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People actually buy this stuff!

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Posted by johnandjulie13 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:18 PM
 Buckeye Riveter wrote:

I hear the Blues and the Black Hawks are also inspiring people to part with their money. Laugh [(-D] 

Hello Buckeye:

Alas, I remember as a youth looking forward to seeing Mikita, Hull, Magneson and Esposito (Tony, not Phil).  The Hawks owned this town!  However, given their mismanagement over the past 30 years, you will not be seeing any comemorative Blackhawk trainsets any time soon. Tongue [:P]

Regards,

John O

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:21 PM

Still, Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic]

PLEASE OH! PLEASE KEEP THE PENGUINS IN PITTSBURGH!!

DID I SAY PLEASE!

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Posted by csxt30 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:27 PM
 jaabat wrote:
 RaleighTrainFan wrote:

I stopped in the LHS a few weeks ago and was speaking with the owner.  We were talking about the different people who have come in over the years and he said, 'You know I don't think I've ever had a Lawyer stop in.' 

I am a lawyer, and I go to the area LHS(s) all the time, even the ones who sell at list (whom I only buy small things from, like figures and packs of trees, which are not generally significantly discounted anyway in my experience). 

 

Well you're welcome here anyway!  Wink [;)]

Jim 

Jim : Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]  Plus he knows The Chief !! Laugh [(-D]

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Posted by IronHoarse on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:15 PM
Yes, people actually buy this stuff.  I look at it this way.  I used to waste $1500 to $2000 a year on smoking cigarettes.  Now I  don't smoke and I have all that money for trains if I care to spend it that way.  
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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:30 PM
 csxt30 wrote:
 jaabat wrote:
 RaleighTrainFan wrote:

I stopped in the LHS a few weeks ago and was speaking with the owner.  We were talking about the different people who have come in over the years and he said, 'You know I don't think I've ever had a Lawyer stop in.' 

I am a lawyer, and I go to the area LHS(s) all the time, even the ones who sell at list (whom I only buy small things from, like figures and packs of trees, which are not generally significantly discounted anyway in my experience). 

 

Well you're welcome here anyway!  Wink [;)]

Jim 

Jim : Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]  Plus he knows The Chief !! Laugh [(-D]

Thanks, John

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:41 PM
Well, I met the Chief once, at Todd's Train Depot in Wendell, and had the chance to chat with him while one of my engines was being repaired. Todd's is quite a hike for me (I live in Cary, in southwest Wake County, basically the other side of the county from Wendell) but has by far the best deals of any LHS in the area (not to mention the most interesting and knowledgeable cast of characters present on a given Saturday afternoon). The other LHS's in the area generally sell everything at list, which I will not pay barring the items I mentioned. So, I drive to Todd's. Cool [8D]
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Posted by LS1Heli on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:27 PM

Again, as with other posts concerining this, people who ask the question don't understand and are/or cheap. These seems to be a common theme throught this entire hobby. If you can't afford it than take up hand sewing.

Lionel Trains have always been expensive quality railroad equipment.  I wonder if there was as many complaniers and bicthers back in the prewar/postwar era as there are today.

If you can't afford it then don't complanin about. 

Here are some examples.

Lionel 700E Scale Hudon: $75.00 in 1937. Using a CPI Inflation Calculator that same engine would cost $1,054.45 in 2006! There it is- that $1,000 engine everyone is talking about.

Lionel 4110WS Electronic Railroad: $199.95 in 1948. Using a CPI Inflation Calculator that same set would cost $1,744.03 in 2006!

Then people complain that Lionel starter sets are to expensive with ridiculous comments about making a $50.00 Lionel starte set.

Lionel 1115 Scout Set: $15.95 in 1949. Using a CPI Inflation Calculator that same set would cost $129.06 in 2006!- strikingly similar to what a simple set goes for!

For every engine and piece of rolling stock their is a complainer.

Nothing in this world is for free! 

 

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Posted by Kooljock1 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:41 PM
Just to make you all feel better, we were watching this special on the Sci Fi channel the other night about the Christie's Auction of Star Trek set pieces and costumes. People had no issue with plunking down $500,000 for the USS Enterprise model that was used on Star Trek TNG.

One guy plopped down $40,000 on a flute played by Picard in one episode. After the guy paid, they showed Patrick Stewart laughing "the bloody thing doesn't even play"!

To each his own I guess...

Jon Cool [8D]
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Posted by Frank53 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:27 PM

what do you call 1000 lawyers buried up to their necks in sand?

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not enough sand!

