Well, the current Stout's Auction two-rail auction has just ended and I was quite surprised

A lot of kits seem to rotate and relocate from basement to basement to basement, and then never get built......and then get sold again to continue their travels.

Without going into Stouts website, were there several bidders for these kits or just two or three with deep pockets trying to outbid each other?  I have seen some items where several bidders may start but in short order only two remain who will drive the bid into the stratosphere because they have to have it.

@CAPPilot posted:

Without going into Stouts website, were there several bidders for these kits or just two or three with deep pockets trying to outbid each other?  I have seen some items where several bidders may start but in short order only two remain who will drive the bid into the stratosphere because they have to have it.

Ron, the number of people at this auction varied from 200 to 290. I’m not sure if the kits were heavily bid on.

I watch all the Stout auctions. Your lucky if you get a bargain. I have been lucky a couple of times, and that is rare. I do better at Cabin fever auctions.

@eddie g posted:

I watch all the Stout auctions. Your lucky if you get a bargain. I have been lucky a couple of times, and that is rare. I do better at Cabin fever auctions.

I won 3 steam engines for under $1000 total. I feel like I got very good deals. Much better than eBay pricing.

I forgot to go back and bid on some of the items I was interested in. I'm honestly surprised how cheap several of the steam locomotives went for.

Agreed on prices of many locomotives. The collection was two things: 1. Mostly west southwest with some GN 2. When you had a look at the tires on the drivers of the steam locomotives many  showed wear as they had been well run and enjoyed.  That kept prices low in some instances. There were bargains such as a SS 3rd rail GTW U3G northern selling for 450.00. There were some good pieces (2 I bid on but they were popular so dropped out as they would be nice to have but not need to have.). Also with a 40% exchange rate Canadian to US on average a 200.00 purchase with buyer's premium of 38.00 becomes very pricy after exchange is calculated. It all comes down to moderating the collector's essence: gotta have it!

Phil

When the Seacrest auction was run, I bought two Sunset E8s for about $600. That was pretty good,

Dick

I was surprised at how low a lot of things went for. Some people got some steals, even with the fees. Not sure if it’s just the dog days of summer, non-interesting stuff (doubt that) or if everyone is just out of money. Either way, a lot of stuff went for way under the bay pricing and what places like brasstrains ask for the same items. I got one item at what looked to me to be a fair price, and it was under my max bid.
I didn’t stick around for the whole auction, but there was 170+ bidders online for the early lots (I stayed on til about lot 150).

I thought that this was one of the most reasonable Stout auctions.  Picked up a USH PRR C-1.  0-8-0  for $225 in minty cond with original box.  $80 for a Walthers cast bronze FM diesel switcher is a bargain.  There was some stuff that was ridiculously high.  I think if you like USH stuff there were many deals.

@swrr posted: ...snip...

$80 for a Walthers cast bronze FM diesel switcher is a bargain.   ...snip...

I looked long and hard at that one but just could not pull the trigger; to match the 8-wheel drive in mine would be almost impossible:

Paint not so much:

Plus to drag an at least 6-pound dummy around double-shotted did not sit well with me so I passed on it. If you were the winner on that one, I hope that it turns out well for you.

EDIT: My CP unit weighs just over thirteen pounds.

I didnot win the items that I was interested in.  I am very satisfied with Stout.  The catalog is good to deal with, easy to place bids, the live auction feature works well.  They email me each time I was outbid.

@PRRMP54 posted:

I looked long and hard at that one but just could not pull the trigger; to match the 8-wheel drive in mine would be almost impossible:

Paint not so much:

Plus to drag an at least 6-pound dummy around double-shotted did not sit well with me so I passed on it. If you were the winner on that one, I hope that it turns out well for you.

EDIT: My CP unit weighs just over thirteen pounds.

Out side 3rd rail , scale?

@Dave Koehler posted:

Out side 3rd rail , scale?

Yes, outside third rail O scale. With a big wound-field motor mounted horizontally in the cab driving a large diameter gear on the driveshaft; the gear is so large that a hole was cut in the bottom of the fuel tank and a gearcase cover installed on the opposite end from the reverser:

A close-up of one of the trucks:

I suspect that this will pull the plumbing right out of the station. No, on second thought, it will just pull the whole station!

Further to my previous comments about Stout Auctions:  when viewing the auction list, I had asked 2 questions.  One was whether an MTH diesel had 3-rail parts in the box; and another asking if a steam engine had the boiler weight.  Both questions were answered.  This is good service.

Don't forget when you bid that you are paying a buyers fee and shipping.

I bought a few things...bid on lots more that I didn't win, but was fun to watch what things go for...I still believe that many times prices are higher at auction than they sell for on ebay or on the open market...not sure if people get caught up in the hype of the auction or don't research prices before bidding.  Either way, it is fun to watch and win a few items.

I didn't win anything, but I knew I was bidding too low. The items I missed went for a song. But then, I probably should be selling instead of buying...