You hit the nail on the head. I agree with your ways. Many will not. Well said. You said what many don't want to hear!

@martyn6792

5 ай бұрын

Agree, modern models amaze me with detail, DCC sounds etc, that all costs money

Spot on. My only point is most lines are sold out before I have saved up enough to buy. Surely this means manufacturers are missing out on sales as there must be lots if people in my position.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Their job is to sell their models, not to make sure that everyone gets to buy one mate, as frustrating as that may be to realise... I find having a modest "hobby buffer" to help with those "rare pre orders" - but as I said, those instances themselves are also rare!

Absolutely spot on. I have been on a mission to share some cost saving methods to build a layout too, save for the things I can’t make by making the stuff I can. It’s how the hobby used to always be. For those that bring up Pre-Order Sell out…. There is another cunning plan; Pre Saving! Set aside a modelling budget beforehand and when the must have model is announced, bingo, although I think most don’t take any payment until delivery which can give a generous saving window. 👍

Do you remember when Hornby's tender drive locos were new? We're talking the early 90s. Back then I'd go down to Beatties or Gamleys and look in the display cabinet. Often the locos were around £55-60* and I didn't throw a sulk. I just said I can save up . Or I'd go to my local second hand shop and see what they had in. I gained a Mainline Jubilee that way for half what Beattie's were charging and for what I considered a better model. Same with Revolution's Caroline recently. I can't find one in B/G now but I'm absolutely confident there'll be another one in a couple of years. I couldn't afford it when released but it's no biggie. It's not essential. Plus detailing up cheaper locos is part of the fun of the hobby that way you've got something that's unique. I have a Lima class 37 bought for exactly that reason. That said I do think 3D Printing has been a game changer for the hobby. It's allowed people to produce rolling stock and details that were missing or unprofitable to make RTR and its allowed gaps to be filled, also layout detail has been hugely boosted by it. We've also got to consider raw material costs for the manufacturers, how much does nickel cost to buy in? How much are the plastic pellets for the moulding machines? That'd be before even cutting metal to make the tooling (how much does the steel cost for that? Machining costs?) Plus the wages in China increasing too. It all adds up. *I ran 60 through the BoE's inflation calculator. £60in 1991 is the equivalent to £131 in 2024, so have our models really gone up that much?

It is nice to see someone today use the words SAVE UP FOR IT, your pointing out I am not entitled to it, it's not my right to have it. There's a job you should be doing, Chancellor of the Exchequer. A really interesting video with some sensible advice thrown in. If one viewer takes notice of your views then it will have been worth making the video.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Andrew, just my own personal musings, nothing more, nothing grand or works changing! Do look out for other classics such as "Don't know you're born" And "back in my day" 😁

Totally agree Craig! I'm reminded of the saying "be careful what you wish for, you might get it.." For a long time modellers kept screaming for 100% accuracy and all the gimmicks, and guess what? Prices shot up. Like you, I want reliability so prefer slightly older tooled models. Besides, I am tight and work on the rule that if I don't like the price, I won't buy it..

I agree with your opinion for the most part, I just think one or two manufacturers should focus more on keeping the prices down, as most people don’t start with used stuff in this hobby, so it helps to have some affordable new stuff, and on a personal note, I don’t really like buying used trains that much as I’ve been scammed multiple times and often worry about whether I am getting scammed if I purchase used. Overall though, I completely agree!

Totally agree with you. I've just got back into Model Railways after a 60+ year absence. Due to lack of space, went for N gauge. Almost all of my stock, track, locos etc have been bought second hand with a fair amount bought cheap as ' Needing attention' or 'non runner'' . Half the fun of the hobby, for me, is the actual 'Modelling', which means I get the tools out and repair and modify stuff to give me a fair representation of what I want. If I want lights, I add lights, if I want proper handrails, I add them. If I want passengers in the coaches, I'll paint some up and add them. What I will not do is pay a couple of hundred quid for a new loco or whatever because it has revolving fans , miniature flushing toilet, or whatever. My most expensive loco was an immaculate Dapol Class 50 with dodgy couplers ( known fault, shame on you Dapol) which I got for 60 quid. 10 minutes work and it's now perfect. I am also 3D printing and scratch building stuff to get what I want without breaking the Bank. I always thought that was what 'Modelling' was all about. Horses for courses I guess.

