Bought a tool box full of 1960? Lionel HO cars and engine for $35.00 at garage sale

[Anonymous]

This is a huge help, and I greatly appreciate your time and information. Most of the items are in pretty good shape but either way this has definetly been interesting and fun just finding everything out. Now I need to work on getting it on the track.

Thank you, Chris Jewell Rochester Hillls, Mi

[Anonymous]

Althogh Lionel HO does not have anywhere near the popularity that Lionel O gauge does, it is still quite collectable.  As smaller scale trains were gaining in popularity in the 1950's, Lionel jumped onto the band wagon and marketed their own HO line, which lasted from 1957-1966.  Lionel again marketed HO in the 1970's, but this venture didn't last long either.  I have a price guide that includes Lionel HO and these are the values given.

I can help you out as I have a Lionel price guide that includes HO. Here are the values my guide gives:

0625 4-6-2 Locomotive: $45 (This price includes the tender.  I'm not sure which one is original.)

0847 Exploding Boxcar: $10

0865-225 Gondola Car: $13 (There's no 226 listed.)

0850 Missile Launching Car: $20

0319 Helicopter Car: $25

0842: $12 (The guide lists this as a "Culvert Pipe Car".  I am assuming this is an open-topped car, which would make it a gondola car (boxcars have roofs).  The 0865-225 is listed as hauling scrap metal.  Lionel did make HO gondola cars that hauled crates, of which there are a couple listed in my guide, but not with any number you have.  By process of elimination, I would guess that the crates belong with the 0865-226, which is either a typo on your part or an omission from my guide.)

0817 Caboose: $12

0812-225 Work Caboose: $13

0301 Dump Car: $20

40887 Flat Cars: I can't find such a number in my guide.

0103 Transformer: $15

Based on the above, you obviously got a very good deal.  However, bear in mind that these values are for items in very good condition.  Condition is probably the most important thing in train collecting.  Any scratches, cracks, rust and/or broken/missing parts will dramatically decrease the value.  Conversely, if they are in pristine condition, showing little or no signs of wear, the values will be higher.  I hope this helps you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip Kurt, I will try that forum. Go Blue!!!
Chris Jewell Rochester Hills Mi

[kpolak]

Hi Chris,

First of all, Welcome!

Although there may be a few people here that know of these trains, you might have better luck identifying these cars on the Model Railroader Forum. 

The Lionel trains discussed here are O and O27 gauge.

Kurt

[Anonymous]

The box I bought at a garage sale for$35.00 contains 0625 engine, 0847 exploding car, 0865226 mi central car, 0850 missle launching car, 0319 helicoptor launching car, 078852 tender, 076852 tender, 0842 crate box car, 0817 caboose, 0819225 Santa Fe car, 0301 coal dumping car, 0865225 mi central car, two SF40887 flat cars, 0103 transformer, and some track. My question is for any info. on these items whether it be history, or any values. Again these are 1960 approx. Lionel HO cars. Thank you, Chris Jewell from Rochester Hills Mi.