Allentown shopping S Scale

@Francine posted:

Although I didn't want to spend any money, I picked up a #20 & 40 old time coaches (to be repainted to New Hope & Ivyland) - old Flyer and a Pennsylvania & B&O covered hoppers - early Flyonel.

It was amazing, the Flyer you wanted was priced to sell and the old Flyer (which very few want) was very high.

Interesting, I don't like the Flyonel and would much rather have the old Flyer.  I really like the link coupler period.  Am I showing my age???

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Interesting, I don't like the Flyonel and would much rather have the old Flyer.  I really like the link coupler period.  Am I showing my age???

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Probably...and I'm with you!  🙂

For whatever reason, anything post 1949 holds little interest...Flyer-wise.

Mark (still) in Oregon

Flyonel is pricing itself out of my interest, I like what I have in wireless control but $1000.00+ for and engine is beyond me. I probably have to much now anyway.

Tom, I'm probably older than you,

Ray

@Rayin"S" posted:

I probably have to much now anyway.

Tom, I'm probably older than you,

Ray

Yeah, that's what I thought when my Scale Trains hoppers arrived.  I only ordered them to show support for ST's venture into S.  They'll probably make out of their boxes.

Older than me?

Tom Stolltz

in Maine

I agree with Ray!

Gunny

Francine,

I've noticed that prices are strange too, but haven't attended many large meets lately.  The high old Flyer prices may be seen as trying to recoup an investment.  Too much out there with a diminishing demand, though.  I didn't see a whole lot of buying, but that may just be the meets I attend.  I too have seen less-than-optimal items go for low prices.  Just the kind I use for running and repainting.

Ray and Tom,

I've noticed that folks' ages aren't available on the online profile.  I guess that's an administrative decision.  Personally, I don't mind telling my age, but will refrain for now.  Knowing you, Tom, I know we're of a similar 'vintage".  And I believe that yours too, Ray, is very close to ours.  As to buying any more Flyonel, I can't see that happening much with the prices they charge.  As far as Scale Trains goes, I bought two C&O hoppers to help the "cause" and add more rolling stock to a long string of C&O items that my grandsons absolutely love to see on my home layout.  And I too have WAY more trains than I need.  But like I posted in Francine's answer, the whole market is subject to Economics 101's Supply and Demand for pricing.  We're never getting rich on our "investments", but as long as I'm still having fun with my trains, I'm OK!

This has been a great string of conversations.

Tom and Mark:  I'm up there and waiting for the chariot to pick me up, but I love the new stuff (American Models, S Helper, MTH, Scale Trains and Flyonel and K-line - when I can get it).  The new stuff looks better and runs better.  I like pulling 15 to 20 car trains on the club layout - without overheading the engine.

Jerry: I think the people buying the old stuff are collectors, whose ranks are rapidly thinning.  The new stuff is hot, if you can get it used, because they are runners.   That would indicate that there are more runners than collectors.

Ray:  We're all aging Boomers, not the greatest generation, but not bad either.

Well, I'll be dillyed.  1948.  I even ordered tow more hoppers, for a total of four, when the plea went out for more orders.  And as I said, I will be surprised if these hoppers ever make it out of the box.

then like a Dodo, I ordered a Reading caboose... go figure

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

I ordered four Scale Trains hoppers, two Lehigh Valley and two Reading. I also have both of these liveries from MTH. The ST Reading fishbelly's are the same as the MTH except for the trucks. The Lehigh Valley cars are also painted a darker, duller red than the bright red of the MTH version.

Mine are all on the layout. The coupler and arm assemblies have been replace with AM601 couplers to shorten the gap between the cars by 1/2". The four MTH plus the four ST's make a nice looking string of hoppers. Now I need to work on coal loads for the fishbellies.