Anyone know the status of the roundhouse Pacific's?
Considering the end of my model railroad career is probably near due to high rising costs at an alarming rate (and lack of a local hobby shop that care about the walk in customers that i can get to) I'm gonna have to drop out of the hobby. But I was hoping to get my hands on those locomotives before I left the hobby in Decemeber. I figure I will go to the end of the year.
a few examples of why i'm leaving the hobby.....
the new Bachmann 4-4-0 Baldwin, No sound DCC Eqquipped retails for $300.00, I don't even make that much in a week. same goes for the 3 truck climax. Both Locomotives i would like to add to my collection but can not see how I can.
the Roundhouse Milk cars were when I first started getting some for a Milk Express were $12. Now in their last run they were selling for $18(thats no the MSRP which went from $16 or 17 to 22)
I guess this months GSMTS will be my last, as will the funeral train I am still trying to gather funds for to make for my fallen pup Purdy(I lost two dogs this year to death, one was medically induced and the 2nd, Purdy died of natural causes) will be my last custom project. I have Purdy's engine done and i have the casket car mostly done, and i still need to get 3 more coaches.
I'll probably keep my website up for people to see the custom work i've done, but before you ask I do not intend to sell any of my collection so if i ever can afford to get back into the hobby i wont have to start all over.
I think you have been shopping in the wrong place. Here in the Chicago area no one sells or stocks Bachmann at all.
I have purchased most of mine from Trainworld and The Favorite spot on ebay.
Probably 40 engines and only had to return one to Bachmann for replacement.
They are covered under full warranty.
I got my 4-4-0's (3) and my 4-6-0's (2) as well as 2-10-2's all for under $70.00 each with shipping. All spectrum models.
With almost 10% local tax the shipping is about the same.
Bob
I got my richmonds and 4-6-0's for about 100 each. but they were released years ago, i got em when they first come out. the MSRP on the richmonds were lower then the new baldwins.
I live in Baltimore MD but at this time i'm having a falling out with MB Klein for many reasons. so right nw i'm not really shopping there.
I cannot comment on other brands here.
I found there the Spectrum 4-4-0 DCC ready, pre order for $169 at Caboose Hobbies.
I sent you other brand info via your Facebook page.
You really need to take time to search the 'Net carefully. There are good prices out there.
I have been buying New York Central Pacemaker freight cars with different numbers off of ebay for less than $20.00, including shipping.
Sometimes Micro Mark has the DCC ready but right now they have the Spectrum 4-4-0 with sound for $231.95. Don't know if it is stock though.
I have bought from MB Klein on line but never had any issue with them.
Rich
$169 is still high for me. thats over half a pay check. For bachmann its no problem to hold on to money to buy as they will make em for a while. But i've missed out on other things from other manufactures because they only do one run of things. simply because i didn't have the money to get em by the time they came out. and my LHS which i no longer go to would be sold out of it within a week or two.
Now just because you don't have enough money to buy something new right now doesn't mean you have to leave the hobby. I haven't gotten something new for 9 months now. But, I still enjoy the hobby. Now, since Christmas is coming up, I'll be getting somethings new. Now sure it's always nice to get something new often, but since the economy's in a slump, we can't get as much. What you can do until you get more money is to start weathering frieght cars and engines. Maybe add a little more scenery to your layout. Do some kitbashing, or modifying things. Maybe repaint or detail an engine or frieght car. Just saying, you don't really have to give up the hobby for now. Just my 2 cents ;)
BORRF,
You will find, as you get older, you need something to focus on that doesn't involve your career or your family. There' a little place in your mind and heart that is your own private passion. At the present you've chosen trains as your personal passion. Whether or not you have funds, you will find your mind going there and your passion calling you. It could be golf, or gardening, or a myriad of other profitless pursuits. SOMETHING will call to your creative juices.
There is more to the hobby than expensive rolling stock. It's high time you started planning and building a small layout, even if it's just a simple timesaver puzzle. Look for leftover scraps to use as building materials.
When I'm broke (which is often), I work on scenic elements. You'd be amazed what you can create with some weeds and some free paint sticks from Home Depot. There are plenty of freebies for building stuff.
I know you will be going to Timonium, with the rest of us hopeless trainlovers. Look for some cheap track and an old power pack. For $20-30 you could create a little spot to run the wonderful stock you already have.
Also, stop looking for this year's hotest model. Look for the model that was the latest thing perhaps three years ago. You'll find they are 1/3 the price. That's how I afford my wonderful locos. In two or three years, I'll be able to afford the latest B&O 4-4-0 modern. Imagine how cheap it will be at all the train shows by then.
