Do You Make Impulsive Purchases of Model Trains? - MTH Premier F3s

Most of my buying has been at train shows and I will impulse buy after some quick deliberation as to if I need it or really want it.  I do that at estate and garage sales for just about anything, as I go to many more of them.   I have learned to act quickly after seeing an item, being unsure and passing only to reconsider and go back to that table and it is gone.  Once or twice I just put it back on the table and someone quickly picked it up and bought it.

I seldom buy on line and only have impulse bought a few times.  On line has lost a lot of my interest with too many buyers bidding things up now and higher shipping and sales tax.

On line impulse buying worked out once when I bought alike new 0-8-0 switcher that was way more than I should have paid.  It was damaged during shipping and the seller offered to let me have it for the shipping cost.  I was able to fix most of the damage that was details I could glue back on and it runs great, which is more important than any minor damage or repairs to me.

Charlie

I impulse bought my two rail MTH MEC F3 the week before you and Arnold posted yours! I never buy anything new! Always secondary market beaters that need renovation for down and dirty postwar type layout. This was very unusual for me.

probably a very late night decision.

happy I did. Still in the box though! Lol.

also, I think West Chester toy and train meet is where impulsivity reigns! We gotta do the luncheon and do the impulse confessions! Lol. What do you think?

Yes, online shipping and tax stops me in purchasing used items.  A price on a car may OK if you found it at a train show, which there are none of around here, but then the other charges make a $14 car, $30 and not a good deal.  I ran across a seller on Mercari that was selling things where the price, shipping and tax seemed to work out about the 'Good' level in Greenberg's, so at least there, you are not paying a premium for just a good car, but your not getting a train show deal either.  One online store that sells both on ebay and their website, actually charges more shipping and handling if you buy off their website than for the same item if bought off of ebay.

How timely this neat topic came up again.  Just yesterday this Premier F3 AA set came in the mail from Ottawa, Ontario.  No, it's not Maine Central, but is Western Maryland.  I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more ProtoSound (PS1 if you will), but though it was made in 1995, it was new in the box except he put a BCR in it and checked out operation.  It turned out his price was in Canadian dollars, so I got it for less than $200.  It runs great for a PS.  I have installed PS3 upgrade kits, but with the availability and who knows about upgrade kits with the 'New MTH', I may put ERR in it since I do run TMCC also.

@Leroof posted:

also, I think West Chester toy and train meet is where impulsivity reigns! We gotta do the luncheon and do the impulse confessions! Lol. What do you think?

Forgive me Father for I have impulse bought!

I may be in for the Westchester show.

@Mark Boyce posted:

How timely this neat topic came up again.  Just yesterday this Premier F3 AA set came in the mail from Ottawa, Ontario.  No, it's not Maine Central, but is Western Maryland.  I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more ProtoSound (PS1 if you will), but though it was made in 1995, it was new in the box except he put a BCR in it and checked out operation.  It turned out his price was in Canadian dollars, so I got it for less than $200.  It runs great for a PS.  I have installed PS3 upgrade kits, but with the availability and who knows about upgrade kits with the 'New MTH', I may put ERR in it since I do run TMCC also.

Those are sharp Mark. I won't tell.....

Normally, I'm pretty good about avoiding impulse purchases, at least as far as locomotives go.  A couple months ago I crossed the line, actually several lines.  I'm blaming MELGAR for my indiscretion.  You see, I model the Penn Central so there are no steam operations on my layout.  Additionally, I have O42 curves, which limits the size of the locomotives that I can operate on my layout.  Some time ago MELGAR posted some photos and video of his new Legacy Ten Wheeler.  I fell in love with the sound and smooth operation of his loco.  I realized that it would be a perfect locomotive for my small pike.  If I ever found one in NYC paint I would jump on it.

While working in northeast Ohio last fall I stopped by Forum sponsor Stockyard Express.  Low and behold, sitting on the shelf was a Legacy NYC Ten Wheeler.  My co-worker, who had never been in a train shop, told me I looked like I had seen a ghost.  I explained to him the story and told him that if I had the cash in my "Train Fund" I was coming back to buy it.  When I got home that evening I confirmed that the funds were available.  The following Saturday I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Oberlin, praying that the locomotive had been sold the whole time.  When I walked into the shop I was greeted by Clyde and another employee.  I said "Hi", looked at the shelf and muttered "S--t" as the locomotive was still there.  Clyde pulled the engine down so I could inspect it.  Everything was perfect.  He then took it to his display layout and ran it for me.  Again, perfection.  I agreed to purchase it and pulled out a wad of cash as his employee boxed it up.

