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Nickles and Dimes and Thriftshop Finds. A shifting of Focus.

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  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
  • 2,377 posts
Posted by leighant on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 11:11 PM

I love finding nickle and dime stuff.  In fact, tonight I have been working on a structure that cost me exactly ten cents at a garage sale.  (I even saved on garage sale shopping.  I don't drive to garage sales.  I schedule my Saturday morning walks to hit the garage sales that in walking distance.)   Several years ago, I found a log cabin toy for ten cents.  Roof, windows etc missing, actually only the shell.  Not every well proportioned for my scale, made of a kind of tough rubbery flexible plastic.  Good I guess for kids who are going to throw toys at each other and bite them.  But it did look vaguely like a log building.  Went in my somewhere bin.  I model the factitious East Texas courthouse square town of Johnston in a forest industries region- lumbering, creosote wood treating, pulpwood cutting, etc.  The high school team is called the Johnston Lumberjacks.  I figured I needed an eating place in town, and to keep up the loggin theme, it seemed appropriate to have a restaurant that plays up the theme, the LUMBERJACK COOKHOUSE.  Appeals to tourists, etc. and to local high school pride, etc.  Restaurant is of course a log building.  The texture and geometry of my log cabin toy seema little too regular to be an authentic looking log building, but this is not supposed to be an authentic log building.  It is a MAKE BELIEVE IMITATION log cookhouse from some romanticized idea of logging.  The windows on the building were way too high and the building a little overly tall.  I cut off the bottom 4 scale feet of the building and that made it about right.  (I will use the bottom 4 feet and the base, turn it upside down and it will be a loading platform for an implement dealer!)  The upper walls did not hold their shape so I glued some wood braces inside.  Worse, the flexible plastic building was slightly skewed-- twisted along its longitudinal axis.  To get it to bend back, I wedged a piece of wood in from the front right upper corner to the back left loweer corner of the building.  I will have to build a low relief interior on both sides to hide the stick.  I am having one heck of a lot of fun with this project.  I plan to finish it and post it on www.atlasrr.com Sunday Night Foto Fun in a weekend or two.

(Edit: I just now took a picture of the 10 cent log cabin project and added it to a new comment further down...Thumbnail here:)

Also today I tried a new painting technique with a paint set I bought at a garage sale for 25 cents, a set of 24 water colors including WHITE, a color I don't usually see in water colors.  I want a white that deliberately covers POORLY, to look like badly deteriorating paint on a masonry building.  I first painted my structure with flat brown oxide primer spray paint, the $1 a can stuff from the Dollar Store.  I am loking the effect.

Some recent El Cheapo and junkbin projects I have uploaded to railimages...

I used to work in TV news in the 60s and early 70s when companies wanting a free plug on the news sent out freebie 16mm film clips to use when we had a dull news day.  I saved the plastic covers the film reels came in, mostly to make tanks of various kinds.  I cut off just about one-sixth of a film reel case to make a BARREL VAULT ROOF for a low relief store.

Some years ago, I built a 2 story house kit as a 1 story house just so mine would be different from everybody else's model and LIKE a house I knew in a prototype scene.  I saved the pieces from the 2nd story, even though they were not tall enough to make a single story by themselves.  Two weeks ago, I needed a minimal low relief house to put at the end of a residential street that otherwise just stopped.  The old second story pieces made up the upper half of the single story of a house, while scrap Evergreen clapboard styrene made up the bottom of the story.  The attic level leftover from a house kit that been bashed into a flat-roofed building provided the attic level of my minimal house while a piece of roof leftover from still another kit topped it off.  Foliage hid that the house had absolutely no depth behind the yard in front of it, etc.

Next, I plan to take an old Rapido N-scale coupler leftover from MicroTrain conversion, turn it on end and detail it to resemble a drill press!

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 11:01 PM

James!  I am hearng a brand new man!  Your perspective and attitude seem to have come 180 deg, and you sound determined, no longer dejected.  What a pleasant change, for you and for me.  As you can see, you are among friends who share your new approach to the hobby. 

 

It happens that two of my  grown daughters (one for sure, the other is tentative) are going to be returning home for an extended period, so that means wife and I must part with the Tundra and our two year-old travel trailer.  I retired at the same time as the trailer purchase, and we very much enjoy camping, so this decision was a tough, but necessary, one.  We can't afford, on my fixed income, to be towing a depreciating item in a gas guzzler and driving the girls to job interviews 20 km away, so out they both go.   That's life.

 

I hope you can find a great deal of happiness with your new purchases.

 

-Crandell

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Rochelle Hills. Where the dear and antelope play.
  • 527 posts
Posted by Master of Big Sky Blue on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:58 PM
 reeveshd wrote:

James are  you are not the only one as said before.  I am with  you 100%, and I asked the question a few days ago what people thought Ebay would do for the second hand market.  I am hoping almost as much as you are that the second hand market will take off.  by rough ideas, I would think that you would get 75% increase in the model railroad market share.  You will still have the new buyers, but also new buyers sell off stuff to expand, and us second handers come for the pickings.  I would think that is why some of us are in the hobby to begin with. We can do this hobby with little investment beyond time.