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Posted by csxt30 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:57 PM
 LS1Heli wrote:

Again, as with other posts concerining this, people who ask the question don't understand and are/or cheap. These seems to be a common theme throught this entire hobby. If you can't afford it than take up hand sewing.

Lionel Trains have always been expensive quality railroad equipment.  I wonder if there was as many complaniers and bicthers back in the prewar/postwar era as there are today.

If you can't afford it then don't complanin about. 

Nothing in this world is for free! 

Well, there's a real expert opinion for ya "!! Strong words for toy trains. It doesn't mean we don't understand or that we are cheap. I'm pretty sure when Paul started this thread he was simply making a little small talk or conversation. Much like a few of us guys setting around a table talking about some engine we can't afford but wish we could & one guy we know, got it .  We don't care, & most of us would be glad the guy with a good amount of disposeable income can get it to keep the companies in business or at least break even, whatever. Oh, and kids read this forum & above it says profanity is forbidden. The "Nothing in this world is free" statement is also false.

Thanks, John

     

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:14 PM
 csxt30 wrote:
 LS1Heli wrote:

Again, as with other posts concerining this, people who ask the question don't understand and are/or cheap. These seems to be a common theme throught this entire hobby. If you can't afford it than take up hand sewing.

Lionel Trains have always been expensive quality railroad equipment.  I wonder if there was as many complaniers and bicthers back in the prewar/postwar era as there are today.

If you can't afford it then don't complanin about. 

Nothing in this world is for free! 

Well, there's a real expert opinion for ya "!! Strong words for toy trains. It doesn't mean we don't understand or that we are cheap. I'm pretty sure when Paul started this thread he was simply making a little small talk or conversation. Much like a few of us guys setting around a table talking about some engine we can't afford but wish we could & one guy we know, got it .  We don't care, & most of us would be glad the guy with a good amount of disposeable income can get it to keep the companies in business or at least break even, whatever. Oh, and kids read this forum & above it says profanity is forbidden. The "Nothing in this world is free" statement is also false.

Thanks, John

     

Sign - Ditto [#ditto]Toy Trains are for everyone. That's why there are different prices for them. Period.

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by LS1Heli on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:46 PM

Thats exactly right!

But what I can't understand is why ever other post on this form is "why do people buy this stuff" meaning $1,000 engines or "why did that guy spend $900 on a mint 682 Turbine".

It doesn't make any sense and it's not "conversation." All does is bash someone- like 75% of the people did on the "out of control postwar turbine" post.

And on top of it all I don't even buy $2,000 engines!! 

I can only imagine what some of you think of the guy who spent $101,000 on a sealed 700E! 

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:57 PM
 LS1Heli wrote:

Thats exactly right!

But what I can't understand is why ever other post on this form is "why do people buy this stuff" meaning $1,000 engines or "why did that guy spend $900 on a mint 682 Turbine".

It doesn't make any sense and it's not "conversation." All does is bash someone- like 75% of the people did on the "out of control postwar turbine" post.

And on top of it all I don't even buy $2,000 engines!! 

I can only imagine what some of you think of the guy who spent $101,000 on a sealed 700E! 

OK, to answer your question.....I guess he had that much money to spend. I don't let it bother me. More power to him. I once knew a guy who bought the entire Lionel catalog every year. Hurrah for him. I bought a box car. I'm happy. That's life, Son !!!

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by pbjwilson on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:42 PM
Mercy! I thought this topic might excite some. I know that some people make the heavy paper, swing the big bat, live in the fast lane. I still thumb through the Lionel or MTH catalogs and am in shock. But the used market is in my spending range, sometimes. Showed my wife the Lionel set that lists at $2699.00. Her response - "Thats rediculous. They wont sell any of those." But they do and will. What was that Barnum saying again?Big Smile [:D]
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Posted by laz 57 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:52 PM

Hey PUAL,

   Tell your wife that we could put it on layaway, and pay a little off at a time.  See what she says about that one.Wink [;)].  I did that a few times it sorta kinda works.

laz57

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Posted by jonadel on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:42 PM

It's all about priorities and choices. 

We've enjoyed the less expensive Railking products and I still enjoy my first, very beat up, Marx set.  I've always felt a little uncomfortable spending the big dollars for toy trains and up until last fall I just hadn't done that.  I can be just as happy with an inexpensive set that catches my eye or a new Preimier steamer. 

