Sometimes It Doesn't Pay To Be An SP Fan

[andrechapelon]

I have to smile at all the serious responses I got when all I was doing was cursing the fates that the cheaper of the 2 engines wasn't actually a Sunset C-9. There's no way in Hell I would pay nearly a kilobuck or more for a Challenger Imports model of anything.

Not when I can get a Sunset, Balboa or even a Key for a great deal less by exercising patience.

I want operating engines, not gold plated paperweights.[:D]

Andre

[Anonymous]

Its got nothing to do with SP. The 2-8-0 is a new-in-box model produced less than a year ago by a spare-no-expense importer. Uncle Dave is a dealer in new brass (whose auction stuff usually goes unsold - I do not believe E-Bay is an effective market for new brass, but that's a different story). The dealer cost on this model was probably about $800. Dealer cost on same model ten years ago would have been half that. The Sunset model was, IIRC, from their "economy" series and is being offered probably for what it cost when new. Its hard for me to see how the "new" brass market can survive as prices have gone so high - and continue to rise well beyond inflation rate.

[twhite]

CW: Don't be in such a hurry to repaint, UP certainly isn't. I see SP and Rio Grande units all the time up here near Roseville. Only time the damn trains look like they're being pulled by LOCOMOTIVES!
Tom

[cwclark]

to refer back to the title of this string....you're right!..it doesn't pay to be an SP fan...now that they are UP I have to change the paint scheme's on over 25 locomotives!!!...microscale decals and poly S paint are gonna make a kill'in from me....Chuck..oh...P.S....that's why i don't do brass...way over my price range!....

[Anonymous]

That SP 2-8-0 sure is cute. But $949.00!? You could buy a Trix Big Boy and a BLI E7 with $949.00. I'd take the later 2.

[johncolley]

What? You mean those craftsmen in third world countries aren't working for $65.00 a year anymore? Well! Actually, the prices of everything are going crazy because no matter what price you set for something, sooner or later someone will pay it!

[Jetrock]

The one I had to bite my tongue for was a brass model of NCB's #21, the "Yerington"--you don't see Hall-Scott gas motor cars that often! But $150-200 is the most I'll pay for an engine, even brass...

[twhite]

Andre--hold fast and shop around. Sunset put out a really cute SP 2-8-0 about ten years back, and then it only sold for around $250. Not only that, they offered it with either whaleback or Vandy tenders. I got the whaleback, and it's a little Swiss watch. Keep checking, I'm sure one will turn up. It's a real sweetie. $949? Hell, for that price, you could pick up a used PFM Rio Grande 2-8-8-2! What a rip-off!
Tom

[mcouvillion]

Andre,

Oh well, part of the description talks about "bid early", but you are right, it is buy outright only. Beautiful engine.

Mark C.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcouvillion

Andre,

Since there is no reserve on the C-9, bid what you want. You might be pleasantly surprised!!!!

Mark C.

There's no reserve because it's only a "buy it now". You can't bid on it. You pay the $949.95, period.

Andre

[mcouvillion]

Andre,

Since there is no reserve on the C-9, bid what you want. You might be pleasantly surprised!!!! How many guys in New Jersey want an SP engine? It's probably been on the shelf forever. Go for it, before I do!

Mark C.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dinwitty

to think I bought a used van for 500 bucks, what I can carry in it is worth way more......


I think brass prices have gone nutty.

I see quite a few of high priced items go unsold...and then

some bids for the oddest things go crazy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5952620185&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

and its not even powered.

What makes it even weirder is that there's a powered unit going for $76.00: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=484&item=5952618384&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW.

You could probably get one of those custom built for $660.00.

Andre

[dinwitty]

to think I bought a used van for 500 bucks, what I can carry in it is worth way more......


I think brass prices have gone nutty.

I see quite a few of high priced items go unsold...and then

some bids for the oddest things go crazy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5952620185&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

and its not even powered.

[andrechapelon]

Not when someone has a new in box Sunset Santa Fe 1950 class 2-8-0 at a buy it now price of $200.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=484&item=5954518974&rd=1

And some other [censored] has a Challenger Imports Southern Pacific C-9 for $949.95. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=78178&item=5954479462&rd=1

It ain't fair I tell you.

OTOH, if I was the seller of that C-9....... [}:)]

Andre