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+--- Thread: Model railroad prices, a comparison (/showthread.php?tid=8462)
Model railroad prices, a comparison - railohio - 07-07-2017
The new Athearn N scale Big Boys are out, listed for $370 at MB Klein. By coincidence, I opened the June 1996 issue of Model Railroader (remember those?) to the Standard Hobby Supply ad. Listed there is the Con-Cor Big Boy model for $226. Some have no use for DCC or sound. Fine. But I contend that $144 is a worthwhile investment for factory-equipped DCC and sound on a large and complex steam locomotive. An online inflation calculator tells me that $226 in 1996 is worth about $352 today. That makes the difference just $18. Maybe some of the progress within the hobby in the past two decades isn't so bad.
Re: Model railroad prices, a comparison - faraway - 07-08-2017
Indeed that is remarkable stable price over the time. It would be interesting to know how the cost and therefor the profit margin developed over time.
Re: Model railroad prices, a comparison - Tyson Rayles - 07-08-2017
While I don't care about Steam, DCC or sound I agree the price is reasonable. However of the half dozen N layouts (including mine) that I have run on the Big Boy wouldn't be able to run on any of them due to the curve radius'. Unless it can handle a 10 inch radius and look decent doing it they have a very limited market for the product. That said I'm sure they know that and probably won't produce all that many.
Re: Model railroad prices, a comparison - doctorwayne - 07-08-2017
I'd say that the price is well within reason for that locomotive, even though it's not one which I've ever wanted.
I'd guess that they'll sell quite a few of them, though, as people seem to buy Big Boys whether their layouts can accommodate them or not.
Just because the models can handle a much smaller radius than is prototypical doesn't mean that it's a good idea, but people are free to enjoy the hobby as they wish.Wayne