And who is to say that if the second hand market takes off that a secondary third market presents itself if it  has not already in some cases.

And on and on it goes.

James do you think I am heading down the right road on this idea.

One can still dream though.

Take care

Reeves

You present some sound logical arguments and there is alot of second hand model train material on E-bay. My problem with E-bay is that alot of the items that are available on a second hand basis from e-bay are from people who by all rights shouldn't be within a mile of a model train. I continually see items up for sale with disclaimers like, "I do not know much about trains, I am selling for so and so's estate." or "Found this in the garage, taking up space." And the ones that really make me cringe are the ones that try to BS their way past you and try to hype up their item into something its not. I have seen many auctions where the Bachmann "Lustra Chrome" F-9A Santa Fe engine was described as being "Very Rare"

I can't criticise to harshly though as there are sellers who obviously are hobbiests that are trying to sell their unwanted items and from these people I have had a large number of dealings. However in most instances I ended up paying close to MSRP for what I was wanting. after you factor in shipping and handling. In the items I have purchased however I wasn't neccicarily looking for a bargain as the items I have purchased on e-bay for the most part have been highly specific items geared for the intention of completing a project I had, have, or will have underway. While at the same time, being unable to obtain these items from hobby shops in my area. (If you can consider being 100 miles from the nearest hobby shop "in your area")Example, I was needing a set of Athearn heavyweight passenger cars so I can assemble an excursion consist for a railway museum I have planned on my layout. Manage to find all the cars except the baggage. In kit form to. But I payed close to $8.50 for each car. In the 2003 Walthers Catalog. (The last year Athearn was carried) Passenger Cars are shown at being $9.90. But now I have my excursion train. (The excursion train idea was from when I was modeling a freelanced BNSF line from Casper WY to Salt Lake City and since I have it, Im carrying the idea to my new layout)

The other problem I have with Ebay though is you can't inspect the item before purchasing it. You have to rely on the seller's description. As we all know, some are great, some are a joke. But if I can inspect an item. hold it, scrutinse it, and get a better idea for what I am getting into when I purchase it, I am generally more inclined to buy it. I have found that on E-bay that unless the item is clearly described to me, and well documented. I tend to ignore it. Also now that I have firmy cemented my focus for the Great Northern in 1969, that just alot of chaff gets routinely ignored. No needing to chase after UP GE Dash X 66,whatcha digtits any more. Don't need them. Even if they are listed at 2 powered units for $7.99. Since I can not inspect an item, I tend to seek out items that are new in the box items to help ensure against a higher rate of former owner induced defects.

Perhaps I will get lucky and find used DCC decoders for like $5.00 each. I was already given an older Digitraxx Empire Builder system for christmas. I just have to decide if I want to use it or not. Just wish I had more than three decoders.

On your point of their being a secondary third hand market. Its entirely possible for brass items. While not all that common, I have seen some items that are on their third and fourth owners. However I will say that these items are comparitivly ancient affairs having been made in the early 50s or so and are somewhat crude by even todays plastic standards. I know that some of the stuff in my possesion, i am the third owner. though its not really anything of highly significant collector value.

The only problem is that with the exception of Tyco. Unless the train set has F-units, Most train sets with diesel locomotives are appropriet for the 1970s or later. And I model the late 60s. Tyco locos though. Are good for the 60s. But except for the F-Units. none of their locos were good for GN. Drats this is going to be harder than I thought

he he he. Maybe I should model BN instead he he he.

Well if you are down to here. Thanks for letting me ramble some more.

James.

"Well, I've sort of commited my self here, so you pop that clowns neck, I will shoot his buddy, and I will probably have to shoot the bartender too." ----- William Adama upon meeting Saul Tigh Building an All Steam Roster from Old Tyco-Mantua, and Bowser kits. Free Drinks in the Dome Car
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 2,844 posts
Posted by dinwitty on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:45 PM
the master craftsman will build from the cheapest of materials.
The rule is scrounge.  Some hobbyshops gear something like the conventional retail store.
But the hobby is just far from that. If theres a model  you want and no one makes it, you make it.
Or kitbash or whatever. Someone made a virginian 2-8-8-8-4 triplex using Mantua drives, very nifty.
I'd love to do that. The brass versions out there go over 1000 bucks all the time and a need help version went for over 700 bucks on ebay, it needed repairs, but not much and it would be a full engine.


  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:41 PM
Heck, I've been scoping out the 2nd hand stores, swap meets, and garage sales all my life.  I would be doing that even if I had a ton of money.  It is part of the fun finding those treasures.  Just because someone has a lot to spend doesn't mean they should just throw it away.  I find it interesting that everyone hasn't always been doing this, especially those on tight budgets.
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 3,150 posts
Posted by CNJ831 on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:34 PM

Well, fellas, I think the handwriting is on the wall, if you go by MR's overview of product prices for new items displayed/announced at the recent NMRA convention (under "Products and Hobby News"). Only 3 locomotives, out of the 23 listed, came in with a MSRP under $100. Most were in excess (many well in excess) of $200. I also noticed quite a few structure kits being priced in the hundreds as well. Hobbyists better start hitting the lottery!

