the side-discourse in the Lionel 2023 Catalog thread regarding train show pricing made me think this would be a fun topic to explore- both to discuss my own personal ideals and preferences when collecting, and to hear about others, and generally discuss what makes it fun.
I wanted to expand on a thought that began forming when Wayne (Flintlock) discussed a case of a ‘junk box’ with a hefty price tag at a recent show.
For me, generally speaking, I don’t adhere to any one specific clique- I collect anything and everything that amuses me. Yet, all the same, there are a few unifying traits to my madness.
The biggest “rules” to my collecting are:
-Never make impulse purchases unless they’re dirt cheap.
-Play the waiting game.
-Your finances are finite- spend them meaningfully.
-Consider additional costs you may encounter later, when acquiring projects.
There are more detailed descriptions of these practices, but the idea isn’t that they’re rules I need to follow, but rather advice to myself based on what I’ve learned from past experiences.
Impulse Purchases:
Multiple times in my life, I’ve bought things on impulse. Sometimes it’s worked out well, sometimes the passion for something fades away not long afterwords and I question “why did I decide to spend my money on this? I could have bought something much more fun if I’d taken a moment to think about it harder”. The idea is that if something only costs a couple bucks or less, it doesn’t matter if it was a waste of money. But if it costs more than that, take the time to really think it over before you buy. Sometimes that’s all it takes to think “well, to be honest I’m not that enamored with it, maybe I’ll keep looking for now”
The Waiting Game:
We all have some sort of list of things we like- a mental list or a physical one, or some sense of what we e
Ah, now THIS could turn into an interesting discussion indeed!
(Who’d have thought an overpriced junk box would be the inspiration?) [;)]
Anyway, I’d say what got me into this was a burgeoning interest in railroad history. I’d chased military history for decades and finally wanted to move onto something else. Knowing I’d never own a real steam engine models of the same were a good substitute so down that path I went. A resurrected childhood Lionel 2018 sparked the interest even more. Now let’s run through Ellie’s discussion topics.
Impulse purchases. I’ve been pretty resistant to those, usually when they happened the item was a colorful billboard boxcar. One exception was a Williams Atlantic Coast Line F3 diesel with accompanying streamlined passenger cars just 'cause they looked so cool! I sold the set last year since I hardly ever ran it anymore, got out of it what I had in it so I’m happy.
The “Waiting Game.” Oh, yeah. I’ve found patience is the greatest asset you can have! I’ve avoided paying the inflated prices post-wars were going for back in the 1990s and now that the prices have dropped I can indulge myself a bit, on engines anyway. I’ve no interest in accessories and can take or leave most of the rolling stock. Patience is also an asset that’s kept me from jumping on the “Latest and greatest!” 'cause sooner or later it’s going to show up used and a lot cheaper.
Wayne, delighted to hear your thoughts! I’ve “overpayed” for some items before- the important thing is that they’re things I’m still glad I own. Sometimes you drop a bit more money than you’d prefer, but if it doesn’t feel like money wasted, I think you’ve done well for yourself. That’s how I see it anyway!
I got into the hobby of ‘toy trains’ in a funny way- a semi-complete 1971 ‘Yardmaster’ set in horrible shape. Some day I’ll get it fixed up, I never was able to get that darn 8111 DT&I NW2 working as a kid. But it did start me collecting Lionel 3-rail. Very limited funds (I was a kid with little allowance, and still getting comfortable with doing odd jobs to earn some cash) meant that I couldn’t afford most ‘nice’ stuff- and I still wanted to fix my set that started the O gauge adventure. And it was a pain to take stuff to the hobby shop in Springfield (found out they closed during 2020 or 2021 iirc) to get their guy to fix stuff, some of it didn’t come back working any better than when I left it there. So I worked on teaching myself how to fix trains- I watched how-to videos, but mostly just figured stuff out from taking things apart. A side affect of needing to do my own maintenance work was that eventually I came to really enjoy doing it- now I tend to deliberately avoid stuff that’s in good, working order- why pay extra, and miss out on all the fun of servicing it? So yeah. That’s the gist of how I began collecting toy trains.
Speaking of project 736s by the way… I have one I would consider parting with.
