Quote from: willike1958 on March 21, 2026, 07:21:50 AMStill waiting for that Class25/3 

You're not alone. I'm still waiting for a skinhead 31 as well.

I think it's all in the eyes of the buyer. I don't like factory fresh stock as it looks like what it is, a model, but that's my opinion. I have weathered all of my stock and will weather all of the buildings, scenery, and track on my layout as I want to copy the real thing rather than make something that is a model railway but is not lifelike. I have happily paid to have stock weathered and have done a lot of my own, and have bought nicely weathered stuff from ebay and dealers in the past. I've also seen a lot of dreadfully weathered stuff which doesn't work for me at all.

I suspect that weathering, when properly done, can enhance the value of something, while if badly done it can reduce the value. Again, it will always all depend on who's buying it.

Dave

Interesting question Mick.

Personally I prefer pristine models. However, in the past, I have bought certain factory weathered models, & had them repainted by Gideon. I have been able to buy them a little cheaper on Ebay than pristine models. Is this because they were weathered, or just 'that' moment in time?

Generally speaking, in my opinion, 'factory' weathering by Farish/Dapol etc., is okay & seems to just be designed to give the impression of light use & grime.

In contrast, the bespoke weathering by the likes of TMC, @Ensign Elliott , @mk1gtstu is a completely different standard of weathering that offers a very realistic & more organic level of finish. Indeed, some of the 'amateur' weathering, & I only use that term to differentiate between trading companies & personal home-based work, has been displayed in some photos where you actual find yourself struggling to tell if you're actually looking at the real, life-sized loco or a model.

In summary, if it's factory weathered I wouldn't expect it attract a premium, but if it's weathered by TMC, or our compadres mentioned earlier I WOULD expect it to attract a premium.

Quote from: Newportnobby on March 21, 2026, 10:58:07 AM

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 10:51:34 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on March 21, 2026, 09:43:34 AM

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 09:24:34 AMAnother example; I'm currently making some walkabout controllers for the club. A Gaugemaster one costs around £70 with a power supply or £55 without. The ones I'm making are costing in at £35 with a power supply, £20 without - and that's including postage for the various bits individually, if I were to shop around I could undoubtedly get them for less.

@chrism What you don't say is how many hours it takes you to build said walkabouts and what your hourly rate is.

It's called "fun time", no charge 

It wouldn't be for you, of course, because it involves, ahem, soldering 

 

But then the comparison is wrong because Gaugemaster don't do it for fun. They do it for commercial gain

Which is, of course, why they charge what they do.

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 10:51:34 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on March 21, 2026, 09:43:34 AM

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 09:24:34 AMAnother example; I'm currently making some walkabout controllers for the club. A Gaugemaster one costs around £70 with a power supply or £55 without. The ones I'm making are costing in at £35 with a power supply, £20 without - and that's including postage for the various bits individually, if I were to shop around I could undoubtedly get them for less.

@chrism What you don't say is how many hours it takes you to build said walkabouts and what your hourly rate is.

It's called "fun time", no charge 

It wouldn't be for you, of course, because it involves, ahem, soldering 

 

But then the comparison is wrong because Gaugemaster don't do it for fun. They do it for commercial gain

Quote from: Newportnobby on March 21, 2026, 09:43:34 AM

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 09:24:34 AMAnother example; I'm currently making some walkabout controllers for the club. A Gaugemaster one costs around £70 with a power supply or £55 without. The ones I'm making are costing in at £35 with a power supply, £20 without - and that's including postage for the various bits individually, if I were to shop around I could undoubtedly get them for less.

@chrism What you don't say is how many hours it takes you to build said walkabouts and what your hourly rate is.

It's called "fun time", no charge 

It wouldn't be for you, of course, because it involves, ahem, soldering 

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 09:24:34 AMIndeed, making things yourself can save a lot of money - granted not if you cost in your time, but making things yourself is surely at least half the fun of the hobby.

Why would you cost in your time when working on your hobby? That'd be like costing your time to read a book, watch a TV programme or undertake any other enjoyment pastime. If modelling is your hobby you'll no doubt find time spent on it rewarding and fun.

IMO costing and charging for time would be for business activity if undertaking your hobby on a commercial commission basis to generate revenue.

We pay extra for factory weathered models so if we, at some point in the future, sell them on (for whatever reason) can we expect their residual value to be a little more than pristine ones?

And what about aftermarket weathering? Rails, TMC, Grimy Times etc offer weathering which is a cost over and above the standard model but does that increase the value?

Personally I perceive a certain @Ensign Elliott weathering to be superior to all the above. Likewise, I've had some great weathering done on rolling stock by @mk1gtstu . But can it then be claimed they have been professionally weathered as per the companies in the second paragraph? Sadly, I think not.

I wouldn't even consider my own weathering efforts on an expensive loco but am happy to attempt weathering on rolling stock in the belief freight/parcels stock was rarely, if ever, cleaned. My perception is the residual value of that rolling stock is lessened by my own efforts if it came to selling that stock.

I'd be interested to hear the opinions of others.

Quote from: chrism on March 21, 2026, 09:24:34 AMAnother example; I'm currently making some walkabout controllers for the club. A Gaugemaster one costs around £70 with a power supply or £55 without. The ones I'm making are costing in at £35 with a power supply, £20 without - and that's including postage for the various bits individually, if I were to shop around I could undoubtedly get them for less.

@chrism What you don't say is how many hours it takes you to build said walkabouts and what your hourly rate is. Does it still come out cheaper, and Gaugemaster have a lifetime warranty?
Just acting Devil's advocate

Quote from: Bazza on March 21, 2026, 08:40:09 AMEverything is expensive these days and/or is getting more so, but you can contain you outlay by not purchasing very new product that is launched, making things from cheaper materials

Indeed, making things yourself can save a lot of money - granted not if you cost in your time, but making things yourself is surely at least half the fun of the hobby.

For example, by using our 3D printer I've made coaches for the club (and for me) for around £15 a pop, wagons for £8-9 and locos for around £70-80 - all models that cannot be bought off the shelf anyway.

Another example; I'm currently making some walkabout controllers for the club. A Gaugemaster one costs around £70 with a power supply or £55 without. The ones I'm making are costing in at £35 with a power supply, £20 without - and that's including postage for the various bits individually, if I were to shop around I could undoubtedly get them for less.