HJ,
I think the reason railroadingman asks if you are for real is because he thinks we are all actually dead. [;)] He did say this forum is dead. Maybe he is interested in the afterlife? Why else post or comment for that matter? Interesting topic BTW. We should build a layout in a house of mirrors. Then no matter how you look at it, it would be to scale. All of it. 5, 10, 15, 20 or even 30 foot rules would apply! [:o)] OK…enough. I’m tired…it was a long ride this time in the Mc Rig. Later eh…Brian. [|)]
Hi Dave
Saw something this last weekend at a GATS here that really goes to illustrate what you said . Guy had an original, still in box 1968 LGB starter set, guy also had an old handwriiten tag on it for sale price of $900. It was crossed out with another price of $600 below it, the $600 price was also crossed out and a “bargain sale” price of $200 was what he was asking for it. Yep! the bottom has fallen out of alot of that market…still can’t afford most of it.[;)]
Vic,
Those are the opportunities I’m looking for, but only on very specific items which fit my railway and era.
I have never collected and I doubt I will start at my age!
I always have a chuckle when I see people bidding on eBay to at “the new price from the dealer” or even higher. They really need to do more reading and a bit of comparison shopping!
Marty, and Capt Bob,
The 7 1/2" gauge is not necessarily that expensive. I have less in my loco, riding car, and caboose than alot of people have paid for one G scale loco. Total is $2400. The expensive part, as in G scale, tends to be the track, although even that can be done faily reasonably. Alot of people use what is called Groovy Track, which is steel flat bar notched into 2x2’s. It comes out to not much more than brass G scale track. If you have metal working skills, you can build switches cheaper than G scale, too.
The barstock track has far better adhesion then the other forms I’ve used and seen.
We used to have two 5-acre outfits within a town or three from me.
All gone now.
Nothing like bombing along on a Mike at 0001 hours with a string behind you, operating signal system, pitch dark…
The Florida Winter Meets are about all month in Feb. I’m looking forward to running at Ridge in Dundee. They are out in the middle of nowhere, so it’s very dark at night. They have a full operating signal system, tunnels, grades, the whole bit. I love hitting the top of the hill and seeing the lights of the signaling system all over the track, and trains moving around the track. It’s a trip. 18 days of riding trains!!! Oh boy!!!
I was looking more in the 2 foot guage, like the amusement park stuff!
Hey, get my fat tail on that dinky 7 1/2" stuff and I’d need a skateboard under each cheek! (Bet that brings a wierd picture to mind!)
Your a sick man, Bob. Sick.
I just bought an LGB caboose off of Evilbay for $6.00. Yes, $6.00. The smoke stack was broken so nobody bid on it but me. I don’t know if that is indicative of any trends or not, I just thought it was odd. BTW, that was the first piece of LGB I ever bought! The quality is about par with everything else on the market, and the construction is reasonably strong, but I can’t see where it would cost twice as much as USAT new. It certainly doesn’t strike me as the Holy Grail of garden trains.
On another note, I would buy LGB and find some way to justify the cost, IF they made something I wanted to buy. I really don’t care for running the European locos (even though I like the way they look) and the US style equipment still has that unmistakable Euro flair and is priced out of my means.
Oh well, the future is on the way and who knows what it will bring!
I certainly agree with Bob.
If I had room for a 7 1/2" gauge 4-8-4, tender, and a string of cars and all the track radius required for that, I wouldnt even bother with that ride on stuff — cause that would mean I certainly had enough room for a FULL SIZE 18" or even 24" gauge 0-4-0 feild lokie and FULL SIZE cars!
If I had that kind of land I would build a replica of one of my favorite Coronado RR 20" baby gauge Porters or a 24" gauge 8 ton Porter and a Full Size 20" or 24" gauge Class A Climax, a replica SR&RL passenger car and long caboose to boot!
Oh the dreams!!![:D] All I can say is “Eat your heart out, fellows”!!![:-,]
Eighteen days of 7 1/2" and 2’ gauge. The WT&B, Largo, Manatee, Ridge, Atlantic and Tradewinds, so many this next month I can’t remember them all![swg][swg][swg]
There’s that old saying, if I can remember it right.
Those dreams at night in the dusty recess’s of the mind, are just dreams.
But he who would dream in the daylight, with open eyes, is a dangerous man,
for he may act on those dreams to make them reality.
Get them eyes open, and start acting on those dreams![swg][swg]