Hey All, I've recently acquired the new Kato P42DC with Via Rail markings as my very first acquisition for an eventual N-Scale layout. It's DCC compatible, so I should start looking for an appropriate decoder ASAP. I'll also be keeping an eye out for Budd passenger cars, either unmarked or with Via markings. I would be looking for Decal sheets in the case of unmarked cars... Anyway, with that sort of preamble, I am looking at building a semi-prototype layout based on the operations in the area in which I live. The Via Passenger train is more for continuous running rather than a decorative show piece... My primary interest is CN Rail. However, as I'm beginning to find out, acquiring appropriate locomotives with the appropriate markings is actually a bit of a challenge. Case in point. Occasionally, I've seen the CN line near my place running some interesting consists. On occasion, I've even seen them running the GE C44-9W "Dash 9." Kato made this particular locomotive in 1997... but my understanding is this one is simply no longer available... aside from the occasional ebay auction. CN also runs SD40-2 in various configurations, which do seem to be available from Kato... Although doesn't seem to be through various catalogues and dealers... hrm... I guess I am looking for advice as to where to look. My acquisition of locomotives will be a slow one to be sure. I am looking for what sorts of priorities I need to set when acquiring locomotives. Should I get a larger main-line loco first, or should I look at acquiring a switcher? My intended layout does have some switching aspects to it... Thoughts for a new newbie? I am a reasonably competent model painter, so would I go so far as to acquire engine components and an unmarked shell of the particular locomotive I am looking for? Thanks... John [ 06. November 2003, 15:54: Message edited by: Agatheron ]
The first thing you should do is contact your local hobby store and see what they have in stock. Often, they will make an effort to carry the trains you always see locally. Sometimes the prices are higher than at other places, like online and mail-order stores, but the service should offset that. Note that I wrote "should." Don't support a store that doesn't help you, and let them know why you won't shop there. Second, check out some of the online hobby stores, such as our sponsor, Internet Trains. You can usually find some good deals, and you might just find the engines you want. However, service can sometimes be lacking, and it's a lot harder to straighten out any problems. Third, keep an eye on eBay. You will probably find the engines you want there, though the prices can get out of hand if someone else wants that engine more than you do! If that happens, just wait a while. It will usually show up again. As far as which engines to purchase first, that's up to you. It may simply be a matter of buying the first one you want that shows up! If you want to keep your spending under control, then make a list of what engines and cars you want, and stick to it! (That's easier said than done, however!!!) Last, don't be afraid to ask questions on this forum. You might leave a post on the CN part of the forum, for more information on what engines frequent your part of Canada. There's always someone around to help answer your questions! Pat
Pat gives you some very good advice. What he says rings true. You might also check around your home area for any SWAP MEETS/TRAIN SHOWS going on. I don't mean just those GATS shows either. Ask at your local hobby shop about any local shows.
John: There are a number of steps to take to this. First is to define the priorities that you want regarding the locomotive acquisition. To start this I'd suggest getting one of the available collector guides that defines all the locomotives and passenger cars that you desire. John Armstrong guide that is released in June is athe correct one. (Obtain from www.TexNRails.com). Kato released a catalog of locomotives for their 10 year anniversary, This will provide color pictures of the engines and cars. I believe that this can still be obtained. Lastly there are internet sites that list all the items and include pricing if they have it. Amherst Depot is one that comes to mind (www.amherst-depot.com) You need to decide whether to purchase because the site commands a premium price. TexNrails, N Scale Supply, Caboose hobbies, etc. all have consignment pages that are also worth lookng at. It is posible to obtain the old discontinued cars and locomotives. It just takes patience and don't over pay for what you want. I used this approach to obtain the engines that I could not afford earlier in my life. I hope this helped. Kind Regards, Jerry
I have acquired several locos from Ebay (mostly Dash 9's and one B23-7). I've received some as gifts...and the rest I bought from Rio Grand Hobbies (http://www.4nscale.com). At least in my experience my LHS has been a little bit more expensive....and I've had good luck and good service from Rio Grand Hobbies
Its easy to get into the "I gotta get it now" mode psychologically. In my opinion, for some such as myself, engine collecting was a direct contributor to not advancing the layout. My motto now is resources acquisition and building where it is most needed now. There are lots of guys who have hundreds of engines but nothing to run them on. I know this for a fact as I gave a buddy who has thousands of engines, but had nothing to run them on, an older layout I had. If you're like many of us, funds are limited so put the money towards that which will get you to your layout faster. So plan, and work the plan. You will be invigorated with how inspirational getting the benchwork up can be. Don't be put off by limited runs, I have seen many extinct engines come back from extinction. Also I will provide a link to a Vancouver store that receives a lot of "used" items and some are custom painted. Check them out at least once a week. www.pacificscalerail.com Don't just look at their site. They aren't that great at upgrading their site. Instead send an email once a week asking if any new "used" N engines have come in. Be persitent as it will be quiet for some time, then all of a sudden a glut of stuff. Of course the very best used stuff is some guy who custom painted his engines, then had to sell them for whatever reasons. I have lots of these kinds of engines bought from the above LHS.
Rick brings up a valid point....and I can attest to it myself as I have 4 SD70MAC's, 3 C44-9W's, 3 Dash 8-40BW's and 1 B23-7....all with not a single length of track to run them on. Just an observation on the above website...their prices seemed kind of high to me. They were asking $142.28 for a new Atlas Dash 8-40BW. I think I paid about $75 a piece for mine. Are they always high? [ 10. November 2003, 19:47: Message edited by: Hoss ]
The prices are higher because they're listed in Canadian Funds... Assuming the exchange rate is current, the Canadian dollar is at about $0.76 US. So the price you quoted ($142.28) would be about $107 US. I am guessing that those prices are old. At the beginning of the year, the exchange rate was much different, being at one Canadian dollar being around $0.63 US. Which would have made that item around $89 US. Since I get paid in CDN funds, doesn't make as much of a difference for me... Although buying stuff stateside is becoming more appealing. At any rate... I will take the advice on the locomotives. I would like to find a Dash 9 and a GP9 at some point, but I do need to build up a layout first
