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So, how much is a layout complete with trains worth?

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Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, September 27, 2018 11:36 AM

riogrande5761
But many of us were young and daft right?

Jim,Maybe its young daft and in love.

As far as selling models it may be better to sell to a train show dealer.

I recently sold off my Athearn BB,Roundhouse cars and several excess engines to a train show dealer and got a hefty 4 digit dollar amount.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, September 27, 2018 12:16 PM

kasskaboose

I'd take what you can and leave the rest. 

Pirates of the Carabean: "Take what you can, give nothing back" Pirate

 

BRAKIE
 
riogrande5761
But many of us were young and daft right? 

Jim, Maybe its young daft and in love. 

 

Well, they say love is blind, so maybe that is what makes us daft!  Funny thing is my wife's term of indearment for me is "dafty".  Be afraid?  Clown 

But she is a heck of a lot more train friendly, I'll say that.  She even tried her hardest to find a basement for me with a house over it.  Working on that right now - finally made some progress and got all the electrical outlets in.

As for what makes us daft, different things.  My wife's older brother in England has had some very bad luck with women because he simply doesn't like to be alone.  His first "partner" was 16, yeah, in England I guess 16 is legal (and he was in his early 30's.  He had a kid with her and she cheated on him.  My wife naturally was not happy.  When things went south she made it plain she showed him one purse (empty) and he gave her all kinds of things cause he was soft, then she showed my wife (his sister) another purse with plenty of money.  SMH. The daughter was really messed up and my wife fostered her until she couldn't handle the wild kid anymore - I mean really wild.

Her brother has been through a couple more bad women and is on a 2nd who is a nasty piece of work but her brother seems to like her well enough.  But she has made it clear she is in it for the money and lifestyle he affords her.  At the hen party (British bachlerett party) she said some really bad things to my wife about her daughter so after a few encounters it was apparent what kind of twisted person she was.  All she can do now is just avoid her (which isn't hard now cause she is across the big pond) and just get along with her brother and keep her mouth shut.  Ug.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by cowman on Thursday, September 27, 2018 7:17 PM

For a friend who's husband had passed away, I got values for the locos from ebay, since there was nothing special about the rolling stock, added a few dolars each, ebay used value for tortoise machines that controlled each turnout, there were only a few structures and vehicles, little value.  It was a 4x8 (moveable) layout with modest scenery, but beautifully done cabinet work, though I added very little for the layout itself.  Being something that will  need to be dismantled is almost a negative factor.

Sorry you are having to go through this process and will lose your very nice work.  Are there some locos or structures you want to keep?  As you know from following these forums for years, they aren't worth a lot.  Hopefully you will find a willing purchaser for most of it and will be back to modeling before long.

Good luck,

Richard

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Posted by rrebell on Friday, September 28, 2018 8:07 AM

riogrande5761

Yes, sorry for your problems.  It can be a really hard or dark time to live through; been there done that and not fun.

Re: prenup, I'm guessing many here are older and that isn't something many of us thought of back in the day.  Hind sight is 20/20 isn't it?  Heck, if I had had the foresite for a pre-nup, I might have also realized my first wife was an bad match for me too and avoided wasted years and money.  But many of us were young and daft right?  Some more so than others.  And as one of our posters noted, the people we married aren't always who we thought they were.

Maybe we will hear back from Mr. Beasley at some point and see where things are with the trains.

 

I'm 65 almost 66

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, September 28, 2018 8:10 AM

cowman
ebay used value for tortoise machines that controlled each turnout,

.

From what I have seen, Tortoises seem to hold their value when used better than any other model railroad item.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, September 28, 2018 10:14 AM

rrebell
 
riogrande5761

Re: prenup, I'm guessing many here are older and that isn't something many of us thought of back in the day.  Hind sight is 20/20 isn't it?   

I'm 65 almost 66

Firstly, what occured to me in the context of this topic is, mentioning a pre-nup is kind of lousy timing. "hey buddy, should have gotten a prenup but sorry it's too late now".  Seems a better time to suggest it is when someone is planning to get married and ask the serious question, is it a good idea? 

Anyway, did you get a prenup and why, and how did you know about it, or were advised?  Circumstances?

In the circles I was in as a young adult, it wasn't something many of us thought of and seemed more an action for the wealthy or with a special reason.  Maybe I'm wrong but otherwise putting a pre-nup in for average people back then seems like it it would have likely have soured a marriage before it happened.  Don't know, maybe with good reason.  In my case, it was my ex-who had the most to lose; I estimated her worth at around a cool million NY law and a good lawyer made sure I didn't even get half the house. 

 

 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, September 28, 2018 10:21 AM

To answer the question, ask how much would you pay if you are a buyer of used model trains. 

 

Clue: ... It is a small fraction of new trains at retail prices. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, September 28, 2018 10:30 AM

I don´t know whether I should cry or simply be amused.

I am in my 35th year of marriage - still to the same woman, which seems to be as rare as hen´s teeth these days. I just try to figure out, whether I would have gotten married with the thought of "hey, let´s make a pre-nup - just in case our marriage doesn´t work out. And let´s not forget a special clause for my trains, which I eventually will have, when we break up".