Your work has been inspirational. Don't give up, just take a break maybe. The future is not set.
Regards,
Jonathan
And there's a lack of willingness to help in this hobby too. I may have to throw away a perfectly good Athearn chassis because one truck needs a new sideframe and I can't get part of the old sideframe out. If no one wants to help me with that problem, maybe they can just buy me a brand new engine to repalce the one that I can't use anymore.
Hey B&O,
I understand your frustration. I've been out of the hobby for 20 years and now I've decided to get back into it. I'm really disappointed with the prices. They are too high. $35.00 for a freight car? $50.00 for a building kit? It's enough to push me right back out before I even start. I'll try for awhile I guess. Once I take the plunge, I'm in for the haul.
I guess I'll take a different stand. How many loco's do you NEED? I have a nice sized home based HO scale layout with more than 150 feet of track. I have a total of 4 loco's. Yup 4. A 4-4-0, 2-8-0, 2-8-2, and a 0-6-0 switcher. And they are more than capable of taking care of my railroading needs.
I'm in the hobby to enjoy myself. Not run my bank account into the ground. Or have to take out a second mortgage.
I guess to each his, or her, own but take the hobby for what you can. Enjoy yourself. Isn't that what it's all about? I'd hate to see a layout of your quality sitting around and not being used. What a shame that would be.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
Jay
I know the feeling. I will be seventy in a few months and live on my SS check this is slightly under $2,000 a month. I am widowed so live with my stepson and share expenses with him.
I have learned to enjoy what I have and can shop wisely so I do find bargains, quite often on ebay.
One big advantage for me is I work out a lot and have learned to control calorie intake which has allowed me to reduce my food bill. I only use a cell phone and do not text people which has allowed a lower phone bill. The land line was costing me quite a lot.
My rolling stock has cost me over $20.00 once when I bought a well detailed kit. I have found some resin kits for under $20.00. Completed resin rolling stock is nice but to expensive for me.
Don't forget, being an inspiration to others can help the model railroad community.
Doing various Google searches can many times give you ideas on how to improve or enhance what you have to work with. Sometimes we have to think outside of our self.
Your mileage may vary.
Rich
unlike many other hobbies, it is possible to have a modest budget in this one. i myself am not rich, and have gone through periods of grinding poverty. but i've always found a way to have a layout to work on.
you do good work and are not afraid of modifying things to suit your prototype. why not try scratchbuilding buildings and freight cars instead of locomotives? the costs will be much less, and you already have the skills you'd need to be successful.....
I'm about to quit myself since I can;t get any help with an engine that looks like it wants to catch fire. There are sparks coming out of the damn cab.
I too, like sparkyjay have only 4 good locomotives. 1 ok Athearn CSX AC4400, 1 ok Athearn P42 phase 5, 1 very good Spectrum HHP-8, and 1 phenomanal Athearn SW1500. It's enough for my needs. I have a decent amount of frieght cars too. I can't really buy anything since I need to save up for a car once I get my license, so I leave it to Christmas for getting my engines/frieght cars.
Quote from: Ken S. on October 17, 2010, 01:28:55 PM
I'm about to quit myself since I can;t get any help with an engine that looks like it wants to catch fire. There are sparks coming out of the damn cab.
Sparks coming from the cab? I say you just leave the engine and get a new one. Use the parts for a scrap yard or something. That's what me and my friend do. We smash stuff, then use the insides for a scrap yard. Looks nice. I also see that you need a new sideframe for an Athearn engine. Athearn has a parts list on there website: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Parts/Default.aspx
Just find the product number of the part your looking for and look on the left side of the page and find the number your looking for.
I got the sideframes already, installed them last night. I went to test run the engine and found this problem. It's 2 Athearn engiines that I paid less then $100 for that I'm gonna have to spend $500 that I don't have right now to replace. I have an AMD-103 that's only taking power in the rear truck.
Hey do not leave.
I have a Bachmann 4 4 0 CB&Q etc that has about 5 minutes of runtime and was new last year. I find that it does not like the EZ track switches. It was 70 bucks w/o DCC. What you got to trade? I like logging flats or a camp car. It ought to be worth $40 NIB. Be well.
Quote from: Ken S. on October 16, 2010, 06:43:36 PM
And there's a lack of willingness to help in this hobby too. I may have to throw away a perfectly good Athearn chassis because one truck needs a new sideframe and I can't get part of the old sideframe out. If no one wants to help me with that problem, maybe they can just buy me a brand new engine to repalce the one that I can't use anymore.
