Do You Make Impulsive Purchases of Model Trains?

What?

Never.

who told you I do? Is my girl watching?

Whoa, those are nice engines. 2 rail? for sale? how much???

I have not purchased an engine on impulse since the last one I purchased on impulse.

Pat

I only buy Milwaukee Road, but wait. I figured MTH was never going to make Quill EP-3 Electric so on impulse I bought the closes thing I could find. Changed lettering to Milwaukee. Why didn't MTH make all the electrics ? I know now third rail is going to make one but I can't spend that kind of money. Wish I could. Don

@harmonyards posted:

I like your approach Paul!..blame the pusher man!!.....

         Hey Arnold, .....that Steppenwolf song applies here ,...” The Pusher”

Pat

Thanks for the support, Pat - as I don’t purchase Christmas themed trains (and, heretically, I don’t like The Polar Express ) I would have never purchased the Christmas boxcar set if I hadn’t been entrapped by Steve’s email (which everyone should sign up for if they don’t already get them ). QED!!!

For the record, I waited a full 30 minutes of agaonizing pain before I clicked the buy-it-now button for this LOL.

Dad had one of these when he was a toddler, brings back some memories

The time to buy it is when you see it. I make impulse purchases all the time!!

Moving train stuff to a new house will cure impulse purchases pretty quickly...

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

Moving train stuff to a new house will cure impulse purchases pretty quickly...

Rusty

Really? Sure didn't with me.

@Rusty Traque posted:

Moving train stuff to a new house will cure impulse purchases pretty quickly...

Rusty

Not only did it not cure with me, in the process my entire family including me found out how much stuff I had and did not I had. But you know that old saying “He Who Dies with the most Trains wins” not sure what we will when but it sure is fun (expensive) competing!🤣🤣🚂🚂

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

An incredible coincidence recently occurred involving me and my good Forum friend, Melgar.

First, I will share a little background. What Melgar said in his above post is 100% true. We not only follow each other on the Forum, but we regularly and frequently speak on the phone, especially during these challenging times, which has been a Godsend. We have a lot in common and respect, even admire, our differences.

What was the amazing coincidence?  Without any prior knowledge, we simultaneously bought the same locomotive in different road names!

This is what happened from my perspective.

About 1 week ago I saw a Forum post showing, and describing in glowing terms, the new MTH Premier NY Central F3 offered for sale by one of our Forum sponsors, JR Junction Train and Hobby from Syracuse, NY.  The photos of this locomotive were stunning, it was love at first sight, and I already had a great experience with that hobby shop, so I impulsively purchased the locomotive.

What did I do next? You guessed it.  I called Melgar to tell him about my purchase.  Lo and behold, Melgar purchased the same locomotive, but in the gorgeous Maine Central livery, the very same day! We saw the same Forum post, showing the same locomotive, and purchased it, in different road names, all on the same day.

I believe my purchase was even more impulsive than Melgar’s purchase because, unlike Melgar, I did not even look at the new MTH catalogue before making my purchase.  I saw the NY Central model shown in the Forum and immediately bought it, while Melgar first perused the catalogue on-line, and then picked out the Maine Central model that worked best for his layout. Truth is, even if I first looked at the catalogue, I probably would have chosen the same locomotive because of my interest in the Put and all things NY Central.  You can see the A and B units for this New York Central model on my layout in the photos below.

Arnold

Great!

I was at @JR Junction Train & Hobby yesterday! (Yes, Sunday... tis the season!).

Thanks!

- Mario

My last impulse buy was a new Lionel Legacy Scale Polar Express locomotive nicely discounted. I found it purchasing a Christmas Train set for my grandchildren. Normally, I purchase SRR and L&N.

Me? Impulse Purchases? Never!
Ah, who am I kidding. I am a repeat offender

Impulse purchases so far for December:

• Weaver Brass John Wilkes
• (x2) K-line 18" cars
• Lionel NJ Zinc tank car
• (x4) MTH freight cars
• (x2) Weaver ACF Hoppers

All I do is work, virtually attend University, and run the trains. Since I am stuck at home and do not go out, I have diverted funds from typical social activities (restaurants, the theatre, etc.) to the Trains.  While I do miss going out with friends/family the extra trains do help, haha!

