Mid 1940's Lehigh HO Gauge Model Kits

[Anonymous]

I’ve recently come into possession of a box of 1940’s vintage Lehigh ‘HO’ Gauge scale model kits manufactured by Lehigh Model Products of Allentown, PA. They appear to be Box, Freight and Reefer cars. The kits are labeled Kraft, Wabash, Swift, Santa Fe, Great Northern as well as others and consist of wood, heavy coated cardboard with the name on it, a hardware kit and trucks. There are also a couple of bottles with the remnents of what looks like paint.
Are old model kits such as these of interest to a collector or model railroading buff? Is there a market for old models like this? I have some pictures of the kit and contents if needed.

Thanks

Jerry McLaughlin

[Anonymous]

I’ve recently come into possession of a box of 1940’s vintage Lehigh ‘HO’ Gauge scale model kits manufactured by Lehigh Model Products of Allentown, PA. They appear to be Box, Freight and Reefer cars. The kits are labeled Kraft, Wabash, Swift, Santa Fe, Great Northern as well as others and consist of wood, heavy coated cardboard with the name on it, a hardware kit and trucks. There are also a couple of bottles with the remnents of what looks like paint.
Are old model kits such as these of interest to a collector or model railroading buff? Is there a market for old models like this? I have some pictures of the kit and contents if needed.

Thanks

Jerry McLaughlin

[CNJ831]

Jerry - Generally speaking, there is only a very minor interest in such older kits. There is really no "collectibility factor" to older HO kits, although as in any area of interest there are individuals who will collect just about anything. I've even heard of several Tyco collectors!

It is worth noting that the NMRA has a Special Interest Group that deals with HO's history and the collecting of old kits, locomotives, etc., the main thrust there being to eventually write up detailed accounts of each company and their products.

Incidentally, Lehigh Models kits were considered by many to be the Cadillac of HO kits back in the 1940's.

CNJ831

[CNJ831]

Jerry - Generally speaking, there is only a very minor interest in such older kits. There is really no "collectibility factor" to older HO kits, although as in any area of interest there are individuals who will collect just about anything. I've even heard of several Tyco collectors!

It is worth noting that the NMRA has a Special Interest Group that deals with HO's history and the collecting of old kits, locomotives, etc., the main thrust there being to eventually write up detailed accounts of each company and their products.

Incidentally, Lehigh Models kits were considered by many to be the Cadillac of HO kits back in the 1940's.

CNJ831