Where to buy OO second hand?

[alexl92]

Due to my current situation, I can't afford to pay brand new prices for oo gauge models so most of my purchases come from ebay.

However, I am interested to know whether there are any other good places to buy models second hand, either online or in a shop/market etc.

I'm based in West Yorkshire and there are no model shops and I think only one model railway exhibition/year in my area, unfortunately.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Swap meets/Toy and Train Fairs are the best bet, if you call in at your most convenient independent model shop they may have fliers of upcoming events. There's a fair few stockists in the WY area who have some reasonably priced pre-owned stock too. Milnsbridge Models in Huddersfield (under the eponymous viaduct) is worth a try.

There's semi-regular events at Colne Valley leisure centre (or always used to be) and at Elsecar Heritage Centre near Barnsley.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/local

That might have a local swap meet listed somewhere near to you. Exhibitions can be a source of stuff (both new and second hand)

There's generally plenty of listings on ebay. Some things like APTs will generally always be at least £100. Somethings if you happen to catch a listing at the right time, you might something going real cheap. Be prepared to be bidding right down to the last second (i once outbid someone on something with less then a second to go). Most of the bidding for the more popular things happens in the last couple of minuets that a listing has to run

 

[Jonny]

Consider eBay (especially the auctions)...

The auction algorithm means that you only pay up to one increment above the second bid, or up to your limit ( whichever is greater). Trick one is not to be over-worried about "missing out ". Trick two is to bid as late as possible.

 

[455driver]

Auction houses can sometimes be worthwhile as well, some Ebay sellers stock up at auctions.

 

[John Webb]

A quick look through the October edition of "Railway Modeller" has adverts for:
Millennium Models in Morley, Leeds
Rails of Sheffield
who handle second-hand models

No swap-meets in W Yorks, but exhibitions include:
Shipley (was 19/20th Sept)
Halifax (was 26/27th Sept)
Bradford (was today, 3rd Oct)
Sheffield (10th Oct)
Keighley (11th Oct - club room open for 0 gauge festival)
Holmfirth (24th/25th Oct, in the Civic hall)
Leeds (31st Oct, 1st Nov)

So there is a lot going on in that part of the world - shame I can't get up there this year, I had hoped to get to the Shipley show as I did last year.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Perhaps a bit out of the way from West Yorkshire, but there is a very good model shop with an interesting selection of new and secondhand 00 and other gauge model railway items at Brookside Garden Centre, London Road Poynton, Stockport, it's about 15-20 minutes walk from Hazel Grove Station, worth a visit for the minature railway alone, also some interesting railway books to browse plus a coffee shop/cafe.

 

[alexl92]

Whereabouts in Leeds are the exhibitions? They're often at the Grammar School but I pass it on my way to work each day and don't; recall seeing any signs advertising one.

 

[John Webb]

Whereabouts in Leeds are the exhibitions? They're often at the Grammar School but I pass it on my way to work each day and don't; recall seeing any signs advertising one.

The Leeds one on the 31st Oct/1st Nov is at the Grammar School, Adwoodley Gates, Harrogate Road, LS17 8GS. You should find details at http://www.leedsmrs.org, or on the ukmodelshops website mentioned by SpacePhoenix above.

I found my guide to last year's Shipley show, and Frizzinghall Model Railways say that they also do 2nd hand items. They're about halfway between the centre of Bradford and Shipley - try http://wwwmodelrailshop.co.uk for more info.
The guide also advertises "Milnsbridge Models" in Armitage Road, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield as selling 2nd hand items. (No website for them.)

 

[alexl92]

The Leeds one on the 31st Oct/1st Nov is at the Grammar School, Adwoodley Gates, Harrogate Road, LS17 8GS. You should find details at http://www.leedsmrs.org, or on the ukmodelshops website mentioned by SpacePhoenix above.

I found my guide to last year's Shipley show, and Frizzinghall Model Railways say that they also do 2nd hand items. They're about halfway between the centre of Bradford and Shipley - try http://wwwmodelrailshop.co.uk for more info.
The guide also advertises "Milnsbridge Models" in Armitage Road, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield as selling 2nd hand items. (No website for them.)

North Leeds is my corner so that's definitely of interest. Huddersfield is also of interest to me too! Thanks!

 

[Stewart2887]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/483489441752301/?fref=ts Facebook pages for private sales are great, no fees and you pay what they ask; no staying up to midnight or whatever to slip in a last bid. You need a FB account though

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Model railway forums, plenty about and many have a "for sale" or "wanted" section.

 

[John Webb]

The latest (November) issue of the "Hornby Magazine" includes a comprehensive 'free' booklet listing both dealers and model railway clubs etc in the UK. You may find this of interest.

 

[RichmondCommu]

sandjmodels.co.uk are very good. Hattons in Liverpool also have very good stocks of second hand models.