Buying secondhand locos

[austinbob]

Rails tell you if they have been test run and tell you any faults, damage or bits missing.

[StormyOutlook]

The models produced, mainly by Marklin (under their MiniTrix brand), Kato/Lemke/Hobbytrain, Fleischmann, and a few others

It occurs to me that I was truly fixated with Graham Farish when I posted.  My hobby started having inherited Fleischmann and MiniTrix locos built in the 80s which still run to this day, I wonder if our collective experience has better targeted advice with respect to the manufacturers you mentioned.

[dodger]

I've bought a number of second hand locos over the past 25 years, some fairly new and some quite old. Often I was only interested in the chassis so body condition  was not an issue. I tested them all before buying but even so one failed after a few months when the valve gear fell apart. Some have been sold on as surplus to requirements but some are still running sweetly and with few parts, brushes excepted, required.

I generally give the chassis a good clean and lubrication before any real use.

In spite of this you do have to be careful and always run before buying.

Dodger

[daffy]

The problem with Rails of Sheffield is the prices! The Re460 locos they have on eBay are all described as "as new" but three I'm looking at were made n 1999, 2001, and 2002, with prices, respectively of £149.50, £149.50, and £124.50.

This is massive over-pricing and all have been listed since February 2014, so it looks like they are not exactly bothered about reducing these.

Brand new Re460's in plain red and some liveries can be bought for £112.95 to £170.00 for DC versions, as all the above are.

"Nuts!" as General Anthony Clement McAuliffe once said so eloquently.

[keithfre]

The problem with Rails of Sheffield is the prices! The Re460 locos they have on eBay are all described as "as new" but three I'm looking at were made n 1999, 2001, and 2002, with prices, respectively of £149.50, £149.50, and £124.50.

Why not make them an offer? It usually works for The Apprentice participants 

[daffy]

The problem with Rails of Sheffield is the prices! The Re460 locos they have on eBay are all described as "as new" but three I'm looking at were made n 1999, 2001, and 2002, with prices, respectively of £149.50, £149.50, and £124.50.

Why not make them an offer? It usually works for The Apprentice participants 

Maybe 2 for 1 ?

Cheeky, but might be fun.

I'll dwell upon it, but right now I'm researching new locos across the various European suppliers - including the UK.

[pctrainman]

I recently ( months ago) purchased a 2nd hand  3MT from rails whch was described as excellent , it had no DCC chip fitted so I started on removing the body and then came to a full stop when it just would not move , a little extra pressure soon revealed why as there copious amounts of superglue holding damaged body sections on , I thought oh well it serves me right for buying unseen and proceeded to fit a decoder which brought error 02 on my lenz handset further investigations revealed that the DCC 6 pin socket was faulty so I bought and fited a new one and then I was able to address the chip , I then discovered that the driven wheels were heavily pitted as if she's been driven over crushed concrete so I ordered and fitted those so to be honest the whole thing has been a giant pain the Butt and i'll be sticking to new Locos from now on .

[dodger]

I recently ( months ago) purchased a 2nd hand  3MT from rails whch was described as excellent , it had no DCC chip fitted so I started on removing the body and then came to a full stop when it just would not move , a little extra pressure soon revealed why as there copious amounts of superglue holding damaged body sections on , I thought oh well it serves me right for buying unseen and proceeded to fit a decoder which brought error 02 on my lenz handset further investigations revealed that the DCC 6 pin socket was faulty so I bought and fited a new one and then I was able to address the chip , I then discovered that the driven wheels were heavily pitted as if she's been driven over crushed concrete so I ordered and fitted those so to be honest the whole thing has been a giant pain the Butt and i'll be sticking to new Locos from now on .

Have you complained to Rails as it is certainly not excellent? Is pitting of the wheels a common problem with running locos on DCC?

Dodger

[Snowwolflair]

I recently ( months ago) purchased a 2nd hand  3MT from rails whch was described as excellent , it had no DCC chip fitted so I started on removing the body and then came to a full stop when it just would not move , a little extra pressure soon revealed why as there copious amounts of superglue holding damaged body sections on , I thought oh well it serves me right for buying unseen and proceeded to fit a decoder which brought error 02 on my lenz handset further investigations revealed that the DCC 6 pin socket was faulty so I bought and fited a new one and then I was able to address the chip , I then discovered that the driven wheels were heavily pitted as if she's been driven over crushed concrete so I ordered and fitted those so to be honest the whole thing has been a giant pain the Butt and i'll be sticking to new Locos from now on .

Have you complained to Rails as it is certainly not excellent? Is pitting of the wheels a common problem with running locos on DCC?

Dodger

The pitting breaks the circuit and upsets the chip.  Actually no loco with pitted wheels runs well.

[A.Carter (BiG-T)]

The pitting could been caused by the previous owner running it with a HF track cleaner (Relco) for instance wheel pitting is a common problem caused by using these devices.

Tony

[Snowwolflair]

The pitting could been caused by the previous owner running it with a HF track cleaner (Relco) for instance wheel pitting is a common problem caused by using these devices.

Tony

It also seriously damages motor commutators.

[Howlin`baz]

Buying second hand is always a matter of luck.   You can improve your chances by using a trader or other person that you know.   Always ask to see the loco running, this will not only prove it works, but will show any wobbles from out-of-gauge or bent wheels and axels and that the lights (if any) are working.   If the price is right, you will have a bargain.
My local shop (John Dutfield of Chelmsford) has sold me many s/h items, always running them for me.   I have never had a dud as I know they always service locos and if they are poor they will say so or label it as spares only.
I have had some excellent bargains from the box shifters, but I have also been disappointed, and it is hard to argue a case where you have been told that the item has been previously used when you want to return it.
Good Luck (but improve your chances)

[scottishlocos]

Daffy

I bought a second hand Dapol class 26 from Ronlines and it is one of my best running locos! I would echo the comments above eBay prices are very high at the moment for N you may pay a wee bit more from a shop but I would go to a retailer and dont pay more than 60 plus postage for a loco that is 80 to 90 pounds new!

Dave

[longbow]

What's been the experience of returning locos bought online? I assume you get less hassle when returning new items, especially to a big retailer. But perhaps eBay's bias towards buyers evens things up towards second hand?

[daffy]

It's likely that I shall be going to A & H Models in Brackley tomorrrow to check out what they have in both used and new continental items. Their website certainly looks promising, and recommendations on this forum are positive.

I've been before, over ten years ago now, as Brackley is only about 12 miles from where I lived for 30 years.

Fingers crossed I can find something to throw my money at.

But it might be hard.