How or Why do you purchase your locomotives?

[Anonymous]

Your survey made a reasonable effort of offering combinations but assumed that price would always would be a consideration.

For me, price is only a consideration in that some brass steam models that I would like to have, are simply outside of what I budget for model RR. This is a rapidly growing problem and I'm glad that I was able to purchse brass during the "golden era" of the 80s when prices were, if not exactly reasonable, at least affordable.

My decision process differs based upon the type of model, steam versus diesel and plastic versus brass.

But first and foremost, it must either fit my semi-prototype HO branch line, OR it must fill a gap in my collection of N&W and Western Maryland HO steam.

Then the combination of running quality, accuracy and details (in that order) sets my interest in buying a particular model AND my perceived value.

[Anonymous]

buy locomotive then buy some part of detail to put add up for locmotive that what I need to buy it

1. price ( if I happy with new locomotive )
2. detail

[Eriediamond]

I love steam engines and the Erie RR. I buy my locos mainley to match my future Erie 1940s layout. Since I don't have the skill for doing the fine detail work, I buy locos from reputable mfgrs and ones that I feel would look good on my layout. Also because of lack of time to work or run my trains I run them out of the box and only do routine maintanence on them. Also run straight DC. Also pocket book has alot to do with it . Best to ya, Ken

[vsmith]

Price

Detailing

Vision

Doing large scale you'd think detailing wouldnt be an issue, wrong! Some very pricey loco's are so poorly detailed its a crime. So $500 and a crappy detailed or toylike engine does not a locomotive buy me.

I want a certain type of loco on my layout,

I want a certain level of detail on my loco's. I'll add it if I have to.

and I cant break the bank doing the both above.... so no $3000 Accucraft engines for me.

I currently want two added to my roster. a Bachmann 2-6-0 industrial Mogul and a Bachmann Porter saddletank.

[lyctus]

I make my selection only if the loco fits my era/area/detail & quality/price range. Like Lupo, I can't send 'em back easily, so I have to be careful in selection. But I sure get sorely tempted to stray from the straight & narrow and buy fantastic locos which just don't fit the criteria...but I resist !

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Pulling power, effective electrical pick, heaviness, and detailing of a model are what I look for when I find my prototype has been made.

Price can cancel out all of these factors. Thats why I'll probably never own a Lionel Veranda turbine!

This and 2,3 and 5 would be my motivators. I have put out big bucks for three of my locos but only because they were hard to come by, would be of benifit to my RR and fir the vision.

[AggroJones]

Pulling power, effective electrical pick, heaviness, and detailing of a model are what I look for when I find my prototype has been made.

Price can cancel out all of these factors. Thats why I'll probably never own a Lionel Veranda turbine!

[Anonymous]

combo of 1+2+3+4+5

[Anonymous]

I buy most of my stuff on mainly the just becasue factor. Which is usually when something catches my eye during the same amount of time I have the money to purchase it. I do take a more limited approach with my locomotives and passenger cars. Atlantic Coast Line E-6s would look mighty out of place hauling coal in the Powder River Basin.

[orsonroy]

Actually, I don't buy engines because of ANY of the above. I buy engines because:

1) they're of a prototype I need.
2) they're engineered well, regardless of who made 'em.
3) they operate and pull well.

[Anonymous]

It has to fit my layout. Basiclly if it's UP or some other western road (like Santa Fe), i'll buy it. It also has to be the right price.

[Anonymous]

For me it's a combo of 2, 3, & 5. 5 first cause if it doesn't fit into the layout it's not going to get bought no matter what else it has. Then probably 2 cause if I have to add a whole bunch of stuff to it to make it look right then isn't not going to get bought. I also won't buy certain brands just because of bad reps.

[Anonymous]

I look for quality first. If satisfied, I look at the cost. I usually purchase diesels two at a time, even if it stretches the budget a bit. I suffer from 'I've-gotta-have-it-like-yesterday' syndrome. I'm always happy in the end though, so I don't allow myself to feel guilty about overspending for long.

[Hawks05]

1 & 2 i guess. i went to a show today and this guy was there who i bought a locomotive from last time and he always has a snow plow added and other really detailed pieces so i had to buy a GP40 BN Atlas loco from him for $45. if its below $50 i can usually afford it. but i can rarely buy them.

[willy6]

i know what i want, so i check price,details and manufacturer, then decide.

[nfmisso]

I am like Tom, but different railroad, though I do have some Southern E6's for run through power, and.....

[tomwatkins]

First, it has to fit my layout, in terms of railroads and era modeled. If the Southern or the L&N didn't have it in the late '40s or early 50's I don't need it. Sticking to that eliminates a lot of truly cool locomotives but also saves a lot of money. After that I consider the manufacturer's reuptation for quality, accuracy and value.
Tom Watkins

[PistolPete]

price and how if fits my plan, I would like to go for better detail but usually the price is out of my range. GO PATRIOTS[tup]

[AggroJones]

The protoype is the first thing. Then, it it fill the nessesary functions, okay. Combo of 1, 2, 3, and 5. It must meet my criteria as a stock model. Very few cases have I have bought somthing I have to do hella work to. (besides weathering)

[Anonymous]

Bit of all of the above. I buy locos that will look right on the layout, and usually try to create matched pairs when buying cab units. I've only ever bought Athearn, Lifelike Proto and Walthers locos - have a couple of Bachmann locos that I'm slowly working on to improve them.

[Anonymous]

I purchase for the era I model but only consider those locos that are as close to prototype as possible from a manufacture with a good reputation. I buy my MRR stuff from the internet.

[JoeKoh]

if its a chessie or N&W i ll try to buy it.
stay safe
joe

[lupo]

I would like combo 2&3&5
the UP 1950-1960 era has many possible locomotives by many manufacturers
but I go for detail and manufacturer reputation, for I order most through the internet from the US, because I live in Holland, returning stuff you don't like is not an option.
(it sometimes takes 6 - 8 weeks to get here )

[CP5415]

I usually buy mine on price & it fits my vision of my layout.

Gordon

[CP5415]

Just for fun [:D]

Gordon