Where to buy second hand?

[Olive_Green1923]

As someone relatively new to 7mm, I was curious to know who are the main second-hand sellers? Of course, being O gauge, I’m particularly interested in kit-built locos which are mostly not available RTR.

 

After doing some Googling - whilst I have found a couple of websites that are very O Gauge-centric - I get the impression some go-to sellers may not be online and can only be found at exhibitions?

 

Many thanks.

[brossard]

Best site I've seen:

 

http://www.steamline.co.uk/latest

 

Very professional and stock is well photographed and described.  All too dear for my blood, but I do check regularly because, hey, you never know.

 

Rails do pre-owned but the RTR is not a lot less than retail and the kit built stuff on offer is not something I would trust and generally overpriced.

 

John

[Hal Nail]

Footplate and Ellis Clark both do O gauge online.

[Olive_Green1923]

24 minutes ago, Hal Nail said:

Footplate and Ellis Clark both do O gauge online.

Yes these were the two I had found. Was just curious whether there were any others but who were just harder to find / aren’t online.

[Hal Nail]

13 hours ago, Olive_Green1923 said:

Was just curious whether there were any others

Theres this one for high end locos

 

https://www.7mmloco.co.uk/

 

Other than that I buy mostly off eBay.  Prices have historically gone up over time, eg Parkside kits were under £30 just before covid, now generally over £40, so if you bought carefully, you could generally get your money back if you sold on later. It's not quite as guaranteed at the moment as more new stuff is ending up heavily discounted, which obviously affects 2nd hand valves.

 

I've not been to many exhibitions since covid but I used to find the traders full of badly made Cooper Craft wagons with the brakes the wrong way round, at more than ebay prices!

 

edit: in fact rtr plus the lack of exhibitions during covid has probably changed things. I doubt there is quite the same demand for older kit built locos that you used to see in large numbers on 2nd hand stalls.

Edited September 3, 2024 by Hal Nail

[jjb1970]

I can't speak about 7mm but I have had universally positive experiences of Ellis Clark in OO and HO. They provide accurate descriptions, generally offer photographs of the item which are good enough to understand the condition of the model, prices are competitive and they offer an after sales service. They're an excellent source for S/H.

[Hibelroad]

The bring and buy stall at Gauge 0 guild events is one possibility. Rails of Sheffield often have second hand available but that is likely to be modern RTR. Tower models have a second hand section on their website but it’s often empty. If you have a particular need then you are going to have search pretty hard and drop lucky as the market is much smaller than 00. 

[cnw6847]

Great Eastern Models in Norwich sometimes has some used O in stock.

 

Best to ring them.  01603 398163

 

https://www.greateasternmodels.co.uk/

 

They have a dedicated used page on Facebook if you use that. 

[JeffP]

One respected, (on here), trader recently listed half a dozen kit built models on eBay.

Whilst the photos were quite good, the descriptions were identical, even to referring to sticking valve gear on a Deltic🤔

[doilum]

Cannot recommend the Guild events highly enough. Rolling stock prices are much lower than ebay minimum prices. There are good deals to be done with dealers especially on well made locos that have sat in a glass case for thirty years and may require a little recommissioning to get them running at their best. These can be tried out on the test track . If £500 seems a bit steep for a not quite running loco, stop and add up the cost of wheels, motor and a decent paint job not to mention the cost of a kit or scratch building materials. 

Likewise the wagons. Cripples missing a buffer or brake lever are often less than £25. This is a good way of getting in to 7mm.

Guildex this weekend. Wigan later in the year.

Edited September 4, 2024 by doilum
Auto correct

[F-UnitMad]

3 hours ago, doilum said:

Cannot recommend the Guild events highly enough.

They are certainly where you'll find the most used O Gauge stuff all in one place at once.

Opinions on whether or not most/some of it is worth the asking prices may vary - to my mind a lot of the second hand kit-built wagons especially look like nothing more than worthless tat. Just my opinion, of course. 😉

[doilum]

One of the advantages of exhibitions is that you can physically examine the purchase. Then make an informed decision as to whether it is " worthless tat" or an opportunity to aquire stock at an affordable price. Given the current cost of wheels, buffers and couplings even the worst cripple has a scrap value to the scratch builder.

First question to ask yourself, " does it sit evenly on four wheels?".if not walk away or offer a scrap value price.

If new to 7mm, be aware of ancient kits eg 3H , great when they were one of the only things available 40 years ago but no where near the standards of Slaters or the recent RTR offerings. These appear on ebay often with 2024 prices. Difficult to identify just from an online image.

