train shows

[Anonymous]

Are train shows good places to find vintage Lionel? SAdly the only Lionel train set Ihave was theri recent Safari Railroad train set. I have two videos about Lionel (lionel x-mas toy trains and x-mas 3), a book and a lionel alarm clock but are train shows good palces to find 1950's stuff and postwar 1950's items? And how can I tell if they are old by looking at them?

[Munster518]

Amfleet-

If your interested in buying postwar items, I would first check out these websites

nickstrains.com
postwarlionel.com


Greg, at nickstrains only deals in postwar lionel, so you can get a feel as to what you might be looking for at shows and what they look like. Condition is everything when it comes to buying postwar, so buyer beware. The other website gives a lot of good information about the different postwar trucks, rarites, and history on most of the postwar items that where made.

Shows are a great place to find some good bargains, but its always good to know what your looking for in an item, and how much its worth. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up a Greenberg Postwar priceguide, to give some guidance as to what items are going for. Another helpful book is Lionel: A collectors guide and history, a very indepth book about postwar trains and the differences and changes that where made over the years. Hope this helps:)

Sincerely
John[:)]

[dwiemer]

AmFleet,
First, I agree with all that John says. Secondly, I would certainly get the Greenberg book on Postwar that John mentions. This will give some higher numbers with regard to prices. More importantly, it will give you the number on each piece to let you know when it was manufactured. This information, plus you should learn how the paint and numbers "look" on postwar engines. I might add that you should check out Ebay to see what different items are actually going for. Armed with this information, you can get some good prices at shows, just remember that you are not paying shipping, so you can pay a few extra dollars on the piece. Another thing to keep in mind, there are some credible auctions on line ( I go to "The Train-Station.com for mine). You may pay a little higher, but they have the condition and you know that the item is authentic and runs. Hope this helps and happy railroading!
Dennis

[Munster518]

Like Dennis had mentioned, this is another website to check out for postwar items.

train-station.com

Sincerely
John[:)]

[Anonymous]

I'm not just lookin for postwar stuff old lionel stuff too and out of production items.