The entire trip home I was second guessing myself for buying this locomotive.  When I got home and showed my wife, she was actually anxious to see it run.  It has actually been seeing quite a bit of run time since I bought it.  So what if it is pulling a bunch of Penn Central freight cars.  I'm actually glad I was able to find this engine.  By the way...Thanks MELGAR!

Tom

I definitely, absolutely, positively, emphatically DO NOT make impulsive model train purchases... I have been, all too often, the unwitting victim of manufacturer tomfoolery and vigorous arm twisting. Take, for example, this recent unplanned purchase... a Lionel Camelback. My recent affinity for small steamers aside, I never thought I would ever purchase a camelback, but Lionel just had to go and make a D&H version. I ask you... can I really be held responsible??? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it

P.S. as the CEO, CFO, COO, and CTO (a job I admittedly stink at) of The Hemlock Line, my purchases are between me, the Good Lord, and my credit card company

Paul, you have certainly been victimized!  What a crime!  And a camelback at that!  🤷‍♂️

@RSJB18 posted:

Forgive me Father for I have impulse bought!

I may be in for the West Chester show.

Unfortunately Bob, I believe the Westchester show (in White Plains in Westchester County) is no more - Tom, aka @PRR8976 might have more definitive info.

Now, with regard to your confession, for your penance, it will cost you 1 LIRR, 1 NH, and two Yuenglings!!!

Hmm, yes, Stockyard Express is extremely dangerous Tom.  I found myself with an unintentional Conrail covered hopper a couple months ago.

@Tom Densel posted:

Normally, I'm pretty good about avoiding impulse purchases, at least as far as locomotives go.  A couple months ago I crossed the line, actually several lines.  I'm blaming MELGAR for my indiscretion... Some time ago MELGAR posted some photos and video of his new Legacy Ten Wheeler.  I fell in love with the sound and smooth operation of his loco.  I realized that it would be a perfect locomotive for my small pike.  If I ever found one in NYC paint I would jump on it.

... I stopped by Forum sponsor Stockyard Express.  Lo and behold, sitting on the shelf was a Legacy NYC Ten Wheeler.  I agreed to purchase it and pulled out a wad of cash as his employee boxed it up.

I'm actually glad I was able to find this engine.  By the way...Thanks MELGAR!

Tom

@Apples55 posted:

I definitely, absolutely, positively, emphatically DO NOT make impulsive model train purchases... I have been, all too often, the unwitting victim of manufacturer tomfoolery and vigorous arm twisting. Take, for example, this recent unplanned purchase... a Lionel Camelback. My recent affinity for small steamers aside, I never thought I would ever purchase a camelback, but Lionel just had to go and make a D&H version. I ask you... can I really be held responsible???

Tom,

I really like my Lionel Legacy Ten-Wheeler locomotives but the New York Central version that I purchased recently was pre-ordered - and was not an impulsive purchase. I'm glad you like yours.

Apples55,

On the other hand, I've been reading about the just-delivered Lionel Camelbacks but hadn't planned to buy one. However, the Forum reviews changed my mind and I now have a Long Island version - purchased on impulse. I will post some photos and a video when I get it running. But I'm not responsible if Tom buys one based on what I say about it...

MELGAR

@Apples55 posted:

Unfortunately Bob, I believe the Westchester show (in White Plains in Westchester County) is no more - Tom, aka @PRR8976 might have more definitive info.

Now, with regard to your confession, for your penance, it will cost you 1 LIRR, 1 NH, and two Yuenglings!!!

Paul (& all),

As a vendor...as far as the Westchester Toy & Train Show, last time that I checked directly with one of the shows organizers, he did not know of any changes (from no shows).

I also contacted the host, the Westchester County Center staff, who said they thought there would be no shows of any kind for the foreseeable future because they were about to be involved with children's vaccines...but then more recently (around Nov. 18th), in the news it was said they will not be taking part in that. I seem to remember the County Center staff saying there would need to be a period when they reconfigure the space...maybe a few weeks for that. At this point, it does not look good for this year.

