Need an all of the above. I'm on the Athearn and Bli subscriptions. Was on Walthers but I don't know where that went, and on Atlas's, but don't know where I went. I've missd a few announcements by WLthers, and mostly rely on checking their site for catalogs and such. Exactrail, Atlas! BLMA, I get from their facebook posts. Companies like TrueLine and the upcomers Tangent i heard about via Model Railroader. But my first introduction to Bluford was actually right here on Trainboard. I model in HO, but there's a snazzy lookin' Great Loco Chase boxcar coming from Microtrains thT i am "this" close to dropping in front of a museum display or chaining to a flat car... Some where. Cause I really like it. Saw the ad in my LHS. I really don't go to online dealers unless I'm looking for something. If the prices are going to be within a few bucks with shipping, I'drather get it through my LHS.
Announcements of new releases are interesting, but in reality they are nothing more than window shopping a store that other people shop at NEW products, especially those that merit 'announcements' are priced out of my budget. But from a marketing perspective I'd say all of the above, except the LHS. Not knocking the LHS, it's great - but I can't recall ever seeing any new release info at mine.
I visit my fav dealer's webpage often for updates. I have a narrow scope of what I need for my fleet. In order to curb spending and stay within budget constraints, I limit my purchases to that which legitimately would have been spotted on the D&RGW from 1980-1987. Runthrough power, freight consists, passenger and home road power all falls into this category. I have specific trains I wish to build and watch for appropriate rolling stock for them. Higher priority is assigned to items that are specifically Moffat Route trains versus those routed via Tennessee Pass or Joint Line. When items are released that fit that bill, I send an AFE (Authority for Expenditure) to the CFO (wife), with appropriate justification...
I figure if its new and something I am going to want, I'll hear about it here within days of the announcement. Ya'll are just too fast . Mike
I voted "don't really pay attention". I also use TB for new, quality, reliability, and maintenance info, but you didn't let me to vote for two items...
I have a loco in mind or a structure in mind and the karma seems to unfold an ad or an artical for the very same thing..I'll buy "Trains" ( much more these days than Model Railroader/RMC)for ideas/stories of say,a branch line's loco types or a region's industry pics and history, then go to TBoard and run across the object on ebay, new, at seller I've been happy with in the past...Probably common to most these days...One thing though; Not being able to test run is always a gamble , mail-orderwise..I worry for the local train shops...Will be a real sad day if and when they're all gone..
I still buy 99% of what I want from my LHS. If he don't have it he can always order it. Many times with a discount .....Mike
Don't really pay attention got my vote. I do talk with the manufacturers at the model train show and pick up their brouchers - if I'm interested in something they say is coming. I also notice the ads in the model train magazines - there's always new stuff hawked there.
I get a weekly email newsletter from LHS. I scour Trainboard and take note of new HO product announcements & customer reactions, keeping an eye out for BN items. If I want to know what people don't like about a new product I visit the N scale sub-forum here.
