rrebell The way we buy things is changing too. We used to go to hobby shops and then came mail order.
The way we buy things is changing too. We used to go to hobby shops and then came mail order.
rrebellThen with the advances in computers and the internet, shopping online became a reality and even here things are not static, e-bay is no longer a viable sourse for a lot of hobby stuff due to shipping and the changes the company made.
I have come across numerous instances where the older age of hobbyists does not match with the way manufactuers provide things.
Things like N scale couplers.
For GOD sake send everything to us ASSEMBLED!!
No one's idea of a fun night of model railroading involves spending over an hour trying to put in one microscopic screw. It's ridiculous!
Travis N Scale I have come across numerous instances where the older age of hobbyists does not match with the way manufactuers provide things. Things like N scale couplers. For GOD sake send everything to us ASSEMBLED!! No one's idea of a fun night of model railroading involves spending over an hour trying to put in one microscopic screw. It's ridiculous!
I don't know how you N scale guys do it. I get frustrated enough assembling tiny parts in HO. I can't even imagine what Z-scale is like. One would have to be a jeweler to work in anything that small.
I do share with you the virtues of RTR. However my experience is that RTR often means ready-to-tinker-with. Nothing frosts me more than buying something that is supposed to be RTR and I have to fix it right out of the box to get the couplers working properly and the trucks adjusted so the car will stay one the track.
Metro Red Line rrebell The way we buy things is changing too. We used to go to hobby shops and then came mail order. When you think about it, the Internet hobby shop model is the perfect format for the model railroading hobby. Our hobby is hyper specialized: We have individual scales, eras, roadnames, geographies - a typical hobby shop will not satisfy all of the tastes in this hobby - unless it has the privilege of a large store footprint and a huge inventory. rrebell Then with the advances in computers and the internet, shopping online became a reality and even here things are not static, e-bay is no longer a viable sourse for a lot of hobby stuff due to shipping and the changes the company made. I've never seen eBay as a hobby shop. It is NOT a hobby shop. But it's a great resource for finding rare and discontinued items, and groups of items sold in lots. The last thing I bought on eBay was a new 3-pack of ScaleTrains 53' containers, which have been discontinued for a while. This particular seller sold it at list price, but offered free shipping. Considering the alternatives, I thought it was a reasonable price. Am I going to buy all my intermodal containers (or even rolling stock) on eBay? No way. But I do search it every so often for certain items that hobby shops no longer have in stock.
When you think about it, the Internet hobby shop model is the perfect format for the model railroading hobby. Our hobby is hyper specialized: We have individual scales, eras, roadnames, geographies - a typical hobby shop will not satisfy all of the tastes in this hobby - unless it has the privilege of a large store footprint and a huge inventory.
rrebell Then with the advances in computers and the internet, shopping online became a reality and even here things are not static, e-bay is no longer a viable sourse for a lot of hobby stuff due to shipping and the changes the company made.
I've never seen eBay as a hobby shop. It is NOT a hobby shop. But it's a great resource for finding rare and discontinued items, and groups of items sold in lots. The last thing I bought on eBay was a new 3-pack of ScaleTrains 53' containers, which have been discontinued for a while. This particular seller sold it at list price, but offered free shipping. Considering the alternatives, I thought it was a reasonable price. Am I going to buy all my intermodal containers (or even rolling stock) on eBay? No way. But I do search it every so often for certain items that hobby shops no longer have in stock.
My LHS, The Train Station in Columbus, OH, stocks quite a bit from N scale to Lionel. What they don't stock, they can order. When it first opened in a strip mall on the north side, they had a single store front but I'm guessing it was about 25-30 years ago, they rented out the adjacent unit, doubling the size of their store. One half is devoted to HO, while Lionel and N scale share the other half along with books, DVDs, calendars, etc. Since the pandemic, I don't have as many reasons to travel into Columbus nearly as often so I am buying more online as a result. Whenever I do go into Columbus, I make a point to stop there and see what's new. Last week I had a doctor's appointment and stopped in and learned they were back on a mask mandate. I asked the proprieter how long Columbus had been back on a mask mandate and he said since September. That tells you how often I've been getting in there.
