Hey guys
I was wondering if anybody finds this hobby is getting way too expensive, I went into my hobby shop today and was looking at some new engines because I might want to get a new one in the next few weeks. but the prices are really really way too high. I don’t have a $160.00 doallrs to drop on a engine.
who else is starting to find this
Jeremy
even atheran is getting expenxive
You are not alone and I am low income.
I shop around for respectable prices, either local, second hand or thru
mail order that runs 25% off.
Always looking for a discount, that’s the American way and that’s my way too.
I agree that everything (not just model trains) is getting expensive. But, as things get more expensive, we get more money to buy them. Right? RIGHT!?[;)][:p]
There is lots of great deals out there if you look for them. I find when new stuff comes out its expensive but over time the prices drop.
I remember when i could get a few atheran engines for the price of a KATO ar Atlas, the money they want for these things are sick. How do they expect for the everyday person to shell out 200 dollars for one engine
You get what you pay for. While I’d love to own a Mil-Spec stock Hummer hardtop, with an MSRP of $90,000, I’ll stick with my $20,000 Jeep. Same thing with model RR stuff. While I’d like to own a huge fleet of all brass steamers with sound and DCC, I’ll stick with a much smaller fleet of plastic steam, with one or two brass, and one or two equipped with sound. There are bargains to be had out there for the high-end stuff (P2K diesels for $30 good enough for ya?) but you have to be a wise shopper.
I’ve come back to HO after 25 years. I was into Athearn and MDC throughout the 70’s. 4 axle diesels were around $14 and 6 axle diesels were around $17. Today I notice there are many pricey high tech models with smooth mechanicals and intricate detail. However, the old reliable standard issue Athearn engines are still available at prices about twice what I paid in the 70’s. Rolling stock seems to be around 2 ½ times more. Just the other day, I was looking at a standard issue Athearn GP 35 and the retail price was $31. Considering inflation, I don’t think things have changed much. Just more features and refined detail have been added raising the price. In the 70’s, a highly detailed brass steamer was around $200. Today’s BLI steamers are around $350 with better detail and sounds. Considering inflation, things are better in my opinion. I was looking at a BLI UP mountain on their website. Boy is that sucker ever NICE!!! we never had it so good!
You really need to stop looking at the $100 or $200 engines and consider there are still good engines in the $30, $50 range.
I wasnt going to buy one, I was just stating a fact…
You can always go to train shows and find real bargains and private tables usually are selling older items at prices anyone could afford.
I thought about stopping my train hobby and building a street car for fun. After I looked at the price of the GM crated 572 CI engine, (READ 12000 + TAX), I decided my hobby is fairly cheap and not dangerous. Besides, I enjoy having a Challenger displayed on my desk as I work. Union Pacific off course.
Yes, things are getting more and more expensive. In the last 10 years there has been a huge leap in prices. I was modeling non stop from the mid 80’s through 98 and prices increased much more slowly during that period. Now you have to save up just to buy an Atlas freight car… thats crazy!
LOL…Check out the Summit catalog. $12,000 is just the beginning.
I think Im the only one here that still runs my TYCO, Bachmann’s, and LL’s with my TWO Atlas’!! Oh well, three kids at home goes first I guess…I keep saying “SOMEDAY”
This question seems to be constantly coming up and the answer is always a resounding yes. I have been one to say on several occassions that at this rate most novices or those with limited available cash will slowly be forced out. The question that goes with this is why?
And the answer is: Because we are seeing a much better product being produced and offered at higher prices. No one seems to want low end any more as it is not good enough. The hobby is still affordable if we are willing to stay with the lower end gear. Unfortunately even this is becming harder to get.
It comes down to compromise: Are you a Cadillac Man or will any old beater do?
Yes, the hobby is getting more expensive. But at the same time the products are getting better - you’re getting a bigger bang for bigger bucks.
However (1), it’s still possible to scrounge and do things cheaply. Used rolling stock is cheap.
However (2), my ability to afford the hobby has gotten better.
Well,There are different ways to save a buck on todays over price locomotives.
think about buying use,think e bay,think discount on line hobby shops and think mail order.I have seen many $99.00 Atlas engines for $59-66.00 from on line shops seen some for less on e bay…You need not pay full price if you shop around.
Now,as long as they’re modelers that cheer on high price by saying you get what you pay for,I want more and more detail,better quality products(really? Then why all of the negative comments about new products on this or that isn’t right or the engine runs like crap) the manufacturers will continue to raise prices.They love reading those price cheering type of statements…[8]
BRAKIE is quite correct in his statement…keep cheering on the high priced items and the manufacturers will continue to offer them at ever increasing prices. Some of the latest high-end pricing is without question simply price gouging. The incredible drop in the price of Athearn’s Challenger (from $600 to $260 or 60% off !) because of Lionel’s dumping serves to demonstrate just how huge some profit margin’s currently are. I fully expect that by 2007 or 2008 you will be seeing articulated high-end plastic steam reach the $1,000 mark…or maybe there won’t be enough of us left in the hobby to make even hundred unit runs worth the manufacturer’s while.
CNJ831
i have to agree, im only 16 and money dont come by that often, and if u want to buy anything half decent yur gonna spend a fortune all the cheap stuff is junk, rly. Word of advise,
own a hobby shop, lol
Hang in there, J1. It will get better. I went down that road with 4 kids. You are 100% correct - kids first, everything else second.
Best of luck to you.
Tom
There’s some inexpensive stuff out there. I can’t speak about Athearn since I don’t own any but I own four A-B , F3 sets by P1K at $42.00 a powered set… I think that’s cheap.
Compared to 1970 prices adjusted for inflation the hobby may actually be more affordable. If you wanted accurate models you either had to buy brass or build craftsman kits. Typical Ambroid/Northeastern kits were about 10 bucks plus trucks and couplers. The detail on the new stuff blows these old kits away for the same dollar amount. You can buy a nicely detailed steam engine today for about what a Bowser kit plus detail kit would cost 30 years ago. Some things like brass has seemed to increased beyond the rate of inflation but overall we are all better off. Keep in mind most buy today what many of us made ourselves back then, scenery details, hand laid track, etc.
Pete