Returning to N gauge

[njee20]

With the utmost respect to the readership of the journal and the NGS I wouldn't bother joining solely to put a wanted ad in. If you want to join the society then great, but it's a small readership if that's your sole aim. I'd join all the Facebook groups and ask there first, bigger audience, free and instant.

The blue/grey CEP is probably among the most sought after models going presently. Set an eBay alert, then expect to pay a lot when one turns up. Obviously I don't know what you define as a reasonable price, but it'll be over £200.

This problem isn't unique to UK N though, I'm not even sure it's particularly prevalent there, it's a feature of the batch production of literally all model railways products regardless of geography or scale.

[GWR_XC]

While I appreciate everyone's reply and advice

And giving it some thought, I'm not going to bother with N gauge after all.

Models are hard to come by, and overpriced in my opinion (used market that is)

And while I appreciate some models are sought after and supply and demand etc a 4 cep BR blue grey £200 is a fair price for a used model but not £250-300

I have it in OO scale which I purchased DCC fitted a few months ago for £120

So in my mind for what N gauge offers and what I would like to do, it simply is not worth the money after doing some more research

[njee20]

Sounds like that may be the right decision, but I think it's worth being clear that it's not "models" conecptually, it's the very specific one that you would like. There are hundreds of models out there available for purchase right now, just some are sought after. Lest anyone else stumble on this thread and be put off!

This really isn't unique to N gauge though. Try and get the OO gauge blue/grey CEP now. The only blue/grey ones on eBay are at least £450, from the weathered production run. I suspect someone would part with their N gauge one if you're happy paying £450. £120 is a bargain, don't let that cloud your view of the value of models in either scale.

It's just an inherent 'problem' with reliance on batch production. The only difference with OO is that there is a higher likelihood of subsequent batches, but far from a guarantee.

I fear that, as you said, model railways simply isn't the hobby for you, and that's a great shame.

[njee20]

You'll have to forgive me, I knew your username was familiar, so I had a quick check back through your posting history. This is literally a clone of a thread from a year ago, itself a clone of a thread from 2018 where you said you were moving to OO, that time because you couldn't get a 442.

Clearly there's a consistent theme. Why not just slow down a bit, stop making snap decisions and selling all your stock, and just sit on things while you give it some thought. You started this thread yesterday saying that you regret moving away from N gauge. Now you're saying that actually you're happy to give up railway modelling entirely. That's quite the u-turn.

[GWR_XC]

Lol

Yes that's true, I have gone back and forth between N gauge and OO gauge

And ideally would prefer to stick with OO, but due to the space I'm limited to now which is beyond my control, it's looking like it would have to be N gauge only for the foreseeable

That being said, I'm not willing to pay silly prices on models in n gauge I would like, so I will just quit the hobby, no big deal

My circumstances changed where space now is absolute premium, also when I made this thread yesterday, I didn't realize until last night, that the 8 or 9 locos of interest would be this hard to get or they are far too over priced.

It is what it is, the only advantage n gauge offers you can have a nice layout in small spaces, other than that OO is superior in every way and far reasonable prices too

[Newportnobby]

Looks like your N gauge ruminations have terminated at Euston.

[njee20]

My circumstances changed where space now is absolute premium, also when I made this thread yesterday, I didn't realize until last night, that the 8 or 9 locos of interest would be this hard to get or they are far too over priced.

It is what it is, the only advantage n gauge offers you can have a nice layout in small spaces, other than that OO is superior in every way and far reasonable prices too

What are the 8 or 9, out of interest?

You've mentioned two, one of which is due for re-release in due course.

You're probably right that space is "the" advantage for N, but that's a pretty significant advantage. New prices are cheaper too on comparable models. I've never looked at second hand I admit.

Edit: I've just been and checked second hand prices on eBay, because I'm interested. There's obviously a glut of Bachmann 66s on the market at the moment with the Hatton's model just coming out, and the Hornby Railroad model undercutting it, but they're very comparable prices to Farish ones, £75-£100 in general.

