Some of you may recall, some time ago, I finalised a track plan.
Well, my benchwork timber arrives tomorrow, so construction is about to commence and I find myself facing a very large bill for track, something between US$1500 and US$2000 depending on how much I buy at once.
As such, my question of the moment is: Does anyone know where one can purchase large volumes of track at bulk prices?
Whilst there are plenty of stores that provide bulk discounts for flex track, sold in boxes of 30 pieces, they all sell switches in single units, this causes the cost to start skyrocketing. Ideally I’d like to be able to buy switches in packs of 10 or 15. So if you have any tips, please let me know who I should talk to.
Check out www.modelrailwaypo.com in New Jersey. It’s an LHS and a mail-order place. If you call, you can speak to the owner. His prices on Peco are pretty good to begin with, and he might be willing to give you a better deal on a large order.
I would think that pretty much any shop would be willing to bargain on an order of that size. Check around.
dude, you may just want to invest in some Fast Tracks stuff. High initial investment, but you can build an unlimited number of turnouts; you just need to get the rail and ties. They can come out to only like, 5 bucks for turnouts.
You could try and call this place. The owners name is Hans. If you have a big order, he will probably work with you. He’s a really good guy to deal with.
I must admit, I hadn’t seriously considered this as I was totally intimidated by the concept of building my own rail. I did, however, just watch some videos of using the Fast Tracks stuff and thought it looked straight forward.
However… I just did the math, and overall it will work out about the same cost overall. So I think I’ll stick with the pre-built stuff and at least I can save some time, if not money.
Thanks for the suggestion however, it made me think hard and do a lot of math. [B)]
Montey, what are the dimensions of your layout and maximum/min. radii? (Or can you point me to a past link?) Looks nice.
I’ve been wondering if “end loaded” bulk discounts are available in a rebate form from anyone. In other words, not knowing for sure what I’ll need, in total as I go along adjusting a plan on the benchwork, but purchase enough over time to get a discount/rebate
after purchasing everything- at the finish. In other words I could figure a bulk total of track for each stage
and order as I go, but wonder if a total bulk discount at the end of the layout build would amount to a better discount than what I’d get for each stage.
Has anyone here ever done this or been offered this arrangement to anyone’s knowledge?
Example: I might have a starting plan like a loco service yard or a passenger terminal for now but
figure out how to expand the layout later, as I go or get experience operating what I have, save up for
more, or negotiate for more household real estate, etc.
The layout is stuffed into a space 10’8" x 9’8" with a minimum radius of 13deg and a maximum radius of 17deg.
This is what I am trying to find out. The main reason I am looking for a bulk purchase, rather than buying as I go, is that it is much cheaper to buy my needs in the U.S. and have them shipped to Australia. The biggest single cost when this is done is shipping, so a bulk purchase is best, rather than having multiple shipments.
Hi Montey,
Thanks for responding. You have a very attractive design there. I too have a small room (a bit smaller than yours
Just to be clear do you mean 13 and 17 INCHES rather than degrees radius? Is it N scale? Sorry I missed your original posts on your design…
By the way, I have relatives in Australia. Hope to visit them in about a year’s time…
Thanks. If you email your track/materials needs to most online train stores and hobby shops I don’t think you’ll have much trouble arranging for a bulk purchase discount and shipping. It’s pretty commonly done in the U.S. Just send out a bunch of emails to a bunch of online shops. I can try to help if you don’t have luck with the suggestions others gave you here.
Sorry, that was poorly explained. Yes I meant 13" and 17" radii.
Yeah, I am going to start sending out emails. Having said that, despite the cost similarity, I am starting to talk myself in to going down the Fast Tracks path anyway. There is a part of me that likes the idea of building the switches, its not something I can explain, it just tickles me in the right way.