Totally agree, that it’s all about performance and running. As long as the model is a reasonable representation of the prototype, but runs sweetly, I’m a happy bunny!

I am one of those modellers who likes a mix of traction on my layout from steam to modern image so i opted for a preserved railway idea. Regarding affording models this year I have had to cut back on spending as i have purchased my first property and money needs to be saved to keep the maintenance up on said property. There is no shame in buying old models i have loads of old Hornby, Lima, Bachmann/Mainline models in my collection and from a distance they do look ok. Take fellow modeller Mark Wilson who does use a lot of older models on his diorama layouts and main layout.

Very good points Craig. The other thing aside from saving is also to wait as some models will come down in price or become available as a used model when the next shiny tooling comes out!

i think the reality is that we have had decades of the good times when everything was kept unrealistically cheap we have had about 3 decades of the good times where we were paid well and things were kept cheap , mostly by moving production to sweatshop countries where wage bills were minimal ... in the 60s and 70s money was hard to come by and things like luxury items were saved for ... partly why we have the instant gratification mentality in the hobby ,, people expect everything instantly , buildings out of the box etc , we used to either build a kit or scratch build buildings

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

We did and now we don't! 3D Printing is the new scratch building tool or choice, I need one 😁

@MrNicktheBeat

5 ай бұрын

@rseRailways My first 3D printer was FDM but not great for miniatures so I bribed Santa for a Resin Printer. WOW. Fantastic detail for just a little more work. You can get a resin printer for less than the price of a new Loco. Go for it!

@_RandomPea

5 ай бұрын

​@@MrNicktheBeat any recommendations on where to start with resin printing? Is it something easy enough to pick up?

@MrNicktheBeat

5 ай бұрын

I would start by reading as much as possible and watching countless videos on KZread until I had a fair understanding of what is involved before thinking of investing in a printer. Then I would have to decide on whether FDM or resin printing is the way to go depending on what results you are looking for. Then I would buy the best that I could afford and start with simple prints till I learned how to get the best out of my chosen printer. How difficult it is depends on the individual. I don't think it is difficult but then I don't think re-building a motorcycle is difficult. It depends on your skill set.@@_RandomPea

Well said mate,I would love every new model but I can't afford,99% of my collection is quality second hand

I agree with you . I recently sold 3 Lima locos to fund a Heljan Class 33 that was under a £100 new . I do have a monthly allocation from my salary for model railways. I also buy pre owned and Hornby Railroad and HM 7000 decoders , this allows me to purchase the odd " Premium " model . I cannot afford to purchase 3 sound fitted Cavelex 56s as much as I would like to but I bought a DCC ready Hornby one for £90 and put a bluetooth decoder in so sound fitted for £150 . Cheers Kev

Seconded on the old Bachmann 37. I couldn't tell them apart from the Accurascale one either and mine cost £75 from Harburn in Edinburgh - Support the local model shops.

Good to see you today 3rd March at the Keighley model railway show. I spoke whilst I was operating the 0 gauge end to end layout Newcroft. Take care Andy

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Was nice to meet you Andy, Newport was a lovely layout!

I agree with your assessment that the detail in modern models drives the price, but disagree with the reason. Having been in the hobby since a kid, I have watched many cheaper manufacturers fall to the wayside (lineside?) as the modelling press and model shops degraded their products and in some case refused to stock them as inferior. We are now stuck with this craze for highly detailed models that add little to the hobby but cost the earth. I remember going to model shows to see the skill of better modellers who improved the cheap and cheerful, now i just see wallet models at shows with the latest models run with premade buildings that i could by from the trade stands. Its a sad place to be and i wish we could get back to having some cheap and cheerful manufacturers that we can afford to buy from and afford to take the risk of attempting to improve. I never remember asking for the expensive only models, and went mainly 2nd hand a long time ago, do i don't think this was consumer driven but retail driven.

I agree. I have not been too fussed about getting the all new repeat class. Ok I got the 47 when the price came down last year... And personally I don't need super fine detail in places that you can never see. But I have brought a lot of new Rapido wagons, because I am SECR biased and there was not much true SECR wagons out there in RTR until Rapido did them (I have built some kits but Rapido is faster and better....). People should concentrate on what is really important to them. You can build a layout now for most regions and eras off the shelf now (unlike the 80s). Less really is more.

