Need-Help-Buying new Lackawanna train set

[Anonymous]

Hello all! I want to get a new Lackawanna Erie passanger set. The numbers for the engine are 18116 and the car set is a 19130 . From what i see in the Greenbergs book the complete set is worth over $1K and a hobby shop has it on sale for $699.00.
My questions are: 1. Is this a good set to buy and keep as far as value and is this a good price to pay??
Haven't seen anything like it xcept the engines for sale on e-bay. It is NEW in the
boxs. From what I have seen the Lacks of any kind seem to be fairly expensive.
Its a pretty set![:)][:)][?]

[wrmcclellan]

expogs6,

This is really a call on your part as to what you are willing to spend. There is no assurance that any item you get will hold value. When certain items are deemed to be really rare or simply scarce, then someone reproduces it and the price of the originals comes down as demand is satisfied (for those that did not care about a repro or rerun).

A recent example is the Lionel Modern Era (MPC) scale Hudsons (773 style). These guys were bringing big dollars ($900 - $1000) 15 years ago. Then Lionel reintroduced the repro of the 1937 scale Hudson and followed it with others in the 90s. The price of the MPC era Hudsons fell to $500 or less.

Make sure what you buy is something you will enjoy regardless of its market value.

Good Luck in your decision!
Roy

[Anonymous]

Hi, thanks for advice. I think the Lacks are neat as well as a lot of others, but at least appear to be rarer-don't know if that amounts to anything or not.
Like you say they might start re-pros or who knows, definitely intend to enjoy!
You enjoy as well[:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

I have never heard of that set. Can anbody fill me in?. If you want a cheaper set, The new Lionel Polar Express has passenger cars that have the same paint shceme a the Erie- Lackawanna.

Just a thought, it'll be easier to find, and there are add on cars, but go for the Lackawanna Set if thats waht you are looking for.

Bert and Mary Poppins aka Nick

[Anonymous]

Hi Bert & Mary, My wife is Mary also -The set I am refering to was made in '93--
Listed in Greenbergs 2005 book. It is really nice-I think I am going for it.
PS: Hope you enjoy the '49 Merc. box car you got-[:)][:)]

[ben10ben]

Is this the set with the Berkshire? If it is, be advised that if you intend to run it, the engine will probably need to be sent off to Davis Trains or elsewhere for an extensive overhaul even right out of the box. The Lackawanna Berkshires were known from the day they were made to be very poor runners, but Jim Barrett of OGR came up with a number of modifications to the engine that will get it running every bit as well as a postwar Berkshire.

[Anonymous]

I believe this set is pulled by a Lackawanna PA-1 A-A set. I usually see them priced between $350 - $400. The four passenger cars are around $300, so the price you are quoting is "fair". One can never count on toy trains as an investment. Enjoy them for what they are!

Regards

[Chris F]

Potential items that could affect value of PA's from an operator's perspective:
1. RailSounds, rather than RailSounds II. The latter is from digital recordings of the prototypes.
2. Pittman motors don't have flywheels.
3. Lionel reported a problem with retaining track contact at low speeds, a condition remedied by adding a shoulder screw and washer to each truck.
(all 3 items above from Greenberg guide)

As far as the passenger cars go, the original 4-car set was supplemented by a combine car (19135 - "ITHACA") and another coach (19136 - "UTICA"). Collectors may want a complete set. Prices on the LCCA website for the locos and six cars run from $650 to $950, while a loco plus four cars is listed for $800 (all rated new).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for input, The set is as you said-PA-, The place was going to sell for $664 + tax, I went there to get train-happen to ask about a 2-8-8-4 engine and the price and mentioned the price on e-bay and he copped and attitude and said he didn't want to hear nothing about e-bay or anything there--bear in mind this is the "gen.mgr." of the whole store! I was just trying to have a general conversation as a customer and he wanted no parts of it--I said to myself--self- I don't need any parts of this at any price and waked out! Can't deal with those type of people--called back and he hung up on me--
Not too many places at my age I see that really care anything except making a sell--[:)][:)]

[wrmcclellan]

expogs6,

You did the right thing. There will always be another opportunity at a price you are willing to pay. I have run into the same thing, not even mentioning internet, catalog pricing, or anything else. Just general rudeness. If you do not want to be in the retail business and talk to people - you should get out of it. You are sending business to your competitors.

Sorry it did not work out for you, but as you said - the money is still in your pocket.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Hi CHris--What is LCCA?? and Thanks to all!!Found dealer in Greensburg PA. that really seems nice and has a good attitude toward customers-as mentioned earlier I'm just not dealing with anyone w/ any attitude--Anyway this guy in PA offered the engines {AA} and two cars for $400 and said he would help find the other two. His track and other things were cheaper also.
Odd {maybe not} that he knew the dealer and people that I was talking about here in Md. {small world-amonst dealers}
And Chris-thanks for the other #'s I need.
[:)][:)]

[Chris F]

QUOTE: Originally posted by expogs6

Hi CHris--What is LCCA??

LCCA = Lionel Collectors Club of America

You can learn more about the LCCA here -

http://www.lionelcollectors.org/

My reference to pricing on the LCCA site was the relatively new eTrack buy/sell section, available to members only. I use the section primarily as a check on the Greenberg guide prices.