars etc but now that i am, a BIG regret, my Laverda Jota. I know, not a a car but an exotic Italian bike. Probably quadrupled in value since I sold it in '03. To be fair, though, spares were a nightmare. But the sound of that 180 degree 3 cyl..........
hon30critter Doughless My 1974 Dodge Charger that I sold back in 1980. I have only sold a few train items, none of which I regret parting with. However, since the OP said "anything", I would mention my 1972 BMW 2002 tii and my 1968 MGC GT. Needed the money! Dave
Doughless My 1974 Dodge Charger that I sold back in 1980.
The only thing I've ever regretted salling was my '81 Camaro Z28, a 4 speed with T-tops. I've never sold any of my train stuff.