One more dumb question (this time about painting.)

[Anonymous]

OK, I've been reading a lot about painting and lettering trains. I really want a certain line, but it's not currently offered. So, my question is, if I bought another Lionel line and repainted it, would that devalue it??

[Anonymous]

Not qeastion is dumb!

But yes, if you repainted it, the value would deminish... but, Would you have more FUN with that repainted unit?

Thats what you need to ask yourself.

Chris

[Anonymous]

If it has little value to start with, there is no loss. You need to get a greenburgs price guide and see its value. If it is a 10 dollar car, repaint it. Dave.

[Anonymous]

You could look on E-bay and get a shell at low cost, paint that and keep the original shell in case you should want to put it back later. That way you should be able to keep the value of the original locomotive.

[brianel027]

Kristinski, your concern is one of the biggest myths of this hobby - that every train is worth money. Sure, I'm not arguing that a few are... yes, there are some trains that by the book are collectible. But with any collectible, it is only tryuly worth the amount of money someone is willing to place in your hand for that item. The quest with selling any collectible, is finding the right buyer who has to have your item.

I've seen this scenario plenty of times where something for sale is collectible and does have a solid book value - of let's say $100 - and someone will come up and say "I know that's worth $100, but if you need to sell it, I'll give you $20." This has happened even to me.

This hobby needs a readjustment as far as the perception that everything ever made will be worth money. Reality shows this just isn't the case. There are plenty of trains that are not really going to EVER be of any real collectible or financial value. Plus look at the glut on the train market now... of course this could change, but not likely since the numbers of collectors who are willing to pay premium prices - seems to be dwindling. Not only is the age of the average train collector getting older, but there are just simply too many trains out there for sale - and not enough buyers.

I could give you examples of where the price guide says one thing, and then the same piece is advertised on ebay, the internet or a train mag for 1/2 of the listed book price.

I would never advise repainting something that is truly rare and of collectible value. There are plenty of common items and plenty of those items in less than pristine condition - all prime candidates for the repaint booth.

I do a lot of repainting. I take a lot of pride in taking truly beaten up and broken trains and giving them brand new life. I once took a flat car broken in 3 places, and used that along with loads of other broken parts and turned it into an Erie Lackawanna combo MOW / Searchlight Car. I've taken some engines that didn't run at all when I got them and today they run just fine in Conrail and Norfolk Southern.

To some collector, my trains weren't worth that much to start, and aren't worth that much now. But after refinishing, to me they are priceless. I find myself more and more running solid trains of total repaints... I find my redone trains are now my real favorites. So go for it and have fun.

[Bob Keller]

What!!! You mean that American Flyer Hudson in my basement (the locomotive with the engineer's side rusted because my uncle's basement flooded back in '72) won't pay for my retirement home in Florida!!!???

Seriously, I'd never tell anyone to buy a train because it would be "worth something," or for that matter, even hold its value. I've repainted a Lionel engine before, but most of my repaints have been Williams modern diesels into New York Central. So if worrying about lost value is a concern - go with Williams.

When I die, if my estate can get $25 each, my ghost will be happy.

[daan]

The only trains having any serious value are those undamaged and in mint condition with boxes, manuals and everything with it. A few exceptions are there, but most of it is quite easy to get and normal priced.
It doesn't make sense to stay away from repainting if you have an postwar alco which is rusty with chipped paint etc and you want to make it like new.
If the repaint is done nice, it could be even worth more.

[Anonymous]

I think the truth lies somewhere between the extremes. Is it a priceless gem just because it's an original? No.... But if it's original, it's still a Lionel and as such, due to brand name recognition, it's going to be worth more than brand X. If it's a Lionel, a prospective buyer can look up the value and knows what they are getting, and as such given a choice between your own creation and your Lionel, they are more likely to take the easier path and buy the Lionel from the guy at the next table.

So, it's up to you for what you want to do with your stuff.. Is it an investment that you one day will want to get money back out of, whether it's break-even or whatever? Or is this something you're going to have until it or you stops running?