lionel2,
Your post has been up all day with no sign that anyone wants to take it on, so here goes nothing. In its current catalog Williams offers a "Golden Memories" Congressional set based on their version of the original Lionel 2360 loco. Their advertising department would have you believe that if you could find an original Lionel set in mint condition it might be worth $6,500 "Collector's value" which they base on Greenberg's Guide to Lionel trains, 1945-1969, volume I, Kalmbach Publishing Company, etc.
I think it is safe to say that $6,500 would be absolutely top-dollar for that specific train; therefore the train available to you would probably be worth a good deal less. Still, there is a lot of wiggle-room between $6,500 and $2,500, and the latter price might be tempting. At least it's a start. Perhaps a true collector/expert would like to jump in.
You said 1000 for the cars and 1200 for the GG1; he's asking 2500 for the set and he's your friend, 6500 is the Kalmbach collectors value...pay the man his money, and play with your new train.Roland
Do you realize what a gold mine you're sitting on?!!! Buy that train immediately!!! Hurry!! You, you're on the verge of becoming a toy train mogul!! I'm hyperventilating here...breathe, Jimmy, breathe...
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
The lack of boxes decreases its value. Also, the $6,500 estimate is for a slightly different model. The TCA grading standards (see their web site) are incredibly strict, so maybe it's Ex/LN, maybe it isn't. If I were you I'd get a lot more opinions and try to find examples of recent auctions.
If I needed this item to complete a collection and had a spare $2,500, I'd pay it. However, I would view it as a purchse rather than an investment. As an operator, no way. I'd more likely buy the Williams reproduction for $550 (list) or less and maybe get a couple more cars.
Here's both of my cents on the issue.
Price guides are a joke. - One cent down, one to go.
Regarding the matter at hand - let's say hypothetically, your friend is 20& high - or just high for wanting to sell this set - but I digress . . .
That's $2000 vs $2500.
The stuff is hard to come by and is usually in the hands of folks who think they have the second coming on their hands.
If you have access to this and it is in acceptable condition to you, I can't think of a reason not to buy it. Even if you overpay by a couple of hundred bucks, although my gut tells me this is a pretty fair price, you've got a really nice classic set of Lionel material that will stand teh test of time. The price on these type of sets, while not keeping pace with teh price of gold, certainly isn't go to magically fall.
If you like it, buy and run it like it was meant to be run - on tubular track connected to a vintage zw
Frank53 wrote: Here's both of my cents on the issue.Price guides are a joke. - One cent down, one to go.Regarding the matter at hand - let's say hypothetically, your friend is 20& high - or just high for wanting to sell this set - but I digress . . .That's $2000 vs $2500.The stuff is hard to come by and is usually in the hands of folks who think they have the second coming on their hands. If you have access to this and it is in acceptable condition to you, I can't think of a reason not to buy it. Even if you overpay by a couple of hundred bucks, although my gut tells me this is a pretty fair price, you've got a really nice classic set of Lionel material that will stand teh test of time. The price on these type of sets, while not keeping pace with teh price of gold, certainly isn't go to magically fall.If you like it, buy and run it like it was meant to be run - on tubular track connected to a vintage zw
Personal observation and a look at a 3 year old guide.
A 2340-1 Tuscan, no box, excellant, books for $1,500 so a show price would be at least $1200. the four cars show $900 book. ($225 each)
The single motor 2332 is a pretty locomotive for display but is a poor puller and a slow seller. All original and excelant the book said $650, but prices are falling. Re-striped, cuts the price in half. A good looker for display at $300.
Too bad you don't have the boxes for the 2340-1, the box alone is listed at $250.
The "Congressional Set", "excellant, with all boxes (include box for each unit and set box), all inserts, and packaging material" does book for $6,000.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
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