Who buys very expensive locomotives ($500 +)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was at a well known model railroad shop in the Los Angeles area on Saturday - for the first time in a few years. It’s an extremely well stocked shop.

I cannot believe the prices for some high end locomotives. I saw Z scale deisels in upwards of $500. I saw HO locomotives for $1,200 & up.

Who buys this stuff? Seriously - who does? Are people who buy this stuff extremely rich? what’s the deal? Wow, that’s some serious cash.

What percentage of model railroaders do you think buy this stuff?

(I just glanced at this stuff to get a laugh on my way to the Athearn shelves)

No offense if I’ve insulted anyone, but holy cow, that’s a lot of dough.

I’ve long known there’s equipment that’s this expensive, but it’s been quite a few years since I’ve visited a “Real” model railroad shop, and was jolted by seeing these prices “in the flesh” again. (Usually - because of my location, I frequent a “hobby shop” which, in addition to remote control cars, etc., has a modest selection of Athearn products.

2

What is expensive ??? Handcrafted brassmodels or the prices here in Europe.

Here in Europe a normal Märklin model locomotive will cost about 250 $ !!! The Bigboy near 700 $ !!!
And the Märklin fans pay that price!

In the news 2004 is a model of the type 120 electro of the former DB (German Railroad) The model was at the market also 20 years ago, now the model will have some technical features (electronics and DCC)
It will cost 259 Euro. Euro to Dollar = 1:1.

I have the old model! It´s a 16 years old one. Price: 149 DM or 75 Euro !!!

The same with Herpa: One of my oldest truckmodels is a Mercedes Truck in the darkblue / grey outfit of the here well known company TALKE. I buyed this in 1982 - price 9,95 DM = 5 Euro = 5 Dollar.

Now Herpa made a relaunch: In some little details is a better printing but its the same model ! Price: 28 Euro.

28 Euro to 9,95 DM are near 7 (SEVEN) times more !!!

But I understand also your question.
I have a handfull brass models - My Overland DD40AX is the most expensive - 700 Dollars.
This models (most of them brass) were the absolute perfect detailed models in the past and today!
Ajin and the other manufactors, Overland and so place only orders, make models with each exact detail in place! And that details make the price!

Modern technologies make it possible that a “normal” model is today near perfect. And modern casting technologies make small series possible!

The prototypes of that expensives were often models that are unique, like the DD40AX, so versions are not possible. Some years ago it wasn´t possible to become a model of UP´s unique CA-3 / CA-4 caboose.

I have three painted European brass models. Two of the unique Swiss Re 6/6 electros, each about 500 Euro, with three trucks and the German ETA 176 batterypowered railrar, 250 Euro. At this time, more than 15 years ago - a “normal” expensive model has a p

3

Because the Brass and some of the newer high end engines are way above the rest in quality and should last a life time. They are also well crafted and not child like.

But for the most part I buy used gear that has been hardly run and is in mint condition.

I picked up a CN 4-6-4 Hudson 5-Ka for under $500 a year ago and a B&O 2-8-0 for $350 last month. These to me are investments that should be around for many years to come.

4

not me i am on a junior high budget

5

Those that buy these high priced items gotta be the rich folks!! Although not complete, I only have about $300-$350 in my whole layout. [:D]

I want to get BLI’s new Santa Fe 4-8-4. Street price is about $280 I have been saving my nickels and dimes now for several months and hope to be able to buy it sometime this summer. This to me is a BIG purchase!!

6

Rich No, My Dad, who is in his eighties, who couldn’t afford the hobby 40 years ago, is living the hobby now through me and buys me an Engine for Christmas every year.

He talks about us getting a CPR Selkirk and Royal Hudson, as he’ll sit for hours watching the engines go around the track.

7

Yes, brass pieces are expensive and always have commanded a premium amount. I have two brass locos, both under $500.00 at purchase time. I was making considerably more money at the time I purchased them, than I make now. Something your not considering is that brass can be an investment which can appreciate in value over time. This is certainly the case with “crown” brass pieces. Crown pieces are the top of the line a brass producer produces and are made on a limited run bases. Even lower grade brass pieces hold their value, so when it is time to cash out of the hobby, a considerable chunk of change will be returned to the owner. This is something which will likely never happen with any plastic models. Brass has it’s place in this hobby and maybe what I’ve said above will help you understand why.