I always buy 2-3 calendars every year and I got mine for 2022 along with a few other items.
Things do come and go. Not that long ago all the hardware stores disapeared around my area when the big box guys moved into town, then slowly they came back in some areas but not as big or as many. If you lived in a large town you might have a couple of stores, now you have one, maybe.
NorthBritAs for model railroading; people of all ages will be involved. In the (not too distant) future, with technology advancing at a fast rate, the running of trains will be a lot different from today. The children of today will welcome it because they will grow up with that technology. As for myself, I shall remain a 'dinosaur' with my DC layout running little steam locomotives 'in 1914/1919 or diesels in '1967/1972. My grandchildren love it, because they are allowed to run trains their way whilst I relax and watch them.
This is interesting.
I've participated less in the forum over recent months since I've become aware of how I see things a bit differently from "normal" model railroaders.
I'm not a precise person, and tend to detest the rabbit holes that a certain level of precision in my hobbies forces me into.
Its funny how many discussions talk about the different ways to motivate a DC motor, like there is some kind of big revolution or changes.
What I see about locomotives is the same DC motor being rotated by positve and negative current turning the little guy who is mechanically connected to the wheels, which then turn also.
A bunch of change has occurred about how that DC current goes into those black and red motor leads. Either you focus upon understanding the wiring that goes under the layout (DC), or learn about the circuitry that gets embossed onto the PC board that sits atop the motor.
I don't care about either. I just want to know what to push.
And the future will be small onboard batteries delivering current to the motor leads, wthout the leads picking up the power from the track.
Big deal.
And do we modulate the DC current heading to the leads via a power pack, or a cell phone? I'm not interested.
Through all of these decades of so called changes, I still just see that little DC motor turning the same way it always has. Use what works. Change when it breaks.
- Douglas
Doughless NorthBrit As for model railroading; people of all ages will be involved. In the (not too distant) future, with technology advancing at a fast rate, the running of trains will be a lot different from today. The children of today will welcome it because they will grow up with that technology. As for myself, I shall remain a 'dinosaur' with my DC layout running little steam locomotives 'in 1914/1919 or diesels in '1967/1972. My grandchildren love it, because they are allowed to run trains their way whilst I relax and watch them. This is interesting. I've participated less in the forum over recent months since I've become aware of how I see things a bit differently from "normal" model railroaders. I'm not a precise person, and tend to detest the rabbit holes that a certain level of precision in my hobbies forces me into. Its funny how many discussions talk about the different ways to motivate a DC motor, like there is some kind of big revolution or changes. What I see about locomotives is the same DC motor being rotated by positve and negative current turning the little guy who is mechanically connected to the wheels, which then turn also. A bunch of change has occurred about how that DC current goes into those black and red motor leads. Either you focus upon understanding the wiring that goes under the layout (DC), or learn about the circuitry that gets embossed onto the PC board that sits atop the motor. I don't care about either. I just want to know what to push. And the future will be small onboard batteries delivering current to the motor leads, wthout the leads picking up the power from the track. Big deal. And do we modulate the DC current heading to the leads via a power pack, or a cell phone? I'm not interested. Through all of these decades of so called changes, I still just see that little DC motor turning the same way it always has. Use what works. Change when it breaks.
NorthBrit As for model railroading; people of all ages will be involved. In the (not too distant) future, with technology advancing at a fast rate, the running of trains will be a lot different from today. The children of today will welcome it because they will grow up with that technology. As for myself, I shall remain a 'dinosaur' with my DC layout running little steam locomotives 'in 1914/1919 or diesels in '1967/1972. My grandchildren love it, because they are allowed to run trains their way whilst I relax and watch them.
Rechargeable battery powered locos sound intriguing but it's going to come at a cost. It would require retrofitting of locos currently on one's roster and that would likely be expensive. Probably comparable to converting a DC locomotive to DCC. Are the decoders going to be controlled wirelessly too? Otherwise you still need track power to send signals to the decoder and that's going to require clean track so what does onboard power accomplish? Maybe this is something for the next generation of model railroaders to take up. I don't see many of us old fogies springing for a complete rebuild of our current locomotive fleet.
