Why is this stuff selling so cheap on EBay and why is there so much of it?
I’m seeing Big Boys SELL for around $75. I always assumed their stuff was good quality but I really don’t have anything to base that on.IS this stuff worth bidding on or does it fall under the catagory of old Tyco and Bach stuff?
Rivarossi made some fine models - guessing the falling prices may be people offloading their old locos to make way for the new Hornby examples that will be arriving later this year. Certainly after a new loco is released over here the prices for the old models tend to plummet. The only advice I can really offer is to check the age of the model - apparently some older Rivarossi equipment had the old European “pizza cutter” wheel flanges which won’t work on anything except Code 100 track. Later Rivarossi production is reportedly very nice indeed.
I personally can’t wait for the H8 (2-6-6-6) Alleghenys to be rereleased. Soon as they are officially announced I’m ordering one and slapping a Tsunami in there!
Be careful of the older AHM Rivarossi loco’s especially the 2-8-4 and the 0-8-0. They had a flat pancakr motor in the cab and deep flanged wheels. Unless you use code 100 rail those deep flanges will ride the ties. Also those old pancake motors have no torque. I had an early AHM/Riv. 2-8-4 that would barely pull 4 boxcars and a caboose up a 2% grade.
The more recent Rivarossi loco’s in the red boxes have improved motors and drives.
Most of the Rivarossi steam loco’s have well executed molded on detail but are not railroad specific in detail. Again, as an example their 2-8-4 Berkshire is pretty close to being a Nickel Plate prototype but is much less accurate for the other rairoads that it was decorated for, especially the C&O Kanawah. I have one of the newer Berks in Pere Marquette markings and only made a few changes to make it more or less correct. I got it on E-Bay for about $75 which in my opinion is about all it’s worth.
Bob DeWoody
Really? I just checked completed auctions, and here are the prices they have sold for between July 5th and July 19th:
$380
165
102
128
234
200.
Making the AVERAGE selling price at just over $200.
Most of the lower priced ones had ISSUES.
Where are you seeing them selling for $75?
I think you dreamt it.[:D] Nice dream though![:D]
Jeff
The older stuff runs well for what it is and when it was made, its more detailed than a bowser, but will pull less as its not diecast. All the newer steam with sound and better detailing has cooled the market for Rivarossi, it seems only the mint or almost like new stuff goes for over $100. For the money, and if you have code 100 track and less than perfect trackwork, they are a good buy, I have several, only a couple get run alot as my current layout is quite small. I would love to see them reissued, espicaly the ones that havent been redone yet like the Casey Jones ten wheeler, the 0-6-0, the Bowker 2-4-0, but reissue them with lower gearing and can motors. RIvarossi motors were good in thier day, ball bearing bearings in the motor, replaceable brushes. With some weight and a NWSL regear the NKP berk is quite a powerfull puller!! Cheers Mike
Might just be that time of year also,Around xmas time ,we will see it go up again ,to me this is the time to buy,
Carl
Loathar,
Personally, I’d be very cautious buying Rivarossi. They are beautiful looking on the outside but they are too hit and miss running-wise to take a chance on. You could get a great deal on a good one; you could get a great deal on a not-so-good one. Unless the possibility of putting a new can motor or drive in one of these doesn’t phase you, I’d pass on 'em. Just my personal opinion…
Tom
Probably more than one reason for this. This is why I’ve made the decision to keep my Rivarossi Challenger. It’s a late model, and I’ve been shakey about trying to disassemble it for DCC. Today, I overcame my fears and got both the loco and tender apart without a scratch. The decoder install is going to be a snap. If the older AHM units are tougher to get into, I’m sure that’s one reason these older units are selling at low prices. Also, we have Athearn to thank for helping out too, with the introduction of their new Challenger model. That will help even late model Rivarossis like mine see less popularity.
The “cheap” models on ebay are usually damaged or missing small hard to find partsor expensive to fix problems. Unless you have a project and need a parts donor you are better off to get the best one you can afford it’ll be cheaper and less frustrating in the long run.
I would not purchase the diesel locomotives since for just a few more dollars P2K and P1K units are a much better buy.
The streamlined Rivorossi HO 85ft. passenger cars produced in the late 80s-early 90s are decent and are great for modelers on a budget that want nice looking passenger cars priced under $25. These are the ones in the Red box with the yellow stripe.
The AHM “smooth sided” streamlined cars in the blue box were also decent. The ones produced from the 1970s–early 80s came with interiors. Again, light in weight so “tweaking” is needed.
The trucks on Rivorossi’s and AHM are “tolerable” when weight is added to the cars, but can be replaced with higher quality trucks or wheel sets.
Hope this helps.
I have several of them that I’m upgrading to run with my Walthers Budd cars.
Thanks for the heads up on the code 100 need. I’m code 83. Do the passenger cars have trouble running on code 83? Yea, the 2 big boys I saw for under $100 bucks did have issues.