Normally I am not an impulse buyer but lately, I have seen some pretty darn good deals so I justify it by saying I am supporting my local businesses in troubling times.

Bryce

Thanks to Pat (@harmonyards) in another thread, I was made aware of this thread, so here I go.

I made an impulse MTH buy at lunch time today from Bill at Ready to Roll Trains in Miami.  Purchased their last MTH Premier Amtrak Genesis #156 with the 40th Anniversary Livery.  I absolutely love this livery and had it before in Rail King form.

Now, I am building an 12/13-unit Amtrak Silver Meteor consist, so technically this wouldn't really count as an "impulse buy" as intend to purchase the rolling stock.  However, as these locos are getting scarce (due to panic buying of MTH stuff), I figured it was now or never to get this loco at a great price new before the MTH shops close and then I'm at the mercy of secondary sellers mark-up prices.  Found out that Ready to Roll had one left, called Bill and purchased it.  I will have to get a second P42 to pull my consist, and so my eyes are set on #84 in the Blue Wave livery.

Here are some photos that I just took of it this afternoon on my drafting table cutting mat and Christmas layout.   Those 18.5 inches weighed in at 4 lbs 14.9 ounces.   

I am very happy with my impulse buy.  Consider it a Christmas present to myself.

I can relate to that all too familiar MTH foam packaging sitting next to the rails as that new engine sits beautifully on the track!  Congrats Amfleet25124 on the new addition to your family!

I absolutely used to make impulse purchases all the time.  However, I made a real effort this year to establish more self control as my collection had grown to epic proportions!  For the most part I've done a good job with the self-control thing...except for one slip-up in May when that same "Mario" guy (responsible for MELGAR & Arnold starting this thread) posted some photos of the MTH NYS&W GP40 that he just picked up at JR Junction.

One look at Mario's photos and I convinced myself I just had to have that engine.  My new-found self control went right out the window, and I immediately ordered it from @JR Junction Train & Hobby.  That turned out to be my first MTH scale-wheeled locomotive purchase, so in all seriousness, I'm very glad it happened!

Made way too many this year, mainly from my friend DJ. A few subways, Legacy K4, pair of S2s the list goes on and on. A few buildings along the way too, BLI NYC water tower, proses engine house, K-Line NYC Diner and MTH southern passenger station.

@MELGAR posted:

I usually buy model trains after careful consideration. I rarely buy on impulse and never sell anything. I prefer to read the catalog, decide what I want, pre-order, and wait for the item to be delivered. There are no hobby stores close enough for me to look at model trains before I buy. Train shows can sometimes cause exceptions to this policy.

Arnold Cribari and I have been Forum friends for several years. We talk a few times each week, discuss trains, layouts, politics, baseball, and anything else that comes up. Recently, a Forum post showed photos of two just-released MTH Premier models – New York Central and Maine Central EMD F3 diesel locomotives. The models looked stunning, but I resisted and didn’t order one or talk to Arnold that day. I looked at the Forum post over and over. By early the next morning I had decided to buy the Maine Central version and promptly called a Forum sponsor to place my order so that I didn’t miss out on what I thought might be a limited-availability model. After all, the MEC was a New England railroad. Exactly what I collect and run. How could I pass it up?

During our conversation that afternoon, Arnold quickly admitted to me that he had made an impulsive purchase of a New York Central A-B set that he had seen on the Forum. I confessed to having done the same with the MEC. We both had a good laugh and attempted to justify our purchases to each other – perhaps in a way akin to what might transpire between two ten-year-old boys. So much for careful consideration prior to purchase.

Some pictures and videos of my MEC #686 diesel are shown below. MTH did an outstanding job on this model. Arnold will show his NYC version next and also explain why his purchase was essential.

Do you make impulsive purchases of model trains? Arnold and I would like to hear your thoughts – and perhaps, your excuses.