The blue/grey Hornby HST power cars appear to sell for £200-£300. Mk3 coaches are more expensive than Dapol's N gauge ones. The CEP as I've already said, is available for £450. Doesn't feel markedly cheaper.

You sound a bit like a perpetual "grass is greener" person. OO may be right for you of course, it is the most popular scale going - but don't change (again) based on a misconception.

[GWR_XC]

No not at all am I the type of person where I think the grass in greener, that being said, I admit I do get very frustrated and run out of patients at times with this hobby.

£450 for a cep in BR blue grey is just ridiculous, and no way would I ever pay that kind of money, not a chance

With that said, N gauge is not for me, and as such I will leave the hobby, no problem at all.

Fact is, ridiculous prices and availability of models is the issue here and now I'm more informed of this, I would not recommend n gauge to anyone, despite the big advantage if you have limited space

And I disagree with you about prices comparing OO to N gauge

For example - blue grey HST

Dapol N gauge HST.   just power and dummy car £250

Older farish HST power and dummy.    £100 approx

In OO gauge, you can pick up a Hornby HST for £20

Or a better Lima version for £40

Even a Hornby super detailed HST can be got for around £250

So where the better HST models from dapol and Hornby are very close on price

The older Lima/Hornby stuff is a lot cheaper than the older farish HST

And N gauge overall is just more expensive than OO, but N gauge has the huge advantage with space limitations,

I think £200 is a more than reasonable price to pay for a cep in N gauge

The OO version can be got for around £150 if you look around

As I said before, it is what it is, and for me to buy the 8 or 9 locos/DMUs it would cost around £2000 approximately which is outrageous in my opinion.

Therefore I no longer have the space for OO, so I will leave the hobby, just can't justify the price of N gauge

[guest311]

have you thought of reading or acknowledging your PMs ? 

[ntpntpntp]

Fact is, ridiculous prices and availability of models is the issue here and now I'm more informed of this, I would not recommend n gauge to anyone, despite the big advantage if you have limited space

That's a shame you've come to that conclusion, but I'd have to say that's a view strongly coloured by the limitations of the particular models you're dead set on owning.    Open up to the wider world of the hobby as a whole and it's not like that. 

On ebay I reckon on average I pay £50-£60 for as-new locos and around £150 for multiple units from the quality Continental brands, and there's plenty of supply on the used market.   I'll agree that brand new model prices have soared, so I don't buy so much brand new these days.  I have no hesitation recommending N gauge.  The stuff I buy is light years beyond good old Hornby and Lima :-)

[njee20]

There's no point in a tit for tat on various different models, you've clearly made up your mind. But the Dapol HST with two mk3 cosches is £180 new, with a batch on the way. The Hornby power cars are over £200, plus coaches that's c£270.

Comparing 30+ year old models at £20 seems a bit daft, particularly with the old Hornby HST where the mk3 is a comical toy which is far too short, but yes, I accept if you compare apples:oranges OO is cheaper. On equivalent products it isn't. Like I say, not interested in an argument about it, just want to make sure you're fully informed, not looking at headlines. As for the CEP - it's out there. It's over £400. Same as the 450.

[exmouthcraig]

You quote that £2000 for your 8/9 locos is "outrageous in my opinion " but happy to pay £250 for a super detailed Hornby HST, in my book of accounting 9 of those at £250 is £1750 shockingly close to your 'approximately £2000"

I think you'll struggle to find a hobby that gives you the entertainment and stimulation of a model railway for less. Unless you plan on buying £5 of marbles and playing on your driveway??? 

[GWR_XC]

have you thought of reading or acknowledging your PMs ? 

And what? My opinion deal with it.....

And exmouthcriag - where did I say I was happy to pay £250 for Hornby HST...


And I was comparing the older Hornby HST to the older Poole made farish HST......

[Railwaygun]

This thread is pointless and repetitive

It stops here