Advice re purchasing first live-steam model

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

I’m a member of a live steam club near Toronto and, recently, had borrowed a small 0-4-0 Tich loco, which my son & I really enjoyed running and tinkering with. We’ve also volunteered and have run trains at our club for several years now, so we are quite bitten by the live steam bug.

I’m thinking of purchasing a small 3.5" or 3.75” gauge live steam model at some point. I’m trying to figure out where to buy these and what would be a reasonable price. However, I have several obstacles in doing this, the main one being financial. My family and I have had some employment / financial issues in recent years, so now is probably the worst time to buy! Having said that, it would still be great to have one now (while I’m in my mid-50s) which I could enjoy for many years.

The other hurdle is that I don’t have a workshop, although I do have a garage where I can do minimal maintenance. So any loco would need to be in good running condition — i.e., NOT a half-built one that needs several repairs.

I’m basically trying to figure out where/how to buy one and get ballpark ideas of what I should pay. I will ask around at the club at some point (but I don’t want to suddenly get offers, when I’m not quite ready!).

I’d even be open to purchasing a Tich or similar small loco. Even though I couldn’t haul passengers, etc., it’s still fun to tinker with and run short distances. My budget at the moment would only be $1,000 to $2,000 at the very highest. Would it be possible to find even a small loco in this price range, or am I dreaming?

Thanks in advance for any feedback. (Apologies if I’ve posted this in the wrong place!)

Cheers, Rob

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Hi Rob,

$2,000 =£1,000.

If you want a completed and reliable 3.5"g loco with a current boiler certificate in the UK you would need to spend a lot more than £1,000.

Cheers,

Julian

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Posted by julian atkins on 24/03/2016 15:28:02:

Hi Rob,

$2,000 =£1,000.If you want a completed and reliable 3.5"g loco with a current boiler certificate in the UK you would need to spend a lot more than £1,000.

Cheers,

Julian

Thanks, Julian. I thought as much. Oh well, it doesn't hurt to look into this! Cheers, Rob

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

You may get lucky , if you look for a loco that hasn't got a boiler certificate and, possibly, needs some work.

**LINK**

The only thing is can you afford to write off the money if you can't get the boiler tested or it fails?

Neil

[steamdaveParticipant @steamdave]

Unless you are confident in your ability to check things out, it would be advisable to take an experienced club member to view any prospective purchase. He may be better able to assess the condition and worth of your purchase. In any case, two pairs of eyes are better than one.

Additionally, it is difficult to gauge the value of models in one continent from another.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Thanks, Dave & Neil. I think I'll continue with my "research" and then start asking around at our club. There are often locos coming up for sale within the club and, as you say, I will also be able to get lots of good feedback from our members. … I just don't want to get people looking around for me until I'm serious.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

They are out there, I sold my newly completed Juliet for just £600n on ebay so I know! Had to sell it, needed the cash in a hurry.

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Posted by fizzy on 24/03/2016 18:07:48:

They are out there, I sold my newly completed Juliet for just £600n on ebay so I know! Had to sell it, needed the cash in a hurry.

Thanks! But too bad you had to sell it.

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