Someone customized it a lot in the past. Among other things, it was altered to have an electronic reverse unit, the E-Unit slot was filled in, and a cut-out switch for the reverse unit was installed inside the cab. They also added a “chuff” switch that is actuated by the smoke lever. Unfortunately the reverse unit was toast back when I got it. Also unfortunately, I
I have always had a rather limited train budget so I like to take beat up equipment and make it into something else .I had purchased a K-Line Interurban from the JC Penney catalog in the late 80s and decided to make. NYC boxcab body out of plastic,brass and other parts .Some work but I am happy with the results .In 2002 I had Train America put in Saw board that added a horn and bell .one of my fave engines to this day!I also was reading an article in Fine Scale Modeler Magazine about a Russian Rail Tank that I decided to make out of sheet plastic .I found an ICM T-28 tank kit that provided the master for an RTV Mold that I used to resin cast the three turrets required for the project .I marked it with both Russian Stars ,and Aberdeen Proving Grounds lettering to represent a captured rail tank the we aquired after the war and sent by ship to Aberdeen for evaluation.It currently rides on a Williams Heavyweight Passenger Car chassis .The Dreyfuss was a badly tarnished boiler I found on the Bay that I painted light grey .Since the only running chassis that I had was an MTH 4-8-2 I adapted it to fit .Not correct but fit pretty well and one of my favorite engines.(used the die cast MTH and painted and decaled it to match the engine)So it is a fun challenge to see what you can do !
Philo, all those customs are wicked cool. Definitely inspiring, I haven’t really done a big custom project but every time I see stuff like what you’ve done, I start getting ideas! A recent one I had, was the possibility of using 253 parts to build an O gauge Hoosac Tunnel motor. It would require at least 1, probably 2 shells, 2 motors, 2 steam loco pilot trucks, and a LOT of custom work.
Wayne, don’t blame you. If I’d known how much of a mess this engine was when I bought it… well, I wouldn’t have bought it, now would I? If I ever find a replacement motor (heck, even just a motor body and field would do, the brush plate and armature are fine) for cheap, then I can ascertain how bad the worm-wheel situation is. It’s definitely not where it should be, but it might be good enough to have a runner.
I hope one of these days you score that project berk yourself… good luck.
The GM&O car is a very fun model. The bold colors and streamlined look all make for something really fun to have in O 3-rail!
It’d be fun to make the boxcab someday. They used them on the ~4¾ mile long Hoosac Tunnel electrification, it was only active from the 1910s to shortly after WWII ended. Dieselization of the B&M spelled the end of the electric operation, which was strictly between facilities around the east portal in Florida MA, and the yards in North Adams MA, not far from the west portal. They look similar to some of the New Haven’s boxcabs, hence why I think a 253 might make a good starting point. I don’t think I could build one from complete scratch, even if it would result in a more accurate model. A 256 might be a better starting point to get a more accurate look… but if I was lucky enough to have a 256, I wouldn’t dream of modifying it. Not unless it truly was barely more than a bucket of rust to begin with.
I appear to be a classic rubber gauger, but the truth is a little deeper.
I have a hi-rail layout about 80% complete (I’d post some pics except I have no hosting service and don’t desire one). It depicts my Frisco/MoPac/T&P interests. I am very selective about what I buy in scale proportions. I cannot, alas! insist upon protyptical accuracy since Lionel steadfastly refuses to make very much in those roadnames that is accurate or in my chosen era (between the wars).
I actively seek Marx 8-wheel plastic/De-lux, but only a very few items on the to-buy list, mostly boxed sets and a few more accessories. I don’t want everything Marx, just a representation. I hope to build a Marx display layout or perhaps a display layout that coulda been had Marx been just a little less parsimonious with their displays. My first train was a Marx set, and it still gets to exercise at least once/year.
I have a very small MPC collection–everything Frisco/MoPac/T&P plus a few other pieces and my first Lionel set, which also gets run at least once/year. I have a collection of Lionel Shell pieces that honors my grandfather, who bought me both of those early trains and who worked his adult life for Shell (including working as part of the support team they provided to Jimmy Doolittle when he was testing their fuels and lubes during his barnstorming).
I also have a box of HO stored under the layout that results from the third train my grandfather bought me, a Tyco Chattanogga Choo-Choo. I keep it all for sentimental reasons but have no interest in working in HO anymore.
I once dabbled in G/F scales, not outside but inside. The only time I could set up a really nifty layout was at work at Christmastime on our auditorium stage. I really liked the size and the possibilities, but I just had not way to keep up my interest, so I sold it all.
I have had two periods of Standard/Wide gauge collecting/operating.
Every once in a while those VERY elegant Marx trains he and Debbie made back in the 90’s show up too! I “kinda-sorta” wish I’d gotten a set back then but they just didn’t interest me at the time. No biggie, I’m not losing sleep over it.
A blessing and a curse, both of which I can stand [(-D] And youhave nailed it: empahsis shifts from time to time. BUT I have sworn not to give up on SG/WG this time. [oX)]
