What's your price limit?

[pbjwilson]

4884BigBoy was wondering about th gas tubine by Lionel. Others responded with "too rich for my blood". So what is your price limit on an engine or piece of rolling stock. I was really tempted by a Kato sd70Mac but at $120.00 at my hobby shop, or even 99.99 on the internet it's out of my reach. I stick to 40-50 dollar Athearn diesels and athearn kit rolling stock. I'm not paying 20-30 dollars for r-t-r stuff. That's rediculous. So what's your limit? And who the heck is buying the expensive stuff?

[AggroJones]

For steam locomotives, my limit is about $280. (even then, I'll be out of cash for a while) Unless it is somthing I really, really want, I can't exceed this.

[Anonymous]

For flawless RTR diesels with decoder in N Scale. My limit is about $150.00 - $200.00.

I typically find great Kato and Atlas stuff at my LHS for $100.00 to $150.00. However, I am looking out for some awesome DCC steam in N Scale in the next couple of months.

[dave9999]

A lot of us buy this "expensive stuff ". I have only a hand full of locomotives, but everyone are
quality models. I don't need 100 locos or will I ever need that many. With the exception of my Rivarossi Allegheny (I'm still waiting on Soundtraxx to get it together) all my locos are
equiped with DCC sound. So IMO a few quality locomotives are better than a lot of cheap,
bargain loco's. Just my opinion. Dave

[Anonymous]

For a single locomotive, I draw a very strong line at $150.00. It really has to be something that tugs at the heart strings for me to contemplate spending more.

[Hawks05]

the most i've paid for a locomotive is $45. i've bought 2 at this price from the same guy. the most i've paid for a piece of rolling stock is $20, again 2 of pieces from the same guy, but the detail is incredible.

i'd say that if i really want a locomotive and i have money i'd maybe be willing to spend up to $75 that is if it has everything assembled and what not. rolling stock $20 is my limit.

i usually just get Athearn kits and wait till shows to get locomotives.

[Jacktal]

It's all a matter of choice.We all have a budget to take into account,wich isn't the same for everyone.I,for one,can say that I have it a little easy now.My kids are adults now so my situation is quite different than let's say fifteen years ago,when having a hobby was nearly out of question.However I'm not in the upper scale of salaries so that I can't let my hobby spendings go way overboard,meaning I still have to make choices.

I value quality over quantity,so I elected to have a fewer locos so that I can afford better ones.Having a quite small layout,it wouldn't make much sense to own 100+ locos as some do.I presently own fifteen locos,but only six of them were purchased brand new,the other ones being used ones bought at very good prices.And as I'm going DCC,only my best will eventually be equipped with decoders.

I don't think that even if I had more cash I would do different,since there are other things in life to enjoy,no matter how much I love this hobby.I don't want to comment model railroaders who have hundreds of locos and/or thousands of cars,or will only have brass or whatever,since they probably have the space and cash.It is their choice but as far as I'm concerned I do have limits.

[Jetrock]

The most I have paid for a locomotive is $80, for a brass Birney. I suppose around $100-150 is the most I would pay these days, although that might change if I found a GE electric steeplecab for $250...

[CP5415]

Locomotives, no more than $150 Canadian
Rolling stock, no more than $30 on average. I have 1 Athearn Genesis I paid $50 Can.
Passenger cars I'll probably spend roughly $50 each.

Gordon

[vsmith]

100 bucks is my limit.

[orsonroy]

The maximum I've paid for engines and rolling stock is:

$500 for brass steam (own 2)
$200 for brass caboose (own 1)
$250 for plastic steam (own 6)
$100 for plastic diesel (own 1)
$40 for plastic passenger car (own 1)
$30 for plastic freight car (own 30-ish)
$30 for resin freight car (own 40-ish)

Note that my collection is somewhere around 650 cars and 120 engines, and I have paid FAR less for most of my stuff ($65 for engines, $10 for cars), but my price cap seems to go up a little bit each year. Thankfully, I'm about done buying "stuff", and am actually downsizing a bit. I think my days of "overly-high, but gotta buy!" are over!

[Anonymous]

I don't consider price at all. I make my rolling stock and structures from scratch or the odd kit. Locomotives are more problematic, seems manufacturers aren't interested in locomotive craftsman kits.

Effectively I spend less than most, completing on average about one project a month.

Randy

[mikebonellisr]

For brass that I "really must have".....$500.
or the new

















For brass that I "REALLY MUST HAVE"....$500.,But then I usually have to get them re-powered and have sound installed.The new top of the line plastics run well [smooth,great slow speed,&quiet and easy to super detail]
I like the new plastic steam so much,I may sell off some of my brass.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I actually buy Lionel engines, but I draw the line at $300. For that I have been getting twin motored command and sound equipped. I try to pick them up on eBay for around $250, and have done pretty well. Unlike Dave, I need quantity, because of the size of my layout.

