Over the past few weeks, I've been acquiring model railroad stuff, all at discount (except for detail parts and couplers), since I don't believe in paying full MSRP. First up, this gem: Athearn 60-foot flat with two John Deere tractors. Retail is about 22 bucks, but I picked it up at deep discount at Whistle Stop in Portland for 11 bucks- the box was beat up. I repalced the wannabe couplers with Kadee 58s, and it's good to go. (The BOX was beat up, and the PRICE goes down????mg: ) Athearn Blue-box SD40-2 custom-painted for KCS. I'll add some extra details and better (KADEE) couplers, and it'll join another KCS SD40-2 I'm working on, so I can model a detour KCS freight. (This one's for Charlie, SLSFFreak, and all other Frisco Fans): N scale Atlas B30-7, which will join two Frisco GP38s I have at home. I didn't pay full price for any of this stuff. Matter of fact, if I can help it, I prefer to buy at full retail price, either at swap meets, online, in discount shelves at hobby shops, or on THAT auction site. And here on TB Trainstore too, of course........
Nice scores. I like that frisco unit alot. I had a loco I wanted go down into deep Discount at my LHS. One day I asked the guy in the store " you think it'll go any cheaper?" he said no. A week later it was on 40% discount off the discount price. he he he. Good things come to those who wait.
Funny, I was just at the Bakersfield trainshow and I was perplexed by the vendors charging what I thought were outrageous prices on locos in particular. If you're going to a show, drop your fricking price OK. There were some good deal;s to be had. One guy had a really nice Walthers P32-8 or whatever it's called for $35. Cheaper then anyone else there. There were also a lot of Athearn and RPP shelled Tunnel motors, but that's probably typical in SP country. The other thing I learned is that I should model transition. There is so much Athearn, MDC, Roundhouse etc. Transition era stuff that's for sale used at these events. you could stock a good sized club layout with it all and most of it comes with KayDees. I had to hunt through to find anything useful to a modern modeller and what I really wanted was centerbeam flats. I found not one new or used. I also wanted some tank cars. Found a few RTR new ones at prices I was unwilling to pay.
Geeky, Last year Caboose Hobbies had a sale on LifeLike Proto2000 SD45- they were going for 65 bucks apiece (full retail was 140), and I picked up two. If one looks around, one finds bargains. Please keep in mind I didn't start this post to brag about my purchases, but rather one doesn't have to pay full retail to be in this hobby.
I picked up a new undecorated Atlas SD35 at the LHS for $46...was trying to find a EMD GP18, but nothing was going to be close to that price. Please tell me I didn't get ripped lol The way I see it, if you walk away feeling like you got a good price, then you did, even if someone else found it cheaper...that's how I sleep at night
First, you didn't get ripped. But you already knew that. Second, people who have access to a decent LHS need to support it lest the business goes under and you're left no local source. Purchasing over the internet is fine (I do a lot of it, but I have no LHS) but it's not the same as being able to go to your local shop, see what's available, chat with other modelers, and just hang out. Good way to look at it. Ed
I go to my LHS, Scale Reproductions in Louisville, KY, and get good prices there all the time. Even items I have them special order. You can get deals at swap meets and shows, but you have to be on your toes all the time. You have to remember that the swap/show won't be there next week after the NEW engine blows up.
I'm impressed with how good this looks. Minus those pesky plastic tie-downs lol If I wanted my tractor to arrive safe, I'd use something better.
I normally shop at Smitty's Train Shop in Kettering, OH or the Hobby Shop in Miamisburg. However, as I make frequent trips to Cincy there are two Hobby shops that always have very good prices. Davis Trains and Johnny's Toys. For instance the remote switches are less than $10 bucks at Johnny's and the cheapest I can get them around Dayton is $14 and some change. I just bought a stinking tunnel mold here in Dayton for $4.99 and saw them this evening at Johnny's for $2 something. I'm really envious of those Northern Cincinnatians, it's just too far for me to go for the little things. But I agree with the others, support your LHS or you could lose it.
Glad to hear from someone who was at the show, I was one of the vendors. Since I wasn't able to get away from my tables I can't speak for the prices of other vendors but in my own defense all of my products were offered at my normal online pricing which is already as low as I can sell and still justify being in business...with the exception that I usually took a little off of the final sales price at checkout. I'm not sure if you visited my tables but most who commented on my prices seemed to be happy. I met so many different folks at the show, it is possible that we did cross paths. If by any chance you did pick anything up from me, I hope you were happy with it. P.S. What scale centerbeams are you looking for? Contact me and I may be able to help you. I have some N Scale Centerbeams in stock and can order more in HO Scale (All of the HO Scale ones I had sold at the show). My website inventory is currently offline but I hope to have it back online by the middle of the week (still sorting through the inventory from the show). Take care,
I hear ya- I plan to replace the plastic with scale-size chains, and glue the tractors to the flat. This car is one of the special JD cars Athearn has put out, and is the old MDC 60-foot flat. It comes with metal wheels, which is a plus. BTW, Atlas is coming out with an HO scale C420, so if ya wanna model the A&M, better line up quick And no, 46 bucks for an SD35 is a great price:thumbs_up: What hobby shop did you get it from? Next time I'm in the land of the Pig People to visit my daughter & granddaughter, I may stop by. (FTR, I started my healthcare career in Ft. Smith, so I have a soft spot in my heart for that part of Arkansas)
Roger that on supporting hobby shops- I have gotten items at less-that-retail at several shops I've been in, such as Whistle Stop in Portland, OR, Maine Models in Falmouth, ME, WigWag in Albuquerque, and Discount Model Trains in Addison, TX. Customer service before & after ths sale are also benefits- and no price can be placed on good customer service.
