Toy train operating and collecting

To each his own, but after finding the car, thinking too much money was paid for it, then clear coat it? Office joke? Write an article about paying too much for a $20.00 car, then devalue it. I don't get it...

I thought the car looked great.  I admire his work.  I seriously doubt if he devalued the car.  I suspect that if the original car and his coated car were setting next to each other on a seller's table, the reconditioned car would get more money every time.

Earl

Earl,

        Personally, I hate to see clearcoat on anything other than a vehicle. I have a 3656 cattle car that had clearcoat applied at some point in its life, and it looks terrible to me. The person that applied the clear did a good job, but the resulting shine makes the car worthless to me. It is a shame too, because the paint and Armour decals look nice. In my opinion, a train collector would pass on a car that has been clearcoated because the original condition of the car has been destroyed.

 I get the impression that Carl just collects for his own enjoyment and doesn't really worry about how much the car might bring at resale.  It just a toy guys!

jefelectric:

 I get the impression that Carl just collects for his own enjoyment and doesn't really worry about how much the car might bring at resale.  It just a toy guys!

Agreed, but why complain about the asking price then?  If one is just going to modify the car anyway, why not look for a junker? The only thing I can think of is making a magazine article. If that's the case, fine, but again, really? My point is, the writer of the article thought the asking price was too high, bought it, then purposely devalued it by adding a clear coat. The article should have been named "How to turn a $20.00 car into a $8.00 car.

I don't think Carl was really complaining about the asking price.  I think it was more tongue-in-cheek.  The seller was asking for $20.  Carl offered him $19 and he accepted.  Carl gave him a $20 bill and told him to keep the change.  Even if the resale value was reduced from $20 to $8, as you say, I am sure Carl could care less as long as he is happy with the end product.

I really don't think most train operators are into the hobby as an investment.  I suspect most folks buy what they like, use it as they see fit, and never consider resale value.  My trains are part of my family.  I have never considered selling any of them.

Earl

To all,

I think the purpose of the cleaning article was to explore various options in how to clean and enhance the appearance of a piece of rolling stock.  Some techniques work and some do not.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

Just a hunch but I think he probably has a better car. But why pay $20. when a $10. car would have been just as good for an article. Ahh the ole expense account, now I get it.