It doesnt pay to buy cheap stuff, I found you get what you pay for.

[Anonymous]

Don't get me wrong, I have some nice cars and engines I have bought used also a few I have kit bashed or repainted and recoupled for a certain projects, but I wish now I had acquired most of my cars and engines new and in sets. I will tell you why.

I bought a lot of cars and some engines on ebay, at shows and train shops that sell used stuff from estates sells, ect.

At the time I didn't have a layout or a real solid idea of what I wanted to build when I did make a layout.

I find now I have a lot of mismatched cars, cars and engines that are junk or have problems and just a load of items I have no use for.

For example, sometime this winter I bought and F7 A&B unit in C&O colors to pull and passenger train. I also bought a number of A units that, being made by different makers had some paint and decal variations and I had to do some repainting.

The A&B unit I find today is junk, the engine is trashed. Fortunately I was able to swap shells on the A unit and coupler on the B unit and once the glue sets on the shell it make run OK.

I have 2 dozen coal hoppers and about 8 of those need serious work to operate with the others and so it goes.

Now I wish I had bought a couple of sets of hoppers with consecutive numbers in 6 pack like Walthers for example.
I wish I bought better engines. I have two old steamers that wont run worth a plug nickel I got cheap on ebay. You truly get what you pay for and being in the hobby a long time I should have been wiser but naturally wanted something for nothing.

. Spending a $100- $175 or more I would have but several steamers that I would have been happy with. I do have some that came from my local shop however and they give me no trouble and I do have some nice ones I actually bought on ebay

Some of those I tested with a transformer and two hot wires but not on a track. That doesn't tell you a lot.

I do enjoy projects and I love to paint and make kits, kit bash and weather them, still not all my stuff is junk but I could have shopped wiser.

The point is buy the best and plan your purchases and you will be happier and thriftier in the long run.

Expect to get the quality you pay for is my creed now. __________________

[Midnight Railroader]

I have found some excellent deals on eBay, but you must know what you're buying. Just because you get something cheap doesn't mean you got a good deal.

[WCfan]

I know what you feel man. I bought two junker locos at a train show, and at the time I didn't know they where junkey. But I do regret buying a junkey loco. A FP45 was for sale, 12 bucks, and in WC paint. I could of at least remotered it. Owell. At least you get experience rebuilding your locos.

[Driline]

I've been unloading unwanted (not junky )train stuff on ebay for the last 2 months and have been using the money to buy NICE quality Atlas stuff. I am very happy. I hope guys like you continue to buy stuff you don't want so that I can buy the stuff I DO want

I've always bought quality train stuff (not always the right livery) and have never regretted spending the extra money for trains that actually run. A friend of mine always seems to buy cheap crap and then later regrets his purchases. I think its bad genes He just has that dumpster diver mentality. He feels great saving money and buys multiple units, sometimes 10! Its only later that he regrets his purchases.

Someday he'll learn.....or not.

[tomikawaTT]

Your thread title should be cast in bronze and planted next to the monitor (for internet purchases) or telephone (for 'too good to be true' catalog sale items.)

If you buy junk, you have junk.  If you buy based on a photo and/or description, the probability that the item is junk increases in inverse proportion to the asking price.

That said, I have purchased junk that I KNEW was junk, eyes wide open.  The intention was to get kitbash fodder - and that is exactly what I got.  My thing is to modify standard U.S.prototype rolling stock out of all recognizable resemblance to the original item, then paint (black) and letter (kanji and katakana) it for my freelance Japanese prototype short line.  (Anybody ever seen a seven-axle articulated coal hopper?  If I had photo capability I could show you one!)  OTOH, my JNR steam locos and catenary motors are brass models with good quality motors, and my KTM passenger cars are at least as good as anyone else's...BUT!!!  I didn't buy them sight unseen, and I didn't pay fire sale prices for them.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[tangerine-jack]

.............
.The point is buy the best and plan your purchases and you will be happier and thriftier in the long run.

Expect to get the quality you pay for is my creed now. __________________

 

Caveat Emptor.  It was posted above every business in ancient Rome.  It means buyer beware.  The wisdom of the last generation never seems to be passed on to the younger, and the younger must learn anew the same lessons.

I agree with you 110%, you get what you pay for.  In purchasing an important high end item, such as a locomotive, I always, always, always test run it at a hobby store or friends layout before making the purchase.  The same holds true for power supply, sound systems etc.  I don't mind dropping a dime (which can be a very BIG dime in G scale) for a nice piece of hardware if I am assured that it performs to my expectations.  If it does not meet my perceived standard, then I move on to the next item.  At the same time I don't have to pay full price.......

The good news is that even a junk car or engine still has a use- for display in the family room, travel layouts, or let the in-law's kid play with it.  You can use it for a wrecked train diorama, or convert the box cars or cabooses into workman shanty's or offices.  As was mentioned you can use it for stock for kit bashing or cannibalize it for parts for a scratch build.  Shoot, every layout has a junkyard, right?

