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 Posted - December 14 2011 : 6:59:50 PM
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I just want to throw this out now, as this weekend there is a large regional model railroad show I will be attending on Saturday morning:
Until my recent adventure into rebuilding- the AHM Center Cab project I shared on this forum- I usually passed by those boxes of shells and the "under the table" non operating engines that the table vendor seems to have brought to every flea market since Moses stopped shaving.
But now, they seem more interesting than in the past, so...
Please give me some guidance on this stuff, in terms of what to look for, what to avoid, what sort of fair price I should pay, etc.
Thanks for any feedback,
Siouxlake/Ron
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 7:02:49 PM
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hmm well I collect billboard/ad cars & locos
But atm looking for the streamlined caboose of the Durango set 
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 7:44:55 PM
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LOL, microbusss....I think he meant things to look out for HIMSELF. 
I love under-the-table deals. It's always good to look for Athearns. I've found several very nice ones for $5 or less. They're usually easy to get running. Also look for things that are still in the box--they're usually in nicer shape. I usually see AHMs going for cheap, and when they're in good shape they run fairly well. There are different types that are all generically labeled as AHM, RSO, or just Yugoslavia, but are basically the same build. Snoop around Tony Cook's site (link at the bottom of the main forum page) for details. The really light, flimsy, 8-wheel drive mehano built locos (like my LOTW) run okay when they are in good shape, but are harder to repair. I would be cautious with those.
Also look for anything that you might easily remotor. If you look around this site, you'll see many examples of different types that have been remotored and now run better than new.
Personally I avoid Life-Like and the low-end Bachmanns. Some of the older Life-Likes are Yugoslavian made and are okay, but most of their stuff is junk and not easily repairable. They do have a few locos that are decorated for less common lines, so those can be interesting even if not entirely functional. Again, check out Tony Cook's site.
I actually like to look for things with complete handrails, especially if they're cheap. Handrails can be costly to replace.
Around here, in Missouri, I'm typically paying $3-5 for this kind of stuff. Anything more than that and it has to be really special and should be above the table.
Hope that helps, I kinda rambled.
Edited by - burlington77 on December 14 2011 7:45:43 PM
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 8:26:04 PM
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Basically, examine it critically, and decide not to pay more than a few dollars for a beat up junker. Depends on what you are looking for, I buy some just to collect, like older makes of Varney, Penn Line, Marx, or I'll buy something that has a certain interest to me, like Playart or Revell trains. I bought a '50's Penn Line GG1 cast shell for $5 last week, paint peeling but the shell was not broken. I don't mind paying $3-5 for an engine if it's got some usable parts left on it, or a rarity. I"m not paying 10-12 for one, though. It's just part of bargain shopping. Look for what you want, and don't overpay. But don't pass up some rare item for a few dollars extra, if you come back later, it will probably be gone. Just gotta know what you want, and how much you want to pay for it.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 8:33:45 PM
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oh I sorry B77 I apologize
Yeah "under the table" good stuff Just ask 1st before you start digging there Cause sometimes the sellerr wants to keep it
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 10:14:59 PM
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I love under table deals. You see something with potential or see misc. graveyard engines or repairable ones. Its my main thing at the train shows!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - December 14 2011 : 10:49:53 PM
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I'm a train show scrounge. Those under the table boxes of misc. are my favorite place to look.
Most diesels can be bought for $5. Bargain with the vendor. If it's under the table, he/she is usually just trying to unload them, but not give them away. Paid $10 for an AHM y6b at a show.
It's amazing what is down there. Proto, Atlas, you name it. If you are really into kitbashing/detailing even the cheap TYCO / Bachmann/Macao steam engines make for fun projects. Also, you can find Can motors sitting alone. Buy the motors for later projects. I usually pay $5 for a decent motor, up to $10 for Mashima. Diesel shells typically, I get them for $1 or $2 each. I'm not the American Pickers type when it comes to striking a bargain but, I still can do o.k. and have some fun with it.
If you talk to the right vendor, he is there to have fun too. Some folks think their stuff is "Collector Grade Investment". Just smile and walk on. Early bird catches the worm. BUT,
sometimes near the end of the day, you really can make some bargains, when the vendor doesn't want to take the stuff back home. I've seen folks buy the entire table of trains at the end of the day. Have fun with it.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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Helm
Little Six
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Posted - December 15 2011 : 07:07:14 AM
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I love the under the table boxes! Sometimes they'll make you a good deal on the whole box just to get rid of the stuff. I've gotten some great stuff that way.
Need some extra trucks, a box car door, handrail, a shell, brake wheels, etc.? There's usually good "donor" cars/engines for less than the guys who sell parts separatelly.
... and the whole "hunt" is part of the fun!
RicH
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Posted - December 15 2011 : 07:20:51 AM
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hehe I did that once, NC Shortlines It was nearly closing time at a local toy show & I got 7-8 HO stuff for $1 each  Toy show is on at least twice a year 
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Posted - December 15 2011 : 08:19:00 AM
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For me, I Go Pickin`! I look through dusty corners of antique shops looking for goodies!
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