LGB Trains... Wondering How I can figure out the $$$$ Value ( made in W. Germany..Lehmann)

[Anonymous]

Hey All!
I just bought a box of LGB trains from an antique store for $25.00., and am wondering what the real value is.
All of the train cars (there are 9 altogether) have 'Made in W. Germany' stamped on the underside. The boxes they came in say Lehmann...
It is a circus train set but doesnt look anything like the circus train set pictured on the LGB web site.
The train runs beautifully... smooth and quiet but sounds like a real train.... WOW!
There is also a freight car with corvettes, Model #4159...
And a freight car #4168.
Aside from the cobwebs and a little wear and tear (gives it an authentic kind of look) it is in great shape.
I'm am sure there are many amongst you who know the train business up,down and sideways and I would really appreciate a bit of guidance in this area....
Thanks,
Newbie in TX

[bman36]

Hi There,
Welcome to the forum! Sounds like quite the bargain you have there. Value is hard to determine due to many varying factors. You can look on ebay to see what similar sets/cars are selling for. This will give some indication of current value. Again condition etc. plays a huge part in this. Enjoy the forum. Later eh...Brian.

[cacole]

Buy a copy of Garden Railways magazine and look through the advertisements by companies that sell LGB products. The ones you have may still be available, and you could find out their approximate original cost. If you're wanting to sell them, go to e-Bay.

[Anonymous]

Do you think Newbie is related to train lady?


Ian

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Newbie

Hey All!
I just bought a box of LGB trains from an antique store for $25.00., and am wondering what the real value is.

Where is that antique store in Texas [:D][:)][:D]

[Anonymous]

Oh, forgot one small detail.
When I was a Texas Peace Officer and I went to S.W.A.T. training I had to give up my State Trooper Model .357 for a 9mm Sig that was made in W. Germany.
Remember there IS NO West Germany no more.
So, my Sig 9mm I have is a Keeper.
Like what my dad did is he sold 3 model 1911 Colt Gov't models and now he is kicking himself in da butt. He sold them @ 150.00 to 200.00 now there in the 900.00 range (true model Colt 1911)

And I ask you this, how many trains are still out there that have that on bottom?
Some one could give this a good guess. Or made be I will research it.

[cacole]

Thousands upon thousands of those items are still in the hands of garden railroaders because LGB has been in business for many years, so they are probably worth no more than their current market value for new items of the same type, and they are probably still in production. Country of origin probably has no bearing in this case.

[Anonymous]

So the LGB tains they make now all say made in "W. Germany"?
Don't think so. Bet they say "Germany".
Besides it has a antiqueness [:D] with W. Germany on bottom.

[Anonymous]

Being of the 'my glass is half empty' cynical school I agree with Ians statement. Nine cars for $25-00? Even a dealer who's never heard of trains, let alone LGB would ask a darn site more than that and in this day and age of www they would have checked sites out before pricing them.
However, Newbie, welcome to the forum and I wonder how long this one will run!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Do you think Newbie is related to train lady?


Ian

Ian,
Hmmmmmm, maybe. No reply at all from the author makes you wonder. Still we give everyone here the benefit of the doubt. That's when Rene steps in for needs sake. She's the one in the know eh. Later eh...Brian.

[vsmith]

Well, some "Antique" store are really nothing more than Thrift stores with a fancy name.
So getting this set for cheap doesnt surprise me too much. I remember seeing good Lionel stuff at a thrift store a few years ago. This set sounds like its not original but has been mixed up with later purchases.

I agree with above who said it probably may not be worth more than current list, more likely 2/3's list. LGB collectors are a strange lot and like pristine, original condition sets. Standard starter sets out here average around $230, if this has a standard Steinz engine it alone could fetch from $60 to $150, Circus train version from $150 to ? on e-bay depending on whose bidding. If its a TOYTRAIN line engine then it will go for $50 to $80 bucks, Same Quality just less Value to the collector.

Best Advice: Just hold on to it , set it up each X-mas, or buy some extra track and set it up out in the yard!