Well, Small Business Saturday did not go as planned this year.
.
I started out at Metro Trains in Fort Myers. This is my local store, so I did not find anything special or unexpected, but it seemed like a good place to start.
Then I drove to Sarasota to stop in at Gulf Coast Model Railroading. This is my "usual" hobby shop where I am quite a regular, so again, nothing out of the ordinary for train shopping.
The plan was to then go to Dana's Railroad Supply in Spring Hill, but I got a phone call. I found out I need to be in Atlanta for work on Monday morning.
I returned home, made travel arangements, packed up, and hit the road. I drove to Lake City, Florida on Saturday, but was too late for a stop at Dana's.
So Small Business Saturday was kind of a bust for me this year, and now I am in Atlanta where it is 28 degrees outside. Heading back down to the South as soon as I post this message.
I need to get where it is warm.
I hope everyone else's shopping was better.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
BTW my birthday is November 30th, I don't recognize the Christmas season as starting until after that "holiday".
For you guys who are modeling 1988+ and into the 1990's, Moloco has marked down their 1988 ATSF Bx-97 and 1989 ATSF Bx-94 (circle cross) to $39.00.
https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/freight-cars/products/22088-atsf?variant=33169796239
https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/freight-cars/products/21089-atsf
I just checked and you can apply the 20OFF code still (through the end of today, Cyber Monday) and get 20% off that price. That's $31.20 each - probably the lowest I've seen a decorated Moloco box car and a killer deal for very nicely detailed box cars.
I noticed MBK is excluding Athearn and a few other brands from the 5% off. I did go ahead and order a set of Walthers Trailmobile 40 trailers and got my whopping one dollar off. Woo!
The Moloco sale was far better in terms of money off so they got the lions share of my Black Friday hobby money.
I also ordered a C&NW 4427 3-bay hopper from ExactRail for $28.95. I almost ordered a 2nd car but the shipping literally doubled for two so I just ordered the one car.
I got my invoice for the Spring Mill Depot PD3000 covered hopper which was marked $15 off the normal price. I see SMD sold out of all the cabooses in the sale, and 3 out of 6 numbers of the CSX Canstock car. Apparently SMD had customers express interest in the CSX version but it didn't materialize into sales so they have been slow sellers and were put into the sale. I imagine those will never be run again due to the lack of interest in that version. On past visits to the Timonium show I have picked up one each of the original B&O and early Chessie versions - they are very nice, as are the PD3000 covered hoppers.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Modeltrainstuff had a 5% off on all orders on Black Friday. That day is crazy busy for many places. I avoid the malls and do shopping online. I got the large Walthers Cement plant. It should keep me busy for awhile!
There are some great Cyber Monday deals. I get annoyed when that day offers better sales than on Friday. At least getting out Friday gives people more reason to stop grazing on leftovers!
Well having not found what I wanted in the way of motive power at the Greenberg show I ordered it for my wife to give me for Christmas from Trainworld.
I did pick up some tools i wanted at the show. I was surprised to see Micro-Mark there.
Joe Staten Island West
Bill, trust me, as a 61 year life long resident of Maryland, who only lives 37 miles from Strasburg, I've been there literally a hundred times or more........ I'm a bit of a Strasburg junkie...... In fact I was just there three weeks ago with my 7 year old grandson.
We have done it all, rode the train in every season, seen Thomas, slept in the cabooses, there is brick in my honor at the Toy Train Museum (a gift from my grandchildren), a key person at the railroad is a personal aquaintance, so I have had the "deluxe" shop tour, and more......
We ended up going today, mainly to buy Papo Midieval figures for the 7 year old grandson. Seems the ChooChoo Barn gift shop has better prices on them than Amazon.....
I checked out the train shop, but found nothing I really need or wanted. But after more than 45 years in this hobby, my needs can be pretty specific.....
Take care,
Sheldon
Our "Black Friday" always consists of getting our tree from a local tree farm. Then, if we do "retail" it's usually Goodwill, which we did yesterday, as well as a farmers market near us. Saturday is decorate the tree day. This year I had a huge "problem". My O gauge trains are being used for our annual train event at church (I got all the train guys to put together layouts to display on the second Saturday of December, loads of fun). I was going to put an HO around the tree this year but we bought a huge tree - far larger than usual - and the HO would look silly around it. So, I "had" to put the G scale around this year!
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Looks like we may be taking a trip to Strasburg PA on Sunday, operating steam locomotives at the head end of turn of the century passenger cars, model train shop, O gauge display layout, and much more. I will treat myself to a little something, if anything catches my eye. Sheldon
Looks like we may be taking a trip to Strasburg PA on Sunday, operating steam locomotives at the head end of turn of the century passenger cars, model train shop, O gauge display layout, and much more.
I will treat myself to a little something, if anything catches my eye.
Sheldon, If you get to the Strasburg, hit the train store just up the street by the Choo Choo Barn (a wonderful O gauge display), and also the Toy Train Museum which is very close to the Strasburg RR (not to mention the Railroad Museum of PA across the street). Weather is supposed to be wonderful Sunday, so a good day for a train ride.
jk10 My wife and I are expecting our first child in the spring, so my days of having fun and buying for the future layout may be coming to an end, or at least a major reduction.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in the spring, so my days of having fun and buying for the future layout may be coming to an end, or at least a major reduction.
Not true. When my son was born, I immediately went out and got him that slot car set I was sure he wanted.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
mbinsewi They do look great, but my period being more "modern" or "current", they just don't fit. I do like their "parts" section. Mike.
They do look great, but my period being more "modern" or "current", they just don't fit.
I do like their "parts" section.
Mike.
