John,
Price is not my first controling factor, I have locos that I have spent $300 to $400 for, 5, 10 or 15 years ago, when prices were somewhat different. That is like paying $500 or $600 today.
But I also have lot of bargains, because I am a careful shopper, and because I don’t want DCC and sound. I’m happy to buy new old stock Proto diesels and put gears in them, or buy an older NOS Spectrum steamer and do a couple small mods to make it run perfect, while I am customizing it for the ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
So I have lots of locos, that came “new in the box”, but needed a little something, at typically only $100 each, sometimes less, even after mods or repairs.
BUT, I will NOT buy $500 locos with DCC/sound that I then need to rewire. And I will not buy locos that cost twice that, it just is not happening, no matter what they are made of.
Lucky for me, I now have most of the locos I need and want for operations on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL. And because I have no “collector bug”, I have no shelf queens.
The layout theme of the ATLANTIC CENTRAL has a fairly set list of roster requirements, I “protolanced” a list of possible locos for the desired operations years ago - I only buy to fill jobs on the list. There are only a few slots left. I’m not an “impulse” buyer, in this hobby or otherwise.
One will likely be filled with brass, for the best accuracy, I’m waiting and watching for a WM Pacific…
And I would like a few modern 10 wheelers, like the B&O B18 class. Not holding my breath for those in plastic/die cast either.
But would I buy a $1000-$1600 C&O 2-6-6-6 when the Rivarossi version I have was only $300? Not likely, the Rivarossi is a good running well detailed loco with a good track record.
A typical train on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL is pulled by four powered diesels or two steamers, the layout will stage nearly thirty trains when complete. Add in a few switchers, a few doodl