Caveat emptor, my friend.

[tstage]

I am thankful that I've learned enough over the past 3 years of MRRing to make some wise decisions on locomotive purchases.  With 11 locomotives to my name, I've done pretty well with my roster so far.

It's true, sometimes, that you get what you pay for.   But it's also equally true that you can pay waaaaay more than you really need to.  There's a difference between cheap and inexpensive. 

I've found some terrific deals on some excellent quality locomotives.  My most recent was a Proto 2000 0-8-0 switcher (DC) for $80.  The key is to know where to find the bargains.

Tom

[NeO6874]

I am thankful that I've learned enough over the past 3 years of MRRing to make some wise decisions on locomotive purchases.  With 11 locomotives to my name, I've done pretty well with my roster so far.

LIES! You only have 9.  The last two are still on backorder. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Caveat Emptor.  It was posted above every business in ancient Rome.  It means buyer beware.  The wisdom of the last generation never seems to be passed on to the younger, and the younger must learn anew the same lessons.

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

[beegle55]

I know exaaactly what you mean. I got the craze for model railroading way before I did my homework and made true plans. I have to say, dropping all the cash into the cheap crap has made me learn, pay attention, and get some good things out of it. Oh the horror, oh all the cheap LL (pre-Walthers buyout, pre-Proto series) crap I have, and no where to put it and nothing to do with it. My niece is going to have a good time with that stuff though, while I enjoy LL proto-2000 and Atlas, Roundhouse, and Athearn products... and the occasional Bachmann, I've yet to have a bad experience with Bachmann for some reason... Just my personal accounts, don't feel alone buddy.

 -beegle55

[Anonymous]

I am thankful that I've learned enough over the past 3 years of MRRing to make some wise decisions on locomotive purchases.  With 11 locomotives to my name, I've done pretty well with my roster so far.

LIES! You only have 9.  The last two are still on backorder. 

Lies or not, the fact that they are on order means alot. Ive got one on order that is not expected to arrive until late 2008!

I dont have too many engines but each one is a goodie.

I think this thread should be required reading for any one contemplating trying to get cheap items to save a dollar on the hobby.

[NeO6874]

I am thankful that I've learned enough over the past 3 years of MRRing to make some wise decisions on locomotive purchases.  With 11 locomotives to my name, I've done pretty well with my roster so far.

LIES! You only have 9.  The last two are still on backorder. 

Lies or not, the fact that they are on order means alot. Ive got one on order that is not expected to arrive until late 2008!

I dont have too many engines but each one is a goodie.

I think this thread should be required reading for any one contemplating trying to get cheap items to save a dollar on the hobby.

Oh, I agree that backorder/preorder means a lot... it was just the wording Tom used.  And I'm jealous of the BLI Mohawk.

I have 8 to my name in a little under a year... well, 7 and a Stewart AB set of FT's on preorder...

 

Four (3 Mantua and a Bachmann) were relatively inexpensive (well, less than $30 each), another two were in the "dirt cheap" (nearly junk) category that just needed cleaned, the last two are bordering on the expensive to really expensive (granted really expensive is >$100)

[Anonymous]

No need to be jealous.. saving a few dollars each month gets you the Mohawk if that is the engine you want. PCM FINALLY created the 8 axle tender for the PRR 2-10-0 and I have time to take care of that pending purchase.

I rather send 50 dollars a month and save it towards one good engine instead a box full of junkers.

[NeO6874]

Oh, there is reason for it.... he's gonna show it off at the club and then I'm gonna want one, and there won't be any left.  But I did get the passenger cars .

Not to mention that it's looking to be a beautiful locomotive, and I have neither the money nor the space for it.  Although, maybe I'll luck into some overtime this summer...

[tstage]

Actually, Dan is correct.  I only have 9 locomotives so far.  I somehow added 2 more to my roster than I actually had.  (And I wasn't even counting or thinking of the pre-ordered ones.)

Dan, chances are there will still be a few BLI Mohawks available.  And I won't be the only one bring one to the club meeting when it comes out.  Cort ordered one, too.  And, like I told you in the e-mail before, we can always time-share the L-4 and your Walthers NYC passenger cars.  That will make for one pertty sight on the club layout...

Tom

[tstage]

Actually, Dan is correct.  I only have 9 locomotives so far.  I somehow added 2 more to my roster than I actually had.  (And I wasn't even counting or thinking of the pre-ordered ones.)

Dan, chances are there will still be a few BLI Mohawks available.  And I won't be the only one bring one to the club meeting when it comes out.  Cort ordered one, too.  And, like I told you in the e-mail before, we can always time-share the L-4 and your Walthers NYC passenger cars.  That will make for one pertty sight on the club layout...

Tom

[cudaken]

 As a whole junk has been very, very, very good to me. I am new to this hobby at a mer 14 months and was buying with out knowing what I was buying. OK, the cheap LL engines are sitting in a box under the bench. But the cheap LL, Tyco and Bachmann cars that I have worked on are doing just fine. But what they really did was make me think and learn!

