Graham Farish, new or 2nd hand?

richard.ferraro23 · February 09, 2015, 07:07:02 AM

Hey all,

I have found locally a 2nd hand Bachman Farish class 08 shunter from about 2008 for approx £30. I was just wondering if there were many advantages to spending nearly £50 more on a new one over the second hand one. The second hand one is still in box and has run a handful of times but spent most of its life tucked away in storage. What should I be looking out for? It is sold privately therefore has no warranties, should I be concerned about that?

Thanks

Rich

petercharlesfagg · February 09, 2015, 09:05:10 AM

Quote from: richard.ferraro23 on February 09, 2015, 07:07:02 AM
Hey all,

I have found locally a 2nd hand Bachman Farish class 08 shunter from about 2008 for approx £30. I was just wondering if there were many advantages to spending nearly £50 more on a new one over the second hand one. The second hand one is still in box and has run a handful of times but spent most of its life tucked away in storage. What should I be looking out for? It is sold privately therefore has no warranties, should I be concerned about that?

Thanks

Rich

If my experience is anything to go by, I would suggest purchasing the item and then stripping it to clean and check.

I did this with a non-runner off Ebay and discovered that the ONLY reason for the non-running was the VERY oily commutator, soft brushes and general gunge!

It now runs beautifully.

There is little inside an 08 that should cause alarm even for old gits like myself, so they can be a worthwhile investment, IMO!

Regards, Peter.

richard.ferraro23 · February 09, 2015, 09:20:29 AM

Sounds great, I have already tested it and its a super smooth runner. Was just a bit concerned about it going wrong in the future but if theres not too much to worry about in there I think it sounds good.

Thanks for your response.

Bealman · February 09, 2015, 09:23:06 AM

Sounds ok to me.... 2008..... that's the time GF introduced the new model. It's got outside frames, then? If so, sounds good.

PLD · February 09, 2015, 01:30:16 PM

It all depends on what version of the model it is, what condition it is in and in some cases what livery...

If the second hand one is the old version (incorrect inside framed) then at £30 is is about 50% overpriced. if it is the new outside framed version, £30 is a very good price so long as it is in decent condition and has all the optional parts included.

Quote from: petercharlesfagg

If my experience is anything to go by, I would suggest purchasing the item and then stripping it to clean and check.

I did this with a non-runner off Ebay and discovered that the ONLY reason for the non-running was the VERY oily commutator, soft brushes and general gunge!

It now runs beautifully.

There is little inside an 08 that should cause alarm even for old gits like myself, so they can be a worthwhile investment, IMO!

Regards, Peter.

I respect that is the old version you are talking about Peter?
The new ones are rather more complex, and I really would not recommend stripping down unless .yu have a fair idea how they go together...

railsquid · February 09, 2015, 02:34:48 PM

Quote from: PLD on February 09, 2015, 01:30:16 PM
It all depends on what version of the model it is, what condition it is in and in some cases what livery...

If the second hand one is the old version (incorrect inside framed) t

Stupid question I've been wondering about for a while... what bit is "framed" here?

Hailstone · February 09, 2015, 03:47:36 PM

Quote from: railsquid on February 09, 2015, 02:34:48 PM
Quote from: PLD on February 09, 2015, 01:30:16 PM
It all depends on what version of the model it is, what condition it is in and in some cases what livery...

If the second hand one is the old version (incorrect inside framed) t

Stupid question I've been wondering about for a while... what bit is "framed" here?

outside frames are those where wheelsets sit between the frames and the axleboxes are on the outside of the wheelset- inside frames are those where the wheels of the wheelset sit outside the frames, and the axleboxes are in between the wheels on the wheelset.

Regards,

Alex

petercharlesfagg · February 09, 2015, 03:50:00 PM

Quote from: PLD on February 09, 2015, 01:30:16 PM

I respect that is the old version you are talking about Peter?
The new ones are rather more complex, and I really would not recommend stripping down unless .yu have a fair idea how they go together...
[/quote]

Interesting point, I have no idea! One is dark Green the other is a different livery, I have no idea which!

I DO KNOW that one was made in the UK and the other in China.

I have no experience apart from necessity that prompted me to pull therm apart.

I have learnt much!

Peter.

Griffo · February 09, 2015, 07:30:32 PM

A picture for those not in the know!

Outside frames is prototypically correct. Outside frames on this model does make it one of the widest N gauge models and can give promblems with platform clearance. A good model to use to check track to platform clearance ... don't ask how I know!

Steve

richard.ferraro23 · February 09, 2015, 09:39:35 PM

So it would seem from this then that the one on offer is an inside frame loco. Would you guys say it was therefore worth waiting and looking for an outside frame one albeit for a higher price?

MikeDunn · February 09, 2015, 09:45:52 PM

Quote from: PLD on February 09, 2015, 01:30:16 PM
If the second hand one is the old version (incorrect inside framed) then at £30 is is about 50% overpriced.

I think your answer is there ...

railsquid · February 09, 2015, 10:52:20 PM

Thanks for the inside/outside frames clarification, much enlightened!

Tdm · February 09, 2015, 11:02:30 PM

I bought an "as new" green Class 08 cheap from Hattons and all the wheels are visible - so it must be one of the older models. It runs fine and I use it as a test locomotive when I modify the track on my layout and am happy with it.

In fact recently I have purchased a few "as new" models from Hattons and am happy with most of them and saved myself quite a few pennys in doing so.

PLD · February 09, 2015, 11:29:16 PM

Quote from: richard.ferraro23 on February 09, 2015, 09:39:35 PM
So it would seem from this then that the one on offer is an inside frame loco. Would you guys say it was therefore worth waiting and looking for an outside frame one albeit for a higher price?

It's up to you what you want: Which is more important to you Cost, Accuracy, Performance or Robustness...

You have a choice of paying a higher price for the newer model which is a more accurate model, mechanically more refined and a much better performer; or a lower price for a less accurate model, but one which is virtually bomb proof.

I personally would not pay more than £20-£25 for the older model though... Good second-hand examples of the new model start at around £45.

Bealman · February 10, 2015, 03:34:12 AM

Quote from: Griffo on February 09, 2015, 07:30:32 PM
Outside frames is prototypically correct. Outside frames on this model does make it one of the widest N gauge models and can give promblems with platform clearance. A good model to use to check track to platform clearance ... don't ask how I know!

Steve

I know I've posted this a million times before, but the new 08 certainly does make a good tester for platform clearances.... here's one on my layout that definitely failed the test!

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/MGalleryItem.php?id=9297

It's a shame that the 08 of the original post is the old model, otherwise it would have been a good buy.