Blew my hobby budget for the month today

That is quite a haul!  You are very lucky - that is one heck of a "monthly" train budget.

 

Ed

Your a lucky man Allan and I hope you have years of enjoyment with your new toys.

The truth be known, Ed, that's a lot more than one month's train budget for me.  More like the quarterly train budget.  But, I have no family responsibilities, no car payments, don't eat out all that often, and have a home that's pretty much loaded with all I want or need in order to live reasonably well, so I don't feel too bad about splurging on train stuff once in a while when the mood strikes.

 

And once I get a few remaining credit card bills taken care of, I'll feel even better about those occasional splurges.

 

And thanks to you, Mario E., for the kind comments!  I am, indeed, a pretty lucky fellow.

Congratulations on a great day's shopping Allan.  I'm very pleased to hear that you liked the RS11. Mine (N&W) is still travelling across the Atlantic, so I shall be looking forward even more to its arrival. (Only about more 10 days to wait.) With the possible exception of its charging peculiarities, the Legacy system is wonderful. I cannot praise it enough. I wish you many years of enjoyment with all of your new goodies. 

Now just wait to see how she handles with the Legacy System... you'll be amazed!

Yea I am tring to talk david into putting a Legacy system in at mercers ...

Neat haul, can't wait to see what you think of the Legacy system.  I still prefer it's remote operation to the MTH, though the MTH has a ton of things you can do with it.

Someone in MTH can probably chemically alter the smoke to make it black.

 

(And leave stains on the hood with half a day's idle coughed out when starting...)

 

First off, good haul.

 

Second off, I am usually careful with the budget. Wife has been accommodating. So has the hobby shop as well.

 

There are times I destruct the budget and work it off with a stack of honey dos.

Enjoy Alan,  that's what it's all about.

Your going to love the Lionel legacy system.

 

Thanks for sharing, Alex

 

Alan,

 

Which tinplate set did you snag?

Get Dave with the program! And Allan, it will run and sound much better.

Dave if you get a legacy system and it doesnt have 1.4 let me know.. I bring my black modules and do it up....Good reason for me to go spend some money lol

What is this "budget" thing of which you speak?

Its the one were supose to do to make the wife happy

Sounds like a great hobby shop Allan!!!

Nice way to start the weekend Allan! Which LCT set did you get?

A second 254E tinplate freight set.  I'm kind of fond of those.

You will be pleased you  got the Legacy system and will wonder why you didn't get it before! As this is no dress rehearsal I was glad to see you loaded up when you were at the hobby shop. Fred

Allan - very cool , I love Alcos and how they sound.  Super fun!!!

Allan: Ya know its great to see someone like you who loves what they are doing. I am also amazed at some of these newer engines and what they can do. My father started me in toy trains a long time ago and I don't think he ever imagined the technology of today. Congratulations on your new purchases, But I keep thinking about the poor Lionel 2-truck Shay that you left behind. Regards, Casey.

Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that Lionel Legacy Shay.  It's certain to find a good home somewhere, and probably within a very short time.  They are real beauties.  I wouldn't be surprised if Dave sells it today, or soon thereafter.

I'm still surprised that Dave doesn't have Legacy hooked up.  Sure you can run the engine with DCS and TMCC hookup but if you want to show what Legacy can do the Legacy system is the only way to go.

 

I'm trying to get some of the guys to head up with me some weekend soon.  Dave sounds like the kind of store I would like to frequent.

 

I gotta wonder why so few guys get it.

I imagine he would have had it hooked-up by now if he hadn't held that set (originally purchased for the store) for me.  He has a couple of more Legacy sets on order now, I believe--one destined for the store layout.

 

In the past, I think it's fair to say that Dave stocked more MTH than Lionel.  But since Lionel has the corner on the steam market for now, it's probably a pretty good idea to have both available in terms of motive power and control systems.

I haven't been to Rachel's Roadhouse since college days at Westminster!  Great to hear it's still there!

 

Jon

To be honest i tring to lead him to the darkside)  I like both brands i just think lionel is better atm

MTH has some great features, but I have to give the edge to Legacy sounds, they are the best of the bunch.

Allan,

 

Thanks!  It is always good to see you.

 

I guess I better get to it and install Legacy on the shop layout!!!!

 

Dave

I like both brands to and use both.  Just like MTH engines and DCS, I just gotta imagine you could probably sell more Legacy engines and systems for that matter if one is hooked up and operating.

 

Dave needs to definitely ear mark one of those for the store!

Congrats, Allan.  It sounds like a great trip.  I've tried Mercer Junction based on your recommendation (and can't wait to go back) and I will look forward to Rachel's Roadhouse.  Where is it?

 

Even though it was more like a quarterly budget, I am still jealous.  It is nice to know that an "enhanced" train budget is withing reach.

 

No question about it, you really can't beat Legacy RailSounds.  I can even understand the crew talk dialog without straining to hear what they are saying.

Can the Legacy base be interconnected to DCS like the TMCC Command base?

 

What features will Legacy engines lose if run via DCS or Conventional?

 

Can the Legacy base be purchased separately?

 

The Legacy RS11 in Seaboard colors is appealing

Rachel's is south on Route 19 (off of I-80) about five miles (more or less) south of downtown Mercer.  Another good eating spot in pretty much the same area is the Iron Bridge Inn, which is also located on 19 just before the actual iron bridge that 19 crosses over.  Rachel's is a bit further south.  Both under the same ownership, and both have good food and good service.  One or the other will be a regular stop for me before or after my visits to Dave's store.

Can the Legacy base be interconnected to DCS like the TMCC Command base?

 

Yes but you will need the new MTH cable to connect them.

 

What features will Legacy engines lose if run via DCS or Conventional?

 

200 speed steps, quilling whistle, train brake to name a few.

 

Can the Legacy base be purchased separately?

 

No, but many folks want just the Cab2 so you may be able to sell that on the after market scene.  But you still won't be able to access the above features without the Cab2.

Congratulations on your purchases Allan.  I know the Alaska RS-11 will be a great addition to your Alaska collection of engines.  Do you have an Alaskan layout in progress?  You indicated in the past you were thinking of constructing one.  Anyway, have fun.

 

TEX

Steve

I don't feel too bad about splurging on train stuff once in a while when the mood strikes.

If at all possible, we must find the money, and time, for things that help make us happy in life. 

 

I have a tight budget, but I really need a matching BN diesel to pull the BN crane/boom car set I bought some time ago. Right? I really need it.

 

Since reading the article in OGR, I'm planning on visiting Dave's shop the next time I visit family in the Pittsburgh area ... find a goodie or two to buy.  I read his short bio in the magazine ... Dave is quite the Renaissance Man.

 

Jim

Thanks, Allan.  I'll be sure to give them a try.

N.Q.D.Y. - so your RS-11 has been across the Pacific, may have crossed the Gulf

of Mexico if the container came through the Panama Canal, and is now crossing the

Atlantic - could we work in the Indian Ocean, just for fun? Quite a nautical loco.

 

D500. Please don't tempt fate! I'm going to be watching the tracking scans even more carefully now. Just in case somebody from the postal services has read your post. 

Allan, now I know why the stock market had such a good week. Don