With that kind of a attitude it is no wonder why anyone would want to help you.
What's happened in the hobby is a function of global economics and attrition. The population of model railroad hobbiests has been shrinking as us old-timers begin to expire, and are not being replaced by younger ones on the other end. At the same time, many of those still in the hobby have been demandinng higher quality in detail and operation. Look at what's happened to the brass market. Back in the 1950's and early '60's, you could buy a PFM brass Ma & Pa 2-8-0 for $39.95. Granted, our incomes and cost of living were a lot lower, but that was still atainable for many folks. The prices kept rising, primarily because the standard of living in Japan kept rising, to the point where the importers began going to Korea, where labor was cheaper. Today, new brass is a rarity, and VERY pricey. Bachmann jumped into the Chinese market oh, maybe 20 year ago, which was then near the bottom of the cost of living ladder. You now see what has transpired as the living standard in China has started its upward climb. It may get around to where some domestic folks may see their way clear to re-enter the market, though probably only with kits. But again, with a shrinking market base, I'm not that optimistic about the long-term prospects.
Quote from: Pacific Northern on October 17, 2010, 06:37:56 PM
Quote from: Ken S. on October 16, 2010, 06:43:36 PM
And there's a lack of willingness to help in this hobby too. I may have to throw away a perfectly good Athearn chassis because one truck needs a new sideframe and I can't get part of the old sideframe out. If no one wants to help me with that problem, maybe they can just buy me a brand new engine to repalce the one that I can't use anymore.
With that kind of a attitude it is no wonder why anyone would want to help you.
Duh, maybe no one has done that before. Show a picture of what you have. Oh, I looked at your post. Sounds like you found the problem but I suspect you do not know exactly what you are doing. Patience and planning can go a long way. Take some pictures and post them here. Study the loco carefully. This is not plug and play.
There are many variations among the same manufacturer for the same model loco.
Rich
Quote from: Ken S. on October 17, 2010, 02:05:28 PM
I got the sideframes already, installed them last night. I went to test run the engine and found this problem. It's 2 Athearn engiines that I paid less then $100 for that I'm gonna have to spend $500 that I don't have right now to replace. I have an AMD-103 that's only taking power in the rear truck.
Dude, buy a multimeter from Harbor Freight for less than ten dollars including shipping and trouble shoot the issue.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html
I have three of these.
Rich
Quote from: BaltoOhioRRfan on October 16, 2010, 03:46:28 PM
...Considering the end of my model railroad career is probably near due to high rising costs at an alarming rate (and lack of a local hobby shop that care about the walk in customers that i can get to) I'm gonna have to drop out of the hobby....
To paraphrase Nike - DON'T Do It!
What else are you going to do as a hobby, that you enjoy as much, for less money? You can't simply sit on your rear and stare at the television. I've been inspired by your modeling, and I can tell it comes "from the heart".
You will miss it too much. Figure out a way to stay and play for less $$. If you can figure out how to do those trains, you can figure this out.
To Ken - work it, dude. I rebuilt the entire electrical system of a '67 Barracuda for $40. It was a pain in the you-know-what, took a long time, and required much internet research and pestering of compadres for knowledge, but in the end I had a deep sense of satisfaction. You can beat a toy, man.
It may come as a surprise to the 'instant gratification' generation; but sometimes we can't have what we want immediately. The lament that "I'm gonna have to drop out of the hobby..." may be the most realistic course of action. Our hobby is supposed to be fun...not an additional source of stress. Honestly, it may be in your best interest to carefully pack your collection up and take a hiatus from model railroading. When you return (and you will), you will be in a much better place financially and emotionally.
Respectfully,
Ray
I to am 70 and live on fixed income but these few ideas I came up with might help.
one. go with DC.
two. yard sales i hit em all once found bowser 55t hoppers for 25 cents a piece
for 40 dollars found two huge boxes of HO trains and track and rolling stock from a
widow(bless her) getting rid of husbands stuff. A set of kdees and metal wheels
and paint and decals made a difference.
three. I once ask my garbage man about finding old trains in the trash. Couple weeks later
a box appeared at my driveway. What a find for nothing. It has happened a couple of
since. One was a lionel that netted me 250 dollars at my hobby shop that I used with
glee. Also freshed baked cookies as a snack for the men helped to.
old bill
Quote from: OLD BILL on October 20, 2010, 01:04:22 PM
one. go with DC.
