Miggy,
No idea on repair tips, sorry.
I did realize something else; I no longer run DCS as it has become too complicated for me..not confusing, just too complicated. I know Barry will say something like, "read the manual." However it has to be fun, not rocket science in sanskrit for me. It is impressive trains can do so much. Perhaps the mfgs have overshot the mark on what people want to be able to do?
Ernie
I'm with you guys! I emailed those big companies and told them I wanted an engine that would run using lion chief, DCS, legacy handhelds, and brain waves. Also run in conventional mode. Exact prototype of the 2-8-0 consolidation that was used on the Sasquatch Hills & Beaver Town Railroad. With a engineer figure in it that looks like Ernest in Ernest saves Christmas. And a fireman's voice saying, "your fired". Still waiting on their response. So I'm not buying another new train item today! Maybe.
Jim : )
About 4 - 5 years ago, I right-sized my collection going from the many items I had, to the fewer items that I really wanted.
As I have recently taking the layout down, and packed up all of my trains for storage, I realize how much stuff I still have! 
I still buy trains, but they have to be on my ever shrinking bucket list (Reading steam - K-1 would be great, B&O heavyweights).
Doesn't mean that I will stop buying stuff, but I'm moving into a different part of the hobby. Will learn to upgrade my 5 conventional scale engines to TMCC, will build some more buildings from scratch or kits, will purchase some Fastrack for a temporary carpet layout, and in 5 - 6 years will hopefully build another permanent layout.
Jim
Wigville RR posted:I think his wife put one of these in .
Guy
Ha! That is funny... that is why I have a walk out basement... but as you have been married for quite some time, you pick and choose your battles! Some things are worth fighting for.
It will be interesting what comes out soon, mostly remakes from 5+ years ago. 3rd might be the only company making new items constantly, interested to see what MTH comes out with in 2 months.
I have always run conventional to this day using two vintage ZW's and a 1033 for lighting. . I could certainly adapt to DCS , Lion Chief or Legacy but don't see the need. My layout is 100% reliable and want to keep it this way. If something breaks there is nothing that I cannot repair by using a screwdriver a soldering gun, a small mallet and a few simple hand tools. Call me a cave man but one without the headaches.
turbgine posted:The current catalog prices from Lionel, Atlas and MTH are so high compared to new "old" stock that it makes it so easy to say , "I have more than enough to play with." Atlas tank cars for more that $100.00. That is bordering on the insane.
I posted a comment last week that spoke of that very thing; I mentioned an 11 car unit train, sans loco, would run close to a grand...
...it was promptly deleted. 
Mark in Oregon
D500 posted:Purchasing your Last Model Train Item is easy - I've done it dozens of times.
================
Medical Science needs to give us a "RR patch"; I don't mean the logo kind, but rather the kind of patch that people use to quit smoking. I was a heavy smoker for 29 years, until, in the early 90's, I went to the doctor and got the patch - they were prescription items, then - and after nearly 30 years of 2 packs a day, I stopped smoking and never looked back.
Don't tell Lionel or MTH about this; very hush-hush.
I tried the patch, but I just couldn't get passed how awful they taste.
Hi guys:
Thank you for all your comments. I am still optimistic that I will still purchase a new locomotive model(s).
I have suggested to MTH (Mike Wolf) an Amtrak ACS 64 Electric in the premier line, a NY Central 4-8-4 in the Rail King line, a set of NY City former BMT Tri-Plex subway cars. The new 2017 Lionel catalog shows in the LionChef plus line the 2-8-4 Berkshire using the 736 1950s model. If they do it in NY Central which is what the locomotive model really is I would purchase one of these. In the new Atlas catalog they show the former Weaver Pullman Standard Osgood Bradley 1936 passenger cars. If they did them in New Haven black with the orange strips above the window line I would consider them as well.
Ed G. (Along The New Haven Line Of Metro-North And Amtrak In Westchester County, NY)
Dennis LaGrua posted:I have always run conventional to this day using two vintage ZW's and a 1033 for lighting. . I could certainly adapt to DCS , Lion Chief or Legacy but don't see the need. My layout is 100% reliable and want to keep it this way. If something breaks there is nothing that I cannot repair by using a screwdriver a soldering gun, a small mallet and a few simple hand tools. Call me a cave man but one without the headaches.
Hello Dennis LaGrua......
