This is how I buy Model Trains

[@rwissbaum9849]

Jimmy, you omitted one crucial bit of advice (or perhaps you take it for granted): DO THE RESEARCH FIRST. Find out the availability of the item you're looking for; find out the maximum and minimum price; find out if the item is available new, or used, or both. Once you know all of this, you are better prepared for eBay auctions, or for haggling at swap meets. You MUST know your maximum price before going in - then stick to your limit. I am a casual eBay seller, and I have had auctions for certain high-end items finish at prices *considerably* higher than retail. I can only surmise that some people see something they like, and then get into a mindset of "well, I can certainly pay another $10." That is a *great* way to overspend.

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Yeah that is a great tip! A local switcher is a one-off GP7u... and I thought ho-boy this is going to be a doozy to try and prototype. So I spent hours looking for a suitable GP7 I could try to modify. Turns out... Athearn has the exact model, road name, and number coming out next summer. Good thing I kept researching or I would have been really torqued off this was available after plowing through a major modification!!

[@friscobob56]

I go by an important rule-Thou Shalt Not Pay Full Retail Price.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I do the same thing at train shows. I cruise around, looking at what there's available and then go back and pick up what I want. The last loco I bought at a show was an Athearn Genesis HO WP GP9 with DCC and sound for $150. Runs beautifully! As far as pre-orders, I have an I-M WP FP7 on order for four or five years! I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever see the thing!

[@davidcurtis5398]

Loved the old "blue box" kits. Not much detail but if you wanted that you could add it. Priced much better. Now I buy all my rolling stock from swap meets and never pay over $10 for any cars. Usually they have the KD's and metal wheels already on them. Great video!!!

[@drewzero1]

My first model train was a Blue Box F-unit that I got in 1996. It's still one of my strongest and most reliable runners.

[@HunterHoward-jy4et]

Same those blue box kits were nice and for pretty decent prices

[@wilzdart]

Jimmy, train shows are really the best place to buy and get what you want at a good price. At most shows there is a test track to test a purchase before you leave. The plus is not sales tax and shipping cost. It was a good tip to look around before you buy but you can loose out. What I do is make a list of what I want, check new price, auction price plus shipping. That way I dont loose out shopping around. Good points in the video!

[@Eclipse1988]

So true. Just saved 100 bucks on a brand new Broadway Limited Paragon 4 Conrail!

[@aj3751]

I like train shows too because you never know what may pop up. The downside is that lately, people will price things out for hundreds over catalog pricing

[@wilzdart]

@@aj3751 you are correct on that I just check prices on stuff on my list. If he is too high bye bye

[@danbalmer1]

Great tips. At train shows, I would add that if you are looking at locomotives that are used, see if there is a test track available and get permission to test it. No fault to the seller if something might now run well. A lot of times the sellers purchase an estate lot to resell or someone's collection and may not test everything out. Honestly, I have started to buy only new locos, and the rolling stock and structures at shows, unless there is something cool like a Kato N switcher that you don't see often.

[@cp368productions2]

My primary locomotive source now is Train World. They tend to be $50-$150 cheaper than anyone else. Buying DCC Ready isn't usually a cost saving as you often end up paying more for a DCC Ready locomotive and a decoder separately than you will for a DCC/Sound locomotive. Train shows I would be lenient to buy a locomotive at. Of the 5 I have bought 2 don't work. One needs extensive repairs to get operational.

[@texastrainfan56]

It's hit or miss when it comes to locomotives from shows I've gotten a few one worked great all the others didn't work at all if i can afford it I now go with brand new locos

[@AemJaY]

trainworld is awesome

[@aj3751]

I've only ever bought 1 item from a trainshow that didn't work, and it's a minor wiring issue from the roller contact. I always ask around about a test track. If the vendor isn't sure, that just means I have A LOT of negotiating power to haggle the price down

[@the3drailroad100]

Lombard Hobbies online has both N scale Intermountain and Scaletrains Autoracks for the $40 dollar range. Of course shipping and sales tax depending upon where one lives and the size of an order placed is something I always compare as well. Just tossing it out there for anyone looking. Train shows can be hit or miss like anything else. I’ve seen vendors with great deals but also ones that expect MSRP for new releases that just don’t seem rare or worth it. To each their own! Happy Hunting!