Tom

@Apples55 posted:

Unfortunately Bob, I believe the Westchester show (in White Plains in Westchester County) is no more - Tom, aka @PRR8976 might have more definitive info.

Now, with regard to your confession, for your penance, it will cost you 1 LIRR, 1 NH, and two Yuenglings!!!

Let's see.....I have a MTH LIRR RS-1 w/PS3 on pre-order (I count pre-orders as an impulse)........always on the hunt for NH........

and what's the curve radius on the Camelbacks?????

Yuengling's are in the fridge!

YES!!...#13 in the GG1 collection...like potato chips...can't just have one..

Unfortunately... yes.  And in multiple train scales no less.

Thankfully I have reduced that habit massively the past year or so, and now mostly only buy what I need and what will stay with me long term.  Still trying to sell off some of those impulse buys.

@Amfleet25124 posted:

Unfortunately... yes.  And in multiple train scales no less.

Thankfully I have reduced that habit massively the past year or so, and now mostly only buy what I need and what will stay with me long term.  Still trying to sell off some of those impulse buys.

I'm with you there - N, Z, O and now just a little HO (I promise I'm stopping after this). The issue is Marx. It's his fault for putting out so many colourful cars in so many styles. Last week I won a lnib #21 set off the auction site. I told myself no more trains... Then the day after a reversing clockwork loco came up. I had no interest in the loco but the reversing motor is going in a project, let's see what else he has. Oh. More Marx cw cars. Ok, combine shipping pls. It's just too easy.

@RSJB18 posted:

Let's see.....I have a MTH LIRR RS-1 w/PS3 on pre-order (I count pre-orders as an impulse)........always on the hunt for NH........

and what's the curve radius on the Camelbacks?????

Yuengling's are in the fridge!

Per Lionel, the camelbacks run on O-31 And MELGAR pointed out there is a Long Island version

@PRR8976 posted:

Paul (& all),

As a vendor...as far as the Westchester Toy & Train Show, last time that I checked directly with one of the shows organizers, he did not know of any changes (from no shows).

I also contacted the host, the Westchester County Center staff, who said they thought there would be no shows of any kind for the foreseeable future because they were about to be involved with children's vaccines...but then more recently (around Nov. 18th), in the news it was said they will not be taking part in that. I seem to remember the County Center staff saying there would need to be a period when they reconfigure the space...maybe a few weeks for that. At this point, it does not look good for this year.

Tom

Thanks Tom. As they used to say in Brooklyn... Wait till next year!!!

@joe krasko posted:

YES!!...#13 in the GG1 collection...like potato chips...can't just have one..

After number 12, 13 sounds more like a compulsion than an impulse   I love GG1’s, but I’m way behind you at 5. Hope you will post a picture of the collection!!!

Haven't made an imulse "train' buy in while, but i did break down and buy a shirt online yesterday...  I've basically run out of track space to display my engines, rolling stock, and passenger cars.  I'm thinking of a winter addition to my present "L-shaped" layout configuaration to create additional sidetracks and a main line loop I'll call it for now...

@joe krasko posted:

YES!!...#13 in the GG1 collection...like potato chips...can't just have one..

@joe krasko--Joe, That seems odd (says the guy with too many prewar steam switchers...but really what is too many)!

I may have mentioned this before that I belonged to an HO train club in the 1970's and dad used to drive me to the club which was somewhere near Port Chester. We used to see GG1's going by on the New Haven Division several times as we got off I-95 at Port Chester near the old United Hospital.

Whatever makes you happy is always a good thing.

Tom

@Apples55 posted:

Per Lionel, the camelbacks run on O-31 And MELGAR pointed out there is a Long Island version

Trainworld has 8 in stock.......slowly I turn.........

Although 031 min is questionable on 027 especially with steamers.

@Apples55 posted:

After number 12, 13 sounds more like a compulsion than an impulse   I love GG1’s, but I’m way behind you at 5. Hope you will post a picture of the collection!!!

