I was left two storage units full of Lionel trains and train sets. I thought they where worthless. but I was told they are valuable. can anyone just give me an idea of what some might be worht. Here are a few set that I found. All are in MINT condition in origional packaging and never opened or played with.
1984 Limited Production Lakawana Limited Set #11155
Collector Series "O" Gage Electric train Set #2200
Delux passenger Set #2140
These are just three of the two 10 X 10 storage units full of different types of trains all by Lionel. I have no idea of value can anyone give me an idea? I am not selling these. Looking to see if I need to insure the collection.
I found a partial inventory list but we have been unable to find an appraisal. I did see however, that there where some prices on them(labeled) but not sure if it was what they are worth or if it is what he paid for them. I will get a guide. Thank you for your response.
Here is one of the online price guides. May give you a good idea, I think !!
http://www.traincity.com/price_guide/plli.html
kelli wrote: I was left two storage units full of Lionel trains and train sets. I thought they where worthless. but I was told they are valuable. can anyone just give me an idea of what some might be worht. Here are a few set that I found. All are in MINT condition in origional packaging and never opened or played with.1984 Limited Production Lakawana Limited Set #11155Collector Series "O" Gage Electric train Set #2200Delux passenger Set #2140These are just three of the two 10 X 10 storage units full of different types of trains all by Lionel. I have no idea of value can anyone give me an idea? I am not selling these. Looking to see if I need to insure the collection.
Buy either a classic toy trains or (please for give me trains.com) O gauge mag and in it are some dealers who will come and buy all you have now they'll give you about 50% of value as they need to resell them but if you have 2 storage units wfull your probally looking at a large piece of change.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
rtraincollector wrote: Buy either a classic toy trains or (please for give me trains.com) O gauge mag and in it are some dealers who will come and buy all you have now they'll give you about 50% of value as they need to resell them but if you have 2 storage units wfull your probally looking at a large piece of change.
I will never understand this logic - no disrespect intended.
Selll to an auction house where you as 6the seller get less and the buyers pay more through artifically inflated prices and "Buyers Premium".
Stuff never does get into the hands of folks who will enjoy it at realistic prices, but the auction house makes out pretty good.
If you don't want to have the bother of selling them as individual pieces you can contact a reputible train hobby shop after you have an inventory and sell all at one shot. Granted the price will be less than you can get selling individually on, say e-bay, but its an almost no effort task. They will usually remove everything puchased at one shot.
I'm sure that if you let the forum members know your general location someone can suggest a hobby shop.
If you decide to sell the trains to a dealer, be certain to get a couple of bids. I am constantly surprised by folks who practically give their trains away because they trust the first person they contact to be fair.
It sounds like you have enough stuff to contact one of the big on-line auction houses that specialize in toy trains. Sure the auction house gets a comission. They earn it.
Your best place is to start at the local hobby shop and get a Greenburg's price guide. I have a collection worth about $10,000 and that would easily fit in 1/4 of a storage container. However, the value will dramatically change depending on the exact trains..most likely higher unless all the stuff is from the late 1970s - late 1980s and only the cheapest of stuff (which yours does not appear to be). My stuff is mostly recent production "non-collectable" run stuff.
As for insurance, I wonder if you need any. Since I do not intend to ever sell my trains (ie they are not an investment) AND I would not have to rapidly replace them I do not carry insurance. Why pay for insurance when all it does is let you "win the lottery" when a certain event happens.
Also, be careful not to mar boxes as they can double the selling price of a train.
J im H
I believe the man said he does not intend to sell the trains; he's seeking advice for determining value of the stuff and inquiring about whether or not he needs insurance.
My advice would be to compile a detailed inventory; seek several pricing sources (printed and/or online); determine an average per-item value based on what those three or more sources list; and definitely do cover the collection (which apparently is fairly large) with insurance. Ir would, in my opinion, be foolhardy to let such a large collection sit in a storage unit, or anywhere else, without insurance.
Thanks all of you for your advice. I am a bit sad that I never took this collection more seriously when it was given to me. I am not a collector and had no idea the value. However, because they where my grandfathers I chose not to sell them or to allow the storage unit to go. For me the sentimental value (now that I realize the time and money that has been invested) I want to keep this collection to pass on to my children. They are in climate control units but their is alot of dust. I believe my best bet is to get them out and into my home.
Way to go Kelli!
Keeping a relative's (especially your grandfather's) collection together is outstanding. Someone else (in addition to you) will really appreciate it some day! I wonder if there is a package of catalogues in their somewhere. They would add a lot of context to the collection. Otherwise, if you find all are from a certain era, you might want to get catalogues off Ebay.
Jim H
One other question...are any of them open so you can run them? That is the way to really get kids nvolved.
Kelli,
Glad to hear you plan to keep these. I definately would insure these. I know you mention the climate control storage, but I have heard of several people, who, due to a mistake on the part of the storage facility, auctioned off the units in lots. While it was the mistake of the facility, they only pay a certain Low amount for such occurances and you would be out.
I sent you a email with some suggestions as well. As others have mentioned, get the Greenberg's guide to Postwar trains and also, get a copy for modern trains if those are what you have. I suggest that you take the time to do an inventory your self. Note the set, the condition "new in sealed box, etc". Also list all the separate items and condition. Then do the mentioned methods of determining value. I would also keep the items that are opened in a place that you can easily get to them. Then, you can take them and have them serviced and you can enjoy them. Do not plug the transformers in until you inspect the power cords. Often, these will dry rot and become brittle and crack.
Good luck. One thing that we would appreciate, if you would take some photos when you get some of these trains running, please share on the thread "Sunday Photo Fun".
Thanks,Dennis
TCA#09-63805
As you noted in an above post, your best bet is to get them out of the storage unit; carefully dust off the boxes (the boxes do contribute to the value); compile an inventory list of what you have (noting its condition); then taking your time researching the value of the individual items. No need to rush that last part, since you plan to hold onto most or all of the trains.
Chances are, you'll find yourself becoming interested in perhaps using some of the trains yourself. Once you get hooked, you may find yourself enjoying a new hobby!
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