John-NYBWRechargeable battery powered locos sound intriguing but it's going to come at a cost. It would require retrofitting of locos currently on one's roster and that would likely be expensive. Probably comparable to converting a DC locomotive to DCC. Are the decoders going to be controlled wirelessly too? Otherwise you still need track power to send signals to the decoder and that's going to require clean track so what does onboard power accomplish? Maybe this is something for the next generation of model railroaders to take up. I don't see many of us old fogies springing for a complete rebuild of our current locomotive fleet.
What's the gain? Why change?
When the hobby evolved into offering onboard sound at a decent quality and price, I switched to DCC because it woks better on DCC than DC.
I can't see in terms of motor control, why I would want to switch from track powered current driving the motor to onboard battery powered current.
Would the loss of occasional track cleaning duties be worth it.
I can't see me entertaining the idea of keeping up with these kinds of changes.
Doughless John-NYBW Rechargeable battery powered locos sound intriguing but it's going to come at a cost. It would require retrofitting of locos currently on one's roster and that would likely be expensive. Probably comparable to converting a DC locomotive to DCC. Are the decoders going to be controlled wirelessly too? Otherwise you still need track power to send signals to the decoder and that's going to require clean track so what does onboard power accomplish? Maybe this is something for the next generation of model railroaders to take up. I don't see many of us old fogies springing for a complete rebuild of our current locomotive fleet. What's the gain? Why change? When the hobby evolved into offering onboard sound at a decent quality and price, I switched to DCC because it woks better on DCC than DC. I can't see in terms of motor control, why I would want to switch from track powered current driving the motor to onboard battery powered current. Would the loss of occasional track cleaning duties be worth it. I can't see me entertaining the idea of keeping up with these kinds of changes.
John-NYBW Rechargeable battery powered locos sound intriguing but it's going to come at a cost. It would require retrofitting of locos currently on one's roster and that would likely be expensive. Probably comparable to converting a DC locomotive to DCC. Are the decoders going to be controlled wirelessly too? Otherwise you still need track power to send signals to the decoder and that's going to require clean track so what does onboard power accomplish? Maybe this is something for the next generation of model railroaders to take up. I don't see many of us old fogies springing for a complete rebuild of our current locomotive fleet.
I agree. If I were just starting out, onboard power might be worth considering, especially if coupled with radio control. I have far too much invested in traditional DCC to consider an expensive changeover at my age. This might be what model railroading will look like in 30 years but I doubt I'll be around to see it. I just got my roof replaced and it came with a 30 year warranty. If it starts leaking after that, I'll be happy to be around to see it.
Well, as noted on some other forums, model train buyers are becoming more and more disenchanted with Ebay (and also the personal tax implications of selling on Ebay now that 1099's will be issued for 2022 sales above $600 for the whole year, and sales this year exceeding $1200). That effectively removes Ebay as an option for some to liquidate excess locos, rolling stock, parts, etc.
I think we are going to see some kind of a rennaisance in train shows, and perhaps those few train stores who remain will be able to hang in there.
I would be in the "dc only" crowd, except that I really do enjoy all the cool lighting functions and sounds of the Loksound 5 locos. The very few dc locos I have purchased recently were only because the dcc versions were NOT available. Most of my purchases have had sound and dcc.
My layout is set up with a dpdt toggle switch to allow a quick switch between dcc and dc. I'll probably keep the dc power supply just in case, though I'm using it less and less.
John
That type of change has been long in coming but it will as things get smaller and cheaper and batterys improve.
PRR8259Well, as noted on some other forums, model train buyers are becoming more and more disenchanted with Ebay (and also the personal tax implications of selling on Ebay now that 1099's will be issued for 2022 sales above $600 for the whole year, and sales this year exceeding $1200). That effectively removes Ebay as an option for some to liquidate excess locos, rolling stock, parts, etc.
But you still don't have to pay taxes on it if you sold the items at a loss. Ebay is simply reporting gross sales. Assuming that you paid more for the trains than what you sold them for, that 1099 is not taxable income.
