Buying an SD40 Wheaton vs Ebay

Gary 

With train shows it can be hit or miss.The shows here in Florida, I usually do not see to many weaver engines and not to many deals on PS2 engines. Usually I wait for the last day of the shows to try to negotiate but most times that works with rolling stock. If your willing to wait it could be like rolling the dice. The forum is a good source and right now there are some good options  on ebay and dash.

Doug 

Dang, that's a drive.

My son and I went to this months show and I didn't pay alot of attention to anything really new...there were new cars and some engines too...I just didn't catch what, where or how much of those.

We plan on going next month...I can scope it out for you, but some of these folks don't always show consistantly{other shows or lack of ambition/sales}. 

FWIW, the MTH is the Weaver, MTH having bought the tooling from Weaver and it is an SD40-2 not an SD40.  Atlas has an SD40.  I really don't know whether or not the Lionel is an SD40 or an SD40-2.

And the answer is, it depends.  Depending on timing I have found better deals on/at either.

The real SD-40-2s are 3' longer than the SD-40s[3/4 inches in O scale] resulting in a longer "porch" front and rear. I do not know how accurate either MTH or Lionel units are, this was one of the main reasons why Atlas never did the SD-40-2 according to the late Jim Weaver.

Thanks for the advise

A friend of mine who used to be in o gauge told me that there's not very many good deals on engines at the shows, and used to go to the one in Wheaton several times a year. But he did say just about everything else there is. I've only been in O gauge for about 2 years but modeled HO for along time. I noticed that at our local show that is once a year. Got great deals on rolling stock and accessories but the engines were high so, if I find a good deal I'll buy it and thanks again for all the help. Have a great day Gary  

A picture when you can please. Love these engines!

My better deals of late have been at train shows. At shows you can bargain with the seller and bundle a few items for a better price. Last show I went to, in the spring, I got a Atlas high hood SD-40 for $150 and a MTH A-B-A Premier F-3 set for $175. These seem to be close if not a little less than ebay when you add in shipping etc (risk of damage or loss in shipping) There are still deals on ebay but I go there because so few train show within 6 hour drive.  Biggest thing is take your time and find a deal you think is worth it.

I have got some good deals at train shows.

With ebay or other online sites you have to shipping and state or federal sales taxes now.

So a train show is much better source for used trains in my book. Plus you can negotiate the price at a train show, not so for online.

Lee Fritz