[@thomascanady1967]

I know you like the idea of pre-orders. How long have you been waiting for that item? Three years? Are they still planning to build it? I bought items on preorder and after I get the last one, I'll never do preorder again. Don't have the patience to wait for a item that I might not get. Good luck on your preorder.

[@sadman68]

I started with looking for Athearn blue box freight cars on eBay and the monthly Great Midwest Train Show to build my rolling stock inexpensively. Now I look for Scale Train operator freight cars. Good detail and price. I usually find mine at Lombard Hobbies which happens to be my local hobby store. They have great prices on the operator series and everything else as well. I am really lucky to have them within a 15 minute drive.

[@MacTrom1]

At a train show last fall I picked up a bag of kato track worth over $!00 for $20. Also many cars at reasonable prices, usually less than $10/car for new cars in jewel cases.i also bought my athern big boy for $430 new at my local hobby shop by paying over 90 day layaway. A bonus due to my low income level.

[@skerbs7755]

Great tips, Jimmy! I try to research in advance what I want and then scour the internet and used train market to find a deal.

[@robadams5799]

I liked the music as the Conrail train was running.

[@kenshores9900]

Good video: Train shows are a great way to get small hard to find items. (Parts to Plasticville buildings, trucks, couplers, etc. Sometimes the show has estate sale items. These are totally negotiable. I bought 8 individually numbered box cars in an obscure road name for $10/car. Don’t forget building kits. I buy refinery kits so I can kit bash them into and actual model of a refinery unit with pumps. Good pointers Jimmy.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Another good source of less expensive equipment is estate sales. You can find lots of good equipment for a decent price.

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

Indeed! I recently got 2 locos (not in the best condition, one has the worst case of zinc pest I've ever seen), a BIG box of track, and a good dozen or 2 buildings for 60 bucks. Also some signals

[@Mike__B]

Absolutely, although sometimes that can be a mad house if other hobbyists also know about it. The last one I went to there were pictures on craigslist showing off a bunch of awesome steam engines and so forth, and was pretty jazzed about being there, I got there before they opened and there already was a group of people waiting to get in. And yeah most of them were for the trains but as it turned out someone made an offer for all of them and picked them up the day before. Talk about major bummer. That said I did find an Athern Genesis Mikado that was hiding in it's original box that looked like it never was ran, under a bunch of stuff, and it was new enough to be dcc ready too (had the dummy plug in it) so it wasn't a complete waste for me.

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

I often have non sound decoders in stock and that enables me to get many new DCC ready locos operational as soon as I get them. I can then buy a sound decoder a bit later and the non sound one is then available for the next item. Keeping track of what decoder, plug, address etc in an excel file means I can sort this out without much agrovation.

[@wdstauter8429]

I too am looking for Auto racks. We live north of the Louisville Ford truck plans and the CSX line through our small town is loaded with auto racks. I wish Kato would make a set, like the coal cars.

[@lonluna721]

The best part of the hobby is researching the best deals. 😁 I don't mind my DCC's to be no sound right now as I am just enjoying how great they run and working on landscaping. Train shows are great as the Rocky Mountain Show is always the best in my area. I just bought a few Cattle cars from FB Marketplace, and you just have to keep looking anywhere you can. Thanks for this great info!

[@robadams5799]

When I lived in the Chicago area I always checked out the monthly Great Midwest Train Show in Wheaton, Illinois. There I found a really nifty N-scale Santa Fe train set for something like fifty bucks. (Yellowbonnets are my favorite.) I'd also visit someone who called herself "the Tree Lady." She specialized in making trees for layouts. All the vendors there were happy to "talk shop" and demonstrate their products. I now live near Gainesville, Georgia and sadly there aren't any train shows or hobby shops near me anymore.

[@edcrane4438]

Just went to my first train show in Lebanon TN, lots of stuff, wish I had the space for a giant O gauge layout. I personally will only buy new engines and electronics or track, don’t want to deal with problems but if I want rollout stock this is where I’ll go.

[@thomaslarsen5057]

I mostly prefer to support the shops so they can still be there. Second hand so far has been a few freight cars and some tracks. Going to a fair like you did must be great. 😀

[@WayneTurner-t2x]

Thanks for all the excellent content info on your site I’m from Australia Sydney & extremely new to the hobby have really enjoyed all your up loads regards Wayne

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Hickory, North Carolina! You may find this interesting. I am building an HO shelf layout based on Caldwell County Railroad. My version of Hickory is up and running. More being built as space (spare bedroom) allows.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

That's Awesome! Half My family is from Lenoir so I know that shortline. I've always pondered a CCRR layout. Now the Intermountain is coming out with the GP16s in the Family Lines livery, I may just do it. I would have big signature scenes like the 321 crossing and the catawba river bridge.

