Are Limited Edition LGB sets collectible?

[Anonymous]

Very little of what EP Lehmann produced, in the LGB range,  could be considered 'collectable'.  There are some notable examples,  with many from recent production.   The Rio Grande set is from 1987/88 and is generally found in pristine condition.  It was contracted by the American LGB distributor (who later was well known as Polk Model Hobbies - Aristocraft) to commemorate 100 years of EP Lehmann production.  Generally not regarded as a collectable and can be purchased for around same price as any other 20+ year old starter set.

Notable collectable items are the limited release handmade locomotives,  #3070/#3071 series coaches, anything from the RhB and Coca-Cola Polar Bear boxcars,  along with some very limited release American oil tankers from the early 2000's.  Being old is not sufficient to guarantee collectability and many items from the late 1960's/early 1970's are generally not highly sought after and prices are generally lower than similar items made in more recent years.  I collect simply because I like to own old LGB.  I do not run my LGB but admire it for its aesthetics and quality.  Occasionally (rarely),  I will do the unthinkable and modify a LGB piece of rolling stock,  but in general leave it as manufactured.  I even source original wheelsets, etc,  to bring it back to factory standard.  To each his own. 

 

[hoofe116]

My thinking is that in 30-40 years LGB might be were Lionel is today.

If memory serves, and I haven't been keeping track of Lionel prices of late, the going rate on Lionel is a substantially lower number than it was in the 80's. That's two big 'ifs'. I did extremely well back then, dealing in Lionel.

Overall, I agree with those who say 'buy it, use it, enjoy it'. Take reasonable care of it. In time, you might get lucky.

As for Ltd edition sets, Lionel shot themselves in both feet when they started reissuing 'limited run collector sets'. I'd never buy an item as a 'limited edition' with the intention of making money on it. FWIW, I've dealt in collectibles/antiques all my adult life and did very well, overall. Doing that is akin to having a second full-time job.

Les

[Great Western]

I'n not a hoarder or collector.  I like things that appeal to my eye.  (yeah I know but we are on a railroad Forum  ).

 I used to watch tv programmes about antiques and items that people collect.  Often the collections and items were indeed interesting.  But it has now got to the stage where people buy, or keep, appalling looking things in the belief that they are valuable;  I watch no longer.

 

[kstrong]

My philosophy has always been that if you're looking to make money from an investment, don't invest in model trains. You're simply not going to get a good rate of return. For example, let's take a $30 train set bought in 1938. Today, it's worth around $700. That $30 adjusted for inflation would be $429, so you're not doing too much better than just the rate of inflation. On the other hand, if you took that $30 and invested it into something that averaged 8%, you'd have $6,558.

I have no idea what the future holds for LGB collecting. In years past, there have been rather rabid collectors, but that--from what I've seen--has died off a bit. I suppose part of that has to do waning interest, but I think also that the sheer volume of LGB product out there has forced the prices down a bit.

If you're going to buy something either to run or to collect, do so because it appeals to you. Your return on investment will come from gazing upon it on a daily basis. If the chance to sell it for obscene amounts of money should come along, take it, cash the check quickly, and go do something fun with the money you made. Then go back and keep enjoying the rest of your collection, not worrying about what it might be worth.

Later,

K

[Benjamin Maggi]

I say forget about value. As long as you like your trains, so with them what you want. Just as long as you realize others might not like what you have done to them as much as you do. I want the Orient Express set but will never save up to buy it. Rather, I will just buy the coaches and engine and paint them myself. To each his own.

[ndbprr]

Well I did buy it because I liked it and I plan to keep it unless it was worth a substantial increase in value.  Buy low sell high works every time.  My thinking is that in 30-40 years LGB might be were Lionel is today. If there will be LGB collectors the boxes will probably be worth more than the trains so I am very careful with them.  I am very careful with the styrofoam base so that it stays pristine.

[Benjamin Maggi]

Here is a link on another forum that might be of use to you. It shows many of LGB's Limited Edition sets. 

http://www.gscalemad.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=9942&hl=29452 

[cabbage]

The short answer is NO. I do know of some people who have been using "Model Locomotives" as some sort of hedge against inflation -only to be drastically disappointed when the "fashion trend" has moved on!!!

I have two, very ancient and lovely, working Bassett-Lowke clockwork locomotives from the 1930's, (they belonged to my late Father and late Uncle). I have seen them bandied about some auction rooms and very rarely do they fetch more than £100... They are listed on the "special contents" part of my household insurance -but so are some of my LP records and books.

