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Model Railroad Plans for the Shopping Holidays

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Model Railroad Plans for the Shopping Holidays
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 1:34 PM

I am curious about what we all have planned for the weekend.

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Friday is "Black Friday", does anyone know if any online retailers have any massive sales planned.

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Saturday is "Small Business Saturday", and I am going to stop at three local hobby shops just like I did last year. Last year I went to shops in Melbourne, Orlando, and St. Petersburg. This year it will be Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Port Richey.

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Sunday I need to drive to Atlanta.

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Monday is "Cyber Monday", again, does anyone know of anything special?

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-Kevin

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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 1:59 PM

From Thanksgiving to Xmas I try to go into retail stores as little as possible. 

I have "black Friday" off (our union traded Columbus Day for it) and traditionally spend the afternoon working on the layout while listening to the Science Friday radio show's coverage of the annual "Ig-Nobel Awards" from Harvard.

https://www.improbable.com/ig/

 

Stix
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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 2:04 PM

Trainworld has 10% off for orders > $100  code word Turkey18

Modeltrainstuff has a Bachmann sale ending Friday

Mainlinehobby.com 10% off and free shipping >$200

Caboose free shipping >$99

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by jrbernier on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 2:07 PM

  There has been some of the on-line dealers with sales, but they many times are old items they want to clear out. 

  I tend to buy my model stuff through the year or at large train shows if the prices are attractive.  And only on stuff I really want...

  Black Friday prices on consumer stuff will be back later on December.

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 2:56 PM

I'm in there with Stix.  I stay as far away as possible to retail stores during the Thanksgiving to Christmas .

I don't go on any train buying binges, I pick up stuff I want throughout the year.

I had a real eye opener a few days ago, I dismantled my Grandson's O scale set, and used the lumber on his benchwork to make a work bench for me, which meant I had to take stock off, and move everything I have accumulated and stashed under his 4'x8' table.  WOW, I need nothing.

Although, the Scale Trains Operator series GE Tier 4, with DCC and sound is looking tempting at $150.  Whistling

Mike.

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Posted by nealknows on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 4:53 PM

Like others, the last place I want to be is in retail stores Friday. Saturday in NJ is the Greenberg Train show and I'll go to see what some of the dealers with used items have. 

Do I need anything? Not really, but I always find something at a good price. 

I go with a fellow train buddy, and we make the morning run and then back for lunch...

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Neal

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 7:40 PM

IIRC, ExactRail does black friday thru cyber Monday sales.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, November 22, 2018 11:59 AM

For decades we were first people in line for lots of Black Friday sales. I would take the girls out at about 4:00 AM to get our spots. We would spend after-dinner Thanksgiving scouring the ads and putting together our strategies.

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Stores would open at 5:00, 6:00. and 7:00, so planning for maximum success was part of the fun. JC Penney would give away Disney snowglobes to the first 100 people through the door, so we would start there.

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After the madness was over, we would go to Perkins for breakfast and then go home to sleep.

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The girls always got a "Black Friday" present for all this fun.

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When they grew up, and friends would come over, they would say "that is a nice lamp", and they would reply "My dad got that for me, it was a Black Friday present." Then their friends would be like "Who gets presents for Black Friday?"

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Answer: My girls do!

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I stopped doing Black Friday when they moved it to Thanksgiving. Fortunately that was exactly when my youngest turned 18, so it was a fitting time to end the family tradition of Black Friday madness with the girls.

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I have so many good memories of that, and it cost close to nothing to do.

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I hope most of us can hit at least one local hobby shop on Small Business Saturday. I am going to three.

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Have fun!

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-Kevin

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, November 22, 2018 12:09 PM

Kevin,

It is very clear that your idea of fun is vastly different from mine.......

Sheldon

    

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Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Thursday, November 22, 2018 12:19 PM

    I always buy myself a model railroad item as a Christmas present to myself. It’s really the only way to get exactly what you want. I’m not really sure what I want this year but I think I’ll have to check out the on-line stores listed above.
    I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I plan on spending it cooking the turkey, watching football, and maybe building some of the bench work I have been slowly working on all week.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, November 22, 2018 2:03 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
It is very clear that your idea of fun is vastly different from mine.......

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Yes, I have suspected this for quite some time. I think my "fun" activities have very little in common with most people here.

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Happy holidays my friend.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

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Posted by angelob6660 on Thursday, November 22, 2018 2:56 PM

I try not spend or buy anything online after Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the big huge holiday season of packages getting lost in the mail/over crowded mail facilities.

I am waiting for Bachmann Rusty I hope he arrives in December.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by Bubbytrains on Thursday, November 22, 2018 3:31 PM

Nowadays, my “holiday” train shopping waits for the big Amherst Railway Society train show at the Big E in Springfield at the end of January. This year it’s January 26-27. We already have our hotel booked. Couldn’t make it last year unfortunately.

Bubbytrains

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Posted by dknelson on Thursday, November 22, 2018 3:43 PM

Well we in the Milwaukee area have an active steam locomotive to see Thursday to Saturday so model trains might take a back seat.  Today the Soo Line 1003, a 2-8-2, ran on the Wisconsin Southern from Hartford WI to North Milwaukee, where it changed railroads and will will be towed backwards on the CN north towards Plymouth and Elkhart Lake WI (eventually rejoining WSOR tracks).  I caught that portion of the trip where the steam was in the lead.  Cold but worth it.

I may stop in at Walthers' retail room on Friday or Saturday just to visit and check out the damaged packaging/factory seconds tables and cabinets.  I have no shopping list.  Indeed I should open up a damaged packaging/factory seconds store of my own.  

