We’re passionate about pre-owned models, and they form the core of our business. But what are the benefits of buying pre-owned, and what makes us different?
We’re one of the UK’s largest stockists of high-quality pre-owned models (and the leading retailer of O Gauge pre-owned items). We travel the country sourcing collections large and small that cover all scales, eras and prototypes. We update our website almost every day with legions of new arrivals – simply put, at Ellis Clark Trains, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Modellers love to experiment, and most of us have at some point fancied trying out a different scale, era or subject for our layouts. But this often means investing in new locos and stock to match what we’re trying to recreate. Buying pre-owned models can save you a significant amount of money when dipping a toe into new waters, especially with ‘big ticket’ items such as O Gauge engines. Coaches and wagons in all scales are often available for just a few pounds (especially from our showroom or our stand at exhibitions), and with today's limited production runs, you’ll often find items that are no longer available new.
If you’re new to the hobby, then pre-owned models can be an excellent place to start. An important point to note is that ‘pre-owned’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘used’. Many of our models have never been out of their boxes or have only been run a few times – circumstances (and layout ideas!) change so that they no longer fit with their previous owner’s plans. You’re effectively getting a new model at quite a bit less than the normal retail price.
And for those who don’t mind indulging in a bit of ‘modelling’, even bigger savings are possible. Models with minor cosmetic defects or missing parts – easily rectified with half an hour on the workbench – usually cost less than their mint-condition brothers and sisters. For those more confident in their skills, our O Gauge ‘Workshop’ takes things a step further by offering project pieces at bargain prices.
We test and inspect all our models and provide either a test card or comprehensive report in the item’s online listing – so you know exactly what you're getting. And all of our pre-owned models (with the exception of ‘Workshop’ items) come with a six-month warranty that covers any mechanical or electrical issues that may arise during this period. We’re famous for our customer service, and whether a problem requires a repair, replacement or refund, we’ll never see you out of pocket.
While we sell most of our models online, we’re also a traditional retailer with a good old-fashioned shop and showroom! So if you’d like to see any of our models in the flesh for a closer inspection, stop by any time and we'll be happy to demonstrate them for you. We can also offer expert advice and recommendations for those of you starting out in the hobby or moving to O Gauge for the first time.
Click to shop all our pre-owned O Gauge to get your pre-owned journey underway.
