@roll_the_dice posted:I guess I equate it to the same as anything in today's world, you can pay as much or as little as the market will allow at any given time. I have many hobbies and none of them "cheap" hobbies. I like cars, trains, golf, antiques, etc etc. A quick search for "o scale 2 rail locomotives" on the Bay of E, I found about 9 locomotives under $300 and most of those 9 under $250. The same search for "o scale 3 rail locomotives" I found 10 under $300. For both searches I then drilled down to lowest first.
I am not arguing that either is more expensive than the other...I think they are comparable in price pound for pound. I equate our hobby to the car hobby (my other passion) I can get a nice 2 rail engine a daily driver if you will for under $500 including adding DCC to it or I can pay $3000 for a (name an expensive brass mfg) just like I can buy a nice daily driver used Porsche cayenne for $24k or a new Porsche Cayenne for $100k+. Pick your poison. Sometimes the hunt or chase is just as important and as fun as just going and buying it no matter the price.
Last example, I promise. I recently sold some old HO equipment. Couldn't give one piece away at $18+free shipping. I waited a week and relisted it and sold it for 5 cents plus $18 shipping....do you think the person told his friends he bought it for $18 or 5 cents? It's about perception and we need to stop the narrative that OS2R is the most expensive train variation. My opinion is getting worth less and less. I have enjoyed reading all the comments.
Good Chat Andy. Again, I am learning about 2R so not attempting to posit any opinion beyond my local exposure (and lack there of). There are 3 “hobby shops” within 30 mins of my house. NO 2 rail (and again… I had never heard of it so didn’t even realize the absence). As I am jumping back in (to build a new layout from scratch for the grand babies), I have been aggressive in visiting various estate auctions within an hour of here (both the online and in person versions) and stumbled across NO 2 rail there either (and again, didn’t realize it was absent till all of this discussion). Lots of HO and O gauge. A little S gauge. No G or N or O scale 2 rail at all.
As to cost, you are right it is about perception and my perception is “HOLY CRAP” O gauge/scale model railroading is expensive now that they added all the electronics, etc. (regardless of 2 or 3 rail). Luckily I am experienced with and enamoured with post war lionel. I have purchased 4 lionel engines and over 3 dozen cars as well as an entire “modern” (cheap plastic) lionel set and an entire scout set… all for less than $500 (less track). So when I say availability has made O gauge reasonable… that is what I am talking about. IF there had been any 2 rail at all, perhaps I’d have looked into it… but it isn’t about whether I can do an online search and find some to buy, it is that there was none being sold locally. Also, what was available I have purchased over the course of a few months at very reasonable prices as folks either didn’t bid or couldn’t figure out how to fix a coupler, etc. so devalued the sale item.
I’m really enjoying this whole forum (it is new to me as well) and this discussion in particular. Learning lots about 2 rail with a slew of questions but… I’ll just keep reading and learning before asking the simple questions that I should already know. Carry on friends!