[@lenmannc1]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad Any idea when the GP16's in N scale will be out? I think HO is out or will be soon. I live in Lenoir as well!

[@346UNCLEBOB]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad I bought a couple of Walthers undecorated GP16s which I plan to detail and custom paint.

[@atanisoftware]

Jimmy, I have a few of those Concor auto racks and a bunch of other N scale bits. I took them to the recent NMRA PCR convention to make deals with others. I'll be listing what I have left very soon on eBay.

[@RayBoebel]

To be honest, Im at the point were I need specific road names for cabooses (cabeese?). That makes things a bit tougher and I'm almost considering undecorated (which might even be more of an issue). There is one specific piece of rolling stock that Im interested in as well, which is also going to be pricey (Im very much budget). So, I wait for shows and see what I can turn up. Im HO scale as well

[@philhamsher3977]

always informative. Thanks Jimmy

[@HotRodRodney25]

the nicest thing about rolling stock if you start out as all dc you can still run Tyco ahm etc. cars with dcc just with upgrading wheels trucks couplers and spend money on dcc locos and track switches and dcc system you are saving lots of money on all new rolling stock

[@akaz678]

There's a local shop here that deals in used and pre owned items. I couldn't be more grateful, you just sometimes have to fix a broken handrail.

[@richardwest9054]

When you have the time, could you do a deeper dive into body mount versus truck mount couplers? I work in N scale. Thanks as always for all the info you give us.

[@SuperMillerman10]

Swap meets are fun. Sometimes the thrill of finding a unique item, then haggling for a good price is just as much fun as running it on your layout. Sometimes though, even if the price is a bit high you sometimes just have to buy the item you want because you may never have the chance to again

[@gregwilliams7354]

That's the way to do it! At least, I do. Can't wait for next weekend, big show coming up!

[@Neferdias]

I've also found you can't trust your local hobby stores to maintain reasonable pricing. I have one store in town that sells 20% above MSRP, one store that sells for about MSRP and then a 3 hour jont down south has a store that sells things for MSRP, but will typically have monthly sales on different product. Buying stuff new is great as a treat, but I've had so much luck at train shows and swap meets finding used stuff that's in great condition. You hit the nail on the head with your method; Go in with a budget and a list of items, survey ALL the vendor tables, and buy from the one who'll give you a reasonable deal but be aware that there are vendors who will have higher prices on their items knowing people will haggle. I've had vendors tell me if I buy three things, they'll give me 10% off... when they're sell rolling stock for 10 bucks more than then table next to them. Model Railroading is just one of those hobbies where you can get great stuff for cheap, or for a lot. It depends wholly on the effort put in.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

I avoid 'DCC-ready' as it will cost you more to buy the decoder/speaker separately. Add about $200 more for a LokSound5 decoder/speaker to the price you paid for the DC locomotive pushing the cost to over $400 for a DCC/Sound locomotive. Things are much different in Canada.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

I see DCC Ready only worthwhile if you don't care about sound but want DCC. Then it makes sense to go that route. If you are wanting sound then you might as well just buy it complete from the manufacturer (then you are also covered for any defects from the decoder as well vs. DIY/on your own going third party).

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Oh agreed, for sure. However, I noticed prices crept up on DC models advertising themselves as 'DCC ready' as if that added value to the locomotive.

[@RichardWayburnsr]

When I am repairing an engine or car with small screws or parts, I roll some painter's tape into a circle, press it onto my work bench and stick the screws and parts onto the tape, haven't lost anything in over 15 years.

[@DeclineofJehovah]

My local shop sold me a start set for $240. Msrp was &280 but amazon had it for $160!!! I guess Ill be buying online from now on.

