Well, I've seen all the Coca-Cola, NFL, NASCAR and, yes, even a Barbie train coming along in time for Christmas but THIS one takes the prize for being the most ridiculously priced "train" I have seen in quite some time!
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=12691&promo=search&query=mr-12691
Once you grasp the selling price, gee, it's only a mere $275.00 additional for postage.
Even with Hammacher Schlemmer's "exclusive" reputation I'd be a bit reluctant to run for my credit card for this little gem.
Engine made in Germany? Perhaps, but it sure doesn't look like it is anywhere near LGB standards. "Pays homage to the 1875 Manhattan Railway" —with a 2 bay offset-side hopper car??
At least the locomotive operates "autonomously" without sound OR smoke, thank you...
Once you get over the $1,800.00 price tag you then realize that there are "seven hundred twenty-four" hand-driven METAL spikes in that trestle... well, there 'ya go! A bargain at twice the price!
I should have pre-ordered. I'll bet these are flying off the shelves. It would make a pretty neat switching layout, though.
'tis the Season, Ed
I think the size of the 'layout' has been grossly miscalculated! Nobody who has the money to buy the train would ever stoop so low as to have a mere 6 1/2' Christmas tree in their homes. This sucker should have been made big enough to go around a huge tree, at least 10' or 12' tall. Then they could charge $3000.00 or more for what would amount to only another 8' or so of track.
Then they could have installed sound and added another $1000.00. Smoke, why not another $500.00.
Truly a missed marketing and profit opportunity!
I'd take 2, except I'd have to cut some pretty big holes in the 8' ceiling for the trees.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Dave,
I'm confused too, by their estimate of a "6-1/2 foot tall tree" when the ID of the loop is 43 3/4" diameter?
I have some white pines on my property that have nearly a 36" diameter trunk and are about sixty feet tall? That track could easily circumnavigate that huge conifer!
Perhaps a call to their customer service number is in order. And I want to ask them about that paint scheme on the hopper... don't ever recall seeing one like that on the Manhattan Railway! Maybe LION can elaborate?
Ed
Cheers, the Bear
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I gotta get me one!
Not!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
RR_MelWow! $2025 for two weeks!
Maybe this is a sure sign that the economy is on an upswing?
I'm primarily an HO guy myself but I still have some G scale equipment around. I ripped up all my track a few years ago when I was doing some exterior siding work but I hope to get some track re-laid next summer. I got a Bachmann Thomas set for the grandkids (only 68¢ a day!) they love to see it run.
I gauge many of my purchases the same way you do, Mel — cost-per-day or cost-per-use. I bought a $5000. snow blower for my tractor last winter and only used it four times. Told my wife it cost us $1,250. for each time I plowed the drive. Maybe this year I'll get the cost down to a more reasonable $500 or so!!
Happy Railroadin' — Ed
RR_Mel Wow! $2025 for two weeks! That’s $148 per day under your tree, even the no trestle thing from Train World at $23 a day is a bit much for this retired guy . . . . but then again I’m an HO guy. ... Mel
You need to think of this as a year round hobby.
Put a Heart in the center in February, Shamrock in March, Bunny in April, Flag in July, Pumpkin in October, and a Turkey in November.
That way your cost per day gets reasonable.
Paul
gmpullman RR_Mel Wow! $2025 for two weeks! I gauge many of my purchases the same way you do, Mel — cost-per-day or cost-per-use. I bought a $5000. snow blower for my tractor last winter and only used it four times. Told my wife it cost us $1,250. for each time I plowed the drive. Maybe this year I'll get the cost down to a more reasonable $500 or so!! Happy Railroadin' — Ed
RR_Mel Wow! $2025 for two weeks!
gmpullmanMaybe this is a sure sign that the economy is on an upswing?
Hammacher Schlemmer has always been pricey; their market aims at the top 5%. You would think they could do better on their ad; the video is of a diffferent train - maybe last years "special train"
gmpullmanI'm confused too, by their estimate of a "6-1/2 foot tall tree" when the ID of the loop is 43 3/4" diameter? I have some white pines on my property that have nearly a 36" diameter trunk and are about sixty feet tall? That track could easily circumnavigate that huge conifer!
The tree (not included) is just a plastic one from WalMart.
gmpullmanI want to ask them about that paint scheme on the hopper...
Maybe this hopper would look betterhttp://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-98278
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G PaineMaybe this hopper would look better
George,
I actually had COAL on my holiday want list and my understanding wife gave me about a hundred pounds worth!
Maybe I was a naughty boy afterall, but I sure do love the aroma of that coal smoke when I'm burning it in my caboose stove!
Kind reminds me of a package of 4 (frozen) chocolate croissants we got as a gift from a relative who paid over $20 for them At Williams-Sonoma. They were excellent and we wanted more, but not at that price. Then we found out we could get the same croissants for $4/package at Trader Joe's, but without the upscale cachet of the Williams-Sonoma name.
Andre
And the maker of the Trestle is:
http://www.hunterrailwaysystems.com/
James in Texas
Ever been in a HS store? Lots of overpriced junk no one needs and few want. I guess there are a few suckers in the world who will pop for this grossly overpriced tree ornament.
Jim
Nothing, I think, will EVER top the Neiman Marcus set from many years ago, a Z scale train encrusted with and with hopper cars full of diamonds and other precious stones. I forget exactly which year it was, late 80's I think, but it was shown in MR. I forget the price, but it was definitely high enough to make even a highly compensated CEO think about it. In the millions.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
gmpullman I bought a $5000. snow blower for my tractor last winter and only used it four times. Told my wife it cost us $1,250. for each time I plowed the drive.
You're looking at this the wrong way. First year I bought a snow blower it didn't snow at all. I figured it was worth the cost of the blower if it prevented snow from falling.
maxman:
Great theory!