atlas 2 rail trains

Yes, finding 2 rail motive power is not easy.

Try norm's:

http://www.normsoscale.com/stockliquidationsale.aspx

P&D

http://pdhobbyshop.com/show_pr...nufacturer=Atlas%20O

 Public Del track

http://www.publicdeliverytrack...l-Engines/Categories

 JD's

http://www.jdstrains.com/ato2rainstlo.html

etc., etc. etc.....

 What are U looking for exactly??

We have a growing selection of 2 rail O, including motive power.

Several Atlas O items, some brass, MTH plus lots of pre-order availability.

 

http://swaseyshardwareandhobbies.com/

 

ncng

This subject is interesting.

 

That's right: it's difficult to find 2 rail locomotives and especially small ones like the Alco S2 for example.

2-rail looks so dang prototypical yet so hard to find at times!

 

Makes the hobby fun.

 

Happy T-Day everybody!

 

Chuck

You have to pre-order this stuff as it is announced.  If you expect Atlas and others to manufacture 2-rail locos and put them on a shelf in a hobby shop, in hopes maybe you'll buy them someday...

 

 

There are a lot of dealers who have 2 rail in stock and do mail order.     Norm's O Scale in Main is a big one.   J Ds trains (used to be AM Hobbies) is another.    P&D Hobbies stocks a lot of O scale and parts and does mail order.    Caboose Stop HObbies in Iowa is another big dealer who has a lot of 2 rail in stock.   There are others, but these come to mind now.

 

Also there are big 2 rail mostly shows around the country where individuals and dealers have vendor tables.   The biggest is the "March Meet" in Chicago the 3rd weekend in march.   There is one near Cleveland the first weekend in NOvember and one in Indianapolis the 3rd weekend in September.    There are a couple on the West Coast and quite a few one day shows on the East Coast.  

 

So 2 rail can be found, it just takes a little more effort.    I think many of the advertises on this forum have 2 rail in stock too.    Deichman's is another example.

Place a want ad on the Yahoo Groups "O Scale Yard Sale" site.  Be ready for a laundry list of available items!!

What are U looking for exactly??

Santa Fe first generation diesels.  I just missed GP7's at Norms.

I second Tom Tee's advice.

I second Tom Tee's advice...Again!!! Put up a wanted ad, but not just on this forum.

 

P.S. As a last resort, you can always convert the item to 2 rail.

 

I just returned from the Rocky Mountain TCA train show in Denver.  I spent about 2 hours with my kids and managed to find quite a bit of 2 rail.  While the show is put on by 3 rail collectors, and a ton of HO dealers show up too, O 2 rail is there to be found.  

 

Before I get too far, let me note that the type of modeling you do does effect how much stuff you will find.  I prefer to build model.  My background comes from HO prototype modeling.  As such, I'm looking for "materials" more than Ready to Run stuff.  Of course, money matters, I no longer have a dedicated hobby budget, but do manage a few bucks through out the year.  This isn't as big of a hinderance as it seems up front.  I just need to prioritize my money.  I have a list of wants and needs and I am always looking for these things.  I also have a set price window for most of the things I'm looking for.  I stick pretty firm to my prices and am willing to walk away.  

 

Back to todays show.  So there I was, only 30 minutes into stalking the elusive O 2 rail loot.  I found a gentleman selling mostly HO stuff, but from the aisle I picked out a familiar Intermountain box... O scale!  I casually guided my children closer, making sure to look bored (don't want to tip off any other hidden hunters!) and of course cool!  As I neared the visible O scale, I noticed that there was a number of assembled Intermountain kits, all 2 rail.  A quick glance and I realized the price was too far out of my set range.  But wait, down below, was a zip lock bag with some Intermountain parts.  I am ALWAYS looking for parts!  Inside were 4 boxcars, close inspection reveals 4 COMPLETE kits!  And a $24 price tag!  My ears are up now!  A little shuffling reveals some more boxcar shells, 2 bucks a piece!  I take them (can be converted into parts!).  And than like a big game prize elk stepping out of the woods, there sets a red box too big for HO!  I pick it up and turn it around, the label claims it to be a Weaver RS3...in 2 rail...and undecorated!  There is a friendly note on the lid that mentions the gears are cracked (an easy fix for me and my buddies) and a couple missing parts.  A tiny green price tag flashes $65 back at me!  Now, I'm in take down mode as I hurriedly set my two children up as security to make sure nobody tries to slip in on my find!  The dealer comes over, I casually comment about my pre-Obama math totaling my find up to $95.  He responds that he could let it all go for and even $80!  Pay the man!  

 

Yes O scale 2 rail is all around us, if you are looking.  But if you aren't having fun with the hunt, you will probably miss out.  Did I find everything on my list today?  Not even close, but I did find some of these items and now I have several hours of model building ahead for my enjoyment!

 

I quit looking for more deals today, I didn't want to press my luck!  Besides there will be more shows, and maybe some other O scale 2 rail modelers needed a deal too!  (There are other 2 railers, I saw some of them out there today!)  Of course, I overspent my pocket money and my children felt their defensive services warranted ice cream, even though neither one of them actually paid any attention while they were on duty!

 

I'm adding a trophy shot of my haul! 

 

 

 

    

I bought quite a few 3-rail Atlas freight cars in 2000-2005. all too easy to convert to 2-rail.

I've had comments from US-resident modellers that I can get 2-rail O scale here in the UK easier than they can!!.... but Rick's comment above also highlights something that can be very frustrating this side of The Pond - 2-rail prices Stateside can often be a 'steal' - but Shipping costs are often horrendous these days, then there's 20% tax added on and a charge of £8 (about $12) from Royal Mail to tell you about the tax!!!
All of which can more than double the original item cost if it's something like rolling stock. The one good thing is that even after importing, the price of US O is much cheaper than UK O scale, especially R-T-R models.