Totally agree. My son recently became involved in the hobby but has waited to buy rolling stock as and when he’s got the money. Class 66 first, then buying packs of the Accurascale HYA’s every couple of months until he’s got a rake of 8/10. Majority of his first locos were all second hand eBay buys. Great video mate

You hit the nail on the head with a sledgehammer. If the models run great you can always add details yourself. That means the parts need to be cheap, so you save money.

Heljan introduced the higher prices when they entered the UK scene and then the rest followed, when it became clear to the other manufacturers that people were prepared to pay a higher price. Models were priced at toys until that point, but no one dared to raise the price. Until Heljan came around.

Brilliant video Iron Horse Railways

👏👏👏👏 the most apt commentary I have heard this year, well said

Haha love it mate, thanks for the mention gonna get you and Jenny running Halland and film ya both ahab

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

I'll have a go mate 😁😁😁🤙

As always Craig, a balanced video, with both sides of the argument

Couldn't agree more with your comments sir ! I have said similar on many occasions. Having worked in retail all my life, i regularly have to restrain myself from standing on my soap box and venting my very similar views to yours to everyone. I could honestly bang on for hours about the subject 😂😂😂

I picked up a Bachmann EWS 37 a few weeks ago. The tooling before last. £99 just had it weathered it runs and looks brilliant. So pleased with it. £99 might still be a lot to some but it’s a lot less than £250-300 odd. Ultimately it’s not the latest model but brings me a lot of joy when I get time to run my layout 👍

Someone please show this to Sam's Trains!! May shut him up for 10mins about bloody prices

@hamshackleton

5 ай бұрын

The 'off' button works well, too! 🙂

@somewhere_in_socal

5 ай бұрын

@@hamshackleton The funny thing is, I’m not even a subscriber to his channel, KZread just keeps including his videos when it’s auto playing - got to give him kudos for his algorithm skills

@fullyemployed

5 ай бұрын

​@@somewhere_in_socalthe grooming of many a blindly loyal young viewer by pandering to the thomas fandom helped a bunch as well, if every model channel did that I'm sure they'd all be that up there in the recommendations

@_RandomPea

5 ай бұрын

You don't have to watch him you know right... 😂 Also, to be more helpful if you don't know... next time a video comes up in your feeds and recommendations, click the three dots and choose the "don't recommend this channel" option. I do that with loads of stuff and it's really improved my feeds. Or of course continue to watch his videos which does help his channel. I do find it difficult to read though, he's not doing any harm to you so why give him such a time of it, just relax, don't watch and move on to a channel you do enjoy, ironhorse for one?? 🎉

@sheep21

4 ай бұрын

Damn that dude is annoying.... "ew this train isn't minutely die-cast metal..." producer starts making cast models "omg why are trains so expensive..."

I run everything from £30 bargains to the latest models. I reckon it was no cheaper in the 1990s allowing for inflation. The Accurascale Manor Class is an absolute bargain. I think some of the newer models can be a bit delicate. I prefer a balance between detail and durability. Now don't get me started on the price of beer. Cheers Paul.

Totally agree mate. I have a mix of super detailed and not so well detailed models on my layout everything from Accurascale to lima and Hornby railroad. If it runs OK and looks not too bad then I am a happy camper. Model Railways have always been expensive.

Ps, all good points, couldn’t argue against any of them.

Sorry was distracted with the video in the background 😂 Seriously but honestly agree, if it out of your range.... save up and that N Gauge platform kit was fun to see build, great video.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

It's a brilliant kit mate, thoroughly recommend it😁

8.30 One-in: One-out. Absolutely. This is reality, not only are we not cash-rich, we're space-poor after we reach a certain stash size. And jn my case, I wholeheartedly refuse to cave in to 'Rule One,' this way I am never going to hoard the baubles and suchlike because it's a hard and fast rule. I compare it these days to holding a hand of cards. Occasionally I'll trade in some diamonds for the ace of spades ♠️ Great monologue, sir. Cheers 🎉

I agree with you Craig, gotta save or spread costs over time. I'm soooo glad I went HO scale, plenty bargains to be had, although some stuff is hard to find. Platforms look great, the details for N scale are superb. I'm enjoying your progress in this scale, all the best. Brian @ The Angels

Good, sensible thoughts. I’ve recently moved to TT120 so used isn’t available yet but saving up or having a budget is a good approach

I have adopted the same approach of one out, one in, or even perhaps more going out then in, of late. The new models such as Cavalex 56 are worth every penny and bring loads of enjoyment. So yes, what trains are sitting there of little interest which I can sell and help to fund new. Even better if other modellers buy what I don't want / need then they can enjoy running then rather than them sitting on a shelf.