8

To more directly answer the poster’s question, the area of very expensive model buyers encompasses a limited crowd. As one who used to participate in brass years ago, when perhaps 20% of all modelers dabbled in it, the market is probably down to just a few percent currently. The high-end plastic loco’s coming out now probably bring in around 10-15% of modelers, to judge from comments here and on other forums, plus the extremely low production run numbers available. It would appear that, if the last couple of years are any indicator, the manufacturers are going to turn their attention progessively more to mainly the well-to-do participants in the hobby, with plastic prices chasing brass, so get used to seeing high priced stuff in the shops.

CNJ831

9

The most expensive locomotive I bought is my Spectrum 4-8-2, $125.00. [(-D][swg][:-^][:-^] Not much compared to some of you guys!

10

I’m a steam proto modeler, and as such I’ve been forced into buying more expensive engines over the past couple of years., When I was freelancing, $50 used Mantuas and $75 IHC engines were the mainstay of my roster. Now that I’m trying to recreate a specific time and place (the time machine syndrome), I either lower my authenticity bar or fork over the dough.

$250 for a P2K Berkshire is a lot of money, especially when I did it six times, but the overall quality of the engine beats the Rivarossi engine (which is going for as little as $70), making it worth the investment. And they’re still cheaper than brass!

$175 for the BLI USRA heavy mike seems a bit high, but when you factor in it’s great performance and the sound unit, it’s well worth it.

I’ve got two used brass engines that I paid $500 each for, because there’s no way the engines will ever be made in plastic, and my skills don’t include scratchbuilding steam. There’s no way I’ll pay the $1000+ price tag for new brass however, or $150+ for a plastic diesel.

11

I only wish I had that kind of Dinero to shell out for a high-priced loco. Last loco I bought that was just over a hundred bucks, my better half nearly skinned me! Most of the time I’ll settle for a good Athern loco, since they are more affordable, and operate well, easily modified, etc.

12

In S scale the steam locomotives start at $300 and go up to about $700 for non brass. These ar kits and RTR. Brass is over $1000 (most are $2000+). Diesels start at $150 go up to $350 in plastic. Brass is about $800. I don’t buy too many locos in this scale - 2 diesels, 1 GG1, and 2 steam locomotive kits. Over the years you can buy quite a bit if you take the long view and budget for it. While I have spent about $1600 for these (the latest steam loco kit was $725), it is over a twelve year period so it works out to less than $150 a year. Having a lot of locomotives is not a goal of mine so this works just fine. While i would love to have some of the brass locos, I do just fine without them.
Enjoy
Paul

13

If it’s something you REALLY want, price is not as much of an objection.

14

I personally do not drop that kind of money on a locomotive. I was seriously seriously tempted when Riverossi came out with the Allegheny. But I feel that it has been some time now and with my dealer’s discounts I can go maybe 300- max after saving the funds. But keep in mind I buy one or two engines per year and my roster is nearly complete. (10 engines total)

There is a very limited group of people who can spend large amounts on the hobby. As far as I am concerned, that is fine. Your wallet is not who you are. I witnessed a incident in which a child bought a train set at kaybee’s in the mall recently and it was a bit pricey at 80- for the Parents however the expression on the face is joy. To that kid with the new set is like the Crown Jewels.

That is what will keep the hobby going. There will always be a market for the high end as well as everything in between.

15

My wife did for a graduation (MS, 20 years after my BS) present for me last year. [:D][:D][:D][:D][8D] [8D]

It is a N&W Jawn Henry steam turbine, HO scale.

16

I wish [sigh]!! The most expensive thing I have is $89.

17

I certainly don’t mean to sound like I’m smarting off, but someone obviously purchases those locomotives or they wouldn’t be made. If there was no market, there would be no such locomotives. I don’t own any of them, but I see them in practically every hobby shop I go to.

18

wait does G sacle count cuase i bought a aristocraft Fa1 for 325. that is the most i ever spent on one enigne. My grain trains altogether cost me about 5 or 6 hundered

19

Not quite on topic but…

I actually bought a brass locomotive once when I was in high school. How many of you rmember the Ken Kidder (I think that was the name) 0-4-0T brass switcher? It sold for around $10 or $15. It was the first engine I ever bought. I mowed lawns for 35 cents an hour so it took me most of the summer to save up for it. It didn’t run ll that well and I pretty much destroyed it trying to “fix” it. I would love to have it back now and try to remotor it.

20

sounds lik your signature