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Post by thebigcrabcake on Oct 19, 2024 21:48:15 GMT
The TCA York Meet is still the biggest and best place to find Second-Hand Trains. Most of the major manufacturers and large stores have abandoned York in favor of online sales and presence and that strategy has been successful for them because they are predominately NEW train sellers. With the rising cost of everything and the sticker shock inducing prices of new trains, more and more of us are turning to Second-Hand Trains. They are not always easy to find online and Dealers of Second-Hand Trains are terrible about updating their websites with their supply. Nowhere is the supply of Second-Hand Trains better than at York. I think the huge crowd at this Falls Meet is driven by this fact.
I'm a huge fan of good condition, lightly used Second-Hand Trains. What about you?
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Post by af3020 on Oct 19, 2024 21:59:17 GMT
For the most part that is all I am - a fan of carefully used second hand trains.  Mind you, I do believe in supporting the manufacturers and I do try to buy their new offerings but, in spite of extensive Google searches, I haven't been able to find the website for Bing and their latest offerings so I've had to settle for lightly used second-hand.  |
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 19, 2024 23:28:29 GMT
The TCA York Meet is still the biggest and best place to find Second-Hand Trains. Most of the major manufacturers and large stores have abandoned York in favor of online sales and presence and that strategy has been successful for them because they are predominately NEW train sellers. With the rising cost of everything and the sticker shock inducing prices of new trains, more and more of us are turning to Second-Hand Trains. They are not always easy to find online and Dealers of Second-Hand Trains are terrible about updating their websites with their supply. Nowhere is the supply of Second-Hand Trains better than at York. I think the huge crowd at this Falls Meet is driven by this fact. I'm a huge fan of good condition, lightly used Second-Hand Trains. What about you? Agreed and as York is normally within a 90 minute trip what is not to like even two days in a row foregoing a hotel stay. However I am with others here on OGF that the Allentown meet gives York a good run for the money. Since York is spread out in several buildings while Allentown is in a single location with seemingly more narrow aisles ( and no I did not verify this with a tape measure) it is no surprise that the Allentown venue seems more crowded than York. However both Just Trains of Delaware and Grzyboski's are a mere shadow of their York selves. They are the only notable full time retail B&M dealers in attendance. The difference IMO is the concentration of hobbyist sellers with more robust offerings. There are no empty tables. Every and I mean every table is jammed packed. Both METCA and Cabin Fever Auctions are there which is a sure sign that they smell opportunity/profits in the air. If Allentown was not 3 hours away one way on a good day, I would be there every six months just to see what is there.
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Post by dennym57 on Oct 20, 2024 0:49:03 GMT
That's all I buy. The only thing that have I bought new was my LC+ 2.0 Amtrak Genesis.
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Post by david1 on Oct 20, 2024 1:18:23 GMT
So true Emile that is exactly what I look for now a days, second hand gems and York can be the go to place. Even though I didn't go to York this time because of my medical issues this time. I hope to get to Allentown in 3 weeks.
Pricing being what it is today keeps me from buying new. But I have found some great trains this past year on the secondary market.
I have found my favorite road name, Union Pacific 3 times this last year, one steamer a K-line Mikado in like new condition that runs and sounds great, a dash9 from Lionel with tmcc and cruise in excellent condition, a EP5 IN great northern also from K-line and a SD40-2 in union Pacific desert storm.
When looking on the used market, know what your buying, do your homework, know what the price should be. For instance if your looking for a early Mth diesel, know the difference between 5 volt and 3 volt and the price for each. If you do buy a 5 volt engine either change the battery or install a BCR.
Overall have some fun,
Dave
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Post by Adam on Oct 20, 2024 12:32:04 GMT
Same here. I haven't been buying much lately but second-hand is always my go to these days.
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Post by frankmulligan on Oct 20, 2024 12:40:52 GMT
The items on my very short list are all second-hand. The few new items I do buy I pre-order from multiple dealers.
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