Discontinued Models.

[Anonymous]

When a Modeler try's to find something that He or She realy wants it is never around. I wanted to buy a Kato BNSF SD40-2 HO Locomotive. It had been Discontinued like just about everthing else. I don't realy like C44-9W's so im am gona get myself an Athern Model instead. What I realy want is an BNSF SD60M in Pumpkin. Have any of you had same problem of wanting something that is no longer Available? Allan.

[DanRaitz]

If one can't find what they want, it's time to break out the paint and decals.

Dan

[Pruitt]

Yeah - manufacturers have learned that they can make a lot more profit by offering :limited runs" of everything under the sun, including locos, cars and structures. Pretty soon we'll be seeing limited run scenery items, DCC components, and so on, I'll bet.......

[MisterBeasley]

Discontinued doesn't always mean unavailable. Take a look at Trainworld or M.B. Klein. People marvel at their prices, which are good for current items, but downright amazing for discontinued engines. The selection might not be complete, but if you hunt around you can find some great bargains.

I looked in my LHS and on-line for a Milwaukee GP-9. After some googling, I found a Proto-2K at M.B. Klein for 40 bucks. While drooling over the site, I noticed a P1K Alco RS for 70 bucks. They are both now configured as an MU on my layout. I checked the site again today, and noticed that the GP-9 in that road number is no longer available. I got the last one in stock.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is a great source for discontinued item. Using Ebay requires patience, discernment and discipline, but judicious use of those traits can result in finding what you want. Be creative in how you search for something, search regularly and diligently, know how much you want to pay, ask questions, understand shipping and payment rules, etc. Common sense and knowledge of the product will win the day. My scores were a P2K B&M S1 from MB Klein (trainstuff.com) for $31, an Athearn RTR CP AC4400 in the golden beaver scheme (with the correct radial trucks) from a seller in CA for $44, and an Atlas Classic D&H C424 from a seller in MD for $49. I've seen the Kato BNSF SD40-2's on eBay. There's 4 of them there right now (Tuesday 0811 central time). Go to ebay.com and enter Kato SD40-2 in the search box.

Go to the train shows and swap meets, too. Spend time looking and asking questions. Many of the same tactics that work on eBay work at the shows.

Happy hunting and good luck!

[RMax1]

Certain Proto 2000 things that I have wanted are very hard to get but lately Proto has been reissuing them. Even the last issue of E8's were hard to comeby. Pre-ordering is the way to go. I understand the limited run thing but there should be a few things that are stock staple items. They seem to be becoming slimmer and slimmer.

RMax1

[MisterBeasley]

Remember that we are a small market. Most of the MR manufacturers are small businesses. Setting up a production run of a locomotive takes time and effort, and any manufacturer can only produce so many different models at the same time.

Of course, a manufacturer could just keep on making the same product over and over forever. If they did that, though, then they would not be able to produce anything new. We get the amazing variety of available products in our hobby precisely because manufacturers do limit their production runs. I don't think they do this to drive up prices, but rather they realize that the market is limited, and we as modellers are interested in different products.

I've only been in my "second childhood" of model railroading for about 6 months now, but I learned very early on that if I see something I want, I'd better get it now, because it might not be available tomorrow. I like to think of this kind of limit as one of the things that make every single layout unique.

[IRONROOSTER]

Oh yes, some of it was discontinued before I even got into the hobby. Still I understand the limited hobby market often requires this. Of course sometimes it's because the companies go out of business which may be because they didn't pay enough attention to making a profit.
Enjoy
Paul

[tatans]

Isn't everything "discontinued" ??? go to your Buick dealer and ask for a 2001 Buick, sorry ! just have 2005's, you must want a "discontinued" model. It is the way business is done, it's called "progress" about the only thing that ever worked was the Volkswagen beetle, same car for years, just add a gas gauge, or a mirror etc and sell the same car for years,hmmmmmm.
All brass locomotives are "discontinued" by the limited amount they make. I guess this is why ebay is so popular, millions of people really want discontinued "stuff"

[BRAKIE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DanRaitz

If one can't find what they want, it's time to break out the paint and decals.

Dan

Dan,That's a excellent advice but one that lacks full understanding..You see there are those that lack the skill to do such work and some may never gain that skill..Then you have those that may have lost a arm or the use of one hand..I have found that doing ANYTHING with one hand is hard and I'll not be attempting any decaling.[:(]
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Allan,Looking for a out of production locomotives can easily be done by checking e bay,train shows and hole in the wall hobby shops.The out of production units are out there it just takes time to look.
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Guys,Just because you can't find a given engine at your favorite hobby shop or on e bay doesn't mean you can't find 'em..You may need to be willing to pay full price when you do find 'em...

[Anonymous]

Nothing is not available. Look harder or pay more money and it is all available.
Limited runs are killing the hobby, but it is not impossible just harder, for people to get what they want to buy.

[Anonymous]

Ah, but limited runs have introduced the thrill of the hunt to model railroading.....

[Anonymous]

My favoured way to find these is either ebay (can be tricky as people seem inclined to bid crazy sums, well above my budget) or to keep an eye out for model shops in towns you visit - I have one LHS that seems to have pretty much anything Hornby from the mid-90's in stock, often at good discounts.