WHAT DO YOU YOU THINK WOULD BE A FAIR PRICE FOR LIONEL TRACK?

[Anonymous]

I HAVE A 50 PIECES OF 1950'S ERA LIONEL TRACK IN GOOD CONDITION PLUS A COUPLE OF NICE REMOTE SWITCHES ALSO 50 PEICES OF 1920'S ERA TRACK IN POOR CONDITION AND 5 SWITCHES IN GOOD CONITION FROM THAT ERA-ANYBODY WITH A GOOD GUESS OF WHAT THE TRACK IS WORTH. THANKS AND GOOD RAILROADING -ARNIEDOG

[jwse30]

I HAVE A 50 PIECES OF 1950'S ERA LIONEL TRACK IN GOOD CONDITION PLUS A COUPLE OF NICE REMOTE SWITCHES ALSO 50 PEICES OF 1920'S ERA TRACK IN POOR CONDITION AND 5 SWITCHES IN GOOD CONITION FROM THAT ERA-ANYBODY WITH A GOOD GUESS OF WHAT THE TRACK IS WORTH. THANKS AND GOOD RAILROADING -ARNIEDOG

Lionel has made a lot of different types of track throughout its century of selling trains.  For the stuff from  the '50's,  they made O gauge and O 27 gauge. The spacing between the rails are the same with either, but O is taller (and heavier) than O27.  I don't know the heights off the top of my head, but you should be able to tell from the switch model numbers. O gauge remote control switches (from the '50's) would have a catalog number of O-22 which should be marked onthe motor assembly if memory serves. O-27 Switches from that time would have a catalog number of 1122, if I  recall correctly. I have no idea where that number would be found on the switch.

Assuming the track that you have matches the height of the switch, you should be able to determine whether you have O or O-27.  If that doesn't work,  an O gauge straight section of track is 10" long, and an O-27 straight section is 8 7/8" long.

You also mentioned you have track from the '20's. If the spaces between the rails is wider than the track from the '50's,  it is what Lionel called Standard Gauge. If it's the same width between the rails, it's either O or O27 again. I think Lionel started offering O27 track towards the late '20's; I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Now, onto value. If you were to sell this track online via ebay or elsewhere I would think that you could probably get $.50 for each section of O gauge track, and probably $10 to $20 for each O-22  switch. For O-27, I would guess $.25 per track, and perhaps $5 to $8 for each 1122 switch.

I haven't a clue what switches from the '20's would fetch, but if the track is O or O-27, and in poor condition, it probably isn't worth what it would cost to ship. (a new section of O gauge track is $1.50, last I checked)  If it is standard gauge track,  it is probably worth something, but I could not tell you what.

Hope someof this helps,

J White

[cheech]

THE VALUE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE CONDITION OF THE TRACK....RUST AND PINS ARE KEY AND WHETHER THE TIES [ THE CROSSBARS ] ARE STRAIGHT...THE CROSSBARS COME IN SILVER, BLACK AND BROWN WHICH GIVE A SENSE FOR THE DECADE THEY WERE MADE.  BROWN BEING MORE MODERN.

LOOK ON EBAY AND YOU WILL GET A SENSE FOR WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING AND WHAT THEY ARE GETTING.  THE SHIPPING COSTS WILL BE EXPENSIVE SO FIND OUT FROM YOUR LOCAL PO WHAT THEY ARE BEFORE YOU ESTIMATE IT IF YOU GO THE EBAY ROUTE.  I HAVE SEEN SOME GO FOR 1.25 PER PIECE.  OTHER TIMES 10 CENTS.

ANOTHER TIP.  GET A USPS PRIORITY MAIL FLAT RATE BOX --6X10X10 APPROXIMATELY.  SEE HOW MANY TRACK FIT. HALF CURVE HALF STRAIGHT.  LET THAT BE YOUR LOT.  THEN YOU CAN DO FLATRATE SHIPPING FOR ABOUT 8$ ANYWHERE IN us.  THAT HELPS WHEN THE PRODUCT IS VIEWED.

 

HOPE THIS HELPS

RALPH

 

[phillyreading]

Hopefully I don't confuse you but Lionel made several types of track, their basic standby's being 027 or O Gauge. Lionel also made Super O track with a thin center rail, there is also T Track which bolts together from the 1920's or 30's and is harder to find & brings a higher price. There was also Standard Gauge track that Lionel made so you need to know what type of track you have before selling it.

Lee F.

[ChiefEagles]

Been passing that "stuff" around to forum members.  Will be passing more around when I get the layout done.  Why not find someone just trying to get started and make a gift.