Mike, while most of the box cars sold range from early 1960's through mid-1980's time period, Moloco does have two ATSF versionswhich were repainted in 1988 and 1989 (respectively - see links below) and lasted in service well into the BNSF era beyond 1995.
https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/freight-cars/products/22088-atsf
BigDaddy Spring Mills Depot is having a 10% off sale today. If you are one of the two people that bid $120 and $133 on their I-12 B&O cabeeese on Ebay, yesterday, you probably don't want to look at the sale price.
Spring Mills Depot is having a 10% off sale today. If you are one of the two people that bid $120 and $133 on their I-12 B&O cabeeese on Ebay, yesterday, you probably don't want to look at the sale price.
It is funny that people would just assume they are sold out without checking before paying more than twice the original price.
I bought all I needed when they came out, two in the 1955 scheme, and four undecorated kits for my ATLANTIC CENTRAL, who also purchaced wagon top box cars and hoppers from the B&O shops......
And yes, I am stretching history running that scheme in my September 1954 setting, but it is my favorite scheme on those cabooses........
My You Tube
ATLANTIC CENTRAL...if they fit your era..
Russell
csxns riogrande5761 e Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen Not the finest but the best ever .
riogrande5761 e Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen
Not the finest but the best ever .
Yes, very nice..........if they fit your era..........
riogrande5761e Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen
No problem. The Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen and they are based on real box cars - photographs posted with each type. The 20OFF is a good deal. I ordered a PC, B&M from the newest run of FGE 10' door and a red Santa Fe. The ones I got are basically good for late 1970's. Some are as-delivered from the early to mid 1960's. There are a few late 80's ATSF plain or circle cross paint schemed as well.
riogrande5761Here is the content of the email notifcation:
Thanks!
maxman riogrande5761 Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars I didn't see that mentioned anywhere. Any link to the info? Thanks
riogrande5761 Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars
I didn't see that mentioned anywhere. Any link to the info?
Thanks
Here is the content of the email notifcation:
moloco 20% off all productsBlack Friday to Cyber Monday the deal For the first time at moloco we are offering 20% off all of our IN STOCK products, RTR cars and parts. It starts on Black Friday to the end of Cyber Monday (EST). Some product quantities are limited so don't hesitate in this rare promo offering. It's the same quality product that you come to expect from moloco. Moloco is the lead innovator of freight cars and parts in HO scale, robust, finescale and super accurate products.During checkout use the promo code 20OFF to receive your discount. Even though this email goes out to our customers who sign-up to our website, it's open to anyone.Below is a taste of what's on offer. We are a small family owned business and appreciate your continued support. Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. - Nick Molo, owner moloco Remember that shipping is only $9.99 for 1-5 cars and FREE SHIPPING for 6 cars and over (or product valued over $250), for USA customers.
BRASSTRAINS dot COM just started their annual Winter Sale.
It is no where near as good as recent years. Not enough to get me off of my wallet. If there is something you have been considering, it might be worth a look.
Maybe more items will be added to the sale later.
riogrande5761Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars
At SMD it isn't 10% off by my math. Much better than that. The PD3000 covered hoppers are 18 or 27 % off depending on which version.
Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Just spent a small fortune last weekend at a show; 12 new (mostly used) rolling stock, wheels, DVDs, a book (this is the second book I've bought that will be "gifts" from my wife), and a few other odds and ends. I also just connected with someone who has their own proto-freelanced layout that I bought two cars from. My holiday spending is essentially done.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in the spring, so my days of having fun and buying for the future layout may be coming to an end, or at least a major reduction. Even the holiday sales are not of much interest as the prices are high for what I could likely find for cheaper at a train show.
In the past, I've used the TrainWorld discounts to my advantage. We'll be doing some shopping tomorrow to get items for the baby's room and some gifts for family.
Hope everyone enjoy's their train shopping!
ST has a Black Friday sale just ordered a few more Carbon Black cars.
nealknows Like others, the last place I want to be is in retail stores Friday. Saturday in NJ is the Greenberg Train show and I'll go to see what some of the dealers with used items have. Do I need anything? Not really, but I always find something at a good price. I go with a fellow train buddy, and we make the morning run and then back for lunch... Have a great Thanksgiving!! Neal
Like others, the last place I want to be is in retail stores Friday. Saturday in NJ is the Greenberg Train show and I'll go to see what some of the dealers with used items have.
Do I need anything? Not really, but I always find something at a good price.
I go with a fellow train buddy, and we make the morning run and then back for lunch...
Have a great Thanksgiving!!
Neal
I am working tomorrow (It’s drive to work day) but will be at Greenberg on Saturday as well.
Well we in the Milwaukee area have an active steam locomotive to see Thursday to Saturday so model trains might take a back seat. Today the Soo Line 1003, a 2-8-2, ran on the Wisconsin Southern from Hartford WI to North Milwaukee, where it changed railroads and will will be towed backwards on the CN north towards Plymouth and Elkhart Lake WI (eventually rejoining WSOR tracks). I caught that portion of the trip where the steam was in the lead. Cold but worth it.
I may stop in at Walthers' retail room on Friday or Saturday just to visit and check out the damaged packaging/factory seconds tables and cabinets. I have no shopping list. Indeed I should open up a damaged packaging/factory seconds store of my own.
Dave Nelson
Nowadays, my “holiday” train shopping waits for the big Amherst Railway Society train show at the Big E in Springfield at the end of January. This year it’s January 26-27. We already have our hotel booked. Couldn’t make it last year unfortunately.
Bubbytrains
I try not spend or buy anything online after Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the big huge holiday season of packages getting lost in the mail/over crowded mail facilities.
I am waiting for Bachmann Rusty I hope he arrives in December.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.