You, sir are a "WISE" caveman
I am old school too.
"The Lord is not in being slow in what he promised-- the way some people understand slowness. But God being patient with you. He doesn't want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning" 2 Peter 3:9 ERV (easy to Read Version)
Tiffany
rattler21 posted:Upgrade. Get rid of five or ten or more cars bought from a non-hobby store and replace them with one highly detailed plastic or brass car. Fewer cars by all the laws of physics take up less room. The problem then becomes what happens when you have too many brass cars.
But as it has been stated many times in many forms by many people, it is your hobby and collection - do whatever brings you pleasure. John in Lansing, ILL
I like his way of thinking. So after purchasing a CB&Q SD9 from Sunset 3rdRail (and we all know how much that cost), I will be selling many comparable yet duplicate items at the upcoming train show in Grapevine, TX. And they will be priced to sell.
MattR posted:I have school busses and attics full, and no layout even. Although I hope to somewhat soon. I have collections by the pick up truck load I haven't even picked up yet. A truckload from Tommy Z I plan to get this spring. Always several more deals going I'm paying on. I can't stop.
Did tommy z take down his layout? Always enjoyed his crazy videos
Williams 1, I agree with you 100%. When I saw Lionel selling their "Pilot" models I realized they were marketing to people as collectors not runners. Toy trains were made to run. Not sit in a box or shelf. Get out a build a railroad. Don
Being optimistic is a good thing, then again, most of my stuff I've only run once or twice in in ten years. I'm convinced being a realist will be in my future.
I run my trains, so my main priority is to buy rolling stock that runs well -- couplers work properly, the cars go through switches without hopping skipping and jumping, and the locomotives function when called upon. I like to run 20-25 car trains.
My last purchase was a Lion Chief + NW2 ($229) and I'm happy with it. The great majority of my locos are Williams diesels, most purchased on sale for about $100 (Shout out to Trainworld, there). My steamers are a mix of postwar Lionel, MTH (Proto 1) and a K-Line Allegheny (TMCC).
I don't anticipate purchasing any more locomotives, though the Lion Chief + Berkshire is interesting. Current pricing on Lion Chief + has climbed to levels that still reflect increasing demand. I'll wait until the market is satiated, prices drop and then maybe consider a purchase. My 736 from 1950 still runs wonderfully.
For rolling stock, my favorite is Industrial Rail for operating performance. I run them all the time and have never had a coupler fail and they run very smoothly. Several of my MTH cars sport rubber bands to keep the couplers closed, my postwar Lionel is prized but has high rolling resistance (yes the axles are oiled) and my K-Line 6464 size boxcars and hoppers have great graphics, roll well but the couplers are close to non-functional. So, I'll be looking for used Industrial Rail cars for rolling stock. The new offerings are priced way too high for me to consider.
One thing that makes me hesitate about buying new locomotives is worrying about frying boards, DOA's, etc. I realize that we only hear about the minority of failures here and that most (Like the three I own with more than reverse boards) work fine, for me it is a lot of money to spend on something that has a degree of fragility and will be functionally obsolete (no reverse compatibility for Lion Chief app, Proto 1,2,3....TMCC, Legacy, etc).
Overall, I don't anticipate many new purchases, but I'll never say never. If I could find a nice K-Line scale Hudson at a good price (I'd be fine with conventional), I'd buy that. And I'll check out the LC+ Berk, but not at the current price.
After my issues with both MTH and Lionel, if I do buy locomotives again, it'll be in RTR sets, either through Amazon or MTS due to their exchange policy. Too many issues with new locomotives needing repairs out of the box. The 2016 MTS Christmas Diesel Locomotive as example, the first one needed a board replacement, the second replacement has a bent frame, and so far has costed my $35 in shipping back and forth...and now again, shipping back to MTH for the bent frame on the most recent replacement with a 6-10 week repair time. I got into this hobby as a way to relax, it's been nothing but stress with moments of fun tempered with anxiety that every time I think everything is going smoothly, bang, another problem pops up. On my other MTH Locomotive, with every 4-6 times of operation, I have to reset the unit (SND+DIR+VOL Down) otherwise it just sits there not responding to DCS commands.
With that said, I think I'm cutting my losses and exiting this hobby with what I have now; too expensive and too time consuming on things that just should work out-of-the-box with reasonable amount of maintenance.