[Phil Parker]

Another vote for Guild events - as well as the best selection you'll find at a show, the chances are higher you are buying off someone who knows what they are talking about, and can persuade you out of picking up a "bargain" loco that will be beyond your abilities to fix.

 

Stafford this weekend is where you want to be.

[doilum]

Don't tell the missus but I returned with a Slaters / Powsides wagon in absolutely museum quality build. £20. From a trader.

Edited September 8, 2024 by doilum

[duncan]

One advantage of seeing the stock at an exibition (trader or bring & buy) is that you can test run it, usually on a fairly large oval test track.

[F-UnitMad]

18 hours ago, doilum said:

Don't tell the missus but I returned with a Slaters / Powsides wagon in absolutely museum quality build. £20. From a trader.

You're not alone. I got two mint, unboxed Dapol (or possibly Lionheart) 16t minerals, £20 each....

Probably from the same Trader.

[Olive_Green1923]

19 hours ago, doilum said:

Don't tell the missus but I returned with a Slaters / Powsides wagon in absolutely museum quality build. £20. From a trader.

 

5 minutes ago, F-UnitMad said:

You're not alone. I got two mint, unboxed Dapol (or possibly Lionheart) 16t minerals, £20 each....

 

I was originally quite annoyed that I couldn't make it to Guildex, but maybe I should now be relieved....God knows what carnage I could have caused to my wallet...even when I already have enough kits to be getting on with. 

[Hal Nail]

50 minutes ago, F-UnitMad said:

You're not alone. I got two mint, unboxed Dapol (or possibly Lionheart) 16t minerals, £20 each....

Probably from the same Trader.

Both those numbers were Lionheart.

[doilum]

I was tempted, but on best behaviour.  Those 16 tonnes would have been great for another future colliery layout, but for the foreseeable future my time is committed to my friends Selby project. The wagon I went home with was a six planker in the livery of J Charlesworth who had collieries in the Rothwell area. It will join a small glass case collection of local wagons. These will be part of a southbound empties train through Selby.

I was really restrained and managed to avoid the temptation of another stand which had, in addition to some really nice items, a large collection of old wagons ( some missing the odd buffer) at £10-15. He also had enough Ian Kirk gresleys to start your own section of the ecml. Badly painted in maroon, all needing attention,  prices started around £40. I just have too many already awaiting attention.

We won't even begin to mention the £8 wagons ( missing a buffer but sat squarely on four wheels) on the bring and buy. Or the bags of brass pattern makers dowels ( usually £10 a set) , tens sets for £30. There were three bags. Ideal for that new club layout.

Edited September 9, 2024 by doilum

[Hal Nail]

Notwithstanding the examples given, I've bought 90% of my collection on ebay or the traders already mentioned.(and have sold on a substantial amount of O gauge stuff over the years at a small net profit, so the value is there if you buy carefully)

 

You can pretty much guarantee to find anything (with patience) without going anywhere whereas the bring and buy stalls and tat traders are going to be pot luck on the day.

[doilum]

On 09/09/2024 at 16:42, Hal Nail said:

Both those numbers were Lionheart.

Could you please educate further? After the show I also purchased half a dozen very similar wagons from the estate of the late Tony Kell. I suspect that he had renumbered them. The bodies are securec to the chassis with four small screws. Two of the six are the type without the top door arrangement.  I am simply curious of their manufacturer from a record keeping point of view. 

[Hal Nail]

20 minutes ago, doilum said:

Could you please educate further? 

I just googled lionheart and Dapol 16t photos for your running numbers. If they've been renumbered I don't think you can tell as the only difference is the box.

[doilum]

Despite over 40 years in 7mm I am new to rtr! Were the Lionheart and Dapol essentially the same model?

Edited September 13, 2024 by doilum

[F-UnitMad]

Why bother buying second hand, when sometimes New prices are lower..?

Current flash sale on at Rails of Sheffield. 

https://railsofsheffield.com/collections/bargains?filter.v.price.gte=0&filter.v.price.lte=495&filter.p.m.custom.Scale=O+Gauge&sort_by=manual

The Dapol 14xx is a particular Bargain....

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/14xx-class-br-lined-green-late-crest-1421

[F-UnitMad]

20 minutes ago, doilum said:

Despite over 40 years in 7mm I am new to rtr! Were the Lionheart and Dapol essentially the same model?

Pretty much.