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Post by rockymountaineer on Mar 25, 2024 1:48:29 GMT
WHOA!!!
Aluminum passenger cars have now hit $380 per car, and specialty cars (i.e., full-dome) are $550... resulting in 8-car sets typically carrying a $3,040 MSRP plus $140 shipping. And one-off add-on cars carry a $40 shipping charge.
Not to be left out of the price increases... the e7/e8 diesels with ABS bodies now carry a $800 MSRP. I can remember when Lionel's first run of DIE-CAST body diesels were that price. And with no dummy units, an AA config heading up your passenger train will add $1,600 to the whole transaction. OUCH!!!
All I can do is shake my head, when I see where prices are going these days. 3rd Rail / GGD prices almost make Lionel's prices seem like a bargain. And yes... I realize the GGD passenger car products often have details unique to specific passenger trains. But still... that only gets me so far... and then you've lost me. I'd love an 8-car set comprising the 1950's D&RGW Prospector passenger train, but at $3K+ there isn't even any discussion to be had. So I'm walking away empty-handed.
I wish Scott Mann well in his endeavors. He knows his market well. And the products that go into production are based on what's pre-ordered ahead of time. So he's not too often left holding much product in inventory. But that being the case, it's a VERY special market -- one where folks have extremely deep pockets, and they'll spend $5K+ EASY for a basic passenger train with locomotives. God bless them!!!
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Post by Adam on Mar 25, 2024 1:49:58 GMT
Surely you mean 1:1 scale for those prices.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Mar 25, 2024 2:58:10 GMT
It’s sad, especially since Scott makes some incredible models. I have a lot of Golden Gate Depot passenger sets that were acquired ten to fifteen years ago that were still high end prices at the time, but almost half of what they are today. But it seems since the pandemic pricing for everything has gone through the roof, especially for trains.
I am interested in the B&O Capital Limited passenger set but with other fish to fry, specifically the 3Rd Rail Amtrak Charger locomotives, sometimes you have to prioritize. I’m glad I got what I have when the pricing was reasonable. (relatively)
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Post by seayakbill on Mar 25, 2024 8:07:10 GMT
To rich for my blood. A lot of electric train operators are retired and are receiving SS or pension monthly income. No room for high end stuff such as the Lionel Super Sets or 3rd rail stuff in the monthly budget. I am guessing the used train market will do well in the future. Bill www.youtube.com/user/seayakbill |
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Post by harborbelt70 on Mar 25, 2024 12:02:46 GMT
WHOA!!!
Aluminum passenger cars have now hit $380 per car, and specialty cars (i.e., full-dome) are $550... resulting in 8-car sets typically carrying a $3,040 MSRP plus $140 shipping. And one-off add-on cars carry a $40 shipping charge.
Not to be left out of the price increases... the e7/e8 diesels with ABS bodies now carry a $800 MSRP. I can remember when Lionel's first run of DIE-CAST body diesels were that price. And with no dummy units, an AA config heading up your passenger train will add $1,600 to the whole transaction. OUCH!!!
All I can do is shake my head, when I see where prices are going these days. 3rd Rail / GGD prices almost make Lionel's prices seem like a bargain. And yes... I realize the GGD passenger car products often have details unique to specific passenger trains. But still... that only gets me so far... and then you've lost me. I'd love an 8-car set comprising the 1950's D&RGW Prospector passenger train, but at $3K+ there isn't even any discussion to be had. So I'm walking away empty-handed.
I wish Scott Mann well in his endeavors. He knows his market well. And the products that go into production are based on what's pre-ordered ahead of time. So he's not too often left holding much product in inventory. But that being the case, it's a VERY special market -- one where folks have extremely deep pockets, and they'll spend $5K+ EASY for a basic passenger train with locomotives. God bless them!!!
I don't see that Scott is pricing or ever has priced his items extravagantly or just increased them because other O scale importers, particularly Lionel, have driven up their catalog (and to an extent street/dealer discount prices) just because they think they can. I agree that there's a certain deep pocket market that Lionel wants to tap - the recent Train Loft D&RGW Big Boy is an example (and it seems to have completely sold out). With 3rd Rail however you get what you pay for - a quality, highly detailed model with the advantage that Scott stands behind his products. My main issue with Lionel is that you always risk getting a product that is not made to the standard people are entitled to expect given prices that in many cases now exceed $2K. Plus, what about those special sets that are being issued to go with, for example, the Triplex at prices that are easily the equivalent of GGD's aluminum passenger car sets?
Apart from quality and genuine value for money, the main difference between 3rd Rail and Lionel is in operating features including some of the gimmicks that Lionel has developed. Don't get me wrong; Legacy sound is well ahead of some of the sound sets used in other 3rail O scale models but even that difference has narrowed considerably.
The difference between GGD's passenger car products and the generic plastic stuff Lionel keeps churning out is so wide, IMHO, that there's really no choice if you want aluminum cars, and yes, the price per car is substantial but I'll just not buy any from Lionel and limit any passenger car purchases to the special interest models GGD makes. More generally, I am not looking at having whole passenger trains any more based on Lionel or MTH products. The situation that I think has developed is that there's a choice between an over-priced and unreliable product range and what you can get from GGD, and the latter is what appeals to me.
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Post by Sir James on Mar 25, 2024 13:32:10 GMT
IF you have the money, fine. But that really does leave out most of the buying market. But then it is a limited-edition offer.
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Post by dennym57 on Mar 25, 2024 14:57:56 GMT
If I had the money I still wouldn't buy it.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Mar 25, 2024 16:36:41 GMT
I’m sure there is a market for these trains at these prices. It’s highly unlikely that 3Rd Rail/ Golden Gate Depot, Lionel, Atlas and MTH would price items like they do if they weren’t selling out. I guess I’m looking at it with the perspective that I have probably more trains I can operate in my lifetime and I’m being more selective in what I purchase and how much I’m willing to pay for them. That plus the fact I have a lot of high end quality locomotives and GGD passenger cars that I paid half as much for several years ago than they are now.
David, when you talked about getting the DRG&W Triplex (or is it a Big Boy?) I was going to mention to you about the GGD Prospector passenger set. But even I couldn’t suggest spending that amount of someone else’s money for the cars and the engine!  (I do love that unique to me observation car end)
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(I do love that unique to me observation car end)