Collecting Postwar Lionel

[guitarman1994]

Howdy all,

It is with regret that I have to put off building a layout.. I decided due to lack of space, I can't really build what I want to build. But, I still have a huge interest in trains. I want to starting collecting. Do any of the collectors out there have any advice or tips to offer?

Thanks,

Brody

[Firelock76]

Lack of space?  Well only you know what you've got, but you can put together a pretty nice small "O"  gauge layout in as little as three by five feet, enough to roll under a bed, good enough to run samples of your future collection on.

What to collect?  Buy what you like!  But DON"T buy it with an idea it's an investment,  That'll just be a happy accident if it happens.   Right now seems to be a good time to buy post-war Lionel, at least the ones not in mint condition.  Since the new "O" gauge products do so much more than the 50-plus year old trains the postwar items in less than perfect condition can be had quite reasonably.  The  mint condition stuff's always going to go for a premium price, same as always.

Like I said, buy what you like.  There's no right or wrong here.  The most important person to please is you.

[cwburfle]

Great comments from Firelock76.
Additionally:

Do your homework before you decide what to buy. Whether the root cause is a lack of knowledge, or just plain dishonesty, there is an awful lot of Lionel merchandise being misrepresented on the market today. Folks try to pass modern era reproductions (or reissues if you prefer that term) as originals. On a certain web site, I see people trying trick people into buying hallmark "Lionel" miniatures by describing the original piece being represented. The phrase "created by Madison Hardware" and the term "rare" are used with reckless abandon,

[Firelock76]

Thanks for the kind remarks cwburfle!  And you're absolutely right about doing your homework before starting a collection.  Knowledge is power.   "Buy a book before you buy a ...."   is a good rule to live by.