I'm up to 17 scale O GG1s at last count.  Most recent one was a PC Weaver brass one.  If I include my 2332 that would make 18.    It's been a while since I've lined them all up.  Last time I did I think I only had 12.

At the same time I went on a bit of brass buying binge.  All two rail except for the 3rd Rail SP Mikado for the future layout that is fully designed in my head somewhere.  Here are some of the pieces.

Some other impulse buys of late have been GGD heavyweight cars in both 2 rail and 3 rail.  I just really like them so much and when the price is right, the road name doesn't matter much.  I have been buying decals too as a result.

Finally, I have a set of Sunset DD1s on the way to replace the MTH ones I sold.  A forum member who knows I collect 2 rail brass offered them to me and I could not say no!

To answer the OP's question.  YES!

I made another one and boy am I happy about it! I was not looking to get a 3rd Rail, Erie S-4 NIB but for the price I could not say no.



Bryce

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

I made another one and boy am I happy about it! I was not looking to get a 3rd Rail, Erie S-4 NIB but for the price I could not say no.


Bryce

Bryce, Sometime that is exactly how it goes.  For the price, you can’t say no.

I’m glad some of you still enjoy the fun of making an impulse buy. I have a good track record with it personally. Sometimes my most thoroughly researched and well thought out purchases backfire because I am just not excited about the item. Who cares if it’s historically accurate and fits in if you’re not excited about it.

But that’s just me.

Most of my stuff has been impulse buys now, although I'm trying to keep myself from doing it so much since my last big impulse buy, which was a Railking Imperial Big Boy, decided to throw a board issue at me three hours after I got it outta the box.... Sent it off for repairs last weekend so hopefully that'll be back by Christmas, at least I have one now I guess.

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

I’m glad some of you still enjoy the fun of making an impulse buy. I have a good track record with it personally. Sometimes my most thoroughly researched and well thought out purchases backfire because I am just not excited about the item. Who cares if it’s historically accurate and fits in if you’re not excited about it.

But that’s just me.

Mark, I agree that sometimes the impulse buy is what you end up liking the most.  

Having gotten back into the hobby after a 53 years most of the last 12 months have been impulse buys.  So much to learn, so many tempting choices, so many beautiful locomotives and my grandkids egg me on about buying "just one last" engine or car.  Bought a lot of post war stuff but have only recently discovered the joy of LionChiefs and Legacy locos, so I'm sure I'll be making more than a few more impulse purchases.

Do I make impulsive purchases of model train stuff?

Im an impulsive guy so yes, and I enjoy the impulsiveness often impulsive at train shows which I miss, (Milwaukee and Madison didn’t open  this year). Sometimes the magazines run an article about something that I didn’t know I had to have so that. Aquarium car comes to mind.
I worry more about purchasing wrong, already had it, doesn’t fit size or color with what I had planned to do. Realize that I’m not running that Line anymore, etc.

The only caution I put out is not to acquire beyond what you can run. Or if collecting beyond storage and viewing maybe. Going from collecting to running needs change.

Impulsive smashpulsive worse things in life and worse things to be impulsive about,

Happy  Holidays

Yes this month, I recently made impulse purchases for K-Line Amtrak Surfliners passenger cars, six MTH Metrolink Bombardier Cars and F40 Engine, Lionel Union Pacific Southern Pacific Heritage 1996 SD70ACE, 15-18 Lionel UP Challenger/Excursion/Station Sound Diners/Flag Baggage 21" Passenger Cars, MTH Premier Santa Fe F3 ABA Units, Lionel Southern Pacific SD40-T engine, Lionel Vision Line ATSF Stock Cars, Lionel SP PS1 Black and Silver Overnight Boxcars and two with Freight Sounds, MTH Railking Phase 3 Amfleets and F40 engine and five Lionel ATSF Map & Slogan Boxcars. I pretty much got these because some were hard to find and cheap as well.

I think my Lionel 3985 Challenger, Burlington Northern SD40-2 and Santa Fe SD40 were impulse buys too.

@Tom Densel posted:

Normally, I'm pretty good about avoiding impulse purchases, at least as far as locomotives go.  A couple months ago I crossed the line, actually several lines.  I'm blaming MELGAR for my indiscretion.  You see, I model the Penn Central so there are no steam operations on my layout.  Additionally, I have O42 curves, which limits the size of the locomotives that I can operate on my layout.  Some time ago MELGAR posted some photos and video of his new Legacy Ten Wheeler.  I fell in love with the sound and smooth operation of his loco.  I realized that it would be a perfect locomotive for my small pike.  If I ever found one in NYC paint I would jump on it.

