Value of VERY OLD VERY BIG train layout

[Anonymous]

Hey guys! I have a friend who has just inherited a 80 foot by 350 foot O-scale indoor layout. It was built in the 40s by his grandfather. He wants to know about how much it is worth. I don't really know, since I'm a G-scale garden RRer. Anybody have any ideas?? He was thinking around $20,000.

-Emmett Lodge, age 15
Oberlin, Ohio

[thirdrail1]

Unless it can be disassambled and moved, it is worth what the individual items on the railroad are worth. How many cars and locomotives are on it? Are they scale models or Lionel? There was one owner of a clothing store in Ohio that had O scale trains around his store. I would say each one of his trains today would be worth much more than $20,000. So, it all depends what he has. A custom built Bill Lenoir steam locomotive would be worth a lot more than an All-Nation F3, although I think O scalers might pay quite a bit for the F3 too.

[turbine682]

Hi Emmett,

I would seriously consider having at least 2 professional collectors appraise this layout (You want different opinions to make sure the values are consistent)

Without knowing exactly what your friend has, it is not possible to provide an accurate answer. Some older Lionel steam engines are worth several thousand by themselves.

Your friend needs to take an accurate inventory of every locomotive, railroad car, and accessory (if one doesn't already exist). He certainly has a great part of history and perhaps a small gold mine. I hope he doesn't plan on selling off this collection before discovering its true value.

Good luck,

--Ed
Atlanta, Ga

[baltimoretrainworks]

Hey guys! I have a friend who has just inherited a 80 foot by 350 foot O-scale indoor layout. It was built in the 40s by his grandfather. He wants to know about how much it is worth. I don't really know, since I'm a G-scale garden RRer. Anybody have any ideas?? He was thinking around $20,000.

-Emmett Lodge, age 15
Oberlin, Ohio

I was bouncing around looking at some of the older posts and this one caught my eye.

80 FEET BY 350 FEET?!?!?! that's as big as a football field!!!!

Anyone else know of a layout that big?

[Anonymous]

  I wish he posted a photo. That would be awsome to see. I feel jelous as I only have room right now for a 4by6. The collection is growing by the week though.

[Anonymous]

its hard to even think of one that large, but pics would be really cool to see....

[prewardude]

its hard to even think of one that large, but pics would be really cool to see....

I would have loved to have seen that layout.

 - Clint 

[Anonymous]

maybe resparking this thread will bring some new info to the surface?

[Joe Hohmann]

I would say this topic is a joke on us. Our modular layout is 100x40, and it's often the largest at a train show. 350 feet???? Joe

[Anonymous]

sounded good. Would be nice to see a large layout like this.

[chuck]

8x35 sounds more like it.  Still impressive.

[BDT in Minnesota]

I would say this topic is a joke on us. Our modular layout is 100x40, and it's often the largest at a train show. 350 feet???? Joe

 

Ya Joe;

 Such a monster would almost need it's own zip code!!  I have a zip code directory which I just checked and no cigar...

Being that the original post is over 5 1/2 years old,,,news of this layout  should have "surfaced" by now...I haven't checked "Ripley's Believe it or Not,,, or the Guiness Book of records,,, but I will "pass" on that investigation......

It is possible, however, the "layout" consisted of a shelf layout around a large store...or warehouse...

But, I tend to side with your thoughts

BDT

[butleryard]

I think he meant 8'-0" x 35'-0.

[baltimoretrainworks]

I think he meant 8'-0" x 35'-0.

I think that's probably the real size, see what poor grammar causes kids!

[rtraincollector]

sure its not just some idiot kid playing notice its his one and only post.

[baltimoretrainworks]

 http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1142267/ShowPost.aspx

He was probably chewing on his trains! LOL