 If I had it to do over there are things I would not have bought. It was driving me nuts say 8 months ago. But with the help of great people here I was able to fix the junk cars and make them pull as good as the RTR $ stuff. Now I do like to tinker with stuff and making something that is junk is what I have done all my life. Being a Gear Head and main hobby plus being in the Body Shop bess for 25 years will do that to you. Heck the 69 Charger in my ICON broke in half from rust! So making a TYCO Old Dutch Hopper pull like a Athearn RTR is child play with some knowage from people here. (have 34 of them)

 On old none running engines, I have yet to meet a old Athearn Blue Box or Proto 2000 I did not like. Easy to figuer out and you can still get parts. On DCC engines, well they are still over my head when it comes to decoder problems.

 Still get a thrill seeing a 30 year old Athearn with metal wheels frames darg a 25 car train.

                      Junk Man Ken

   

 

[OzarkBelt]

I've found that Trainworld has good prices. I was able to get two Erie-Built diesel locos, proto 1000 for 14.99 each (plus shipping) they have some good deals on there.

just my

[bogp40]

 As a whole junk has been very, very, very good to me. I am new to this hobby at a mer 14 months and was buying with out knowing what I was buying. OK, the cheap LL engines are sitting in a box under the bench. But the cheap LL, Tyco and Bachmann cars that I have worked on re doing just fine. But what they really did was make me think and learn!

 If I had it to do over there are things I would not have bought. It was driving me nuts say 8 months ago. But with the help of great people here I was able to fix the junk cars and make them pull as good as the RTR $ stuff. Now I do like to tinker with stuff and making something that is junk his what I have done all my life. Being a Gear Head has a hobby and in the Body Shop bess for 25 years will do that to you. Heck the 69 Charger in mu ICON broke in half from rust! So making a TYCO Old Dutch Hopper pull like a Athearn RTR is child play with some knowage from people here. (have 34 of them)

 On old none running engines, I have yet to meet a old Athearn Blue Box or Proto 2000 I did not like. Easy to figuer out and you can still get parts. On DCC engines, well they are still over my head when it comes to decoder problems.

 Still get a thrill seeing a 30 year old Athearn with metal wheels frames darg a 25 car train.

                      Junk Man Ken

   

 

Ken,

I'm with you on this. As a "Motor Head" from way back, I used to love working on any piece that I got my hands on. Heck, if I used to take some Detroit iron and modify the he** out of it to work and handle the way I wanted it to, making a Lifelike or Tyco piece run good was child's play. In the past I've had more hours and $$ in one engine (a big block Chevy or my 340s) than I have spent on all my trains since getting into the hobby. When first into the hobby, I was newly married and had small children, not much $$ then to buy trains, so I didn't have much choice. Hmm, priorities-cars or trains. Then even the cars took a back seat, the family Caravan was the "hot rod".

Now I find myself a bit more picky (and can afford to be), the RTR stuff out these days has really taken the modeler out of "Model RR" for the most part. My Atlas, P2K, BLI and Stewart stuff is unbelievable right out of the box. I still enjoy detailing the units to be true to the prototype though.

I guess one thing some of us that have been in the hobby for a while should realize is that some Newbies may be right where we were and are enjoying working on the cheap stuff also.

[Midnight Railroader]

Caveat Emptor.  It was posted above every business in ancient Rome.  It means buyer beware.  The wisdom of the last generation never seems to be passed on to the younger, and the younger must learn anew the same lessons.

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

...which is why I spent five years in college.

Okay, maybe I'd better get back to MR topics...

[cudaken]

 Bogp40, the other way I looked at it Model Trains ware out like real cars either train or auto's. One day the new RTR car booster will ware out, couplers will go bad, Bought new BLI steamer will stop running etc. At that point you either list them on E-bay and stick someone with your problem or fix them.

 I started fixing them, then when my New High Dollar Stuff went bad instead of sending it back for warranty work that takes 4 months I fixed them my self. Case in point, new never ran BLI M1a with sound started to make a clicking sound. From my junk PK2's I knew it was a bad center gear. BLI sent me the new center gear for free and I fixed it. Took me a while say 4 hours but not 4 months.

 Junk can be good.

                Cuda Ken 

[emdgp92]

Junk has been good to me too. I've always tinkered with things--first fixing, and then modifying--to suit my needs.

But, even that has its limits. Some engines, just aren't worth fixing anymore. That's why I have a Tyco four-axle Alco sitting near the enginehouse, and some F units in the deadline. All are dead  and the (heavily-weathered) Fs have some internal parts missing. But, in a deadline, who cares?

[howmus]

Sounds like you have gotten past the hardest part of the learning curve. 

"When you buy it cheap, you get cheap goods."  - John Kelly; Former Supt. of Schools, Waverly, NY speaking about his own salary raise to the Board of Education.  (The following year after working without a contract for 18 months it was a staple of the teacher's picket signs....)