I've bought both new and used. Ask your snobby train pusher whether or not the vehicle he drives was bought new or used, or the building he's in now is new or used, or even the house he lives in. If he asks what the point is, tell him that not everything we get these days is brand new. If he still doesn't get it, pity him. He probably doesn't see a big profit margin on the used stuff like he would on new. Which is true' I'm sure, but it's YOUR money you're spending, not his. I picked up several used HO scale locomotives, and have been happy with all of them! I've also got a couple of used N scale engines, plus some used (or "pre-owned", if you will) rolling stock. It's called smart shopping. As far as I'm concerned, it's OK to have used equipment, and if you're in the Grand Junction, CO area (and if I'm off the road), you're more than welcome to run your used N scale stuff on my railroad anytime!
If the loco/car/or? is on the list of items needed to complete my empire, and the piece happens to be used, so be it. A thorough looking over, as carefully as humanly possible, and then the decision whether or not to add it to my roster. Shopping for just the right item, is one reason a swap meet is so much fun. Sort of similar to a treasure hunt. The satisfaction is great, when you spot that new or used jewel on a table! If it's a bargain, so much the better! BoxcabE50
Why do we have to defend buying used model trains? We think nothing of buying a used...(er excuse me), pre-owned cars. If the price is right, go for it! If it's a dud, sell it on ebay as test run only.
One final thought: After you buy something new and run it a few times, it's used anyway- so what's the deal? The only way to keep something "new" is to never run it, and where's the fun in that? (Hoo boy, did I start a new thread on collectors vs. runners? I hope not!)
no used stuff over here because I don't know any other N scaler modeling canadian prototypes here in Switzerland. All of my 100 locos and 800+ cars were bought new... Buying thru evil-bay is not very cheap 'cos of the shipping costs and custom taxes.
If real railroads can buy used why not modellers. We are after all just following their practices. I have bought a sizeable portion of my fleet, close to 50 locos are used depending on your definition and have no problems doing so. LHS do not always carry a engine that is a few years old so ebay to the rescue. Plus with todays limited releases unless your a millionaire and can afford to reserve everything you will end up missing the boat at least a couple of times on that hot engine so if you want it used may be your only option. I have no stigma buying used anything for my layout. Elistist can say what they want but it all comes down to the finished product IMO.
Hey, the real railroads buy used stuff, so why shouldn't we? That makes us more prototypical, eh? I've bought some used locos from EBAY and train lists, but I'm careful about whether or not I'm ready to take on a potential restoration project. What does irk me, though, is when you take somebody at their word that the loco is TRO or NIB, then you get something else. (HermanZGerman, you were just kidding, right?! ) That's happened twice. Got a Kato SD45 from a reputable dealer outside of San Francisco that was missing a horn and the box looked like it had been through a war zone. I will admit, the engine runs fine, but I was sure skeptical before I put it on the track. I do like a bargain, though. [ 03 July 2002, 18:25: Message edited by: Shelbybla1 ]
Hello, another multiple-offender from the Atlas Boards here.... I see nothing at all wrong with buying gently used equipment if that is what you need for your layout or collection. Given how much of N-scale over the last 15 years is OOP, oftentimes buying used is almost unavoidable...there are not many original Atlas/Kato RS-3/4-5/11/12s kicking around anywhere that dont have SOME test time on them... and depending upon your needs, brutally used equipment can be just as good... One last defense on behalf of the used stuff...for the younger ones in our hobby, with prices of Atlas/Kato/LL at, if not close to, $100 list for diesels, that $30 Atlas/Kato RS-11 is just the ticket to great, reliable power at low cost!
It sounds like you got an early ConCor Hudson powered by Sekisui (old Kato). This can be easily identified by the metal valvegear and steel wheels (like Athearn's and not nickel silver). They need a lot of TLC to get them to run and more TLC to keep them running. I would suggest that you first, clean and lub the engine thoroughly, and wipe off any accumulation on the drive wheels. To get optimum performance you will probably need to install tender pickup. First, plan a method to permanently connect the tender to the loco. I use a rubber washer on the male fixture on the tender. I would recommend you purchase a new Hudson tender from ConCor as it contains pickups and feeder lines from both sides. Solder the line to the correct and corresponding pole on the loco's motor. You will see the difference immediately. Ken "Steamguy" Willaman Second, using small pieces of brass rod and
I better set the record straight as I think I am tending to mislead some forum'ers as to my abilities in the N scale steam area. First, I love steam locomotives more than any other locomotive, and that passion was further embellished with a vacation ride on a steam excursion in Chattanooga last week. Second, I am a person who has been around this scale with intensity for quite some time. I have a pretty profound knowledge of the scale, but I will tell you I bow down to most forum regulars and my fellow club members. Additionally, I talk and listen to a lot of people in this scale. In a nutshell, I run pretty wide but not very deep. I tinker around with locomotives and keep a large inventory (about 300 total locos - 110 steam, the balance electric and diesel), and in order for a loco to make "my shelf" the loco has to be running pretty darn good. Sometimes, if the mechanism is simple, I re-motor it. Other times, I replace, clean and lube it and that provides results. Even other times, I try to enhance performance by kitbashing, or adding power pickups to tenders, which was taught to me. It is very simple and takes about an hour. I am by no means not an expert, as many of you know, I often am make arrangements to have members of my club perform repairs or arrange repairs through my friends in either of the forums. A few months ago, I was developing a real N scale ego until I saw that my level of knowledge compared to many/most of you is total peanuts. I will always try to offer what I think works for me or has worked for me. I can never advocate a 20 year locomotive run like one of today's. I am drawn maybe by history and tradition to the older locomotives, such as the Sekisui Hudsons and have made them pretty reliable by adding power to the tender or adding a powerized tender. They are still very noisy and clunky but run smoothly and pull respectfully. Again, I accept that I only have enhanced the dated performance of the loco, and not made some magical transformation. Last night, I watched our club test run a 30 year old Mehano powered Atlas GP40, loud brass gears and single pickup and all, run its course throughout the layout for over 2 hours. I gained a new respect for that locomitve. If anyone wants learn how to install power in a tender that doesn't have any pick up, please e-mail me and I will send you a sheet I made up for some club members. It isn't my design, but copied from a re-motored and upgraded Bachmann Northern I purchased in '98 and still now one of the best runners in my fleet and I have them all. I am by no means an expert, but will share any and all information I have, as the benefit, support, information and help has exceeded whatever I contributed by hundredfold. I am not trying to act superficially humble, but in every forum, I know I learn at least 5 things new everyday, and some of those things you guys consider very elementary.
