How do you decide what to buy next?

[Oldman]

I mainly decide if the funds are in place and it looks like it might fit in with the overal plan (in my head) then ok.
There have been a few special purchases that are currently awaiting building.
Only want is the correct loco for my GWR autocoach- that may mean selling something else from the remainimg Japanese stock

[Alex]

Interesting question.

When I first started in N Gauge I just bought whatever I could find. This resulted in a mainly GW layout with the odd LNER item, although LNER was the main railway for Fife. I always fancied a North British layout but couldn't find the correct type of engines.

After moving to US outline it was the same. Just bought whatever to build up the stock. Now I only buy Bangor and Aroostook stock as that is my preferred railroad. Still have a number of Baltimore and Ohio stock, but everything else is being sold on or converted into BAR stock.

Now I am moving sheds and building a layout based on the Wemyss Private Railway. This layout will be as accurate as possible, and once I decide on a date period I will only buy what was used on the line, although I fear that most of the WPR engines will have to be scratchbuilt.

Alex  

[Sprintex]

As stated in the other thread I only buy what fits in with the layout, so that limits my purchases somewhat. I waited ages for the Regional Class 156s to come out then bought four sets in one go to make sure I got them, likewise with the 10 Dapol 6-wheel milk tanks. Now I have all the stock I need the only purchases on the horizon are replacing older locos with newer DCC-ready ones - Class 37 in RfD will be next when it comes out, followed by 47s in NSE and Intercity (without those crap yellow cabs!) If they ever do them


Paul

[iank84]

Two words...

EYE CANDY ! 

I am weak, so if it's shiny and mostly American (and not too expensive) - i'll buy it !

LOL this is what i do!!! Apart from the Americain stuff.

As im just getting back in to the hobby Warley is going to get hammerd or should that be my wallet 

[Ollie3440]

For me i pre-order anything that suits my era (Modern/Preserved) when the catalogues come out. Then when released i make a decision on whether to purchase this item (I usually do!) This is one reason why i don't mind manufacturers delaying products, gives me more time in between purchases.

I'll admit i do get a bargain if it catches my eye (Such as my NSE 86) plus i get track, electrics and scenics as and when they are needed. This just means i have to delay the purchase of stock.

Ollie

[iank84]

Just proved my point to my self!!! Just seen a Kato Eurostar up for grabs.............................so i bought it 

[Skyline2uk]

Just proved my point to my self!!! Just seen a Kato Eurostar up for grabs.............................so i bought it 

iank84, if you have not had one of these / don't have one at the moment then you won't be disappointed. My one is tucked up in a box in London (it would probably circle my entire layout at the moment) but I miss seeing it run. They are a joy.

Skyline2uk

[iank84]

Thanks for that vote of confidence...........I was beging to wonder if i had done the right thing........

[silly moo]

One of my friends has a Eurostar that makes an appearance on our club layout. It is superb and flies round the sometimes dodgy track without a hiccough.

He did say that the couplings between the coaches are a bit fiddly but otherwise he is very happy with it. It is made by Kato after all.

[scotsoft]

Thanks for that vote of confidence...........I was beging to wonder if i had done the right thing........

I bought one a month ago on eBay, it was an impulse buy because it was so ridiculously cheap.  I have to replace two of the couplings and apart from that it runs very sweet.

I have a mixture of stock, British, Japanese and a load of US.
The US is what I am now concentrating on and have collected a few railroads where I can run long trains in different eras so they can be run as "specials".

cheers John.

[port perran]

I tend to pre=order when Dapol/GF announce their new releases.
The problem is that it seems to be necessary to buy when a loco is released because if not I will have "missec the boat".
So......we have coming up several locomotives that fit my WR 59-65 layout. So....having not bought a loco for a while I now have on order 57XX panniers(one arrived yesterday)/14XX and autocoach/ Class 22 and Western. All due (i believe) within a few months of each other.
So......a hit on the budget coming up no doubt!

[Skyline2uk]

The problem is that it seems to be necessary to buy when a loco is released because if not I will have "missec the boat".

I seem to be half and half with this. The locomotives that I am interested in seem to be fairly easy to come across for a while after they are released (the 58 falls into this category). Where I worry is rolling stock.

Unlike loco's, most rolling stock items run in long rakes (with the thankful exception of the FNA) and to secure enough new wagons at a reasonable price soon after release before they get sold is sometimes a problem.

I know a bloke that would buy locomotives instead of paying his rent

Wow. Is there such a thing as N gauge addiction?!

Skyline2uk

[Matthew-peter]

I have to admit I only buy what I need at the time, for example at the hull show the other day I bought metcalfe cottages for the village/scenic area, 2 decoders for the 101 (now fitted and runs a treat) and some much need glue, all thats left on the needs front is a foot bridge.

After that it will be a few loco's, DMU's and some wagons.

[alibuchan]

If I can fit it in to one of 3 categories then there is a chance that I will by the loco when it comes out.

BR western 50/60's
Modern Image 2000/current (WCML if possible)
Current mainline registered Preserved. (steam and diesel)

There are always the times when a new loco comes out and I thing what can I repaint that in to to make it right hence the dutch 37, waterman 47 and Intercity 47 they became DRS 37087 + 47712 and soon to become West Coast 47826.

Alistair

[Skyline2uk]

I model what Bachman calls Era 8 and the start of Era 9, so I try and buy in that time frame.

I have a long list of items left so, not going to run out ideas anytime soon.

Just missed out on another NSE 121 on eBay though 

Skyline2uk