Is this valid

[Anonymous]

My friend came across a 1943 Lionel train that is made out of cardboard still in the flat pop-out stage except for tender. All else has the original box .
It says on the box that it was made for the men of WWII.
Does this have any value?
Gary

[Anonymous]

If this is an original set, you're friend has made the find of a lifetime!!!!!!! To find one of these sets in any condition is next to impossible, but to find one in the condition you describe is unheard of! These sets are extremely rare, as they were only made for a year or so due to being very difficult to put together and quite flimsy. While its hard to say just what the exact value would be, if it is an original set, the value would definitely be four figures.

However, there was a reproduction of this set made a few years ago. If it's one of these, the value would be about $20 or less. If it is a reproduction, you might find markings indicating that it is such on the cardboard pieces or perhaps pixels in the printing. Perhaps some other members can give more details that would help you out. Let's hope that it is an original!

[spankybird]

The originals were made during the war years, as metal was not allowed to be used for toy, (need for the war effort) and also Lionel was not making trains then, again they were making things for the war effort. (navigation parts I believe)

Sask has a good point, it may well be a repo

[lionelsoni]

http://home.mindspring.com/~railroadimages/papertrain.htm