What was the best deal you ever got on train stuff?
Me?
I got 20 brand new heavyweight passenger cars for $2 each. And since I model the steam era, they fit right in!
Now how about you?
I found a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 for $74.95. This also included shipping. I’m not sure it was the best deal ever but, it was the best I’ve found. It was the only model railroad purchase I’ve made online. I usually by everything from my LHS. His price was $140 for the same loco. I have an extremely tight budget so I ‘cheated’ on my LHS!
An original, sealed in the box, Revell Weekly Herald Building for a buck at a yard sale. They are really hard to find now and a Revell SIB goes for about $35. I don’t know what it is about that kit but I’ve always loved it. Even today, the detail still stands up with the best of the new structure kits.
I got 6 GO Transit Bombardier cars for 50 bucks. It was close to the end of a train show and the guy selling them knew I was looking at them off and on over the 2 days. He was asking 100 for each 3 pack but I wasn’t going to pay that. Right at the end of the show he walks up and hands me both sets and says here, 50 bucks and they are yours. I already had those car numbers but I just couldn’t pass them up.
A KATO SD80MAC for $77 shipped!!
Lets see I got an Atlas C30-7 for $20.00 at my LHS and im going back to get a BN U33C this weekend for $30. They have really good deals compared to Hobbytown[xx(]. The only problem with the U33C is im going to have to paint the handrails green to match BN practice but its still a good deal!
I dunno… both of my LHS’s sometimes have items that are just too good to pass up. I think once there was a Christmas sale at one store and I walked out with like 2 for 1 worth a few dollars example one Proto Tankcar assembled and one free. I worked the system within the sale rules and went home feeling like a robber.
At the other store I picked up a assembled feedmill that was used on a local layout and adopted it for my railroad. I dont remember what I paid for it but definately less than a retail box kit plus paints, glues etc. I will be adding bins and stuff to it so eventually it wont be such a deal.
I managed to buy a few engines direct for less than what either store would charge for them via the internet but when I think on it, there isnt really that much of a savings at the end of the day.
Me? Either a spectrum 2-8-0 with sound for $142.50 (Still at that price too!) or the BLI blueline big boy with sound for $260.
Well I could make a REALLY good deal. My LHS has a WC GP38-2 for 55 bucks, and the orginal price was $77. Other wise the best deal I have made was getting a $110 locomotive for 90 bucks.
Bachman Spectrum F40 for $35 retail $105
BNSF Premium heritage SD-75M(fully assembled) for $60 retail $140
and many more but those are the big ones
Best deal I ever got was a Lionel 6460 crane for 75 cents when I was 11 years old.
It was an old Lionel switcher. (don’t remember which model) Gave a friend $5 for it. Sold my O gauge stuff a few years later and got $125 for it from a collector. So it was probably worth twice that.
- Diesel: Proto 2000 NYC S1 switcher - MSRP $110…$29.99
- Steam: Proto 2000 Erie 0-8-0 switcher - MSRP $250…$80
Both were brand spankin’ new…
Tom
Broadway Limited On30 2-8-0 with sound - FREE! Won it in a magazine photo contest!
One I paid for was earlier this year - A Precision Craft On30 Galloping Goose with sound, list price $300.00 but retailing on sale for $99.00. Got it from a fellow getting out of the hobby for $60.00 Canadian, postage included! It cost the guy about $12.00 to mail it!
I won’t reveal my sources…[8)]
I got 12 Walther’s’ Heavyweights in UP’s TTG for $17 each[8D]
Atlas Wide Vision Caboose, NIB. $1 out of an estate auction.
Never know what you will find.
Mark Gosdin
Lionel Veranda Turbine (HO) for 395+ tax!! Check the current prices on E thing!!![:D]
I purchased a brass HO Overland Models Milwaukee Road S2a 4-8-4 for a little over $400. Great engine!
Eric
Revell buildings were the bomb. I found the Yard buildings for $10.00 brand new a few years ago at a local LHS.