You can’t go around saying logical and sensible things like “save up” or “buy the older version it’s almost identical” because rivet counters and collectors will get upset! Agree that can you tell the difference when running if it is an old Lima or latest Accruamann apart from some lights? If it looks like a Deltic, it probably is a Deltic…

Great video very true second hand works for me too or you look for cheap things I love building things that's what it is all about thanks for sharing 👍

I've struggled to engage with your channel, so I don't watch. Today, a friend said I should watch this video. I explained why I wouldn't. My friend said just watch it, so I did. I really enjoyed this video. I agree with your comments. The use of a tripod helps to improve the video and just talking in front of the camera without shouting. Your humour made me smile. More of the same, please.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, I usually put my thoughts to camera 😉

I agree, and needed to follow the saving-up technique as I wanted the GCR Robinson A5 from Sonic. Only problem being now I can afford one they are no longer available. I also agree that there is a lot of unnecessary detail. Most people watch from a scale distance of at least 50 yards, so why include details that can't be seen on the real thing from that distance? (and for the record I model in P4 which is, supposedly, the rivet-counter's scale)

Hi Craig, I agree with your comments, we have become so used to models that always push the limits just a bit further each time. It's a bit like mobile phones, each new version is slightly more technologically advanced than the last. Life is like that today.......annoying isn't it. Our model manufacturers are doing just the same, trying to push the limits of what can be, which pushes up the price, and yes there is always someone who will buy it. It isn't me either, although my last four purchases were the Accurascale Deltic and 37, Heljan 45 and Rapido Hunslet tank, but thats over the last two years or so, if not more. I agree with you, if you want the new loco, and I waited three years for the Deltic, there is nothing wrong with saving for that special loco. My beef with manufacturers is the current trend of producing such small production runs, to ensure they sell them all, and who can blame them, that unless you "pre-order" that special loco straight away you have no hope of getting one. You can save up like you suggested, great idea, but if the product is no longer around after you saved up, what's the point! One other thing, is with this situation we find our selves in, how does that encourage new young modellers into the hobby. Mind you kids today want the high tech features in their models. How many kids can run rings round anyone else on their phone, games consule or computer. Great stuff and sorry for going on, all the best Dave.

As a Skoda owner I do chuckle that all the equipment, engine ancillaries etc are branded VW Audi

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Spot on mate 😜

Hi, Thanks for the video and your thoughts - some very interesting ones in there! I agree with some of your opinions, but disagree with some of the logic you put our there in some of your reasoning or analogies. Please don't take this as heat or a rant back, by the way, just my own observations relevant to what you said :) All of my opinions are specifically from my experience with N gauge in the last 5-or-so years. I'm very much in the "don't want to pay for hidden detail" camp, like brake van interiors, hidden underframe detail, or even intermodal container door that can open (they arrive already broken in the box!). But here's the dilemma about choosing not to buy detailed models: there's actually very rarely an option for a less detailed one that isn't extremely outdated and almost toy-like. In the years that I've been active in the hobby I've seen models that either haven't come around at all, or have only come around once. The demand for them is higher than the supply so _if_ you can find them pre-owned on eBay, for example, I've found they actually cost _more_ than the new price for something equivalent, and there's the risk of being sold something with faults or damage from a dishonest seller. So, you might end up paying a lot in order to have a model of something that has more detail than you want, as the only way of having that model. What does that do? The message that the manufacturers seem to derive is "people want this detail and will pay for it", when actually the only guaranteed true part of that is "people will pay for it". I don't completely agree with your analogy to cars - cars serve a proper mass market, so there's a vast difference in options and a massive pre-owned market. So basically I think you're right about entitlement, and that one should live within one's means and not expect to be able to afford non-essentials like this hobby, and I think adding your own detail is a great idea, but I disagree about what alternatives are available. Also things sell out pretty quickly, so saving-up means having an incomplete train for literally years, maybe even a decade. I think fundamentally model trains are a niche hobby overall in this country, even more so in any scale other than OO, and that's fundamentally where issues come from - the market just isn't big enough for lots of options, a large pre-owned market, and economies of scale. 3D printing seem like it will eventually bring a total revolution to how people get rolling stock, and how much it costs to get an extra rake of wagons, but I think that's still a long way off. Sorry that got so long - it didn't seem like much in my head, but it's ended up a lot of text! 😆Take care 🙂