The thought of having to draw up arrangements for a potential divorce would have made me stay a bachelor.

I am glad I did not.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by Attuvian on Friday, September 28, 2018 10:40 AM

Tinplate Toddler

. . . . I just try to figure out, whether I would have gotten married with the thought of "hey, let´s make a pre-nup - just in case our marriage doesn´t work out. And let´s not forget a special clause for my trains, which I eventually will have, when we break up".

The thought of having to draw up arrangements for a potential divorce would have made me stay a bachelor.

I am glad I did not.

 
Well said, Ulrich.
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, September 28, 2018 11:28 AM

Tinplate Toddler
I don´t know whether I should cry or simply be amused. I am in my 35th year of marriage - still to the same woman, which seems to be as rare as hen´s teeth these days. I just try to figure out, whether I would have gotten married with the thought of "hey, let´s make a pre-nup - just in case our marriage doesn´t work out. And let´s not forget a special clause for my trains, which I eventually will have, when we break up". The thought of having to draw up arrangements for a potential divorce would have made me stay a bachelor. I am glad I did not.

Yes, that is why I mentioned in my last post that I wondered if a pre-nup would prevent some marriages from happening, perhaps good and lasting marriages.  Why?  Because it could front-load, or pre-dispose the marriage to failure since there is a sense of distrust built in from the start.  It's like saying, "I don't trust you a little bit" so I'm going to make you sign this document in-case you screw me over in the future, you can't screw me over real bad".  You can see how this might sour a relationship causing a marriage to be prevented.

I don't think there is any easy answer there, TBH.  Damned if you do, and in some cases damned if you don't.  It's easy for me to look back on some factors that could make a marriage more or less likely to fail.

As for Ulrich, you apparently chose wisely or got lucky and beat the odds.  Consider yourself blessed. 

Interestingly I heard on the radio that the divorce rate is down with the younger generation - gen x or, can't remember.  The explanation apparently is that the younger generation is being more careful or choosey, so they reported.

 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by rrebell on Friday, September 28, 2018 11:37 AM

riogrande5761

 

 
rrebell
 
riogrande5761

Re: prenup, I'm guessing many here are older and that isn't something many of us thought of back in the day.  Hind sight is 20/20 isn't it?   

I'm 65 almost 66

 

Firstly, what occured to me in the context of this topic is, mentioning a pre-nup is kind of lousy timing. "hey buddy, should have gotten a prenup but sorry it's too late now".  Seems a better time to suggest it is when someone is planning to get married and ask the serious question, is it a good idea? 

Anyway, did you get a prenup and why, and how did you know about it, or were advised?  Circumstances?

In the circles I was in as a young adult, it wasn't something many of us thought of and seemed more an action for the wealthy or with a special reason.  Maybe I'm wrong but otherwise putting a pre-nup in for average people back then seems like it it would have likely have soured a marriage before it happened.  Don't know, maybe with good reason.  In my case, it was my ex-who had the most to lose; I estimated her worth at around a cool million NY law and a good lawyer made sure I didn't even get half the house. 

 

 

 

Not what I wrote at all, it was a warning to all those who are not married, not the OP!

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Posted by maxman on Friday, September 28, 2018 12:16 PM

riogrande5761
Interestingly I heard on the radio that the divorce rate is down with the younger generation - gen x or, can't remember.

Millennials.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/09/26/millennials-blame-lower-us-divorce-rate-study/1429494002/

 

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, September 28, 2018 12:46 PM

riogrande5761
As for Ulrich, you apparently chose wisely or got lucky and beat the odds.

I don´t know whether I had chosen wisely. When I met my wife, I thought I had no choice other than to marry her Smile We got engaged 5 weeks after we had met for the first time. The French say it was a "coup de foudre" and it has been that way ever since. We went through some pretty bad times, which in most cases would have ended with a divorce. Our love was stronger than those challenges!

I am an old fashioned guy who still believes in "until death do us part" and so it shall be!

riogrande5761
Consider yourself blessed.

I certainly do!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by jrbernier on Friday, September 28, 2018 12:52 PM

  As has been mentioned, the layout is not worth much.  The cars & engines will get less than 50 cents on the dollar at a hobby shop.  Only sought after models will command a premium.  Get an appraisal from some stores or folks who buy up collections.

  About 40 years ago, friend went through a divorce.  The ex wanted money in return for the trains purchased in the marriage(about a dozen brass steamers).  His attorney argued that most of the models were over 20 years old.  If anything, they were worn out - and she should have to pay 1/2 the cost of replacement!  He got to keep his trains...

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Posted by BRAKIE on Friday, September 28, 2018 1:38 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q

To answer the question, ask how much would you pay if you are a buyer of used model trains. 

 

Clue: ... It is a small fraction of new trains at retail prices. 

 

 

 

Garry,Depends on the models and their condition.As I mention  I git a hefty 4 digit price out of my BB,Roundhouse and several excess engines.

Here's why.