I'm not a tax advisor, but I assume there is a form that you would disclose the 1099 reported income on, then offset the sales price of those "miscellaneous items" with the costs of those items to show as a loss.
Example: Sold $10,000 in 2021 but paid $11,000 for them over the course of many years. I doubt if you would need to attach receipts (like charitable contributions less than $400)
Dealing with the 1099 is a PITA, its a matter of knowing how to file the tax form correctly, but it shouldn't cost you money.
If anybody knows how to prepare the form, please speak up....
Doughless--
29 years ago when I last worked full-time for a model train company, we sold individuals' used items in the store (including some of mine), and if I recall correctly we did not charge tax on those items. It was my understanding that used ie previously taxed items did not have to be taxed again in our state. However, that was back then, ancient history.
That has now changed to the point where one local store I frequent (that is also selling my used trains) now charges state sales tax on them (even when they are being sold at a loss). When I questioned it, they replied that their tax advisor says everything that is sold is now subject to state sales tax. End of that discussion.
I sold items on Ebay, better than 95% of the time at a loss, but they still were collecting state sales tax on all those sales. They were applying the tax directly to the invoices, with me having no say whatsoever on that part of the invoice.
Some of us do not want the personal accounting hassle of having to deal with reporting original cost basis, or purchase price, and then accounting for the ebay fees, shipping, taxes, writing off a portion of the home as inventory space, etc.
I can't speak for others, but when I buy items at a train show, I don't usually even get a receipt. When I purchase items online or in a train store, I don't usually keep the receipts I get--sometimes yes--but generally I do not have any warranty related issues. I would find it maddening to even attempt to keep all receipts.
So the whole 1099 form thing, and having to itemize all related expenses to prove losses, would for me become an accounting nightmare. I'm not going to declare anything that I can't support with good documentation in the event of an audit.
I can't speak for others, but I'm just not going to do it. If I can sell a few items at a show, in person, and not have to ship them, and I can write down what I recovered at that show, then great--but it will still be a net LOSS, so I wouldn't even bother to report it, as you have noted above.
I'm fortunate that for this year my total sales are less than the $1200 threshold (I just learned about), and I stopped selling on Ebay at the end of May...
PRR8259 Doughless-- 29 years ago when I last worked full-time for a model train company, we sold individuals' used items in the store (including some of mine), and if I recall correctly we did not charge tax on those items. It was my understanding that used ie previously taxed items did not have to be taxed again in our state. However, that was back then, ancient history. That has now changed to the point where one local store I frequent (that is also selling my used trains) now charges state sales tax on them (even when they are being sold at a loss). When I questioned it, they replied that their tax advisor says everything that is sold is now subject to state sales tax. End of that discussion. I sold items on Ebay, better than 95% of the time at a loss, but they still were collecting state sales tax on all those sales. They were applying the tax directly to the invoices, with me having no say whatsoever on that part of the invoice. Some of us do not want the personal accounting hassle of having to deal with reporting original cost basis, or purchase price, and then accounting for the ebay fees, shipping, taxes, writing off a portion of the home as inventory space, etc. I can't speak for others, but when I buy items at a train show, I don't usually even get a receipt. When I purchase items online or in a train store, I don't usually keep the receipts I get--sometimes yes--but generally I do not have any warranty related issues. I would find it maddening to even attempt to keep all receipts. So the whole 1099 form thing, and having to itemize all related expenses to prove losses, would for me become an accounting nightmare. I'm not going to declare anything that I can't support with good documentation in the event of an audit. I can't speak for others, but I'm just not going to do it. If I can sell a few items at a show, in person, and not have to ship them, and I can write down what I recovered at that show, then great--but it will still be a net LOSS, so I wouldn't even bother to report it, as you have noted above. I'm fortunate that for this year my total sales are less than the $1200 threshold (I just learned about), and I stopped selling on Ebay at the end of May... John
I'm talking about selling used trains here. Kind of OT but I thought it important to post to at least prompt folks to investigate on their own.
Ebay is merely complying with the law. The American Rescue Recovery Act of 2021 lowers the threshold on the 1099 issuances for payments processed by 3rd party vendors like Ebay, Venmo, etc. (somehow, collecting more taxes from small-fry individuals helps a recovery?)
