looking for desent loco under $40.00

[Anonymous]

I've Been buying used locos at shows. For instance I got an Athearn SD9 and GP50 for $5 each. All they needed were cleaned and lubed, (routine maintenance) they even had KDs. Some hobby shops do sell used equipment. Just look it over good, ask to see it run . I even ask if I can remove the shell to look inside before I buy it so I know what I'm getting.
I haven't bought a "new" locomotive in years but My roster is growing by buying used locos.

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest you take a look at the Walthers GP9m and FA1 - these are available for about £28 over here and seem pretty good - solid, smooth runners. As suggested above, many places have the Proto 1k locos cheaper than full retail prices, so these might also be worth a look. I would suggest Athearn "blue box", as these do wear well and if you get a good one they're very quiet runners (just don't ask about the rough ones, like my Dash 9 that vibrates the layout baseboard!). However, there seems to be uncertainty over Athearn availability and prices at the moment, so it's probably a case of buying what you like when you can.

[Anonymous]

hey 'orsonroy'-

I agree w/your comments re: Accurail, Athearn etc. Although a lot of modelers would be dismayed to see the 'blue boxes' get set out to the 'scrappers', I'd suspect that someone would purchase the tooling, althought I'm not sure that reboxed and rebranded 'blue boxes' would enjoy the same popularity if that happened, because I think that a lot of the 'noise and anger' about Horizon possibly dropping this Athearn institution is caught up in nostalgia. When Varney called it quits and Life Like (and I think others) picked up some of the tooling and reintroduced the old Varney stuff, modelers didn't necessarily beat a path to their door. Didn't hear a lot of grumbling about Mantua going out of business either, although someone is possibly doing that product line again-who cares-most of it has been replaced w/ better, and in some cases, less pricey stuff.

Personally I think Athearn sat on their butts too long and companies like Accurail did it better-much better. I think Accurail's kits are the best bang for the average modeler's budget today. And I agree w/ you-who needs opening doors? Perhaps Athearn should continue w/ their release of higher quality, more modern stuff-they've got a good niche established, and that portion of their product line should appeal to ever more picky modelers for some time to come. I too model an earlier era and have been diverting my purchasing $$ to other manufacturers, regardless of whether Athearn 'blue boxes' remain in production, or not.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

I must admit my choice of words earlier wasn't the best. And Yes, I was having an extreamly bad day that day. (Don't ask iether.) I am also extreamly disguntled with the Horizon situation as I am one of the people that have been burned heavily by them, and the prase "I wi***hey would just burn in hell!" is a supreame understatement as to how I feel in this situation.

Grayhound Challenger,

I hate to use you as an example, but you've brought it on yourself. We won't tollorate this type of behavior. If anything in this forum makes you that mad, get up and walk away from your computer and cool off.

Having a bad day is no excuss. You know what creates a bad day for me? When I get tipped off to inappropriate behavior like yours in our forums. These forums are meant to be a platform for useful exchange of information, and you've been a valuable contributor. Please don't let your feelings about a topic get the best of you.

Erik

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson
If there is any company that could absolutely (re)grab a huge chunk of the market it would be Athearn if they introduced some accurate USRA freight equipment w/ correct markings, decent trucks, separate grabs, and finer scaled roofwalks and sliding door hardware.

Athearn won't bother, because Accurail has already beaten them to the punch on this one. They've got the USRA double sheath and single sheath boxcars, and the USRA twin hopper. All three have similar construction to an Athearn kit (simple) but the level of tooling and detailing is second to none. And Accurail trucks are fantastic (their Andrews is dead-on to scale). True, they don't come with seperate graps or sliding doors (who needs those?), but there are OTHER manufacturers who make the same cars WITH those features (Tichy, Red Caboose, Intermountain, Ertl). Athearn would have to spend well over $100,000 a car in tooling costs to try to compete with established products that already dominate the market. Ain't gonna happen.

QUOTE:
And if they really wanted to knock our socks off, how about full length heavyweight passenger cars -perhaps of modular construction w/ common roofs and underbellies, but separate and specific sides that would reasonably replicate different prototypes.

Again, Branchline has already beaten them to the punch on this one. The coaches came out last month, and the Pullmans are coming soon. They still have some teething pains associated with the kits, but nothing that an average modeler can't fix.

QUOTE:
And since it seems that most modelers favor Kadees, either sell kits less couplers or incl. Kadees across the board. Why charge for something that you're customer is going to toss and replace?

I somehow think that the EZ Mate couplers Athearn sells with their kits cost less than a penny apiece for Athearn. They're made in China and shipped by the containerload. You'd be amazed what those two factors can do to parts costs...

QUOTE:
Remember Train Miniature from the '60s/'70s? It was good stuff and competitive w/ Athearn in cost but much better in value because it used newer tooling producing more accurate and finer detailed rolling stock. Remember Bachmann and Life Like before Spectrum and Proto? I think it 's Athearn's turn. . .

