I don't think it matters whether a contractor is involved or not. Anything involving railroad equipment is expensive! And with steam engines - just keep tossing wads of cash into the firebox, it's really the only fuel they will operate on anymore.
I've tried to make three railroad purchases lately. First one - we're still waiting because the vendor was waiting for a purchase order but never said anything for three weeks. Second one - I paid with VISA and it arrived on time. Third one - Accounting held the order for a week until I called, despite already paying it with VISA when I ordered. All three of these companies are common railroad vendors that I have done business with before. I get tired of having to pay 3-4 times what the part should be worth (some of that is for liability), and then beg them to ship it!