Hello: I'm unable to travel to train shows any more so I rely on sites like e-bay to see what's available on the Postwar market. Am curious as to what you think of the prices being asked for postwar rolling stock and the availability of the stock?
As always, many thanks.
From what I can see at shows prices on post-wars (1946-1969) are dropping as interest in them fades. Mind you I'm referring to post-wars with user wear on them, the mint condition "new-in-the-box WITH the box" are still commanding top prices, for now at least. Mind you, there's some hard-heads with post-wars for sale that still think they're in the 1990s but some are starting to get realistic, those top 1990s prices are a thing of the past. Just for example I bought a Lonel 2065 at our last show in about 95% condition for $150, which I thought was pretty reasonable.
I don't do eBay so I can't really speak from personal experience. I have been told eBay prices range from reasonable to ridiculous.
One on-line sit I like to go to is trainz.com. They can give you a pretty good idea of the going rates on post-wars if you check out what they have for sale, I consider their pricing very realistic and reflects the current market pretty well.
I hope this helps.
Flintlock: I like the 2065. Your "deal" sounds great. Thanks for the comments.
Depending on what you're looking for, eBay prices can be a bit steep. But I also tend to be on the market for play worn stuff that needs a lot of help. In Wayne's example, $150 would be a lot of money for an engine in "needs a bunch of help" condition, but quite reasonable for "almost flawless" condition, such as it was. If you're looking for stuff in nice shape, and you can budget it, there's definitely people out there selling stuff at a reasonable market price both on and offline.
My advice would be to look around and see what's available. Look at the range of prices. Also check out "sold listings" and "completed listings". Sold listings will give you an idea of how much people have been paying lately. Completed listings can show you both sold listings, and listings that ended without selling- sometimes helpful to see if someone's been relisting an item over and over again without getting any buyers.Definitely make sure to look at feedback. Don't wanna accidentally make a purchase from a seller with a history of mistreating buyers.
-Ellie
You're welcome Traindaddy!
I'll tell you, $150 on a 2065 sure beats the $500 and higher prices on the new high-tech engines loaded with features I'll never use anyway!
And don't forget the MPC and LTI era Lionels as well, many of those are selling at less than the $200 mark. At the York show in April I picked up an LTI Lionel 8004 Reading Pacific new in the box for $135.
traindaddy1 Flintlock: I like the 2065. Your "deal" sounds great. Thanks for the comments.
The lettering was great and the numbers. Cosmetically I call it excellent.
But didnt run good, no smoke and no working whistle. It probably ran on carpeting. Anyway, a few hours (probably 8-10 because I'm detailed) of work and a few parts and its a great engine both looks and function.
But I agree, prices have come down since I entered the market 2 years ago.
Its a post Pandemic drop I believe.
I get a lot of rolling stock on eBay and from Trainz, both on eBay and their own site.
If you are not picky, find a lot of 6 or 8 or so cars. Ive got some bidding $35 for 8 cars. They can be had for less than $5 each. But if you want a specific one in good shape, $10 or more is what you will pay. Got a brakeman car for $10-12
Just be patient. I have so many now I can't keep up with the cleaning and lube.
trainlivebobIts a post Pandemic drop I believe.
I can't say the pandemic didn't have anything to do with it, but in my opinion there's a grimmer reason. Bear with me.
The heavy prices on post-wars were mostly driven by the Baby Boomers who were kids in the late 1940s through the 1950s and were chasing the Lionels that eluded them as kids. Now the oldest of the Boomers (born in 1946) are 77 years old, some may still be holding onto their post-wars but many are unloading a lot of their collections as they downsize into retirement or if already retired they're downsizing into smaller homes or apartments. Sadly some are passing away now (the grimmer thing I mentioned) from various causes and leaving their kids with collections to deal with. Add to that the fact that many getting into O Gauge now want the high-tech articles. So, simple "supply and demand" is doing it's thing on post-wars and other conventional articles, good supply and lowering demand. And that's a good thing for guys like us!
Yes I understand the demographics of the situation, and I agree, long term down the demand goes. But it seemed there was a bump up in prices during the pandemic as people were locked up in their homes and train shows were shut down. Some were looking to have an indoor hobby (like me) for filling the time.
the bidding on eBay was more intense back then, now, not so much. I watch a lot of sales and it surprises me how little bidding there is, and it was a sudden drop to my observation.
So now is a good time to start looking again.
Has anyone seen the goodwill auction site? You see a fair amount of "not so great" but every once in awhile someone cleans out grandpa's attic and donates some quality trains https://shopgoodwill.com/categories/trains-collectibles?p=1
Same me, different spelling!
pennytrains Has anyone seen the goodwill auction site? You see a fair amount of "not so great" but every once in awhile someone cleans out grandpa's attic and donates some quality trains https://shopgoodwill.com/categories/trains-collectibles?p=1
trainlivebobNever knew, thanks for the tip!
Same here! Something to keep an eye on!
Mind you, whenever I pass a Goodwill or other thrift shop I'll stop in and take a look, because you never know, do you? But so far no luck.
Check out the auctions, they put ALL the good stuff online now and send only clothes and mundane stuff to the stores.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month