[@gerardoarroyo8168]

A few months ago try to buy a new locomotive, and my surprise when the price ranges from the 150 t 300 dlrs, Need to check how much I paid feom mine back in the mid '90s

[@BattleshipOrion]

Having a small fleet of N scale, I recently found a good ratio to work with since I'm researching engines. I found that IF you can afford it, the best ratio for locomotives is 4 to 1. 4 DCC ready/budget friendly locomotives to 1 premium locomotive. I have a current fleet of 4 locomotives, one recently stopped working (as in copper is black, shell gets to hot to touch after running, and when the shell is off, sparks fly everywhere when it did run) so technically 3. An Atlas B40-8, a Kato SD70m, a Kato Es44ac and an old MiniTrix H12/44. Sounds like a number of railroads typical roster, until I disclose that the ES44 is BNSF, the SD70, and B40 are Southern Pacificand the H12/44 is Milwaukee...Another tip is to write/type out a personal document on how & when to buy your engines & rolling stock, and while doing so, evaluate your current collection, if you're part of a club this will be more difficult. When I formed my plan I had a yard engine (the engine that stopped working), a road-switcher, and two road-engines.. The document was written in a way as to narrow my focus on getting 2 new premium engines. Now with the loss of my yard engine, I had to forgo one of the two premiums to get a replacement, which ultimately saved me $100 excluding shipping.

[@randallellison6421]

The people complaining about the costs and paying $100 more than you did are most likely either buying directly from the manufacturer or they bought from an online seller who thinks they're sitting on a pile of gold and charging WAY more than its worth! Budget line locomotives and rolling stock are great for buying new without breaking the bank. Unfortunately, there are some people who think that everything should be detailed to the max, have all the sound and light features, and be sold for pennies. That is simply not possible because these companies have to recoup the costs of the tooling invested to make those highly detailed models. Some even think manufacturers should stop making budget line models as well, which would drive away a huge portion of their customer base and further increase the costs of trains, not to mention, those same budget friendly trains help contribute to cover the cost of tooling for those higher end models too! The used market is also a great way to buy trains for not alot of money. Estate auctions yard sales can actually good results when you find one that has trains in it. Some of my best buys have come there. I've bought entire sets from an auction for as little as $20, heck, I bought two 6 packs of Athearn Ready to Roll ore cars and a set of Roundhouse passenger cars for $6 at an estate auction a few years ago. There are deals to be had, you just gotta be patient and look in the right places. Lastly, I'm glad you mentioned the pre order when it comes to the new stuff. Most people start throwing a fit when a model gets delayed or even announced a year plus in advace. Like you, that extra time buys me more time to save up to get that model, or even buy a 2nd road number (if produced), so I'm not complaining if a model gets delayed, because, I can quite literally afford to wait!

[@Mike__B]

So can you add sound to an existing DCC setup? Or do you simply replace the entire decoder? It's implied that you can do just DCC now and then DCC with sound later as if you aren't spending for a dcc sound decoder AND a dcc movement only decoder

[@Eclipse1988]

Just went to a local train show this weekend and got a brand new Broadway Limited Paragon 4 Conrail for 100 cheaper than ordering it. And yes, it's not cheap. The most expensive HO loco I've ever purchased thus far, lol. But I decided to treat myself! And I'm absolutely in love. It has a dual mode decoder that automatically detects DC or DCC and can run seamlessly on both with sound! Beautifully detailed as well. I know... sound on DC? YEP! My NCE power Cab comes in today so that will be short lived, but I wanted to put this out there for our DC friends. It does a whole start up sequence and rev levels automatically based on how much and how fast you apply power to the tracks. It does take some juice though, my old Spectrum transformer was at about 65 - 70% percent power just to start the thing lol. But man, what a great option for DC people!

[@lesliesavage9229]

