It's hunt'n season, boys...

In my experience, it is worth the added expense to buy from someone you know and trust.  I do the same thing now, without exception.  In fact, I go farther: I just will not buy from someone I do not trust, even if they are the only person offering the item I want.  I learned this lesson the hard way.

I've found a couple of shops to locate some really scarce locos, one dealer  in particular I purchased from on three seperate occasions all with great results. I "grilled' the owner on the first purchase,  5 year old loco MIB that was nearly non existent even on the used market. He replied "I don't play games with people" with a thick Jersey accent. Ironically, the out of box reliability has been 100% on any of the 3-5 year old locos that were long out of any remaining manufacturers warranty. Its exciting, adds some extra fun to the hobby, "thrill of the hunt" indeed. A thousand recently released locos are a given, theres something a little different about something thats been pristine in the box for several years when there are no more available.

I'm quite security conscious, and giving a stranger cc information, over the phone, doesn't work for me. I'll let a proven/trusted outfit lend a hand. When that option is available, to me.

Rick,

Going after a couple of locs that were manufactured 5 years ago, and the items are no longer available from the manufacturer and only a few dealers currently have them in their inventory... that adds a little excitement to the hunt.

It's not a given that I'll get what I'm looking for, but there's a good chance, I will.

Of course, I'll have my dealer check them out, before shipping them out to me, if he's able to make the purchases, for me.

BTW, I had thought about these two models, when they were first offered, but I wasn't ready to commit, at the time. I had completely forgotten about them, until a few recent pictures jogged my mind.

I even dumped a new order, I had, to go after these offerings from the past. Passing up PS 3 for some older PS 2 equipment. It's nice to have a little passion again, for some distinct models.

I'm not saying what they are until the deals been done. I don't want anybody trying to cut my grass... making a move on my objects of desire.

The only thing I'll give ya... is the year they were manufactured, 2007.

Eyes, toes, fingers and anything else I can cross crossed...

The Hunter,

Rick

Did you ask Daffy Duck if this was the right season?

Twains, not ducks or wabbits.

Pesky twains!

Rick

Why not all 3? 

-Dave

Dave,

That handcar is something, isn't it? Looks like something the guys on the 2 rail forum could use.

Jim,

Did you think about hitting Mike's joint, while he was out bagging wabbits? For a split second did ya feel lucky, punk? Well, did ya?

Got carried away, it won't happen again.

BTW, you've ruined my mental image of Mike, now.

Rick

(Daffy)   Sir, you have permission to fire!  (Boom.  Cloud.  Duck bill falls.....)

I think my mom's family(5 kids and their mom) had wabbit pancakes, back in the old days. They lived in a real log cabin, in rural Quebec, and money was scarce.

I believe wabbit was on the menu, at times.

Rick

Dominic,

Daffy was the man. The Fonz limped, compared to the "DUCK"!

Rick

ssshhh!  be vewwy qwiett!   I'm hunting wabbitt!!!

Elmer only has to hear munching carrots! 

Now does Wily E order train sets from Acme?

Most of my trains (MTH Rail King only) have been bought from eBay and OGR Forum sellers. Only once did I interact with a screwball, and luckily in time to recognize the seller was a scam artist. As for getting breakdowns fixed, I go directly to MTH, and their service has been excellent.

I just received the last locomotive I have been hunting for, the Reading's Crusader, so my collection of famous steam era passenger twains that served the New York City Metro Area from 1930 - 1955 is just about complete.

Now I need to concentrate on making Long Island steam locomotives from Pennsy pieces. Lets see. I have three Rail King Pennsy H-class 2-8-0 locomotives to re-paint and re-letter for LIRR LCL freight service, and I have several Rail King 13.5" heavyweight cars to convert into LIRR commuter P54 commuter cars. Hmm. I need another Rail King Camelback to make a LIRR G53 for the Cannonball Express.

I also have my eyes on the new Rail King 4-6-0 set engine as it is a ringer for the New York Central's Putnam Division commuter engine, but MTH hasn't made it available in NYC livery. Unbelievably, MTH has it in Pennsy livery! Ugh.

Get paint and decals--Ugh!!!

Or Lionel has a 2-8-4 painted for ,.......er, PRR!  Get the air sickness bag.  Better yet, have Elmer Fudd SHOT it!

That engine in NYC plus a couple of Central heavyweights would make a nice looking train!

farmer bill,

is that your wabbit in the picture, you know that they taste just like chicken. but I never had one with a pancake on the side before.....

Update:

I just got off the phone with my dealer and he confirmed scoring both models for me(the locomotives that I asked for). One of them is already on it's way to their store and the other unit will be sent, soon.

As I previously mentioned, the locomotives will be given the "once-over"(tested, at my dealers) and if everything's OK... then, they will be shipped out to me.

I told my dealer that I'm happy, and thanked him for their efforts... So far, this has been kind of cool.

Rick

Hunting season for me begins on Monday October 15th at York, PA.

Eddie,

Anticipation, having something you're looking forward to... is all part of the hunt.

Hope you have a good season.

Rick

Got a call earlier in the day, the units are on their way.

I wonder if anyone has guessed what I got... from the 2007 catalogs?

Hint: they're not ubiquitous!

Rick