I can't hide any purchase from my wife because the parcels always arrive when I'm either down the gym or out walking, in other words the parcels always arrive early morning we are the first in line or the start of the delivery run. I tried to bribe the driver to start the opposite way but he wouldn't be in it so I have to live with the cold shoulder treatment when I arrive home. I always know something has arrived when I get the "something in the room for you" look. She comes good after an hour or so. C'mon we have been together for 45 years. Roo.
willygee posted:MattR posted:I have school busses and attics full, and no layout even. Although I hope to somewhat soon. I have collections by the pick up truck load I haven't even picked up yet. A truckload from Tommy Z I plan to get this spring. Always several more deals going I'm paying on. I can't stop.
Did tommy z take down his layout? Always enjoyed his crazy videos
No he didn't. Not yet. I bought all his postwar stuff about a year ago. Just haven't gotten to pick it up. He is slowly selling all his modern layout items too. Said he's had enough. He's kinda grumpy with manufacturers. Quite the layout though hey?
I am at the point where I probably have more than enough. 31 months to retirement, probably a bit more until I place New Jersey firmly in the rear view mirror. The question will be do I want to pay to move this stuff or attempt to be rid of the excess now. At one time there were 13 bicycles in the garage, now there are 5 I ride regularly and that number will be 3 when we move. I had 4 working large aquariums, with the demise of the marine aquarium last week that number will be reduced by one. Train stuff seems to move slowly. No one wants MPC items. Post war stuff that is not pristine, in a perfect box and used seems to be impossible move. I refuse to bring more into the house and the current rule for me is if one thing comes in, two things need to move out. For that reason alone I passed on two ebay auctions that would have fit my current theme and sold far less than expected. I get no pleasure standing in front of a bunch of shelves with my hands on my hips saying all this is mine. Model train stuff has to 1. fit the layout theme 2. fit on the layout 3. have been run at least once in the past 12 months. Anything not meeting that criteria will have to find a new home. Perhaps if some of the unused stuff finds a new home something new will come in but for now I agree with the OP, enough is enough.
I keep only what fits on my rather simple 2-rail layout without crowding. I have never been a "collector" and I don't really understand the urge to have more and more stuff that just gets in the way, especially when things you don't want usually can only be sold at a loss. If you really must collect something, how about stocks and bonds?
After 50 years in the computer field at various levels I understand trying for some sort of realism using all sorts of technologies BUT ZW's and that smell of OZONE in the morning is all I need! Russ
ChiloquinRuss posted:After 50 years in the computer field at various levels I understand trying for some sort of realism using all sorts of technologies BUT ZW's and that smell of OZONE in the morning is all I need!
And that is the great thing about Lion Chief and Lion Chief plus engines! You can run them on the same track with the same equipment you already have! Flip that throttle up to 18v and leave it. Grab that LC remote and have a blast! Then if you want to run your conventional engines just park the LC engine on an isolated spur just like you would a conventional. Pull the throttle back and switch on a postwar engine. Or keep that LC+ engine out and run it in conventional mode! But you may not want to do that. The chuffing sound, simple control, electro couplers on the LC+ engine may keep you busy!!
Jim
I'm sure most of us have too much but will keep buying the new items. Try selling off what you don't use any longer and use that money for new purchases. Sell for 20 or 25 cents on the dollar and help those on very limited budgets stay with the hobby. It works.
Rod Miller
ed new haven line posted:I recently purchased a 3rd Rail Union Pacific SD7. I currently have nothing on pre-order including items featured in the 2017 Lionel Catalog that I recently received. This is the first time I have had this happen since the 80s. I am not complaining as I have more then I thought that I would ever own. With this in mind I have been taking locomotives off of the shelves, dusting them off, lube and oiling then and enjoy running them again. So far all of them run fine. Maybe this is it for me? So unless Lionel, MTH, Sunset Models-3rd Rail, or Atlas announce new locomotive models this might just be the case.
Ed G. (Along The New Haven Line Of Metro-North And Amtrak In Westchester County, NY)
Purchases shrink from many per year to one ... ;-)
I haven't bought a new o gauge locomotive in the last year or more. Lion Chief+ prices have increased way too much lately. I paid around $300 for the two steam engines I have. That is my limit for what I will spend on something I really don't need.
Lately I've been buying used items and have been very happy with them. Good bang for the money.
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