I run HO, which is bigger than N gauge, and has more room inside. I've bought all three types, DC only, DCC ready and DCC equipped. The most that has saved me, and I run often is a DC Walthers engine with a horse on the side, which is why I wanted it. Bachmann had a DC ready of the same line, but mine cost less than that one to make it DCC with sound. You're right about vast savings by putting in the decoder yourself. The decoder often tells you in the ad for it which engine sounds are supported. This is how I selected my decoder for my engine. I know it has prototype sounds, but the brakes are my favorite, in both sound and stopping. What I don't like is looking over 13 steam engines on a site, and in this case Trains In The Valley, and 10 of them are listed as out if stock. Why list what you don't have, and more so when they are "used" stock. It makes the site look like it has more, but it is disappointing to see the item you want is sold. Plus you have to look though the items they do not have to find the item you want. I've seen this elsewhere, and it is very frustrating. Better photography. One thing that takes away from a model for sale is blurred pictures, as with the pallets on the site you suggested. Also laziness in not printing them in a brown filament. Filament isn't that expensive that he couldn't at least print them in brown, the general color of pallets. You can always use the unused filament for something that doesn't have to be a certain color, and I know this from experience. Then he makes the excuse they are grey so you can paint them. So if they are brown, they are not paint-able? I could go on about the quality of the prints. For example I have gotten free to print files for cargo containers with better detail than his. I get it that drawing out designs in CAD takes time, and and I know this from making my own designs to print. Mine are so good that people are amazed at the complete model. These cargo containers are lines on a box, and not good ones at that. I hope these people read this, and take it as constructive criticism, because even Trainworld is too lacy to take their cameras off auto focus to get their engines in focus in the videos they are using to sell thier trains. So these people are not alone, but they can benefit by presenting their products in the best light possible.

[@rodneystewart8958]

I use karma sometimes to help spread costs along with layaway when possible

[@AlphaCentuari18]

Since you mentioned DCC ready locomotives in this video, where do you get decoders from? Could you make a decoder buying guide of things to look for and where to shop?

[@randallellison6421]

Iron Planet Hobbies has a large selection of decoders, that's where I started buying my decoders from recently.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

This is where I go for most of mine too

[@randallellison6421]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad I actually went to Iron Planet Hobbies while I was a borrow out driver in Springfield, Missouri (the store is about a 20 minute drive, give or take from Springfield), it's a really cool store with a great selection!

[@cbirailroad]

I've purchased a couple of DCC-ready locomotives (Atlas & Kato) but the drop-in decoders did not have sound. Is there a database or x-reference out there somewhere that lists drop-in sound decoders for DCC-ready locomotives?

[@dirtthunder1638]

Another source is the trains for sale pages on FB. But some people think that trains alway appreciate and do not depreciate. This is not the norm. Most loose value unless they are special runs or are in a limited numbers. Some want more than they paid for it and you can get it new cheeper.

[@drewzero1]

"I love ten-dollar trains!" This kid gets me.

[@gerardrusso4156]

Lombard Hobbies and Trainworld is my source for Kato DC locomotives. Great prices and customer service. Kato locomotives are reasonably priced and run flawlessly. eBay for rolling stock both new and used. Unfortunately, the closest train shops are two plus hours away as well as train shows.

[@peterlaws1653]

You're doing a good job thank you

[@sunkbootnoot1204]

I want the new amtrack in n scale cant find one anywhere thats affordable

[@haasebahn]

I usually wait to buy something and see if I can get it cheaper than the online price at a train show.

[@sidetraxx779]

At the beginning I rarely buy new trains or rolling stock. I usually wait for train shows or online markets. To pay for my purchases, I have a side hustle, I draw house plans for people. A few evenings and a weekend or two a and then I have a few hundred dollars to spend. Being patient pays off, I got most of my Rapido equipment second hand and for a lot less than new all while still in great condition, mostly. I now have two Rapido Royal Hudson's for what someone would have paid new for one. Waiting for "the deal" pays off. In some cases I have waited for years for an item to come down in price or to just become available again. Work for it, because it won't come free.

[@mikefisher2673]

Most if not all my engines are not DCC ready being from the 70s though the late 90s.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I'm getting frustrated while trying to design my next N scale layout for a new house. The footprint will likely change and I've tried to make it fit a number of different room plans for fun, but I really want to model an electric arc steel mill near where I work, but it's so hard to find info about how it operates and figure out how somebody would operate it, plus I don't know how I would build it without knowing more about how it looks, but there really aren't plans for it. They definitely don't make them in N scale as it is. Somebody used to make 1, but they've been out of production for a while. I'm considering just building a big steel building with about 5 different entrances and pretending that there's more there than there actually is.

[@bobainsworth5057]

I hate to bring this up but there are many model roaders such as I who are getting up in years. I myself have lost an entire cub ,( 9 members), who have passed away. I mention this because if you go to a large train show such a Timonium meet you'll find large amounts of cars and engines bought from or are estate sales . I have bought some of these that were correctly weighted ( NMRA standard ), with kadees couplers, and metal wheels for $5 to $8 dollars each. Can't get any better than that. Newer models slightly higher.