TM stuff is still being made. Walthers bought the entire line when TM of C went belly up in the 1980s. Most of the TM line is still being produced, including the FA's. And Athearn HAS retooled and joined the ranks of 21st century manufacturers. Their Genesis line is very good, and easily on a par with Spectrum and P2K. And just Like Life Like and Bachmann, Athearn hasn't upgraded their entire line, they're just coming out with high-quality new stuff. Unfortunately, almost all their new stuff is of modern prototypes, so none of it runs on MY layout.

[Anonymous]

NJfreight, please share with us what brand you are considering.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

First choice would be Athearn for dependability and long life..Now Train world has Life Like P2Ks for around $29.00.Check their ad in MR for other deals.
http://www.trainworld1.com/index.html

Larry, was waiting for your arrival. Thanks for boarding

[RedLeader]

As I wrote in a previous topic, not alway what's expensive is better. First of all, what you mean by desent? Are you looking for looks or performance? Athearn blue boxes are the best value you'll find in the market. The average price is from 30-60 bucks. Stay away from Model Power, Bachmann(non-spectrum), and LLike(Non-proto series), spending money on these, no matter how inexpensive they are, is just wasting your hard earned money.

Browse the net, and shop on-line. www.internettrains.com have great deals and prices. www.walthers.com is great, but a bit expensive. compare prices. A good source of deals is the MR magazine, look for ads and sales. Go to fairs and manufacturer closeouts, athearn just did one (or is going to do one...not sure). Consider using used. You can find real bargains in www.e-bay.com of used stuff in perfect conditions.

Finaly my very own advice: Save for a little longer and go for something really woth it (Kato, Atlas, P2K, or Genesis). I have a couple of "blue-box" snoots and they run really nice, and they look great with some details added and a bit of weathering. Save money, delay gratification and go for the big "tamale"

[Anonymous]

First, determine the quality Loco you want (atlas, Bachmann Spectrum, Atherean genisis, ect) knowing the full retail on these exceed your $40 budget, now head to your local flea market (or a train show), snoop in the bargin bins and see if someone's willing to aprt with a quality one cheap (chances are high you'll find one this way). now mind you these may be older models (5-10 years old), but with a little clean-up (some may still be in thebox) you'll have a quality loco at a cheap price.

Jay

[BRAKIE]

First choice would be Athearn for dependability and long life..Now Train world has Life Like P2Ks for around $29.00.Check their ad in MR for other deals.
http://www.trainworld1.com/index.html

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NJfrieght

iam just looking for a loco and end up with idots using foul mouths, ive got the worst mouth but i know when to curb my tounge because as someone wrote you never know who's reading what.back to my search, thanks for all the advice.ive found a few locos i like but will post all info here before i buy to get advice from all of you.

I've read a lot of James' posts and I am suprised at this one. Maybe he was having a bad day(?). I used a censor stamp once and felt the wrath of the forum, so I went away and re evaluated my attitude about a few things. I came back and
apologized for my choice of words.
This is after all a public forum and we sometimes type in the heat of the moment. I cant speak for James but I'm sure there is a reason for his harsh comments, but there is no excuse to type them. Maybe a quick prof-reading
before hitting "post new reply" would have changed his decision, I dont know.

Now for your question. My LHS often has older models of P2K locos marked down around thirty- forty bucks. Just shop around and check the many internet
stores and I'm sure you will have no problem finding a quality loco for a reasonable price. Good luck. Dave

[Anonymous]

iam just looking for a loco and end up with idots using foul mouths, ive got the worst mouth but i know when to curb my tounge because as someone wrote you never know who's reading what.back to my search, thanks for all the advice.ive found a few locos i like but will post all info here before i buy to get advice from all of you.

[Anonymous]

Just looking at Trainworld's ad in MR, there are some cheap prices on the P1K series.
Looking at the F3, A & B, both powered, range in price from $40.00 to $50.00 for both A & B,
plus $8.00 shipping. I think Trainworld has a minimum order of $25.00
So really that's just $9.00 to $19.00 over budget providing the model fits your other requirements

There's an Athearn SD-2 for $50.00 plus $8.00. plus P2K GPs, so what fits?

[Anonymous]

( hey Gordon-long time no see )

As an aside to the Athearn 'issue', wouldn't it be something if Horizon were to overhaul the Athearn product line -- like keep all of their Genesis stuff, as well as some of their more recent releases, but retool the long-in-the-tooth stuff that was originally part of the Globe line FIFTY years ago-back in the rubber-band drive days.

