Lionel set without track or transformer

[Elsquared67]

Hi all;

 

I'm looking for the Lionel Strasburg Railroad set, but every one I see come up for sale is missing the tracks and transformer.  Since I don't currently have a working layout - I live in a small apartment - such a set is useless, because I can't even test the set to see if it works.

 

My questions are: (1) Why are the tracks/transformer so often missing, and (2) How much do the missing parts affect the value?

 

Thanks!

Larry

 

 

[Billwiz]

Often people separate the track, transformer and train on Ebay to sell different items.  You can get a loop of Fastrack relatively inexpensive on Ebay, as well as a good transformer. 

 

[Flintlock76]

 Any hobby shop in your area should have O gauge track and AC transformers, new or used on hand.  Shouldn't be hard to find.

 

 

[/quote]

[emdmike]

Try looking at the sellers other items and see if they have the track and transformer listed.  Many times poor selling sets get broken up like this to try and sell them.  Or like others have said, just purchase the missing track and transformer to complete the set.  At worst you have a few days of not being able to use the set till all the items arrive in the mail.     Mike the Aspie

[phrankenstign]

The problem with buying the track and transformer separately is the total price will probably be higher.

A loop of Fastrack goes for about $50.

An 80w transformer goes for about $20

The Strasburg set without track & transformer goes for about $400.

If you tack on shipping for each one separately, it may be about $50 more.

That's a total of $520 easily.

A brand new set sold on ebay recently for $429.99 plus $40.00 s/h.

If I were you, Larry, I'd keep looking for a complete set.  It may take a while longer, but you'd save money.

[Michael6268]

Why not just wait a few months and buy the new set that's coming out? Under $300 online for the complete set.