[@Quince828]

Also I didn’t see him doing much dickering. If you wait until the last hours of the train show most of the guys will cut you a good deal just so they don’t have to lug the stuff home to sit in their basement. Especially if they see it’s going to a good home.

[@ucicweallc]

Looks like someone got a new camera slider? ;)

[@HumancityJunction]

How do you make sure that when you spot a good deal that you can confirm it’s not something that you already own?

[@MatthewKearns-c9w]

I keep a "Google Sheet" updated on my phone and check it against what I'm looking to buy. I've got columns for car type, road name, road number, and any other little notes (special paint job, key dating details, etc). I'm into coal hoppers and it keeps me from buying duplicates when looking for new road numbers.

[@jamesgriffin8354]

@@MatthewKearns-c9w I do likewise, well worth the time to create a spreadsheet of what you have in your collection - I currently have over 1,400 freight cars!

[@thetrainloverdk]

I have an Old locomotive where both of the bogies are powered, but it is like sometimes one of the two bogies just stop being powered and locs up so the other bogie is just trying to drag it. Do you know what to do? And also great video really good information about buying trains!

[@jamesmendyk8546]

I have to go the “for parts” route off eBay. The railroad we had local died in the early 50s so there is no train culture here. That means no shops or shows.

[@Phantom0507]

Jimmy, I just wanted to say thank you for all you do for the community, I was always into trains when I was younger and I finally have the smarts and money at 16 to finally fund a railroad, everything you've done is honestly amazing and it's all super helpful. also quick tip I've found, Amazon tends to have a lot of things cheaper than you'd find elsewhere, I got an n scale bachmann super chief for 100$ compared to 190$ at my local hobby shop

[@rwissbaum9849]

Amazon can be less expensive, and it can be way more expensive. LEDs and other electronics are cheap cheap cheap. Locomotives and other rolling stock tend to be overpriced. Do the research.

[@douglasvillerailfan3994]

I buy older locos and rolling stock and upgrade em. I only have 1 loco i bought new and that ran me 650.00

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I do this, but it's a bit tougher in N Scale for locomotives.

[@HunterHoward-jy4et]

Love your videos keep up the good work :)

[@brewcrew5854]

I think professional estate sale auctioneers suck up a.lot and use the guise of " not train knowledgable so not tested " yet they amp up pricing to suggest they ate functional but if not they are off the hook.

[@AtomHeartMother68]

90% of my shopping for trains is online. If you can handle the spam get on vendors email lists. They will send coupon codes for savings. Most all my acquisitions in the last 3 years or so(~$7k) have been done with zip(formerly) quadpay. Yes there is a fee per transaction but it breaks down purchases into 4 payments; if you don't want to drop say, 400 bucks on the latest loco in one shot. Plus I like the security of a virtual card only approved for that specific purchase. Ymmv.

[@williamthawley9251]

exactly what I do, see what is there and the prices, then hit the ones with unusual cars that I do not have, and go for the cheapest price.

[@TobiasL1000]

I like to buy DCC…no need to open the loco and risk damage.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Invaluable is a great source for auction houses selling model trains. I get email notifications whenever train auctions come up. I've gotten amazing deals even when auction fees and shipping are included (Kadee freight cars $6 a piece, Proto freight cars $5 a piece, BLI P2 steam locos for under $200, etc.). The caveat is everything is sold as-is so bid like you will be buying a project expecting nothing to work since they do not test anything. I have been able to recoup costs+profit if something arrived I didn't like. However, 99% of the time the item is brand new out of the box and works great. Cabin Fever Auctions also has many train auctions. Same rules apply like above. However, the Great Scale Train Show in Timonium, MD is the best place for HO and N Scale items. Always come away from that show with something at a great price.

[@michaelsmith441]

I door dash a few times to buy the latest model I want 👌😎

[@Yoyle_cakebfdi]

Interesting, how long does it take to directly Order from the bli website ?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Most of the time BLI doesn’t do orders through their website except for their preowned outlet store. It usually does not take a long time to ship though.

[@ErikG610]

I recently ordered an HO engine from them. Excellent service, 4 days from ordering on a Sunday until I received it, 50% of retail MSRP and 30% less than the retailers I watch for sale prices. It came with a warranty and runs great. Really good experience!

[@HotRodRodney25]

train shows, what not auctions, eBay, Etsy, yard sales, train shops, fb market place,

[@allenkotlan3606]

My brst luck has been swap meets or fellow clib member's friends. Shatiing the hobby with friends has worked well do far.