This info is lifted from a Virginia.gov (Generally state tax law mirrors Federal) public service website that gives examples of what is reportable as taxable income and what is not. Note that the term "hobby" means somebody who makes an improvement to an item then sells it....but its not really a business. Hobby doesn't mean model railroading, or golf clubs, etc.
Bottom line, money received from selling personal items that you used and sold at a loss is not reportable as taxable income. So I guess even though you get a 1099-K from ebay, you should be able to ignore it since the money collected by ebay is not subject to tax if its from selling personal items. You don't itemize expenses to show the loss, because the money isn't reported on the tax return in the first place.
It depends on whether the payment was income that is subject to tax. Form 1099-K is an informational document and amounts included within are not necessarily subject to income tax in Virginia. You should use the information reported in conjunction with your other records to determine whether it is taxable income and to determine your correct tax. We recommend that you keep documentation of reportable transactions available if not all amounts included on Form 1099-K should be considered taxable income
Amounts included on Form 1099-K are generally includable as part of your gross income (although you may be able to deduct certain expenses associated with earning such income) if received from activities such as:
Amounts included on Form 1099-K are generally excluded from your gross income if they were received:
Here are some examples:
PRR8259It was my understanding that used ie previously taxed items did not have to be taxed again in our state. However, that was back then, ancient history.
Another modern problem. I think Ebay has their hands tied on this issue.
I remember reading just how far some states want to go ... never underestimate the greediness of the government when looking for ways to get you to pay more taxes. Some tax collectors suggested in some states or cities that someone having a garage sale needed to charge sales tax! That kind of idiocy did not fly, but not before it gave some in the government ideas.
Computerized money exchanges may someday settle this. Computers would be able to track just about everything a person buys and sells, and taxes would be applied to just about every transaction.
York1 John
Hi guys--
Sorry for the long winded posts above.
YES, I am talking about used trains.
If I have even so much as test run a new loco, and then decide I don't want/need it, my local train store will sell it as used. They will NOT put it out as Mint, or Test Run Only, only as used. They try to be 100% above board for the sake of all customers.
The thing about resin printing that excites me is the increasing likelihood of being able to buy quality uncommon parts. The whole matter of part supply, not just for rolling stock, is as fluid as ever with companies shutting down, selling off units, etc. The list of familiar part suppliers I depended on for detailing my engines, cars, structures, etc., that are now gone outnumbers those I can still locate. But resin printing offers opportunities with detail that far exceeds first generation 3D capabilities.
The challenge, or cost lies in having to supply adequate drawing files a 3D printer of any kind can upload. In the past three months I've been trying to revive decades-old, long unused CAD skills hoping I can someday be able to do myself the kinds of drawings I'd otherwise have to pay for. New means and opportunities require new skills, but I guess, happily, that is the same thing every generation of modelers has had to deal with.
Another part of the current challenge lies in being able to locate manufacturers (often meaning some person with a 3D printer in his basement). We're yet early on into this new development, but eventually all of its aspects will become more ordinary. Manufacturers will have to think differently about inventory, at least in part because my need for ten tiny something-or-others might not interest other buyer/modelers to justify stock on the shelf. But manufacturers with a good set of already-refined CAD files at their beck and call, rather than having to develop new files from scratch, will help. I only hope that along with new manufacturing capabilities (meaning 3D printing) comes a willingness on the part of people who create the files needed for 3D printing to make those files available in ways we can easily find them, and have access to their use at reasonable costs.
I expect that a considerable amount of shareware is going to be developed or pirated. Once you can digitize something, it can be reproduced millions of times with no degradation. It happened with the music industry. It makes it hard to sell something when it can be obtained for nothing. That might discourage development somewhat.
I have a custom done 3D prined shelter in a park on my layout. To the best of my knowledge, this is a two-off as I worked with an eBay seller to make it special. I also have picnic tables from that same seller.
For another project (still in progress), I ordered a gazebo and a couple of planters through Shapeways. I did have problems with the first one that was sent as it was damaged but they sent me a new one for free. I am even looking to get more 3D printed items through that site at some point in the future.