With hundreds of Intermountain kits selling for $10 to $25 at shows it is easy and fun to put together a highly detailed train for very little money. Also, has as been mentioned, patience pays. At OSW there was a wide range of asking prices for similar items. New Pecos River ATSF waycars were available for $400 plus while the same car lightly used was $220. USH ATSF waycars for $150. There were many vendors selling parts for next to nothing.
Allan