Hi Craig. Watched. Paul. ❤️👍

Well said mate , and what I do is make a list , a small one that's do able over some time and then I just save and get a item every few weeks that's on my list ,and one item on my list was a bachmann midland 1F half cab steam loco I got of ebay for 60 qwid , so you can do it , might just take a bit of time , but that's half the fun getting some thing you have saved it for.and ticking that list😊

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Exactly my point mate

I buy lots of second hand bargains now, but there is the odd New model I like, mostly European now, but odd British things take my eye, like 47526 in its battered large logo, now I’m pants at saving up so I just squirrel away £50 a month with TTC Diecast, when I see something I want in general them pennies are already there. So yeah I think you’ve hit the nail on the head Craig, if you can’t afford it save 👍.

Wow awesome, great advice especially about the unused models once used and now stored. Do an EWS and sell them on and make money for fewer but new models, if that's your thing.

In the 1970s the Co-op did 20 weeks club, I bought my locos from Co-op and paid weekly 20 weeks paid off, For £20 you paid £21 back good days.

nice video Craig & again your raise some great points, In todays climate you have to have a ruthless / hard nosed approach with new purchases at 3 figure sums. A £30-50 Lima loco doesnt require to much questioning to justify. The new tools are very seductive to todays modellers & provide the high levels of details they demand , i suppose its takes us to the oldest of controversial questions / arguments which is cheque book modeling vs railway modeling. Its cheque book modelling thats been the biggest driver of the move to the super detail / high levels of sophistication & the manufacturers are more than happy to oblige. Buts that created a vast chasm of those who just havent got the disposable income anymore , but want the nice spec model yet bemoan what they see as rip off prices, yet complain about the older tooling. Reality check time of cutting your cloth accordingly. Im lucky i was brought up on the old models in the 1980's , turning basic gear into something a cut above & here i am in 2024 still doing it. Secondhand gear is the bedrock of the operation. Just working on a £5 Airfix mk2d to convert into a mk2f DBSO to kick off the LSL ScotRail set, some would ask what are you pratting about with that old tat for , buy a Bachmann rtr one, the £165 Bachmann price tag should cover the entire purchase costs of 4 secondhand Hornby mk3's & a Lima 47 secondhand to detail / repaint up. Then theres the enjoyment aspect that you can not put a price on. I have fond memories of my dad back in 1980 converting a Hornby 47 into a class 56, first dbso conversion that year & a Hornby 47 / mk3's done to suit. Getting Hornby class 37's put onto Lima deltic bogies , repaints of the old Triang 101 into blue / grey - white - blue stripe colours. Modelling the current scene has always been tricky throughout the decades , rtr always behind the times with the bulk of whats needed & hence the way it bred the creativity / ingenuity of turning nyon water into wine. Its a art form that seems totaly lost on so many today, that said weve moved on from MTK kits to what 3d print can achieve with a few ingenious people having a crack at making bodyshells / kits of stuff , just ordered the 3d print chassis parts off Charlie at CMAC for the class 195 ive got on the go. Hopefully the 195 will be the first of a few new gen units, its not cheap, but you can spread the costs out & theyre nice projects to tax your brain. The 3d print tech is producing some great detailing parts for some of the older Lima gear, the underframe kit from Midland valenta for the 156 is superb , which again allows you to seriously undercut the costs of a Realtrack rtr one. Got some 3d print bits for the Lima 60 again helps turn a £40 loco into something a bit better. The hobby has for years been the subject of complaints from not having super detail / can motored models to now of these models being to expensive / rip off prices. The manufacturers have gone down a path & they are not going back down it, unlike VAG group who make Audis / Skodas / Seats / Suzuki / Lambhorgni / Porsche / Bugatti to cater to all wallet depths , Bachmann will not start up a budget brand to go alongside its 'branchline' range & so thats there loss. Only 2 games in town , keep coughing up or go secondhand / older gear. The masses of models in glass cabinets / piles of cardboard boxes on the retailers shelves, certain retailers sales of stuff youd be hard pushed to giveaway tells its own story.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

