Lionel Train Forum - Lionel Trains




Author Topic: Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.  (Read 416 times)

charles3526

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
    • View Profile

  • Total Badges: 0
    Badges: (View All)
Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.
« on: January 11, 2018, 07:17:26 am »
Good morning I'm interested in buying a set for my sons. I would like buy a some what collector set that they can hold on to maybe they would be worth more then now. So my question is would the value of them stay or drop cause they are not really anyone collecting these any more. I am going to buy Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide 2018 to see what the trains are worth that I'm looking at. I'm liking to spend  around 800 maybe less if.i can. But the real question is would they hold their value 30+ more years from now I know no one can predict the future of pricing but just what's anyone opinion on this. My father got rid of his friend like 20 25 years ago to a co worker for like 300 I didn't want him to sell but I'm looking to get something nice for my sons. Any information would be great

Thanks

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


djacobsen

  • Toy Train Infidel
  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 474
  • A Child at Heart, Still Plays with Trains.
  • Location: Couch Mt, overlooking scenic Lone Star, Tx.
    • View Profile
  • Scale(s) Modeled: G-1:22.5 & 1:24, Standard Gauge,  O/O-27, Wind Up, S scale & N scale.

  • Total Badges: 33
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Nineth year Anniversary Level 6
Re: Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2018, 07:52:07 am »
charles3526
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

What a wonderful gift for your sons. 
When you say "collector"  set do you mean, pre war, post war, or modern?
O scale or Standard Guage? $800, should purchase a nice "collectors" set to display and leave money to purchase some inexpenive trains for your son's to play with.

I have O scale trains that turned 100 years old last year, they're worth more than when they were originally sold and still operating after 100 years of use.  Collectors value? I guess that would be a debateable question..
No reproduction train is ever going to be worth the originals value.  Trains are NOT an investment to be counted on in the future.  They are and always will be worth what the public is willing to pay for old/used trains,  Greenburgs is a good guide, but it is just that, a guide. It may or may not reflect the true value that people on the street are willing to pay for an item.  Look at the online auction sites and view their completed/sold listing to see the wide range of prices people have paid for identical  trains.

Please, don't think I am trying to discourage you from purchasing a "collector" set.
If you do, remember to spend a little for some trains for your son's to play with.

Happy Rails!
dave
Railroad Crossings: Mother Natures way of thinning the gene pool.

charles3526

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
    • View Profile

  • Total Badges: 0
    Badges: (View All)
Re: Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2018, 10:24:24 am »
charles3526
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

What a wonderful gift for your sons. 
When you say "collector"  set do you mean, pre war, post war, or modern?
O scale or Standard Guage? $800, should purchase a nice "collectors" set to display and leave money to purchase some inexpenive trains for your son's to play with.

I have O scale trains that turned 100 years old last year, they're worth more than when they were originally sold and still operating after 100 years of use.  Collectors value? I guess that would be a debateable question..
No reproduction train is ever going to be worth the originals value.  Trains are NOT an investment to be counted on in the future.  They are and always will be worth what the public is willing to pay for old/used trains,  Greenburgs is a good guide, but it is just that, a guide. It may or may not reflect the true value that people on the street are willing to pay for an item.  Look at the online auction sites and view their completed/sold listing to see the wide range of prices people have paid for identical  trains.

Please, don't think I am trying to discourage you from purchasing a "collector" set.
If you do, remember to spend a little for some trains for your son's to play with.

Happy Rails!
dave
Hello Dave

Thank you for the information. I am looking into pre or post war sets. I see there a  few in my area but looking for prices on eBay to see how much each train is worth is very confusing and time consuming. I want to do my research on these items I just don't want to throw money away. I would like to have the boxes come with them and are there auction sites that are reputable for these type of trains I don't want to get scammed either.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk


djacobsen

  • Toy Train Infidel
  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 474
  • A Child at Heart, Still Plays with Trains.
  • Location: Couch Mt, overlooking scenic Lone Star, Tx.
    • View Profile
  • Scale(s) Modeled: G-1:22.5 & 1:24, Standard Gauge,  O/O-27, Wind Up, S scale & N scale.

  • Total Badges: 33
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Nineth year Anniversary Level 6
Re: Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2018, 11:45:36 am »
Charles,
Please contact me at the email address listedin my profile.
Railroad Crossings: Mother Natures way of thinning the gene pool.

charles3526

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
    • View Profile

  • Total Badges: 0
    Badges: (View All)
Re: Thinking of buying a collector set for my sons.
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2018, 07:04:15 pm »
Charles,
Please contact me at the email address listedin my profile.
Just messaged u

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk


 

Member Photos

Recent Threads

Lionel 0288 Coaling Station by Tom
March 15, 2024, 10:10:23 pm

Estate Sale, Huge Collection, Original Boxes by x78163
March 14, 2024, 04:15:45 pm

Re: Lionel ps by Trainzlover44
February 12, 2024, 10:36:14 am

Lionel ps by Trainzlover44
February 12, 2024, 10:01:26 am

Lionel flying Yankee whistle by Gtp2002
February 10, 2024, 12:02:46 pm

Menu


Donate to LTF Here

Lionel Trains

Lionel Train Forum - Model Train Forum

©2012-2023  LionelTrainForum.com