It was our first trip to York last fall and we had set aside X amount of money for purchases.  My wife knew that I had always wanted the Premier Climax logging steamer but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money, however, when we were dealing on said steamer with Justrains she asked if they had the 3 truck shay, as that was another engine I've lusted over.  Long story short, we bought both of them because the price was right.  She made me do itSmile [:)]

Casino gambling is a big deal in Iowa and I hate it but I could care less if you want to go out there and blow your money, I need something tangible in my hands when I lay my money on the table, like a 3 truck Shay.  We have several close friends that spend a lot more money gambling than any of us do on trains, it's a choice and I choose not to participate.  But we will go with them and bet a few $$ on the pony's during the summer but we ususally spend more on beer and nacho's than the race!  I have no problem with them spending their money that way but I think when they come to our house and see the trains they always ask "how much have you spent on the trains" and my response is I don't know and I don't want to know.

One of the things I really enjoy about this forum is I like hearing about the good buy's that you guy's find, whether it's a new Batmobile or a 442 '67 Olds or a post war Lionel.  I stopped at the LHS yesterday and three of us retired hobbyist's just had the best time laughing and trading stories.  I didn't spend a dime, nothing I really need at this point.  I honestly think I am done buying steamers and diesels, I have more than I deserve.  I will keep my eye's open for logging cars because that is a priority at this time and maybe a train for that precious granddaughter!

It is all about priorities and choices.  And it's all good.

Jon 

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

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Posted by underworld on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:51 PM

pbj Yep....there is a market for it. And you can find things that are just as expensive and even more so in other scales....not just larger ones. There is a company in Germany called Railex that makes very limited editions of their locos and rolling stock. It's not uncommon to find some of their locos going for $1000 and more.......one more think....Railex makes Z scale!!! Even more expensive yet are antique trains.

 

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Posted by 1688torpedo on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:54 PM
 LS1Heli Sign - Ditto [#ditto] to what you said!   There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you want to buy something just budget or put it on layaway & pay a certain amount per week or month & before you know it - you'll have it in the palm of your hand. If you think about it with all of the Electronics in most folks homes( TVs,Stereos,Computers,Satellite TV/ Radio, Video-Xbox Games) A Toy Train would be about the least expensive of the above. Unless of course, you have a hankering for State Sets,Hiawatha's,Blue Comets & other sets that will cost you thousands of dollars to acquire. Just my My 2 cents [2c]. Take Care.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
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Posted by Frank53 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:58 PM

As I stated above, I don't get the logic behind buying so much new stuff, or having doubles, triples and quadruples of the exact same thing. And again, I then see the stuff on the Buy/Sell forum a year later advertised as "mint in box" and "never run" for a lot less money than was paid.

I also see post after post about buying new engines from folks who have no layout - buying it for the future layout, so to speak. However, if you stop buying and start building, you get to enjoy those trains. There is a fellow at my local shop who buys many new issues who not only doesn't have a layout, he also doesn't have room for one and has no intentions of building one. He orders the stuff locally, when it comes in, they test run it for him on the store layout, he packs it up and takes it home and it won't be run again until it's sold. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me.

Being highly motivated to finish a layout and actually run my trains, perhaps I do not understand the mindset of the buying frenzy, when the stuff can't be put to good use, and might never be taken from the box - and only be sold for quarters on the dollar down the road.

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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:14 PM
 Frank53 wrote:

 And again, I then see the stuff on the Buy/Sell forum a year later advertised as "mint in box" and "never run" for a lot less money than was paid.

And it sure would be nice of you when you see that stuff, especially a William Genesis Dummy with the Phase II markings for less than $50.00 to tell me about it.  Big Smile [:D]  I promise I will run the wheels off of it and not place it on a shelf.  Now that I think about it, I don't have any shelves to display anything. Big Smile [:D]

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

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Posted by Frank53 on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:53 PM
 Buckeye Riveter wrote:

And it sure would be nice of you when you see that stuff, especially a William Genesis Dummy with the Phase II markings for less than $50.00 to tell me about it.  Big Smile [:D]  I promise I will run the wheels off of it and not place it on a shelf.  Now that I think about it, I don't have any shelves to display anything. Big Smile [:D]

well Buckeye - I always try to do a good turn for a good fellow, but I have no idea what that is. But you know of where I speak, and it seems to me taht an incredibel amount of material hits there often - usually there are a number of posts which start with PRICE REDUCED!