I myself did a similar thing, I got back into the hobby during world war COVID 1, and bought older Lima, Mainline and Hornby wagons and locos, then I slowly upgraded to newer ones by selling the older ones on, not complicated at all and I'm FAR from a rich man in terns of cash-flow, rich in other ways, ways that truly matter, but cash im just carefull!

What's the point in having a Porsche that can go at 200 mph, when you are sitting in a traffic jam?

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

That's why I've got a bike 😂

@MrNicktheBeat

5 ай бұрын

That's why I've got 3 Motorbikes.🤣@@IronHorseRailways

The demonstrated skills set at 2:44 are mind blowing 🤯🤣🤣

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

It's important to show how, not just with words but with actions 😂

@PeachyTT120

5 ай бұрын

@@IronHorseRailways absolutely, it shows you for the consummate professional that I know you truly are! 🤭

Don’t come in here with you nuanced opinions and your logic. What are you doing? Trying to have a reasonable conversation on the internet only leads to people screaming at you! Save yourself before it’s too late!!

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

I should absolutely know better 😂😂

Took me nearly two years to get 10 Oxford rail Weymouth and district 00 gage wagons and I brought them all of Evilbay for different prices, I bought myself about 2 years ago Heljan class 33 jenny Lewis from Hatton I got by saving up my birthday money and Christmas money and a bit of my own money and me a few months to save up for but was worth the wait

The technique of saving up doesn't apply as much these days because we keep seeing "Sold out on pre order" so unleess you have the money upfront you sometimes don't get a look in. I used to enjoy buying the catalogues and saving up for something but I don't buy them now - complete money waste. On the whole I agree though. I've been buying 2nd hand oldies I wanted as a nipper plus 3D printing my own and for others.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

A pre order buffer is my answer for pre orders matey

@sparkshot

5 ай бұрын

@@IronHorseRailways - Yeah that could work. A set allowance of maybe £250-500 if it can be safely saved n held.

I couldn't agree more!

Excellent, we are not entitled to anything in life we must work for it, be it a monetary item or a friendship.

Totally agree with you. I buy lots of secondhand locos and rolling stock, ive got some real bargains at shows and i enjoy searching for them. I rarely buy new but bought the honrby railroad 31 in Derby technical livery for just £87, brilliant loco and detail is good for the price. See a lot of negatives about TT120 but its something im thinking of doing alongside my existing OO guage layout. The hobby is important to me as it really helps my mental health so I avoid the doom mongers and just enjoy it.

Well i just saw a schools class r380 for starting bid of £95 + tenner postage. Theres a bigger thing here. 2nd hand market prices have got ridiculous. Pretty sure i picked up this same model or one similar for £30-35 a year ago, admittedly before world events took another dive in the gutter. I appreciate the sentiment of save up, and yes, totally agree. But, as others have pointed out more effort would be nice to keep railroad at sub £100. The itraveller set was at £70 at one stage and that was brilliant little set for non enthusiasts. This is i think where some of the horns lock. enthusiasts will simply say its a you problem and you need to save up, and theres plenty who just want to get models and do so at a relatively low price, not caring for the details. Both sides are right of course. It is up to manufacturers to supply those needs of consumers, and that is thr point many would make. There is a bias towards high value and high detail, and thats due in hornbys case to a need to maximise profits to try to deal with their financial position.

A long time worshiper at the church of Iron Horse!! Common sense seems to ooze from the Preston pastor! Keep the wisdom coming Craig,,, not a lot left out there!

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

The Preston Pastor 😂😂 love it! Cheers nick! You at Keighley this weekend?

