I’m going to my first show this weekend - actually they call it the “Toy Train &Railroadiana Expo”. I’m hoping to do my X-mas shopping for my train crazy son there. We just started a layout, and I’m trying to get it going quickly enough to keep his interest.
A couple of (related) questions:
Can I find good deals?
Do vendors have used items? I like to rework/fix-up old things to get them working well again.
What should I keep an eye out for?
Thanks for any guidance you can give me.
Every show is different. Most have a mixture of dealers selling new and used equipment. There will be some great deals, but you should go in knowing the “street price” of things you’re interested in. Very often, you’ll see something for “10 percent off” when you can buy the same item online for 40% off.
I like shows for odd and ends, small detail parts, and the occasional used freight car that fills an empty spot in my roster. I mostly go to a train show for the “entertainment value” of seeing the display layouts and getting ideas. I don’t go with the idea of saving money, just having a good time.
Can I find good deals?
Yes…You need to take your time and look on the table and under the front of the table.
As was mention know your MSRP and street prices
Do vendors have used items?
There’s junk and there’s good used equipment buy the good use stuff and past the junkers.
What should I keep an eye out for?
Good prices…Again,take your time and look over the vendor’s wares and above all haggle. The majority of the vendors will deal if you offer a fair price and counter price-I usually start below my buying price…If the engine is $60.00 I offer $40.00 since my buying price is $50.00…
I been shocked a few times when I got a engine or car at my starting price.
Since this is your first show do yourself a big favor…Have a cup of coffee,a can of pop or water and relax…This will lower the excitement factor…
It is my policy to make 2 trips around the show before buying anything…I do this in case I missed anything on the first round.[:O]
Train shows are a lot of fun. As with all things, some are better than others. Generally, “Toy Train Shows” are just that, a lot of Lionel trains and a few other things thrown in. I am into “scale” model railroading in HO. I am looking for scratch building material, tools, scenery material and the occasional piece of rolling stock. Once in a while, there will be “brass” dealers with locomotives, cabooses, passenger equipment and rolling stock. As with any purchase, YOU need to know the price of items BEFORE you go to the show. Walthers catalogues are helpful. I want at least 15% off MSRP. That is what I get at my local hobby shop and what a lot of “dealers” advertising in "Model Railroader" magazine charge. [;)]
Usually, there are plenty of “used” items available. If looking at a locomotive, make certain that it works. There should be a test track to run the engine somewhere at the show. [:D]
I always go through the entire show room BEFORE I buy most items (unless it is very inexpensive, or like scenery material that everyone has). You will find the same item (new stuff) at different vendors for different prices. Do not be afraid to offer less than the price on the item (especially used items). [tup]
I do not as a rule buy brass items without knowing the price (MSRP) before hand. I look for dealers (first time that I buy from them) that are geographically close by. I want to be able to contact these people if there are problems. I know of no sure fired way to not “get taken”. But, most are good honest individuals. And, there is no item that I can not live without buying.[2c]
If there are portable layout displays, take a look around them for some ideas. Often model RR groups will have donated used items for sale at bargan prices.
If you find a used locomotive, there usually is someone who has a test track where you can try it out. Depending on the seller, they may let you try before pay, others will refund if the test track does not work to your liking. Ask and be very sure what the terms are before you pay and go to the guy with the test track only to find your purchase is a piece of junk that does not run. Usually the test track guy can take a look and give some advise on the condition, like if it only needs cleaning to run better.
Some groups will test run and do some work on locomltives to get them running as well as they can before the show. Others may just sell as is. Ask about this. My group at Boothbay test run every locomotive before shows and clean them up to look and run better. This can add a few dollars to the sale price. If something does not run or runs bad we put a note on them to that effect; not everyone does this. We also add a tag noting the manufacturer - an old Kato or Atlas sells more than an Athearn which sells for more than Tyco or Bachmann. Don’t expext an old Tyco loco to run like something with a newer, smooth running cam motor - even new out of the box this would never happen! Try to educate yourself to identify the manufacturer of a locomotive; if it’s not identified, ask the seller.
I generally go to train shows to look at layouts, get modeling ideas, talk with manufacturers and other modelers, and attend workshops and demos. I rarely shop, but when i plan to, I have a list of everything I want with the MSRP and the best Internet price I can find on it --if I can beat the Internet price plus S&H, I’ll buy. I also pay exorbitant prices for food and beverages, but that’s the down side.
I agree that there are train shows, and there are train shows. I’ve mostly given up on the local ones, because most of what they have is dealers selling used junk. I went to the National Train Show in Hartford when it was there, and I always go to the Amherst Model RR show in Springfield MA in January, because these are big shows where I can do what I want to do… but don’t even THINK of trying to take two laps around those shows. It would take you a day or more.
Now, I’m not trying to talk you out of going. Go and experience it for yourself. Go to several and compare them. And decide what you really enjoy at the shows. Just don’t go in expecting everything to be a bargain, because it won’t be.
Thanks for the good advice everyone.
This show is at the old Central Terminal here in Buffalo, so I’m going for that as well. I’ve toured the building once before, but it will be nice to see it full of people. I don’t see any listing for workshops, but I’ll keep an eye out for them.
Well, if anyone is interested, I came back with these items:
Mantua Mehano 2-6-0 in CN for $30
Cheap ($5 a piece) set of 3 old-time short passenger cars. After I repaint, re-letter and change couplers they should be OK with the 2-6-0.
Bachmann-Spectrum FM H16-44 in CP for $25. New Old stock still in shrink wrap.
2 Peco turnouts (medium radius, code 100, insulfrog) for $15 each.
A plate girder and through truss bridge for $5.
How’d I do? I don’t think any of these are great deals, except maybe the turnouts. I tested the locos and they both need some tuning up, especially the mantua. I think it has one axle installed wrang on the front tender truck. I’m going to try to clean them up before my kid’s b-day so they can be run right away.
The building looked good with so many people in it. The only bit of advice that I wish I had received was to bring cash.
If the Mantua 2-6-0 has a can motor, it’s not a bad deal. They quit making them about 10+ years ago, but Model Power now is reissuing some of the old Mantua engines. If the passenger cars are MDC / Roundhouse it’s a good deal.
Sorry I didn’t read this before the show, I would have advised you primarily look for info - you can sometimes find Kalmbach books on scenery, track planning etc. used at flea markets for a low price. It’s always tempting to dive in with both feet and start buying trains but the more info you have, the better your purchases and eventual layout will be.
Sorry, I mis-typed it’s a Mehano. I haven’t opened it up yet. It look’s like it’s the one from http://www.theweebsite.com/trains/pctrain_02.html this set. Now I kinda want to find the rest of the set (just the cars - not the track).
I don’t know the manufacturer of the passenger cars, They’re very light and cheap feeling, but all I want to do is model a steam powered excursion line.
Good advice about info gathering. There’s another show next month (still before my son’s b-day) so I’ll look for books then.