California Zephyr Timetable, please help.

[Anonymous]

I have this California Zephyr timetaple from around the 1950's and I was wondering if it is worth anything, its in pretty good condition. So if you can provide any help that would be cool. Tanks.

[Anonymous]

If it is worth anytihng, not was.

[ironhorseman]

Yes, it's worth something but it all depends on certain factors.

1 - how good of condition it's in.
2 - how much your buyer values it.
3 - location that you try to sell it in.
4 - how rare it is.

Take it to a train show and see how much some of these dealers will "appraise" it for. I'd say anywhere from $1.50-$5.00 should be reasonable. People seem to charge whatever they want for things anymore and there's always someone out there willing to buy it. Of course buyers will try to get a lower price out of it and the sellers always want top dollar for things.

But here's a hint: the further away from the Zepher's route you get the more it is worth. For instance, Norfolk and Western memorabilia would be worth more in California because items like that are rare out there. On the other hand seeling N&W items in it's original area, like Virgina, you're more likely to find a fan of that railroad. It just depends.

You could always try ebay to see how high it will go. It'll either go far or flop. I don't know if ebay lets people run trial auctions to see how much they can possibly get out of it.

I would surmise your time table would be worth more if you had a whole stack of them or a series.

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $5 for an old timetable.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ironhorseman

Yes, it's worth something but it all depends on certain factors.

1 - how good of condition it's in.
2 - how much your buyer values it.
3 - location that you try to sell it in.
4 - how rare it is.

Take it to a train show and see how much some of these dealers will "appraise" it for. I'd say anywhere from $1.50-$5.00 should be reasonable. People seem to charge whatever they want for things anymore and there's always someone out there willing to buy it. Of course buyers will try to get a lower price out of it and the sellers always want top dollar for things.

But here's a hint: the further away from the Zepher's route you get the more it is worth. For instance, Norfolk and Western memorabilia would be worth more in California because items like that are rare out there. On the other hand seeling N&W items in it's original area, like Virgina, you're more likely to find a fan of that railroad. It just depends.

You could always try ebay to see how high it will go. It'll either go far or flop. I don't know if ebay lets people run trial auctions to see how much they can possibly get out of it.

I would surmise your time table would be worth more if you had a whole stack of them or a series.

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $5 for an old timetable.

Thanks. I llive in montana, which isn't to far away. I paid 10$ for it too, stupid antique store.

[Anonymous]

im guessing its worth some money but they printed im thinking about a million of them so there are many out there.

[Anonymous]

Try an eBay search in the railroadiana section using the search words "california zephyr"--both for pending and closed auctions. That will give you a feel for market value of the same or similar items regardless of geographical location.

General antique dealers tend to have inflated ideas as to the value of railroad items (when they are selling them). You're usually better off buying from a rail-antique specialist, or on eBay.