@LiveSteamNick

5 ай бұрын

Fraid not chap! Will be at Ally Pally in March though!

well said I have never brought any loco , wagon , coach , skaledale , scenecraft at rrp allways a lot lower

Couldn’t agree more.. the only reason I have a good sized collection is that I’ve been an N gauger for 45 years, many of which were bought 2nd hand. Apart from those that were gifts from my wife, most of those I bought I had to save for quite a while for. Almost everything that I buy these days is 2nd hand that I try and repair and gives me at least as much fun as stuff I bought new. We’re becoming a society of entitled babies, nobody ‘needs’ model trains, if I can’t afford stuff even if I’d really like it, I just have to save or go without even if its my favourite loco or whatever

Totally agree .Companies exist to make profit, not there fault if you can't afford a certain model .Yes prices are exorbitant but so is food, fuel and a host of other things . Save up if you can Its what I do . Still a lot bargains out there .E bay is full of them .

Well said 💯

You are right to say performance matters much more than gimmicks. All models from the previous era were gimmick-free and were still loved. Regarding buying second hand when people cant afford todays new stock. Prices in this market have also increased significantly. I see more bids and competition for items. Ancient stuff is largely unaffected of course. I believe there are fewer people buying new and second hand is now a bigger market than ever. This does have consequences for the hobby. Its easy to tell people to save, but you might find instead over time the turnover of hobbyists has sadly grown.

I think some people think people who work in the hobby industry should work for free,every is entitled to a decent wage

The only feature I thought looked good was on the Bachmann class 31 with the DCC controlled coupler, everything else is a nice to have or a gimmick! Different glazzing, spinning fans are not something you're notice much. Good lighting, performance and a good sound file are generally what I look for. Too much detail can be a problem, just look at the Accurascale cl55 where half the detail was in the packaging after becoming detached!

Well said. Love it when the cap goes on. This hobby is as affordable or as expensive as we choose to make it. And we may have been our own worst enemy. We wanted more and more detail and that costs money. The days of cheap labour in china are gone. Manufacturers need to satisfy shareholders, employees etc. But yet popular models still sell.. I was one of those guys who wanted the latest and greatest. But honestly apart from oohing and ahhing at all that detail when it first came out the box. I rarely noticed it again. I just sold most of it off and bought a pile of old tooled models for a lot less. And pocketted the left over cash. I still get the same enjoyment fixing them up and then watching them trundle round the layout. Perhaps more. Ive bought models for 30 quid that can be made to look good and run well with a little effort.

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

The Cap of Ranting is essential equipment 😂

@l1a146

5 ай бұрын

@@IronHorseRailways Absolutely. 😂 Does it work in other circumstances too? Or is it exclusive for model railway use? 🤔

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

@@l1a146 it depends on the severity and nature of the situation at hand.... Or if it's raining when I walk the dog!😂

@l1a146

5 ай бұрын

@@IronHorseRailways 😂😂😂

Unfortunately the problem with saving up is if you don't start saving from the first time they say they are going to produce it then because most only produce a limited amount of locos you could easily miss out and have to rely on someone selling a secondhand one in the future which is no guarantee they will or condition. But simply put you either have to suck it up and pay the price or be able to say I can live without it and move on!

i can see both sides here. i do try to go for the serious discounts and it works.

Eventually all these models will find their way onto the used/ 2nd hand market. The question is will we be around to see them. As I do 009 there is not much used on the market that I would want at the moment, so if something interesting comes on the market it’s either buy it or lose it. That comes back to manufacturers now only doing limited runs of a model, unlike years ago when a model would be in the catalogue for years and you could save for it. As for the detail I personally think that’s gone a bit far, a lot of these models are too fragile. How many have bits broken or missing new out of the box. Why have a detailed engine room/ cab on a diesel when with the roof on you can’t see it.

I refuse to buy dcc I model in dc . I model 009 and 00 and none are dcc if u run the loco in all will be ok

I nearly always buy second hand loco's and wagons, but just paid for the new Accurscale class 89 in 3 installments.

I think the main problem is people see the releases and turn into a child like state. I want I want. And its like anything else in life you aren't getting..... so this fixation with wanting to buy anything is unrealistic. People have other bills to pays and like any hobby which model railways is no different you need to save your pennies to enjoy the hobby. If people can't get that then 🤷

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Exactly! Bottom lip brigade sulking 😁

Guilty. I loved my Lima Deltic. Then came bachmann with the first version being released. So much better than the Lima. So I sold and moved on. Accurascale came along. Cheaper and in my opinion better than Bachmann. I sold the Bachmann ones! And it is not just because later models are necessarily better. But the old ones have dying parts. Parts you cant replace. Parts I can’t physically replace and in some instances parts no longer available either. What I have noticed though is that I actually have more stock and locos than I can run at any one time. Why? Because it can be addictive. The sales pitches from the manufacturers. You must have the latest widget, gadget, etc etc. I used to buy all my stuff second hand. But fewer shops now days and the lies that happen on eBay with people saying “fully serviced, good runner, only needs a run in etc”. I’ve promised myself I won’t buy any more locos in 2024…… or did I order a 31, 66 or even a metal Hornby Deltic? Really don’t know!