MELGAR

Used to buy a lot when friend “Jack Daniels” came to visit.  Not so much when he is not around🙈

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

Me? Impulse Purchases? Never!
Ah, who am I kidding. I am a repeat offender

Impulse purchases so far for December:

• Weaver Brass John Wilkes
• (x2) K-line 18" cars
• Lionel NJ Zinc tank car
• Atlas Ballantine Reefer
• (x4) MTH freight cars
• (x2) Weaver ACF Hoppers

All I do is work, virtually attend University, and run the trains. Since I am stuck at home and do not go out, I have diverted funds from typical social activities (restaurants, the theatre, etc.) to the Trains.  While I do miss going out with friends/family the extra trains do help, haha!

Normally I am not an impulse buyer but lately, I have seen some pretty darn good deals so I justify it by saying I am supporting my local businesses in troubling times.

Bryce

Bryce, at you age (20 or 21 as I recall) and at the rate you're going, I predict that you will get all of our trains at ridiculously law prices down the road. LOL, Arnold

I'm with Andy, would love another post Westchester show luncheon with good friends.

Paul I often skip Steve's emails without opening for that very reason.

Mel I don't remember if the switcher you purchased at the Westchester show a few years ago was an impulse buy or had you desired one for a long time?

I just couldn't help myself yesterday. There it was a Wabash F-3 A-B-A by Williams ( when Jerry still owned Williams ) new in boxes. Winning bid $99 Plus shipping and S.C. taxes. Total out the door was $151. 34 The B unit is worth about what I paid for all before shipping. It's still in it's sealed box.

@coach joe posted:

Mel I don't remember if the switcher you purchased at the Westchester show a few years ago was an impulse buy or had you desired one for a long time?

Joe,

I had been wanting to buy a Lionel "Made in USA" postwar locomotive for years because I have only modern scale-sized trains. So, I had been shopping at train shows with the intention to buy for a while but hadn't found what I was looking for. The switcher at Westchester seemed to be a very nice example. It still sits on a siding at the front of my layout. So - not really an impulsive purchase in my opinion.

I do hope we can get together at Westchester in 2021.

MELGAR

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Bryce, at you age (20 or 21 as I recall) and at the rate you're going, I predict that you will get all of our trains at ridiculously law prices down the road. LOL, Arnold

Arnold,

I hope that is not for a very long time, I want all of my forum friends to live long and healthy lives!
Looking into the future, I do feel sorry for my future wife... If I continue this pattern, I will need a very large basement or one of those big metal garages that can store several tractor trailers, haha!

Bryce

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

Arnold,

I hope that is not for a very long time, I want all of my forum friends to live long and healthy lives!
Looking into the future, I do feel sorry for my future wife... If I continue this pattern, I will need a very large basement or one of those big metal garages that can store several tractor trailers, haha!

Bryce

Bryce, your above reply reminds me of something I love to tell people during these challenging times: Live Long and Prosper (as I hold up my left hand separating my middle and ring fingers the way Mr. Spock did in Star Trek). LOL, Arnold

AHHHHhhhh, NO,   duhhhhh!!

....wait, what's that mean, what is this word,,, "Impulsive".............

I’m with you Frank!  😄

I have all the engines and rolling stock I need but still sometimes can't pass up a bargain. A forum member who lives about 10 miles away has done some ERR upgrades for me and, while picking up an upgrade, he told me he was unloading all his semi-scale engines and offered me his K-Line semi-scale NYC Hudson with TAS TMCC and 4 chuffs. I already have a Lionmaster NYC Hudson, but the K-Line is terrific (though not quite as majestic as its scale big brother). He gave me a great price to avoid headaches of listing and shipping.

Like @rtraincollector above, some of my purchases have been low-cost auctions that I run for a while and then re-sell. I've been toying with picking up a Lionel Lines tender shell for a Jr Berk but see an entire LL Jr Berk with older TMCC for a good price. Don't need it, but when the tender shell would likely cost $50, it's hard to pass up another $75-$100 for the entire engine, tender, and TMCC controls.