While working in northeast Ohio last fall I stopped by Forum sponsor Stockyard Express.  Low and behold, sitting on the shelf was a Legacy NYC Ten Wheeler.  My co-worker, who had never been in a train shop, told me I looked like I had seen a ghost.  I explained to him the story and told him that if I had the cash in my "Train Fund" I was coming back to buy it.  When I got home that evening I confirmed that the funds were available.  The following Saturday I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Oberlin, praying that the locomotive had been sold the whole time.  When I walked into the shop I was greeted by Clyde and another employee.  I said "Hi", looked at the shelf and muttered "S--t" as the locomotive was still there.  Clyde pulled the engine down so I could inspect it.  Everything was perfect.  He then took it to his display layout and ran it for me.  Again, perfection.  I agreed to purchase it and pulled out a wad of cash as his employee boxed it up.

The entire trip home I was second guessing myself for buying this locomotive.  When I got home and showed my wife, she was actually anxious to see it run.  It has actually been seeing quite a bit of run time since I bought it.  So what if it is pulling a bunch of Penn Central freight cars.  I'm actually glad I was able to find this engine.  By the way...Thanks MELGAR!

Tom

STOCKYARD EXPRESS  is a very dangerous place to JUST  LOOK  AROUND Tom !!!

That hardly noticeable little smile that Clyde has in his photos and in person should be able to tell you that you are going to be releaved of your available funds.

Judy and I traveled 3 3/4 hours to see what the ' spiders web ' was like.        

Bought the MTH  Nativity steamer and two of the Nativity flatcars and a spare Z controller.   I can't remember if we bought anything else since my head was spinning by then. 😨

Seriously though , it was a great experience seeing so much product and getting to meet Clyde and his helper.  👍   Good people.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

STOCKYARD EXPRESS  is a very dangerous place to JUST  LOOK  AROUND Tom !!!

That hardly noticeable little smile that Clyde has in his photos and in person should be able to tell you that you are going to be releaved of your available funds.

Judy and I traveled 3 3/4 hours to see what the ' spiders web ' was like.        

Bought the MTH  Nativity steamer and two of the Nativity flatcars and a spare Z controller.   I can't remember if we bought anything else since my head was spinning by then. 😨

Seriously though , it was a great experience seeing so much product and getting to meet Clyde and his helper.  👍   Good people.

The MTH Nativity steamer and Nativity flatcars!!  I didn’t know they existed until now. I’ve never ventured out to Stockyard Express, but bought from Clyde both times I went to York.  Oberlin is only half the distance as York at 2 1/2 hours.

Added 21 GGD heavyweight cars to my collection in the last three months ... no further comment.

It had a ($250) hiccup or two at first but I'm definitely glad I decided to pull the trigger on this. I've wanted a Big Boy since I was a kid with HO and while this might be the smaller Railking one, this thing can take O-31 and has DCS, I can bring this to any club event no matter what layout we bring. And now I'm half tempted to track down some coaches to go with it, the cycle continues I suppose...

I live in Okinawa Japan, soooo I impulse buy online all the time...

@GG1 4877 posted:

Added 21 GGD heavyweight cars to my collection in the last three months ... no further comment.

Sorry, Jonathan... when you purchase 21 cars over three months, that’s not impulsive - it’s an addiction Hope you’ll share some pics!!!

@Apples55 posted:

Sorry, Jonathan... when you purchase 21 cars over three months, that’s not impulsive - it’s an addiction Hope you’ll share some pics!!!

Guilty as charged

The price was right on all of them.  Three are for the paint shop with decals ready to go.  I just need to dig my airbrush out and round up some paint. 

Hope to get some video of them running in trains in the not too distant future.   A lot were baggage cars for an ATSF Fast Mail and then a short string of 80' cars to finally get a train behind my Burlington E5.  The two rail cars were all PRR.  P70 coaches and 12-1 sleepers.

My eBay watch list is definitely on hold pending further review now.