[Anonymous]

I usually have #50 to $60 price limit, but the most expensive thing I have bought was a Spectrum K4--$89.

[Anonymous]

To me a price limit is set by quailty. For instance, LL rtr rolling stock with plastic axle/wheel sets bad lettering and overall it looks like a cheap plastic toy my price limit is $2.50 I bought 8 for $20.00, they are good for airbrush weathing practice. However, for BLI's ATSF 4-8-4 my price limit is $300.00.

A year ago when they announced the production of the 4-8-4 I started putting aside a few buck each month and hope to have the money by the time my layout is operational this summer. This will up my loco roster to one!! [:D]

[mls1621]

I've spent $300 for an N scale Challenger, but it doesn't like running through turnouts.

I'm modelling northern Utah in the 60's so i have a couple of Veranda turbines, but they were only about $140 each.

When Overland Models offered the 8500HP Turbine I went into and trance and ordered one. $900, but I'd do it again since no one makes it in affordable rtr. My one and only brass locomotive.

All totalled, I've got almost $8000 in rolling stock, of that number over $3500 is locomotives.

[88gta350]

I usually get most of my diesels on ebay for $20-$40 dollar range. The ones I buy tend to be a little cheaper because I have to get undecorated for my fictional road. Athearn, Bachman Spectrum, and Life-Like P2K is what I usually look for.

[nfmisso]

So far; $400 for BLI As, but my wife spent considerably more on a graduation present for me last year......

[lupo]

For locomotives the most I spend was about $240 for a 4-8-8-4 and FA3 ABB set
for rolling stock $ 10 - 25,
But: if Overland decided to put the Ho 8500 HP turbine set back into production I don't know if I could resist the temptation, because it is something like an investment you can actually sit and look at,
for the LIONEL veranda turbine I would like to see it first,
it is die-cast and if it is like the die-cast trix stuf I am not sure if it is worth its money

[the-big-blow]

Price is no limit, if I want it bad enough I find a way to afford it.

krk

[PistolPete]

Right now it is about $50. but I would spend more if it was something I really want. As the amount of equipment I own increase and the layout progresses I will most likely become more selective about quality and end up spending more.

[Anonymous]

I have two scales.

First for the cars and engines that I use with my small sons....$30 on locos and $4.00 on rolling stock. I expect these to be abused and really like my 2 $3 BN switchers and my $7.50 BN switcher for this service.

The second scale is for me and when the boys get older.....unknown for locos since I've only bought on clearance and one new Athearn. I'm thinking a bigger locomotive might be fun but with 22" curves I'm looking at 6 wheel or smaller. Perhaps $100.

Rolling stock......hmmm only bought kits for $4-10 each but added $2-3 for upgrades to metal wheels and Kadees. I can't bring myself to spend for RTR.

DT

[Anonymous]

For a Diesel: no more than $110
For Steam: No more than $150.
Rolling stock, well, it all depends. But I do have limits.

[Anonymous]

The most I have paid was $150 for my Amtrak E8 AB set. I normally will not spend more than $70. I buy Proto 2000's in the $35 to $70 range and get great quality locos at a reasonable price. $400, $500, $600 engines are nice I would bet but I can buy a fleet of very nices locos for the same money. There is not enough difference to me and the level I model at. Sitting there counting bolts is not why I model railroads.

RMax

[Anonymous]

I'm at $100.00 on this, although like RMax I've got some nice P2K's for much less.

I really want to run Soundtraxx sound and that adds at least another $100.00...Man that makes it expensive [:(!]

Greg

[CBQ_Guy]

I don't know if I have a limit because if it's really something I NEED or WANT bad enough, I always find a way to GET it. But it sure burns me when the price seems to increase with each run for the past few years now.

I sure wouldn't want to be starting from scratch!

[AlcoRS11Nut]

$150 for locomotives
$30 for frieght cars

[AltonFan]

I consider up to $100.00 fair for an N scale locomotive. I have to think very hard to spend over $100.00, and am likely to put it on layaway and pay for it over several months. $300.00 is my top limit for N scale equipment.

I often think about going into O scale, and that would require some adjustment. If I did go into O, I would probably have a much smaller and less varied locomotive fleet.

[Anonymous]

OK, to give an un-biased opinion, I SEE IT, I LIKE IT, I BUY IT.

Just about how it goes in my house.

Not to say that is the best way to accumulate sock, but.......

T'is better to ask for forgivness, than beg for permission.