Hey everyone. I'm from the Model Railroader boards, but thought that this would be the right place for this issue.
Basically, the deal is that I'm a member of the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society at RPI College in Troy, NY. Its the home of the New England, Berkshire, and Western (NEB&W) HO layout that I'm sure you've at least heard about.
Anyway, someone just donated this wayyy vintage Lionel set, with the intention that it be sold and the proceeds donated to the club. John Nehrich left it up to me to gather the info, since he'd gotten nowhere since it's so old.
So here's the pictures:
You can see everything in the 2nd pic... the trains, some of the O72 track it comes with, this advertisement thing, and then one of the original boxes. I've looked all over everything, and not anywhere does it give a year or any copyright. Not even on the engine drive.... which you can see here. Theres no year on the box, nor on that paper ad thing.
So if anyone can give me ANY information, or any approximate value, that would be so awesome. I haven't been able to find anything.
and again... THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR MY PERSONAL GAIN, WE NEED THIS INFO FOR THE CLUB.
I AM NOT SELLING IT HERE.
Um, the engine model number is right on the side, "752E", and the cars too.
I'm not a expert on Prewar Lionel's, but this set should go for anywhere from $125-$300, varying on the market.
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
Lionel U.P. City of Salina M-10000 three-car set. Made from 1934-1936. I'm no expert on pricing, but Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1901-1942 (2001 edition) lists one of these sets in "Good" condition at $375.00. That will give you a starting point, anyway. Others more knowledgeable than I about these sets will be along soon.
- Clint
Greenburgs pocket guide 2007 has the set (which is know as 751E or 751W ( w normally means it has a whistle ) any way it says $640 good to $1050 excellent but with the way things are please take those amounts with big gain of salt. probably best place to sell is ebay you might even find another there to get a little help on description. oh by the way was made 1934 to 1941
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
You also may want to find a O gauge club in your area being in N.Y> I'm sure there is one near as I noticed a wheel is missing and you may want to get that fixed first and usually those guys can point you somewhere to get it done reasonably and it will help on end results of the sale and when you sell it show the boxes very helpful for end $$
RT, makes a good point regarding eBay. You may want to take the numbers given and do a search of eBay to find out what the going prices have been.
BTW, say hello to Ray Hessinger for me when you can.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
rtraincollector... oh by the way was made 1934 to 1941
... oh by the way was made 1934 to 1941
Just for clarification -- from Greenberg's: "Three-car sets were cataloged in 1934-36, four car sets in 1936-41."
Ebay prices for pre-war Lionel are still high. You should get at least $500.00 for a set in that condition. Good luck.
Jim
i just figured that was the engine number... since the cars are numbered accordingly, in succession.
ah wow thanks a lot guys. thats exactly the kind of info i was looking for.
theres someone at every local train show that always has this HUUUUGE setup for Lionel parts, and I mean HUGE. Their display is usually at least like 20 feet long.... with just tons and tons and tons of containers holding every manner of screw and nut and gear wheel and washer, lol.
i have no idea who they are or how to find them though.... lol.
The guys are right. M1000. The set no is 752W, engine is 752E, coaches are 753, and observation is 754.
Yours is in pretty nice shape compared to the overpriced junk you often see. They don't pop out of the woodwork like that. They are often missing vestubles, dented in places and the motors are ceased. Yours appears to have the original motor wheels which is a plus because most disintegrated. If it still runs, that is a real bonus. One vestuble looks to be missing a wheel. Finding one won't be that difficult. You should be able to find a thrashed vestubale on ebay cheap and swipe a wheelset. The condition of the roofs is important too. Greenburg values are a tough call. People tend to be more forgiving when it comes to the condition of prewar. Especially if the paint is all original. It would fly off a table at $500. If the roofs are as decent as the car sides, some would pay $800 to $1000.
Lionel did those in silver too and they are worth less than yellow. Seeing a silver one with repainted roofs go for $500 recently, I don't think $1,000 is too far off as complete and original as yours is.
Ok......Your best bet for a good sale is ebay ill say 400-650. I wouldnt hope for much more than that.
Your particular set is from the first year of production. 1934. I can tell this from the nameplate on the motor. 1st it is brass, second the word "gauge" is mispelled as "guage." This only happened in 1934. Most 1934 sets were painted aluminum, two tone early sets are scarce, but not rare. WHat also makes the early set more desirable is the presence of fuel filler ports on the tail casting of the observation car. These details were eliminated in mid 1935. You may get up to 850.00 depending on wo has money at the time.
Good luck with the sale, if i see it ill give you a good. bid. Its a very nice train.
yeah the paint on the roof of each car is pretty good, there aren't any inconsistencies with the condition, save for the missing wheel.
heres a picture of the engine roof, so you can see:
Yes, you got yourself a good set there. If you're patient, you should get a fair amount of cash for it.
BTW, is there 3 pieces to this set as pictured? Or is there an additional coach? They came in either 3 or 4 unit sets.
There is a 4 unit set on ebay right now with an opening bid of $350 and 4 days to go. The paint is not as good as yours but close enough to see what it does.
yeah this is a 3-unit set. The engine, coach, and end car have consecutive numbers, so thats how I know its a 3-unit set.
I'm still consulting with John on what we're going to do...... but do you guys think like, oh.... a starting ebay price of like...... mmmm......$250 with a Buy It Now of an even $1000 isn't too off-the-wall?
When I said "some may pay as much as 800 to 1000", I was assuming 4 unit set, a train meet (for closer inspection), and waiting for the right buyer. So 600 to 750 would be more appropriate buy it now. depending on how bad you want to sell it. You may have to list it two or three times to get top dollar. Hard to tell from photos. Sunday night auction closings do well on ebay with good stuff. Snipers come out of the woodwork 20 seconds before closing . Sometimes with shocking results. We are nearing tax return season so consider that too. Your number of past sales and feedback score are another factor on ebay. I would watch the set on ebay now and see what it does to get a better idea. Punch 752 into search. There is also a guy selling reproduction wheels for your vestuble.
right on, thanks so much everyone.
I hope this does well for the club. Dont be shy; buy it from us! haha
The forum members and C.T.T. Staff are a vast world of friendly, helpful and knowledgable lot.
Ralph
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