Junk or not to Junk

[brianel027]

I have an uncle in the TCA who has forever joked with me that my trains are junk. I know what he means... they are, by collectible standards. They're the lower end affordable stuff, but so what.

I figure once I buy the trains, they're mine to do as I please. I have no resevervations over repainting and making modifications or rebuilding or kitbashing as I see fit. Of course, I respect a true collectible item. And it's a shame to take something that there aren't many of in the first place and then change it. BUT many of the trains, either older or new, are hardly in short supply. Remember during the glory days of Lionel, most of the stuff was made in big numbers. Plenty of it was played with and played with well. There are plenty of trains, new and old, that certainly qualify in my book as being candidates for the "shop."

I figure it like this: the hobby is suppose to be about fun, which means operating. If something doesn't operate the way you want it to or as it should, fix it. There's still an aspect of the hobby too about collecting. And it's also fun to find something that is valuable for a song and a dance... but the hobby has leaned in that "monetary" direction just a little too long. Not one of these trains would be worth a dime had they all been just kept in their boxes in closets. They're worth money because most of us got to play with the trains that were bought for us, so we know they're fun.

Andregg1, I'm with you on fixing up old junkers. But it's also fun to make improvements on the newer trains that are more affordable. I think that new K-Line GP9 is a prime candidate for a fix up or kitbash project.

[3railguy]

I have restored and repaired postwar trains. They are simple to fix and reliable. As far as new trains are concerned, if handled properly and the proper tools are used, the value will not diminish when you repair them.

[andregg1]

Hi Guys!!!!
Sometime like operator I have one little dilemma about touch or not touch the new items. I'm mechanical guy , every time a must to built something, repair, modify or just maintenance. So where is the problem?? The new items are immaculated, pristine.....and the question is if I realy want to broke the real value??? So I find the one of the solutions....BUY JUNK!!!! old trains that you can modify, repaint, change, repair,etc. I like to see like the old locomotive runing again after its overhaul or the old rollingstock that was repainted and the wheels was oiled and fixed, the gear that begin to work again.
take a moment and think about...........
NOTHING IS LIKE THE LIONEL POSTWAR MOTOR SMELL