[@allenkotlan3606]

Please pardon the typos recovering from a stroke. Doing pretty well.😊

[@harleymemphis9190]

yes haggle at shows the vender not want to take his item back home

[@jimbobjones5972]

Jimmy, with all due respect (and yes, I do love your channel), I have to ask, "What's the best price you can give me for three of them?" and that's it is the best you can do when it comes to haggling????😮😮

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I don't haggle much on new in box stuff plus They hit the number I budgeted. I needed each car to get to $55 each to beat online prices with tax and shipping. I only go hardcore haggling on old stuff like . "I'll give you $100 for this tray of cars."

[@jimbobjones5972]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad I understand. It's just that in the intro, you stated that you were going to show your son how to haggle thus leading to an expectation of seeing that, at least on my part. No biggie.

[@elleryparsons2433]

Shop Smart.

[@dannyking748]

I dont really think its price. Its more like a kid in a candy store. Your browsing sites or store and juust keep adding to your cart and wind uo with $4000 worth of locomotives and rolling stock and then you like. Do i really need all of this and have to pick and choose the things you want or find cheaper ways of doing it or substitute items for different ones. Ive been there done that. I set my limit of $1000-$1500 every 3 months to save the money then spend it in one whack. Its hard, but can be done

[@dathyr1]

The HO hobby has gotten too expensive for a child growing up today (2024). I help out at my local hobby shop and see the prices of everything have gone way up today, plus a friend and myself have pretty good size HO layouts which we started many years ago. To even get started on a home layout, lumber, electrical wires/parts, paints, Bolts/screws, glues, etc just to do the frameworks for a layout are ridiculously expensive. Now you get into buying the engines, cars, track, switches, roadbed, powerpacks, etc are so much more expensive then the years we bought all our items years ago. Even little detail parts - figures, autos, trees, buildings, etc are ridiculous priced. This is not a childs hobby anymore and we see very few children come into the shop to buy train items. Chidlren would get very bored with just a loop of track, one engine, and a few cars. Even for adults like myself (75 years old) have stopped buying train items like I used to years ago. EBay used to be a great place to get bargains, but not much anymore. It is a great hobby to create realistic railroading, but it is a very rich mans hobby. Each of our 2 layouts if tried to put together today would be over 750,000 dollars or allot more. Sure we bought stuff a little at a time, but it was allot cheaper 30 or so years ago. So don't go fooling people this is a great hobby to get into unless you have allot of money to invest in it plus the time it takes to build a good layout we enjoy. take care.

[@williamthawley9251]

I sell my unwanted freight cars at my local hobby shop, 10.00 each, or 3 or more for 9.00. then trade this for purchases at the hobby shop.

[@Gary-zq3pz]

I couldn't imagine spending 20,000 dollars on a model train setup, I spent 20k on guitars, keyboards, amps, and effects devices. I think I still use as much electricity....

[@elleryparsons2433]

1:01

[@Kermondale]

I did"that" in the 1990's ,when I had $$

[@Reefdevil]

always train shows... always.

[@El_Crab]

Hello

[@SandraMoore-w1g]

Edgardo Mews

[@bobainsworth5057]

Oops, sorry, ththose cars were HO scale.

[@AlexNunes-z6v]

I'm a Ho DC guy I go for DC I tried to go for the cheep stuff I stay under 50 bucks once in a while I do have it like for my birthday I brought a transfer Caboose I always wanted one 50 bucks. That's it for 50 bucks that's all I wanted so now I stay under $50 I don't go any higher than 50 I look for cheap Tyco kits whatever.I accidentally buy a dummy sometime. I don't know the difference I'm learning. Can I buy you 😆 🤣 I need somebody like you by my side to tell me good so I don't get a dummy.like you taught your son like that's what I mean.😂 I learn from KZbin I tried to remember at train shows.A 9vot is good to take,three holes on the bottom of the locomotive is a good one it runs. right that's what I learned so far from KZbin

[@elleryparsons2433]

Do Some Saving if You need To go to the Bank.

[@user-xv3zp8gl7j]

Just goto goodwill everyone is dumping trains there because nobody wants the trains its over the hobby is over.

[@HollywoodWick3d]

"Everyone" is bad logic and reasoning.