Ok Heres the deal......HO trains auctions (the cheap toy stuff)

1. Sellers need to take pics of the underside of Locomotives and rolling stock so buyers can id the chassis/brand.
2. I dont know if it runs means its a junker folks...it doesnt take 3 seconds with a 9 volt Alkaline battery to check a loco for signs of life.(not a conclusive test but a good start)
3.If you are selling train items and cannot test the engine on a track pulling cars(as it is to be used) buyers should consider it dead,and bid as such.
4.Sellers who dont know trains or the hobby should state this in thier auction,would you buy a heart from a used car salesman?....Often sellers who do not know trains sell items as mint with parts clearly missing ect...just because it has a box DOes NoT mean its new/un-used.
5. If you do not know where the item came from originaly,who purchased it,where it has been ect how can you say a 20-30 year old loco ect is mint unused?....

I have had it with the junk on ebay being sold as new/mint/unused.....I have recieved 4 train items last year that were broken,used,ect advertised as mint/ready to run/unused ect.

Buyers:  Know you are buying garage sale trash if the seller does not know trains ect.Used Older Tyco, Bachmann ,IHC,Model Power,ect will almost always have issues...needing parts ect as they were junk toys when new.....and Not todays Model Trains of better Quality....70-80's stuff was a cheap christmas toy trying to get its market back from slot cars on the cheap.

metalhead100
Train repair and Hammer Owner.

again: If you are selling train items and cannot test the engine on a track pulling cars(as it is to be used) buyers should consider it dead,and bid as such.

Would you buy a car that has not been test drove? to see if it will perform its intended function?