Dave Nelson

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Posted by joe323 on Thursday, November 22, 2018 4:00 PM

nealknows

Like others, the last place I want to be is in retail stores Friday. Saturday in NJ is the Greenberg Train show and I'll go to see what some of the dealers with used items have. 

Do I need anything? Not really, but I always find something at a good price. 

I go with a fellow train buddy, and we make the morning run and then back for lunch...

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Neal

 

I am working tomorrow (It’s drive to work day) but will be at Greenberg on Saturday as well.

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by csxns on Thursday, November 22, 2018 5:10 PM

ST has a Black Friday sale just ordered a few more Carbon Black cars.

Russell

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, November 22, 2018 6:31 PM

Looks like we may be taking a trip to Strasburg PA on Sunday, operating steam locomotives at the head end of turn of the century passenger cars, model train shop, O gauge display layout, and much more.

I will treat myself to a little something, if anything catches my eye.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by jk10 on Thursday, November 22, 2018 8:51 PM

Just spent a small fortune last weekend at a show; 12 new (mostly used) rolling stock, wheels, DVDs, a book (this is the second book I've bought that will be "gifts" from my wife), and a few other odds and ends. I also just connected with someone who has their own proto-freelanced layout that I bought two cars from. My holiday spending is essentially done. 

My wife and I are expecting our first child in the spring, so my days of having fun and buying for the future layout may be coming to an end, or at least a major reduction. Even the holiday sales are not of much interest as the prices are high for what I could likely find for cheaper at a train show. 

In the past, I've used the TrainWorld discounts to my advantage. We'll be doing some shopping tomorrow to get items for the baby's room and some gifts for family. 

Hope everyone enjoy's their train shopping!

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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, November 23, 2018 10:27 AM

Spring Mills Depot is having a 10% off sale today.  If you are one of the two people that bid $120 and $133 on their I-12 B&O cabeeese on Ebay, yesterday, you probably don't want to look at the sale price.

Henry

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, November 23, 2018 10:45 AM

BigDaddy

Spring Mills Depot is having a 10% off sale today.  If you are one of the two people that bid $120 and $133 on their I-12 B&O cabeeese on Ebay, yesterday, you probably don't want to look at the sale price.

At SMD it isn't 10% off by my math.  Much better than that.  The PD3000 covered hoppers are 18 or 27 % off depending on which version.

Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars.  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by maxman on Friday, November 23, 2018 11:12 AM

riogrande5761
Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars

I didn't see that mentioned anywhere.  Any link to the info?

 

Thanks

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, November 23, 2018 12:13 PM

BRASSTRAINS dot COM just started their annual Winter Sale.

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It is no where near as good as recent years. Not enough to get me off of my wallet. If there is something you have been considering, it might be worth a look.

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Maybe more items will be added to the sale later.

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-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, November 23, 2018 2:48 PM

maxman
 
riogrande5761
Also Moloco are doing 20% off on all their nice box cars

 

I didn't see that mentioned anywhere.  Any link to the info? 

Thanks

Here is the content of the email notifcation:

moloco 20% off all products
Black Friday to Cyber Monday

 
the deal 
For the first time at moloco we are offering 20% off all of our IN STOCK products, RTR cars and parts. It starts on Black Friday to the end of Cyber Monday (EST). Some product quantities are limited so don't hesitate in this rare promo offering. It's the same quality product that you come to expect from molocoMoloco is the lead innovator of freight cars and parts in HO scale, robust, finescale and super accurate products.

During checkout use the promo code 20OFF to receive your discount. Even though this email goes out to our customers who sign-up to our website, it's open to anyone.

Below is a taste of what's on offer.
We are a small family owned business and appreciate your continued support. Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. - Nick Molo, owner moloco
 
Remember that shipping is only $9.99 for 1-5 cars and FREE SHIPPING for 6 cars and over (or product valued over $250), for USA customers.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by maxman on Friday, November 23, 2018 2:53 PM

riogrande5761
Here is the content of the email notifcation:

Thanks!

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, November 23, 2018 3:15 PM

No problem.  The Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen and they are based on real box cars - photographs posted with each type.  The 20OFF is a good deal.  I ordered a PC, B&M from the newest run of FGE 10' door and a red Santa Fe.  The ones I got are basically good for late 1970's.  Some are as-delivered from the early to mid 1960's.  There are a few late 80's ATSF plain or circle cross paint schemed as well.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by csxns on Friday, November 23, 2018 6:46 PM

riogrande5761
e Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen

Not the finest but the best ever Yes.

Russell

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, November 23, 2018 8:34 PM

csxns

 

 
riogrande5761
e Moloco box cars are some of the finest I've seen

 

Not the finest but the best ever Yes.

 

 

Yes, very nice..........if they fit your era..........

Sheldon

    

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Posted by csxns on Friday, November 23, 2018 8:41 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
...if they fit your era..

They look so good i did make one fit my era.

Russell

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, November 23, 2018 9:00 PM

They do look great, but my period being more "modern" or "current", they just don't fit.

I do like their "parts" section.

Mike.

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, November 24, 2018 7:45 AM

BigDaddy

Spring Mills Depot is having a 10% off sale today.  If you are one of the two people that bid $120 and $133 on their I-12 B&O cabeeese on Ebay, yesterday, you probably don't want to look at the sale price.

 

It is funny that people would just assume they are sold out without checking before paying more than twice the original price.

I bought all I needed when they came out, two in the 1955 scheme, and four undecorated kits for my ATLANTIC CENTRAL, who also purchaced wagon top box cars and hoppers from the B&O shops......

And yes, I am stretching history running that scheme in my September 1954 setting, but it is my favorite scheme on those cabooses........

Sheldon

    

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