👍

I always wait for sales or special deals to come up. I think my future will be HO scale European and American model trains as I find them better value for money 😊.

Hey up in your last vlog or maybe another you mentioned you may drop into O gauge have you seen prices of locos with sound in that gauge? They are nice though.

but it depends i can spend 1000 pounds on 3 cheap chinese models or i can spend less on the locos and spend a grand on one painting ,,, some of us have more than enough , but i demand good lasting quality for my money and most new manufacturers just don't have good engineered quality no matter how much they detail the turds

Well this deffo doesn't apply to me, I'm incredibly clumsy and avoid buying any of this high detail stuff, lamp irons and hand rails are very hard to find when they have fallen off! I buy mostly like new but second had stock that can take a knock with out falling to pieces haha

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Ah yes, I've lost many a lamp iron and brake pipe to the carpet gods 😂

Because of an upcoming house move (potentially country move), I've had to budget in a way I didn't necessarily in the past. 3 locos came out at the same time and I couldn't justify buying all three, so I made my choice and just bought the one. I guess saving up isn't always an option when there are limited runs but using a credit card (wisely!) is an option for most people in those circumstances. Fair enough, it may turn out more expensive in the end due to interest but it's one way around the situation. Sometimes, you just need to take a step back and ask yourself "will my life really be so bad if I don't buy the latest release?". Oftentimes the answer is "no".

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

Sensible mate

Shops like cash converters and cash generators have layby offers in place so if a PlayStation 5 console is available at £330 and you can’t afford that in one lump sum they give you the option of putting a deposit on that item of maybe £100 then payments are made either every 14 days or every 28day depending on how much you can afford n is also divided up into a 12 week payment plan of £75 every 28 days till that £330 is paid off in full only then you’re allowed to take away the item! I’ve suggested this to Rails of Sheffield and they literally didn’t want to know but it’s a great idea wouldn’t you say no??

i just run second hand . like u say n guage reliability is everything . brand new locos have shat em selves but second hand is the go

I agree with prices they are expensive yes you can buy second hand I do that as said people will pay the prices or you can save or use your credit card you can do n gauge cheaper you can buy kato trains look at the price of them

Hi Craig I hope you are well I have a budget for the year. I am a review but I don't have an attic. I run mine as much as I can And I don't get free stuff off manufacturers. I feel everyone is different in the hobby and brings different stuff Some review some clickbait and some a simply fantastic with scratch building. Am a small channel. I respect your opinion Keep safe ARP

Back in the day I got a lot more satisfaction from having to work and save for what I wanted.

well said

The thing is i can afford the models, but i chose not to as the modles are over priced.

Super content as ever, what glue was you using ?

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

PVA usual mate

More wise words from the model guru that is Mr Ironhorse! Well said Craig. Btw I saved up for my Porsche, or was it just a pipedream? 😳

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

You got a Porsche?😁😁

@andydavidson9440

5 ай бұрын

Ah now Craig, what I don’t have is your knowledge and experience as I am a recently returning modeller, semi retired who probably spent too much time saving. Your weekly comments and insights really help bring me up to speed and I really like the modelling tips you share with us.

And talking of number of trains I've got 52 it's not a big number people have more than that

@IronHorseRailways

5 ай бұрын

I think it's a relative number, it'll be different for everyone

@blackjockofmangertonpele

5 ай бұрын

​@@IronHorseRailwaysMy relative number is 3. Excluding cousins.

have over 300 loco,s steam diesel no new toolings because im a modeller and add detail point of modelling isnt it ? lima 47 40 quid flush glazing buffer detailing less than a tenner driver couple quid no need spend a fortune i totaly agree ias a ex warhammer player model railways are cheap

Buy used!