Hello all, I am new, and I am a N00B!
After beating myself up for a few weeks.... and going to my MENTOR for solace, I wondered about stories, that more "Senior"...."Seasoned" members, may have. Are we all newbies at one point in time? Must be.....
Do you have a story about a regrettable purchase, and you are willing to share?
Thanks, to get the ball rolling, I'll start. Looking on the internet "Garage Sales Site", I find old Lionel steam engines....just like the ones I wished I had as a kid.......lots of Wheels.....Rods......Moving parts.......Smoke from the smoke stack..... and missing a few parts.....in my "affordable price range".
I did not know how deep the "fix it rabbit hole went"...... Soon after commiting to repairing a below average Lionel post war "675" .... it arrived in the mail. Boxed was crushed on two corners and yet, the "Lionel Metal Cast Heavyweight" had arrived. The crushed corners missed the cowcatcher and the cab... so it had arrived as listed. Rough paint (I can paint that), broken window (I can fix that), missing rods and rear truck (I can buy parts and fix that)......... I found that there should be clearence jewels on the "Boiler plate"... Oh look, I'll order a new boiler plate with way kewl green jewels...!! Upon close inspection of the motors the rollers were fine, wheels, dirty but what the heck..... turns.. yup... oooohhhhhh, what whats this.. missing a gear. Well dog-gone-it... Gear press? Wheel? Mail it to get a "Proper" repair..... well, at least it will be with my grandchild, for memories... of playing trains with grandpa.....
Yes, the estimate turned out to be twice the amount as well, and parts were ordered....."(WELL, NOW, I could have bought something new/remote control/switcher diesel... jeepers.....)" and the guy DID say, why do you want to fix "THIS"? well, it was my first... right? mistake or not...... I said to my Mentor, "I screwed up, I should tell him to keep the piece of crap 675 engine that HE thinks is a waste of money." "No more good money after bad, I know, right??"........Well, the repair shop has spend money ordering parts based on good faith.... hmmmm.. grrr..... oh well.... My Mentor said, "We all make first mistakes.... enjoy a fine running engine, with your grandson, as THAT's what is priceless here..... and next time, ASK someone... lol, advice.... First. "
OK, So do you have a story?.... A bad first investment..... A Dark Rabbit Hole that you travelled....??
Thanks for Sharing, guys, I appreciate this group, and a shout out to my Mentor...