All cars was like in new condition with metal wheels and KD couples and the locomotives was in NOS condition.

Now with today's limited production some models can bring a Hefty  resale price.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, September 28, 2018 2:12 PM

rrebell
 

Not what I wrote at all, it was a warning to all those who are not married, not the OP! 

Thanks for clarifying.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, September 28, 2018 2:22 PM

Tinplate Toddler
"coup de foudre"

I never took french so had to google it: love at first site.  We have that saying here in the US in English.  If it had been German, I might have gotten it since I took German and visited Germany four times, but have forgotton a lot too.

and it has been that way ever since. We went through some pretty bad times, which in most cases would have ended with a divorce. Our love was stronger than those challenges! I am an old fashioned guy who still believes in "until death do us part" and so it shall be!

I have heard a lot of still married people say similar things, many had major bumps along the road but weathered it all and are stronger than before.

I really did believe in "until death do you part" when I married my first wife, so much so that I went to many many counceling sessions with pastors, social workers, etc. and spend a lot of money, let a lot of time go by but ultimately none of it worked.  In hind site believe the reason is it takes two to tango, and it seemed my ex wife didn't want to take ownership for some of the major issues that befulddled us.  As a result, I convinced myself that it was ALL on me, the separation and divorce, which common sense tells me now, that is highly unlikely.  We weren't compatible I think that was true, but there was more to it, maybe ego, or blind to own issues or something that road blocked it.  In fact it took me 8 long years to of physical separation to finally realize enough was enough, my life was wasting away and things hadn't changed.  The thing that really sucked is in NY there was, at the time, no such thing as no-fault divorce.  So somene had to take blame for what did qualify as grounds, and that made it acrimonious and a lot more expensive that it could have been.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by trwroute on Friday, September 28, 2018 2:28 PM

Tinplate Toddler

I am in my 35th year of marriage - still to the same woman, which seems to be as rare as hen´s teeth these days. I just try to figure out, whether I would have gotten married with the thought of "hey, let´s make a pre-nup - just in case our marriage doesn´t work out. And let´s not forget a special clause for my trains, which I eventually will have, when we break up".

The thought of having to draw up arrangements for a potential divorce would have made me stay a bachelor.

I am glad I did not.

 

 
Right there with you on this.

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, September 28, 2018 2:51 PM

riogrande5761
I never took french so had to google it: love at first site. We have that saying here in the US in English. If it had been German, I might have gotten it since I took German and visited Germany four times, but have forgotton a lot too.

In German that is "Liebe auf den ersten Blick", which doesn´t sound really romantic.

riogrande5761
it takes two to tango

That´s the crucial point!

Back to trains...

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by garya on Friday, September 28, 2018 2:53 PM

rrebell

Really am sorry for your problems! It dose make me wonder, are you guys insane, always get a pre-nup. Now as to value, take the average price for an item from e-bay and cut it in half (because of fees and shipping and commision to whoever is doing the selling, why should you do it, right). Layout has no value and buildings very little unless craftsman types. Even the track or anything attached to layout is worthless (unless she wants to pay you to disassemle and sell it). Now I am judging by the way you say things that this is not an agreeable separation, if it was, other things could be worked out.

 

INAL, but, depending how they are structured, a pre-nup will protect assets accrued before the marriage.  If anything is bought during the marriage, it is considered a marital asset and must be divided at the dissolution of the marriage.  

Gary

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Posted by Steven Otte on Friday, September 28, 2018 3:49 PM

Let's stick to the valuation of model train layouts, shall we, and not turn this into a discussion of divorce, OK?

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, September 28, 2018 4:25 PM

My suggestion is to try and get a quote from a couple of guys who advertise they buy trains.  You're not really interested in their worth for insurance or replacement, but their quick sale value to divide up the assets.

Sorry to hear about your divorce.  Good luck going forward.

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by Howard Zane on Friday, September 28, 2018 6:51 PM

Years back I knew a fellow who purchased an older stripped down construction trailer used for an on-sight office. It was 50' x 10' and I remember that he paid $500 for it. Of course this was 1964, but even today, possibly $1500 could buy something similar. In this trailer he built a very nice layout, and the beauty of this was that he moved often and had no problem in moving his railroad. Years later he sold it as a portable model railroad for a decent amount of money.

If your layout is an around the room on the wall arrangement, as they say in New York..."forgetaboutit!!" if you try to sell it. Now if it is an island type design that is not too large and be can easily broken into sections, a chance of sale does exist. Also modular layouts are saleable depending on size and quality of workmanship.

During my 31 year tenure with the Timonium show in Maryland, a few times folks would bring 4'x8' pikes for sale. Everytime they sold. We had two folks who actually built complete layouts for sale, and they also sold. Then we had a fellow bring photos mounted on an stand of his narrow gauge layout that was large and not easily moveable. He was asking $12,000 and it sold. I do not know if he got his asking price, but he at least got something better than a trip to the dumpster.

Overall it is about the size and quality. Other than water buffalo droppings, most anything is saleable.....just got to find a buyer.

HZ

Howard Zane

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