As much as Athearn has been part of my model railroading 'history since the fifties, I now purchase other brands of more finely detailed and more prototypically correct rolling stock, and typically pass on Athearn. (I model late '40s/early'50s-yes some of their more modern fleet is much better than their steam/diesel transistion era stuff) At one time I stayed away from most everything that wasn't Athearn or MDC, except swap meet preowned, because of the cost. With the price of both, especially Athearn, now close to the newer tooled stuff from Proto 1k / 2k, Spectrum, Accurail, Bowser, Red Caboose, etc., I simply feel that Athearn is no longer a good place for me to spend my hobby dollars.

If there is any company that could absolutely (re)grab a huge chunk of the market it would be Athearn if they introduced some accurate USRA freight equipment w/ correct markings, decent trucks, separate grabs, and finer scaled roofwalks and sliding door hardware. And if they really wanted to knock our socks off, how about full length heavyweight passenger cars -perhaps of modular construction w/ common roofs and underbellies, but separate and specific sides that would reasonably replicate different prototypes. No RTR needed for this modeler. And since it seems that most modelers favor Kadees, either sell kits less couplers or incl. Kadees across the board. Why charge for something that you're customer is going to toss and replace?

Remember Train Miniature from the '60s/'70s? It was good stuff and competitive w/ Athearn in cost but much better in value because it used newer tooling producing more accurate and finer detailed rolling stock. Remember Bachmann and Life Like before Spectrum and Proto? I think it 's Athearn's turn. . .

Let's spread a rumor!

[CP5415]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

Bachmann's retooled line of diesles is pretty good. Their drives have been redone to be more Athearn esk, and I feel with the departure of Athearn from the hobby scene, (Them Horizon %^%%$^ aren't seeing a dime of my money!!!!!!! Especially since they now (*&^#% Athearn up really good!!!!!!!!!) that Bachmann can fill in the nich for low cost, high quality, high durability model train locomotives.

I know I can get rather upset over things. You should hear me after being cut off while I'm driving, but to actually use words like those in a public forum, that goes beyond the acceptable.
A lot of people are upset that Athearn are no longer by themselves as a company.
The new owners are taking Athearn in a direction that may make it harder for us to obtain Athearn's products. It is a shame yes, but there was absolutely NO REASON to use that kind of language in a public forum. NONE WHAT SO EVER!!!!!
I would suggest to Greyhound Challenger that re-think his choice of words in the future.
I doubt the good people at Kalmbach Publishing will appreciate words like those being used since it is clear that there are children using these forums.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

You might want to see what e-bay has to offer.

---jps

[Anonymous]

Grayhound Challenger--

First of all you don't have your facts straight-suggest you look at string on this Forum re: Athearn/Horizon deal.

More important however, is the subject of your totally inappropriate demonstration of either your lack of class or lack of maturity, as demonstrated by using vulgar language in the response to a simple question. Did you ever consider whether young kids may read your comment, or for that matter, posted the question? If you had a child that you were trying to insulate from jackasses like you, would you be upset at such comments. I'd hope so. I'm not a prude by a long shot, but you crossed the line in your reply. (I'd hate to accidently cut you off on the freeway, or smile at your significant other!)

[AggroJones]

James?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: [i] (Them Horizon bastards aren't seeing a dime of my money!!!!!!! Especially since they now [deleted] Athearn up really good!!!!!!!!!)

I truly believe the rest of us can do without your mouth. May I suggest go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

As a rule, I usually say that you should support your local hobby shop. Unfortunately, I am also guilty of buying online because of much better prices. You will probably not find a good locomotive for that price at a hobby shop, so you will probably have to look online.

[CP5415]

If you do some shopping you can find some bargains.
I found a Proto 1000 RDC for $30 Canadian at my LHS.
Most of my locomotives are Athearn Blue Box. Most of these were bought for around $50 Canadian which is about $35 US.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

i should tell you what scale ,D'OH its HO.

[orsonroy]

For regular price (MSRP) you really aren't going to be able to find much in the way of a quality engine, so start digging through the sale ads.

For a very high quality, reliable diesel, check the closeout ads at Trainworld.com. They're a very reputable mail order hobby shop in NYC. They've got Life Like Proto 2000 diesels on closeout for $39.99 and less. You can't beat that price for a quality engine with a MSRP of $90-$100!

[Anonymous]

I'm not a HO Athearn guy but they are inexpensive and wear like shoe leather..

Another HO consideration would be the P1K series by lifelike. $20.00 in some cases. If you have a MR issue handy take a look at those ads by Trainworld.

What are you running now? and is it freight?

Stay away from bachmann diesels.
Be careful, there are over 15 loco manufacturers. Once you select but before you
buy come on back for an opinon. We can save you some $ bucks and some grief.

We can do the same if your are N.

[Anonymous]

is there a desent loco that will last awhile and run smooth for around 40 bucks? iam so tight on a budget and my cheapo loco is not living up to par with me anymore. any thoughts would be great.thanks