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Posted by GregM on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:08 PM

I usually stay away from threads like this one because they often degenerate quickly and are deleted.  However, I felt it necessary to make a comment this time.  While I realize there are many people who can't or won't, I am one of the people who "actually buy this stuff!"  My company has a bonus program called "gainsharing" that means once a year I get "extra money."  This bonus money is not used for "regular expenses."  Our philosophy on it has been that it buys the "goodies" that we might not otherwise buy.  This is how we pay for that special engine or train set.  In the past we have also occasionally set aside part of the income tax refund for trains.  This is how after over 30 years of buying (and selling) Lionel trains I have far more trains than I need or could use on a home layout.  I was accumulating a lot of trains without a plan or purpose, if I liked an item I bought it.  I have been thinning the collection for a while now but still have a few items I would like to part with.  I have also been more discerning regarding what I buy for the last few years.  As a result I have passed up many nice items especially engines.  I do have a few items on the "want" list but until I sell a few more items they will stay on the wanted list.

 I just want to add that I think a lot of the selling going on is because the trains available today have more features and details which appeals to many hobbiests.  I know I prefer the scale engines more than the non-scale engines and really prefer engines with speed control.  Also I have been buying Atlas products because of their detail level etc.  When a person has decided to dispose of an item it often is necessary to reduce the price to generate any interest.  I think this is because any potential buyer knows that there is a possibility that the next catalog from one of the major suppliers will have something they would rather spend their money on so they have to believe they are getting a real bargain.  I know this affects my purchasing decisions.  I won't even mention the warranty issue, opps, I guess I just did.

GregM
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Posted by colvid on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:20 PM

Had a friend recently buy a Porsche Boxster S for 62M but insists on buying postwar Lionel and installing sound boards because he doesn't want to buy MTH or Lionel for 500+. Go figure......

 

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Posted by jonadel on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:36 PM

Time to sell off 25 engines for one of these!  Wait a minute........ I don't have 25 engines, dang it!

Jon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTNz6NftP34 

Jon

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Posted by Joe Hohmann on Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:46 AM
 LS1Heli wrote:

 

But what I can't understand is why ever other post on this form is "why do people buy this stuff" meaning $1,000 engines or "why did that guy spend $900 on a mint 682 Turbine".

 

 

I visit both forums each day (2 years now), and I have noticed on this forum there ARE a lot of these posts...much more than on the other forum. I write some of it off to "envy"...some of it to "my way is the right way".

I make do on a modest retirement income, and like most of you, have to decide how to allocate it. Some of the things I shun may be things you purchase without a second thought...dining out for $75+., casinos, "good" wine, expensive vacations, sporting event tickets, new cars, and so on. However, 99.9% of you would be agast at the fact that I've spent a fair ammount of money over the past 8 years buying stereo (3-D) slides that various people took of their family in the 1950's.

Let's face it...90% of the general population probabably thinks we are ALL nuts for spending ANY money on "toy" trains. Joe

 

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Posted by Jumijo on Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:57 AM

We are all entitled to our opinions, and as John so aptly put it, it's like a bunch of guys sitting around a table shooting the bull.

Everyone enjoys the hobby in their own way. Some collect, some run, some do both . . . It's all good. We all share the common bond of toy trains. But what makes each of us unique is how we enjoy them. More power to the big spenders. I'm a little fish, but I'm happy with what I have. 

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by phillyreading on Thursday, February 22, 2007 7:29 AM

This is a bit off subject but just to let you know there are people who will spend money for almost anything and any amount of money, take Christie's Auction House in New York & the Star Trek auction, half a million dollars for a model (the stage prop, about 6 feet wide by 3 feet tall)of the Enterprize from Star Trek The Next Generation, $260,000 for the Klingon Bird of Prey model.

Lee F.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:06 AM
 laz 57 wrote:

KEITH,

  Or you could buy a CORVAIR.Wink [;)]

laz57

I was going to ask someone to send me an updated price ( taking inflation into consideration ) on a 1960 Corvair.  That way I'd know what to charge Kieth.  Then I realized that even after 47 years they're still depreciating. Wink [;)]  Back on the shelf it goes!

Bruce Webster

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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:22 AM
 brwebster wrote:
 laz 57 wrote:

KEITH,

  Or you could buy a CORVAIR.Wink [;)]

laz57

I was going to ask someone to send me an updated price ( taking inflation into consideration ) on a 1960 Corvair.  That way I'd know what to charge Kieth.  Then I realized that even after 47 years they're still depreciating. Wink [;)]  Back on the shelf it goes!

Bruce Webster

 

Got to get a blue book price, don't want you to get jipped?Wink [;)]

laz57

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Posted by 1688torpedo on Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:34 AM
 Hello All!    Bruce- How about a 1688 for your 1960 Corvair? Wink [;)]Wink [;)]Cool [8D]Clown [:o)] That would be a fair deal.Wink [;)] Take Care.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.

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