I was at the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MD yesterday and I found some pretty good items. It made me wonder what other people were finding and about what they were paying for it. Lets hear what you found and how you did at your train shows. Anyway, I got this DeLuxe Twin Stack (Santa Fe Trailer Train) with containers (it came just like in the picture) off the white elephant table for $16 (including 6% MD tax). At that price I had to confirm with the guy at the table because in my mind, the containers are worth more than that. It has MTs and while the wheels show a lot of wear, I'll probably switch them out for FVMs or BLMAs anyway. I also scored some Lambert HOn3 flex track (code 70) for $1 a piece. (I don't know if that's a good deal or not because I don't know the brand but it seemed like it at the time and with the price of ME flex . . . .) To top it off, I got 5 new in box older release MT cars (yellow sticker) for $40. Overall, I think it was a pretty good show. Andy Tetsu Uma
Mine was at a show I was not sure about going to. The show in Norcross GA is 60 miles away and I had just lost my job. I went to build my spirits. As I went through the aisles on my survey I spotted a gentleman sell a lot of older items. They were a unique collection of older European made items. I finished the survey loop and got serious about looking for something I could afford. After spending time with a couple of vendors that have become friends over the years, I took a look at a display of Diecast Vehicles (another interest), they were all too expensive. But next to them was that older gentleman. I went over the table with a critical eye. It was filled with all kinds of Arnold, Volmer and other gems including turntables and a couple of transfer tables. As I am a traction modeler, the transfer tables are one of those WOW items, as turntables are to the steamers, but much more rare and much more expensive. Constraining my excitement as I knew the gentleman would say $400 or more, when, I ask for the price. Well, after he finished selling to another attendee, I asked the question… "Well for that, I take $40, it only has the styrofoam, there isn't a box" was his answer. Trying not to jump or squeal as I said "I'll take it" was really tough but I'm the proud owner of a fully functional, self aligning transfer table and it's controller. You can take a look at it in my gallery http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1192
I was at the Great Scale Train show in Timonium yesterday as well. Picked up two new Kato SD40-2's for $60.00 each, a TCS K1D4 decoder for one of them for $32.00 as well as some tools that I need (fingers to hold small screws), drill bit set and some green putty.
Last year at the "Springfield" show my love, Grandure Lady, picked up a "pink" boxcar. She is the greatest.
Sacramento GTExpo- last month, all I came across was a cool dude selling MT cars for $10 flat. Picked up a grip of NP stuff and some reefers, and gave a birthday budget to my modeling buddy Todd and he did the same. Also the folks at (I believe RSlaser?) one booth had some nice little weathered and custom-signboarded CMW vehicles- I got a Hunt Trucking tractor trailer, it was a cool piece! Sadly, nothing really heart-stopping to be found. I was recognizing vendors by their inventory, dust form the last umpteen shows on their merch.....
A couple months ago at the GATS in Puyallup WA. I picked up a Roundhouse “Solid Cold” and an Atlas “Solid Gold” FGE boxcar. At $3 a piece (no tax) I figure I got them at 80% + off of ebay prices. Brian
Mine was back on Jan 8th at a local 'podunk' train show. I was sad because the show was about 80% HO & O stuff, and what N was there was already familiar stuff from the last local train show. Was on my last pass through and saw a Sealed Walthers Goldenflame Kit - no price - so I asked, figuring like $35 - and he replied "for that, $15" Sold - a $50 'retired kit' (means evil-bay will ask $75 for em) for $15 - that was worth the trip
Man, and I thought *I* scored when I picked one up for $45 at a swap meet (no containers though)! In my experience, the ONLY wheels that fit reliably on these trucks are Atlas metal wheels. Not prototypical in looks, but they're the ones that perform the best with these cars. The FVMs are either too big or small an axle width (they will either not spin freely or will fall off your trucks). Congrats!
I have six sets of the first run of the twin stacks with MTs with many hours on them, I just clean the wheels.
I picked up four rail books for $20 total, including the _Lines West_ book on the GN, _The Willamette Locomotive_ by Hauff and Gertz, a collection of Warren Wing photographs, and _Steam Toward Sunset_ about the early railroads around Newport.