When I look at prices for steam locomotives with DCC, sound, and I don't know what all, I am very glad I've stuck with DC. (As for sound, that's what my imagination is for.)
And today I even saw somebody listing replacement horn-hook couplers on eBay. ;D
We really need to deal with reality. This 2010, not 1955 or 1965 or 1975. It is 2010.
I wish for gas at 28 cents a gallon but it is never going to happen again.
I just paid $2.75 a gallon this morning. I could have paid $2.95 gallon but used my PC and looked around on the 'Net in my area and found comparison prices as a local TV station has an website with a Gasoline Price Patrol link site where different people can put in the price they just paid. With some cell phones you can do this while in the car.
By the way, I am not going to stop driving because of the price ot stop eating because of the price.
Rich
ebt-
Some brass is still affordable. I have a mess of brass Balboa and Lambert passenger cars which I bought for roughly the same price as the Walthers plastic cars, and some for less. They are beautifully painted and most came with Central Valley trucks. Locos can be another story but one can also acquire these at a reasonable price on ebay. Just stick to reliable sellers and keep the costs of paint and maybe a can motor in mind while shopping.
-- D
Back in the 1950's and early '60's, you could buy a PFM brass Ma & Pa 2-8-0 for $39.95
Yeah, that all sounds great until you find out that $39.95 back then is the equivalent of nearly $300 today ($291.50 to be more or less exact and using 1960 as the base year). Incidentally, the MSRP on the 4-4-0 by Spectrum is exactly $300. It can be had painted, lettered, coupler equipped and with DCC for that. The PFM brass engine was unpainted and needed couplers as well. With the Spectrum, the street price can be considerably less than MSRP. Build yourself a time machine, go back to 1960 and then see if you can get the PFM engine for at least 20% off list.
Sorry, that "things were so much more affordable back in the good ol' days" won't wash.
Incidentally, the formerly Spectrum (now standard) 2-8-0 retails for $145. The 1960 equivalent would be $19.65 (half the price of the PFM Ma & Pa 2-8-0). The DCC/Sound Equpped Baldwin 4-6-0 has an MSRP of $360. That's $48.73 in 1960 dollars. A PFM Southern Ps-4 4-6-2 would set you back $49.50 back then. Unpainted. sans couplers, devoid of sound.
Andre
ebt-
Yes, those locos were much cheaper than locos today, but we've had decades of inflation in the meantime. A high-quality plastic loco sells today for about the inflation price of a similar brass loco, so they really aren't more expensive. Also, we get much more detail on modern plastic steamers, and they run great right out of the box. Many of the early brass locos barely ran at all when new and they made a whole lot of noise doing it. They often needed to be remotored, have their gear trains tightened or replaced, or have the binding worked out of their valve gears. Most were unpainted unlike most loco models today. Just sayin'...
-- D
I'm in college; I can't afford much as it is. This is where you turn back to operations. I have also recently gotten into scratch building buildings. Save up for purchases and make sure you bargain shop! If you look around really hard there are steals out there! Also, limit your buying. I model the Norfolk & Western so that is all I buy. Also I model the early 50's so that cuts down on the range of equipment I buy. Focusing your interest will curb your spending habits. Also now is a great time to plan for the future. I can't even tell you how many layout ideas I have drawn up in last year.
As to price, we are in an economic slump. We are feeling the crunch as well as manufactures.
-Brad
Another thing one can do. If you are starting out you don't need 20 locomotives. If you want to model your own short line. You can look for gp7-9 or an s1 or sw1500. some rr that some store has a lot of and wants to get rid of them. Patch out NH or nyc, put you own rr name AOK. You can have a lot of fun doing your own thing.
Quote from: RAM on October 21, 2010, 07:54:58 PM
Another thing one can do. If you are starting out you don't need 20 locomotives. If you want to model your own short line. You can look for gp7-9 or an s1 or sw1500. some rr that some store has a lot of and wants to get rid of them. Patch out NH or nyc, put you own rr name AOK. You can have a lot of fun doing your own thing.
You don't need 20 locomotives even if you're an old-timer. Jared Harper is modeling the Alma Branch of the Santa Fe as it was in 1943. His entire steam roster is a single 1050 class 2-6-2.
SP's Monterey Branch in steam could easily be handled by a couple of 2-8-0's, a 4-6-0, a 4-8-0 (for variety) and a P-6 4-6-2 (for the Del Monte) and not have all 5 engines used in one operating session. In diesel, 3 or 4 GP9's would suffice, with a couple of them boiler equipped.
Andre