I am starting a Lionel Postwar Collection and hope to add on to it sometime in the future. Currently, I have a New Haven 6464-425 boxcar with a production error, a B&M 6464-475 (painted blue, not die-cast blue plastic), and a Lehigh Valley 6436-1 Quad hopper. As far as American Flyer goes, I only have a 905 log car that is missing a few parts (a strap and handbrake) but is still with it's original box.
I think I have a good start, but I can't help but wonder what to get next. Any suggestions would help, and don't hesitate to suggest anything out-of-the-ordinary, rare, or extremely valuble.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.
-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.
It all really depends on what direction you want to take your collection.
Personally, I am an operator. My preferance is for Lionel items. Anything I obtain will be run, and end up getting dusty and dirty. My opinion is that Lionel built toys and toys are meant to be played with.
I like the late 50's early 60's space themed items. Over the last couple of years, I've been picking up pieces that I used to drool over as a kid when I looked through the Lionel catalogs.
The main thing is to have fun with the hobby.
IMHO, nobody can tell you what to get next. Decide what you want to collect, and start looking for those items. I recommend looking for quality over quantity.
It really depends on what you want to spend. If you are looking for 6464 oddities then start with the first one the red lettered WP 6464-1 for $700 to $2000 then go from there.
Bill T.
The 736 berkshires are great runners. I think the last few years production with the PRR 736W tender are slightly more uncommon than the others. You might also look at the older 726 Berkshires. Santa Fe F3s, PRR GG1, 746 N&W J class, many others to choose from.
Not to belabor the obvious, but get whatever strikes your fancy. There is no "by the book" method to collecting anything. If it turns you on and you can afford it, get it.
And I might add that "collector" and "operator" are not mutually exclusive. You can run your trains all you like, but reasonable care will keep them looking and running like the day you bought them.
arkady And I might add that "collector" and "operator" are not mutually exclusive. You can run your trains all you like, but reasonable care will keep them looking and running like the day you bought them.
Most of my Collector friends, myself included, started out as operators. As arkady wrote, some do both.
You can really lay down a Lot of money in collecting. My advice, for what it is worth, limit to what you really like. My first set was my father's from 1949. I made a quest out of getting one of everything in the catalog from that year. Regarding special pieces, like mistakes, you should become knowledgeable in identifying real, verses made up ones. The only source I know of is a video made by the folks at "The Train Station" in Mountain Lakes, NJ that shows how to identify FM postwar trainmasters, and some other collectible pieces. There may be some other sources, but you really need to educate yourself about identifying authentic pieces before laying down serious cash for questionable, or fakes.
Good luck,
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
dwiemer You can really lay down a Lot of money in collecting. My advice, for what it is worth, limit to what you really like. My first set was my father's from 1949. I made a quest out of getting one of everything in the catalog from that year. Regarding special pieces, like mistakes, you should become knowledgeable in identifying real, verses made up ones. The only source I know of is a video made by the folks at "The Train Station" in Mountain Lakes, NJ that shows how to identify FM postwar trainmasters, and some other collectible pieces. There may be some other sources, but you really need to educate yourself about identifying authentic pieces before laying down serious cash for questionable, or fakes. Good luck, Dennis
I was gonna suggest the 726 Berkshire, but somebody beat me to it. How about the 2065 Hudson...and the 2046W Tender.
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