There are some items that can be worth collecting and saving and passing down the family. My wife wears the engagement ring and wedding ring originally bought by my grandfather for his bride. My mother in law was somewhat disgusted that her future son in law gave her daughter, "second hand scrap, not even any diamonds in it, just purple and green glass" -to wear!

The rings were made by a jeweller in St Petersburg Russia, and sold in their shop in Paris in 1912. It is Chrome Diopside and Alexandrite on 22ct gold -inside the ring is F&F in a shield.

When the ring got slightly bent after she fiddled around inside a photocopier she took the ring to the jewellers I had told her too. He took one look at my fiance and one look at the ring on her finger and before she knew it she was surrounded by security guards and bundled into the back room. Once everything had been explained to the satisfaction of the security staff -she got the ring straightened. That night we met at her flat and she said "It's not JUST grandma's old ring -is it?" I said "No, it is your engagement ring and wedding ring set -but you can have another one if you want".

She still wears the rings, and her mother still doesn't know!!!

regards

ralph

[Muttlydog]

Just a small point worth mentioning on Limited Editions, something a lot of folks are not aware of!!

A lot of manufacturers produce LTD Edtions in batches of between 3000 to 5000 items with a signed certificate some fancy art work and a nice box , which on the whole seems a lot of models especially when some are offered for sale worldwide.

(where's this point going you may ask).

Well a standard production run is usally 1500 to 2000 items, so an off the shelf model can in most cases be rarer than a LTD Edition!!.

LTD Edition really means,this choosen model will not be produced in that particular livery or running number again. 

I must add that LTD Editions and one off producton runs must not be confused with each other. This is not to say don't buy LTD Edtions as I have many from various gauges. You should be buying them for the pleasure of owning and playing with them not the fact you might make some money from them.

So unless you really need the money (if you have spare cash send it my way) keep the model,or find someone with lots of money to burn hype it up and sell it for the highest price possible!!!!!!  

Hope this helps  

Muttlydog 

[SNOWSHOE]

I never understood getting something just to keep it in a case because it is worth a lot of money, especially if you have no plans on selling it. Its different if you are keeping it in mint because you want to make money off of it. To me, having something because it is worth something and not using it, is not worth having.  How do you enjoy it.  I would much rather use it and have fun.  But thats just me. I just shake my head when I hear how much somethings go for today just because they are a collectors items. Or better yet what some people pay for a used item when you can get it new for half the price.     

[vsmith]

Thats a really tricky question prone to many variables and more particularly, who you ask and what  venue you are trying to sell it in. I have had a couple rather interesting experiences regarding "collectables" at train shows in the past.

One show a guy had a very early LGB Stainz starter set but it looked like it had been stored on top of someones furnace..... for a couple of years, so the whole set had "drooped" or partially melted, not a lot but enough to be noticable (it looked like a prop from a movie after the Martians had shot it with the heat ray) but the guy wanted top dollar for it! Claimed it was a first year set and even in its current condition was "rare and collectable". Ohhh  Kayyyyyy! ....onto the next booth.

About 2 years later I came across another 1st year Stainz starter set, complete, all orginal, what was of interest was the asking price, it spoke VOLUMES. It had been marked and remarked to reflect what had to be the asking price for every train show he had taken it to, it read, I kid you not:

$1000

$700

$500

$300

$199

When I went back around that booth near the end of the show

$199

$125

Ohhh Kayyyyy ....

Like I said, speaks volumes, and while I have been to model train auctions where the "collectors" were bidding loony tune prices for standard stuff, the LGB collecter crowd is actaully smaller than one might suspect when compared to the overall model railroader crowd, even when you just consider large scale alone. You may find that what someone tells you is "rare and collectable" that sans being in a room full of rabid collectors, really doesnt have any more value than any other similar item that can be found listed on Ebay.

So I dont know what to tell you, If you want to sell it, try selling it on Evilbay for a "buy it now" price you think its worth and see if anyone bites.

Also post the set # here, some of the LGB guys can help give you a good idea of what the sets actual value range might be.

[Rene Schweitzer]

There are two schools of thought on LGB "stuff."

Some folks buy it, modify it to suit their needs, and run it as they would anything else.

Others keep it mint in the box for maximum collector value.

My advice to you is to check places like eBay for your set (or similar sets) to get an idea of what it might sell for.

[Anonymous]

Keep them unless you need money for food, home, or auto. You have to remember some of us like me kitbash anything including "Ltd." sets!

Toad

[ndbprr]

I have a D&RGW starter set from about 15 years ago that was a limited edition.  Any thoughts if it will be worth anything at any point?  It has been run maybe fifteen minutes around the Christmas tree otherwise in new condition as is the box.