I am curious as to how many of the people that visit this forum are subscribers to the N Scale Collector Magazine and what you consider your most prized collectable. I joined the N-Scale Collector group sometime in the last 2 years, and I attended the convention in Medford, Oregon, this last summer. I had a great time and met a lot of nice folks. I would like to go to Tulsa this next summer, but probably will not be able to work it into my schedule. Although I consider myself to be primarily interested in operations and running the cars that I buy, I got interested in the N-scale Collector after purchasing a couple of the Graffiti Collector Series cars on eBay. At the convention last summer I was able to finally get at least one of every one of the GCS cars. I probably will not run those cars because they seem to be increasing in value with every passing month, but I will be decaling some of my regular cars with graffiti just so they look more prototypical. I'm interested in hearing about your most prized model railroad possession even if you are not a member of the N-scale Collector. N-joy,
I have a lot of neet stuff, but my favorite is my Atlas NP Standard Cupola Caboose. It's one of the better detailed pieces I have seen, and I wish I modeled MRL because that baby is just beautiful! I agree that some of those graffiti cars look fantastic, but I have been trying to stick to the roofwalk era, so I don't have any. There was a vendor at the GAT Show last weekend that had a lot of old Microtrains cars starting at $30 up to one he wanted $365 for, so I know the value of rare models can get up there. I finally seen the new Intermountain and Microtrains FT's at the Trainshop in Santa Clara today, and those are also very fine models. The details were fantastic, and I can't wait until the NP offerings are available.
I've got to agree those Atlas cabooses (cabeese?) pray59 mentions are very nice. Am very happy to have mine! Then my mind starts wandering a little. And I think of all those great deLuxe Innovations box cars. (Especially the six NP!) But I finally seem to settle on my OMI brass Milw bay window caboose. It's a jewel! (Even if it is still unpainted....... Boxcab E50
I am an Accumulator not a Collector.... if it means the buy decision for a Collector is based on the future value of an item or its rarity or graphics that commemorate an event or other non-prototype paint scheme. I accumulate with the thought of actually running the cars that I buy....and probably weathering them and body mounting the couplers at some point in the future. I won't pay more than a few bucks over retail for a car I want because, THEY ARE MODEL CHOO CHOOs, not gold! That having been said, the N Scale Collector Association has many fine people in it and I suspect that most of them are Accumulators, with the Collectors (Futures and Commodity Brokers) who are concerned with factory sealed air and other esoteric issues, a rather small minority even of that organization. Their conventions represent one third of the N Scale community (NTRAK and Lone Wolves being the other two thirds) and are very worthwhile to attend even if you do not bow to the northwest every morning and believe that Deep Flanges Are Good For You.... <ggggggg> Charlie
HERE, HERE, Charlie! I like running my stuff, not collecting. I just don't understand how $12.00 of plastic could ever amount to $2,000.00. Nope, can't see it...
My greatest joy comes in buying a "collectors' MT car, ripping open the box, and running the car. Trains are made to run, not gather dust. I'm sure there are some collectors out there that love me.
The first thing that happens, after my decision to purchase any car , is that it immediately hits the workbench for coupler body mounting. Then there is no second thought of collector value. And it's now ready to roll away the miles on my forthcoming empire. Boxcab e50
am Accumulator as well as of right how I don't have a layout to run as of yet but soon very soon and I wouldn't care if the cars or engines where made out of gold I would still run them to me thats whats its all about having fun and running trains rich
