On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 12:09 PM, Onno Meyer <[email protected]> wrote: > Clinton replied to me: >> E >> The value of old industrial equipment can depend a lot on what it does. I >> know of many tool manufacturing plants still using drop forges from the >> 1930's. And basic ore processing hasn't changed much in the last 50 years >> - sure new things are more efficient but some places will keep using their >> capital equipment until the business case for a replacement practically >> slaps them in the face (and old equipment needs spare parts). Plus don't >> forget that the old equipment is likely to be valuable as archeological >> relics as well (either museum artifacts or just plain collectables amongst >> rich enthusiasts). > > Well, if there is a collector's market, it wouldn't be used > for industrial work. That's like taking a mint-condition > 30's sedan for the pizza delivery service.
Depends. I've seen 40's era heavy duty trucks still in business operation[1], because they're set up to do a specialized task, they continue to work, and they're paid for. They've got value to collectors, and possibly museums, but they have more value to the company using them Newer equipment might be faster, nicer, more comfortable, and more reliable, but it's also a lot more expensive then what you've got. Maybe they got it cheap as war surplus, or when their bigger, richer competitor replaced it and before it became a valuable antique. [1] One particular example I'm thinking of is a bridge building engineering firm. they've got a couple WWII vintage Mack 6X6 trucks that started life as artillery tractors. They get used to get non-mobile equipment to river banks, where it can get loaded onto a barge (that sometimes includes the barge, if the river isn't navigable enough for it. They don't get a whole lot of use, a couple days at the start and end of the projects, and justifying the cost of a new truck isn't likely as long the existing ones are repairable (I'd bet they've got newer engines, for instance). -- David Scheidt [email protected] _______________________________________________ GurpsNet-L mailing list <[email protected]> http://mail.sjgames.com/mailman/listinfo/gurpsnet-l
