I’m just wondering if anyone knows where to find discontinued models (besides ebay!) Particularly, I’m dying to find N-scale Norfolk Southern Kato SD40-2 and C-44Ws. By the way, when did MR change the forum format and where did all the traffic go? This forum was booming a few months ago! (I’ve been a few-hundred feet below the surface of the Atlantic for about the past 3 months!)
I have had very good results with the dealers listed in the MR classifieds. I am in HO, but I believe that there are a few that also deal in out of production “N” as well.
I had a tough time locating a Stewart/ Kato B unit that had been out of production for close to 10 years. Amhearst Depot in Florida didn’t have it but located one for me. Of course you do know that any of these pieces don’t come cheap. I would suggest you start there, and good luck.
Yes the forum has changed. It can handle much more traffic w/o problems. Do a search for the threads on “New Forum” from a few months ago. There was much disscusion and quite an uproar from many members. “The stars are gone”, posting pics is more difficult, you don’t readily see who’s looking at specific topics, the list goes on.
I’ve had the best luck finding discontinued locos simply by searching for them on the web. I plug in the specifics for the locomotive I want and add the word “price” to weed out reviews, and start clicking.
Jay’s trains in Florida specializes in discontinued stock, but I don’t know if he does N-scale or not. Cherry Creek Hobbies seems to have a lot of discontinued stock too. The two big online discounters, Discount Trains Online, and Internet Trains seem to do buyouts, and have discontinued items, but here it tends to be whatever’s left over after most of the buying stops, leaving less of a selection.
Soimething else I’ve noticed, the longer you wait, the less there is for sale. If you find what you need, be ready to jump on it right then. Even a week later it might be gone.
Both Trainworld at www.trainworld.com and M.B. Klein at www.modeltrainstuff.com have a lot of “blowout” inventory which consists of discontinued items. The prices are incredibly reasonable, and both vendors are reputable and reliable. I’ve ordered from both and I’ve been happy every time. M.B. Klein’s web site is more helpful. For Trainworld, it may be necessary to call. It will help to have the model number for the specific road name you’re looking for.
Ditto on the Trainworld and M. B. Klein web sites…
Tom
I will also add that I have seen a lot of discontinued at smaller LHSs (new old stock). You will probably end up paying retail (that is one of the reasons they probably still have this stuff), but you will get it.