CNJ831

  

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:13 PM

James are  you are not the only one as said before.  I am with  you 100%, and I asked the question a few days ago what people thought Ebay would do for the second hand market.  I am hoping almost as much as you are that the second hand market will take off.  by rough ideas, I would think that you would get 75% increase in the model railroad market share.  You will still have the new buyers, but also new buyers sell off stuff to expand, and us second handers come for the pickings.  I would think that is why some of us are in the hobby to begin with. We can do this hobby with little investment beyond time.

And who is to say that if the second hand market takes off that a secondary third market presents itself if it  has not already in some cases.

And on and on it goes.

James do you think I am heading down the right road on this idea.

One can still dream though.

Take care

Reeves

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 16 posts
Posted by custom mike on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:59 PM

James,

No matter what stick with the hobby.  There will be an emptiness if you don't.  It's all good.  I applaud your attitude.  Just don't get down and keep having fun.Big Smile [:D]

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:52 PM
James I'm with you....I'm disabled and on a very small budjet ....I am working in N scale and use 2nd hand stuff almost 100%....Like a real short line I take 2nd hand engines and rolling stock patch it up and put it into service...Its almost a second hobby seeing how 'cheaply' I can do something....Cox 47
ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: CN Flint Sub(Eastern Michigan)
  • 507 posts
Posted by NS2591 on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:32 PM
I know what you mean. Be glad your not in G or O. Those are redicolous. My mom collects some Lionel stuff and she pays about 80 bucks a car, 80 bucks in HO or N could get some decent cars.
Jay Norfolk Southern Forever!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:01 PM
100 or 10,000 dollars a year.  It is all fun.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Indy
  • 997 posts
Posted by mononguy63 on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 8:29 PM
James, you're not the only one who's operating a railroad on a shoestring budget. I'm a cheapskate by nature and have amassed an interesting collection of trash, uh, that is, uh, modeling supplies, over the years. I have cardstock of various sizes and shape, little pieces of stripwood, model scraps, plastic containers from those little vending machine toys, and on and on and on. You never know when there might be some creative application of these totally free supplies. In fact, I derive no small amount of pleasure from finding opportunities to put my little stash to good use. I like to think of it as taking all the little lemons and making lemonade.

"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley

I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious.  -Stephen Wright

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Rochelle Hills. Where the dear and antelope play.
  • 527 posts
Nickles and Dimes and Thriftshop Finds. A shifting of Focus.
Posted by Master of Big Sky Blue on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 8:11 PM

Hello everyone,

Well now that things are some what settled, I am beginning to get my modeling underway once again. However I am still having a problem with financing. (Why do these things have to be so darned expensive)

Anyhow I have decided, that with the exception of finishing my brass Empire Builder consist That i am not going to buy any more new model train items. Its just cost to much. I still am going to focus on modeling the Great Northern Railway during the year 1969. However I will probably model the summer as all my scenery supplies are set up for that season.

My question though, am I the only person having problems with continuing to afford the hobby? When you could purchase at the hobby shop locomotives for $40.00 and freight cars for $7.50, I could afford my hearts desires. Now I am in a situation where if I buy something from a hobby shop, when they reorder its a new item that costs three times the piece of inventory it replaced, or in a few cases, they are just leaving the model train business, and depending on me to buy their unsold inventory.

This leaves me fustrated and saddened because I can no longer afford to participate in my favorite hobby, at least from the standpoint new equipment is concerned. Since this simply can't be the case, I have decided to try a second hand approach. There are tons of second hand trains availabale out there. Why not put them to good use? So to that end I have engaged in a polocy that I call, Nickles and Dimes and Thriftshop Finds. To kick off this new program, I stopped in a second hand shop thats just down the street from where I work. Sure eneugh there was a a small supply of HO scale trains available, The lot had three locomotives in various states of repair, (Two in much better shape than the third) about 10 freight cars, and a good mish mash of track. including two new boxes of 5 pieces of Flex Track. What did I get this treasure trove of model train goodness for? $25.00. Pricing the items out individually from some of the discount houses, I would have had to pay well over $275.00 to pick up the entire lot if it were new prices.

To me this seems to be the way to go. With luck the RTR craze won't take the repair parts off the market any time soon. and Microscale don't go anywhere, I need your decals more than ever now. Not unless I want to run a block of 8 Snap on 50 Plug Door Box Cars.

If your down to here, thanks for letting me vent.

James

"Well, I've sort of commited my self here, so you pop that clowns neck, I will shoot his buddy, and I will probably have to shoot the bartender too." ----- William Adama upon meeting Saul Tigh Building an All Steam Roster from Old Tyco-Mantua, and Bowser kits. Free Drinks in the Dome Car

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