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N scale, but No Locomotive Or Cars
Cecil has a question for readers:
“I have a lot of track but no locomotive and no cars. 23.456 ft of track. I go to e bay a try to get things but get out bid. What do I do to get what I want? I don’t want to sell any of my track. I want to make a big layout. What to do?”
6 Responses to N scale, but No Locomotive Or Cars
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Cecil, it sounds like you need to bid a higher price for things you want to buy. Your question is very confusing. You want to buy a loco and some cars but don’t want to pay for them?? I’m confused???
I don’t know where you live, but if you check out the Events sections of most model train magazines, you can find model train swap meets. Most of what I have, was purchased at them. You do risk getting defective stuff, so beware, take a 9v battery with you, to test engines on the fly. You will find some amazing deals if you know what to look for, but remember, it’s buyer beware. I don’t have time to assemble building kits, so I buy used built ones. you will find rare old engines and rolling stock, parts, accessories, you name it. Try to get there early, it pays off.
Cecil
Do you know any modelers around you? If you do, ask them what “train meets”, “train shows” or train flea markets” are coming to your area. November is Model Railroad month and just about every medium to large city will have these events beginning this weekend. You can go with your friend or by yourself and browse to your heart’s content at one of these meets. Know what you are looking for. Go around to ALL the vendors present FIRST before you buy anything, but remember where you saw something you liked/needed. For N scale, there will be many vendors, so the price will be your final issue if you see more than one of what you’re looking for. Most will deal a little depending on how new (just released items are not usually discounted) you like. Something they have had around for a while may be something they will budge on. However, you will NOT find e-BAY “auction” prices typically there. But at least you know what you are buying. You may be losing at e-Bay because what you are bidding on is a popular item. Remember what it sold for last time and go that high next time and add a little more. Typically Santa Fe and Union Pacific stuff goes for more. Keep going back if you can’t give up e-Bay. It’s still a BUYER BEWARE field and you have to pay shipping. At the local meets, you will avoid that cost and know (physically see) what you are buying while supporting model vendors. That works out best for everyone. BTW, if you are an internet person, I don’t know why you haven’t “searched” for what you are looking for. If you don’t have a clue what words to search on, get a “Model Railroader” magazine and page through the model manufacturer’s ads. Now you’ll have specific info to search for on the web. Remember to search for “model train”
If you are building a large layout and the trains will be pulling realistic loads ie. weight and traveling longer distances, then you can save a lot of money and buy a good quality new loco fit for the work required and that can do the job. By buying new you get reliability, up to date tooling, and looks. Buying cheaply one Ebay is normally buying what others want to get rid of – ask yourself why are they selling- is it weak/old/unreliable/not fit for the purpose. The answer is to buy new.
much like my keyboard – lol
Allan is right -buy new. Try to get a suitable loco from Atlas and you can’t go wrong. Also try MB Klein for model stuff. I use them all the time and am very satisfied with the prices and the service.
John