Very bad impulse purchaser, I am. I particularly hate it when someone else buys a locomotive off eBay that I'm watching. If I get time to come up for air this evening, I'll post photos of my latest impulse purchase from Mr. Muffins.

To help keep my impulse purchases at bay, I keep meticulous spreadsheets of my model railroad acquisitions, including date purchases, when they were received, exactly how much I paid for the item(s), who I bought them from, etc...  This helps me visualize the amount of money I'm throwing at this "hobby".

Anthony

What ?  Nope, never.... Oh, look, shiney , LOL

Anthony,

You're killing me .  Ha! Ha! I knew I wasn't rare with my detailed spread sheet on money spent, but it's good to hear the testament of a fellow impulse buyer "at bay" who keeps track, too! (Pun intended).

It's odd sometimes, isn't it, when you win a bid and then you're torn between thinking it's a good thing and then having to record the amount spent on the spreadsheet with the reality that this hobby's cash register goes "cha ching" yet again?  I haven't looked at my total in a long time but it's there, always lurking.  Eventually, I have to face the numbers and get my insurance company to update my total in case my basement floods.

When I bought my Harley 23 years ago, I discovered the true meaning of HD:  Hundred Dollars for every tiny piece of chrome to add on.  This pleasure hobby is very similar except more unlimited in how much is enough because enough never seems to be on the horizon.

Mike

No, I NEVER make impulsive purchases. Nope. Never. Not once.

Now if you believe that I have a brand new bridge in San Pedro that I can sell you cheap.

Yes.  I just signed up for the GSC for 2021, both cars.  They will probably go up on the shelf with the rest of my GSC cars.  I read that the cars are due 3rd quarter of 2021.  The race is on to see whether the 2020 car arrives before the 2021 cars.  Oh well, they are only going up on the shelf anyway.

@A. Wells posted:

To help keep my impulse purchases at bay, I keep meticulous spreadsheets of my model railroad acquisitions, including date purchases, when they were received, exactly how much I paid for the item(s)

Anthony

I believe I would be very afraid to create a similar spreadsheet with what I own right now.   I'm sure the number on the spreadsheet would be VERY different than then number in my head that I created.

Have fun.

Ron

@Ron045 posted:

I believe I would be very afraid to create a similar spreadsheet with what I own right now.   I'm sure the number on the spreadsheet would be VERY different than then number in my head that I created.

Have fun.

Ron

I tend to keep my inventory a secret from the CFO. It would only cause issues (lol).

I don't go as far as a spreadsheet, but I do pretty much the same thing on a calendar, Date ordered or "bid accepted", when it arrived, condition, and other pertinent notes. Also an inventory list that is updated as needed.

  As to impulse? Yeah sometimes and to be honest , those are the ones I regret in most cases.

Ah-yup!

I don't know how many Maine rail fans could resist. Lionel released the two gp-7s and MtH  F-3's. I'm operating a legacy system so I was concerned that operating mth would be a pain. Legacy station in Georgia sold me a remote commander that patched into my system so I can run both at the same time. Then I ended up with 686,681,683&671b . I think there are two more I can't seem to find. Another dummy a and a b.

Good Morning,

The only one that knew the answer to that question, until now, was eBay. OOPS...

Dave

The F/S post was barely 2 minutes old when I emailed the seller and scooped these up.

They are conventional with pullmor motors. An AC commander is awaiting install soon.

Bob

@Loose-Caboose posted:

I tend to keep my inventory a secret from the CFO. It would only cause issues (lol).

I am the CFO, COO, and CCO.  However, the CEO has access to everything and so far she has approved everything except a new motorcycle.  Ever since she had an accident on hers, she doesn't want me on one anymore.  I can live with that since she just approved a new fixed wing drone purchase and the repair of my Weaver Passenger Shark.

Luckily I don't have to clear my purchases with the "financial division" of my household since his father had the model train hobby for as long as he can remember. I just get "  that's neat,your paying for it". I could very well over spend but Maine Centrals 2021 budget stops at $1000 a purchase until I pay it off. And I have a friend who builds layouts professionally for a living and he finds sweet deals all the time.