Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Why the big differance in price?

1265 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: BC.Canada
  • 27 posts
Why the big differance in price?
Posted by TomCat797 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:24 AM

I was just wondering why you can get certain coal cars for $10.00 a pop, or a 6 pack for like $50.00. But the ones I so happen to want are 25-30 $/piece. Heres a pic. of the ones I"m after.

Or could I buy the cheeper ones,then repaint the car and add some cp rail decals myself,I need a dozen for what I have planed. Also,do I have to solder the track joints when the track in fixed into place.

Just wonderingBanged Head [banghead] and sorry for so many questionsConfused [%-)]

TC

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:49 AM

Maybe its due to the make of the car.  I got 6 NS hoppers for about $50.00.  You might want to do the decaling yourself, and save some money.  The thing I would look at is, either spend the extra money or have the headache of decaling.  Decaling you know isn't hard, but I have to be in the mood for it. 

I just laid down new track and I doubt I will solder my track.  I thought the idea of using caulk for your track to stick on was a good idea, but what if you want to replace a section?  You might rip up track you don't want to take up, or rip up roadbed.  You will probably get alot of people saying to solder.  I'm sure it gives a better connection.  Or..... you might just want to solder your worst looking spots on your rails, where you r worst gaps are. 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
Posted by modelmaker51 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:41 AM

Prices vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, it usually depends on detail level, etc.

Unless you have feeder to every piece of track, it is a good idea to solder the rail connections for reliable electrical continuity. Rail joiners are notorious for loosening up over time.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 69 posts
Posted by SaltRiverRy on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 6:38 AM

On the cost query, you often get what you pay for. Some of the less expensive cars may have inferior trucks or couplers. With costlier cars you should get more realistic details.

A good percentage of my track is Atlas sectional - when I began construction I had a bunch on hand, plus I didn't want to mess with a lot of cutting of flex in my switching areas. Last weekend I soldered about half of it and could not believe how much perfomance improved. For me it was well worth it.

Salt River Railway - SRRy locally known as "the SORRy"
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 6:39 AM
 TomCat797 wrote:

I was just wondering why you can get certain coal cars for $10.00 a pop, or a 6 pack for like $50.00. But the ones I so happen to want are 25-30 $/piece. Heres a pic. of the ones I"m after.

Or could I buy the cheeper ones,then repaint the car and add some cp rail decals myself,I need a dozen for what I have planed. TC

As others have said, certain brands make much more highly detailed and accurate freight cars and are priced accordingly, and they are RTR more often than not.  People have to pay a higher price for these kinds of models, typically between $20 and $25 street price.  What you pictured looks like an Intermountain coal gon and most Intermountain RTR cars are in that price range.

Sometime you are stuck because there is only one model accurate for a paricular freight car you want to buy.  I'm lucky in that the cars I need were made by Model Die Casting and upgraded recently by Athearn to have a pretty high level of detail but I can buy them in 5-packs for about $60-65 depending on discount.  (Thrall coal gons)

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:55 AM
 davidmbedard wrote:

Well, that Bathtub Gondola is a Canadian Pacific Prototype and is not used on any other railroad....hence the reason for the steep price.  If you want cheaper cars, then you should look at modeling an American road.

David B

Shock [:O]

Wink [;)]

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: BC.Canada
  • 27 posts
Posted by TomCat797 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:04 AM

LOL!!! That was good David B.

Thanks again for the tips guys, you have proved your awesomeness once again to the fullest.

TCBow [bow]Bow [bow]

  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 779 posts
Posted by Dallas Model Works on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:53 PM

As far as cost goes, don't forget the whole Ready-To-Run phenonomen as well.

RTR kits cost more than assembly kits but they certainly seem to have become the predominant form.

 Even buildings are coming preassembled now and some rolling stock is weathered at the factory!

The more somebody else does for you, the more you pay!

Craig

DMW

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Moncton, NB, Canada
  • 113 posts
Posted by cndash9 on Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:15 PM
As many others have mentioned, the model that you are interested in is an Intermountain and it is RTR and with accurate detail.  Intermountain, as far as I'm concerned, is top notch for specific rail cars.  I have several of these myself.  Another option that I have noticed is Athearn RTR has a 6-pack for around $120.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!