Best Way To Restart

[Darandio]

Hi all

As per my welcome message, after having the standard oval as a child, I am looking at restarting my modelling fantasy!

As a start, I have managed to obtain the base set, "Devon Flyer" for £30 to enable me to have a basic oval and a base control unit. Although I have nowhere to put any additions to it yet (planning ahead :)) I want to still build up a collection.

The first question I need to ask is which is the best way to build up this collection? Is my best bet to scour Ebay for bargains or are there other places of interest I am missing?

My second question is locomotives themselves. With many manufacturers on the market, can I buy any OO gauge locomotives/stock? Do items from Dapol, Bachmann, Farish etc work under the Hornby interface?

Thanks in advance.

[Flashbang]

Hi
I would be a little cautious of buying second-hand locos, Though bargains can be found. But you could easily end up with someones non runner! I would only buy from recognised sources.
Unless its something special your after, I would buy new if you can afford it. That way at least you're getting (or should get!) fully working models.

Always try locos on receipt to ensure they work correctly. Unless you're just saving them as collectors items never to be run then it wouldn't matter anyway!

Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol (OO), Heljan, Vitrains etc are all compatible and will run on "OO" track. Dapol also produce "N" gauge items, so be careful you're not obtaining the wrong scale if you can't physically see the item. Farish range (Produced now by Bachmann) is solely "N" gauge.

"N" gauge is approx. half "OO" scale. UK "OO" being 1:76 or 4mm to foot on 16.5mm track gauge while "N" is 1:148 or 2mm to foot on 9mm track.

[craftsmaster]

Most of the 2nd hand locomotives are bargained because of foreseeable defective that might occur in near future, unless your local stores warrants every purchased items. In that case you won't end up investing more of your money. So I recommend considering the brand new one. Bachmann is highly classified.

[Simon Smith]

Be careful on Ebay as they are not always bargains, I have seen many locomotives sell for more than the new price from a store like Hattons, who are excellent to deal with.

[swanseajack]

Be careful on Ebay as they are not always bargains, I have seen many locomotives sell for more than the new price from a store like Hattons, who are excellent to deal with.

totally agree with you about hattons used them when i lived in the uk and still use them in new zealand(not as much sadly) BUT BUT BUT be super careful using ebay the ebay site used to be good and there was honest traders (there still is but harder to find) but ebay give absolutely no backing to buyers only sellers,they say they do but if you put a complaint of none reciept of goods for example through paypal it costs a fortune and ebay themselves dont want to know WHY? because it is the sellers they get there fee off not the buyer,no seller equals no money for ebay, as it says on the bottom of every auction CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!!!

[Eveningstar]

Be careful on Ebay as they are not always bargains, I have seen many locomotives sell for more than the new price from a store like Hattons, who are excellent to deal with.


I agree 110% all the way ebay Is getting a joke on alot of locomotive stuff
I seen a n gauge britanna go for 100 pound an you can buy them new for cheaper

Best to find the locomotives you want an research them new first on every web site u can find an say its 70 pound for a new one then on ebay aim for half price on second hand locomotives . But i do know if they was limited made an you will pay more specailly if they dont make them anymore
As my a4 set cost 127.99 12 to 14 years ago an its only been run 3 times an that was 10 years ago its my little pride an joy

[D5572]

totally agree with you about hattons used them when i lived in the uk and still use them in new zealand(not as much sadly) BUT BUT BUT be super careful using ebay the ebay site used to be good and there was honest traders (there still is but harder to find) but ebay give absolutely no backing to buyers only sellers,they say they do but if you put a complaint of none reciept of goods for example through paypal it costs a fortune and ebay themselves dont want to know WHY? because it is the sellers they get there fee off not the buyer,no seller equals no money for ebay, as it says on the bottom of every auction CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!!!

There are some sellers on ebay who are dishonest and some buyers too

I am not a business trader and I sell locomotives and other model railway items now and again using ebay ,in the past have had 1 or 2 buyers complaining and wanting to return the goods even after i have plainly advertised such items as spares or repairs in big bold letters,i often think that the same people have suddenly thought they have overbid or haven't got a clue of how to repair the item etc

we are not all crooks, i put on as much info as possible about the item detailing any loco not working,scuffs,broken/missing parts etc

Like you say e-bay is not as good as it was and there's always someone out there to spoil it just like they do everything else