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Need advice on where to sell somewhat rare (?) train.

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 25, 2005 1:01 PM
Thank you all for the feedback- I appreciate each of you taking the time to reply. My understanding is that this was a Centennial Anniversary model and I believe the box says that it's #45/55 (per my dad's report) (The actual train is in NY and I'm in Georgia.)

I understand that a similiar set sold recently on a collector's site for $3,000.00

Thanks for any more ideas or suggestions!

:o) Jen



  • Member since
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  • From: Elgin, IL
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Posted by orsonroy on Saturday, September 24, 2005 7:05 AM
Looks like they're more rare in the UK than in the USA:
http://vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php?item_id=211405&retPage=170404
L1600 works out to roughly $3000.

I'd place it on a 9-day Ebay auction, with the reserve somewhere around $500, and let the collectors battle each other.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

  • Member since
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Posted by Berk-fan284 on Saturday, September 24, 2005 6:29 AM
Check with some brass dealers for what they have in stock and at what price it is to get an idea before you try Ebay or watch Ebay for a while to see what is around and the price range. Production numbers can be a factor in the value of your set, but survival rate of those sets can also make a difference too (out of 1,669 sets how many are left in mint condition?).
  • Member since
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Posted by TwinZephyr on Friday, September 23, 2005 7:44 PM
Per the Brown Book, there were 1669 of the CP/UP 4-4-0 sets; they are not especially rare. Typical selling price right now would be near $500 - maybe a little less. The $700 prices are from 5-6 years ago.
  • Member since
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  • From: Waldorf, Maryland
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Posted by Piedsou on Friday, September 23, 2005 7:26 PM
I just checked out the original ad for these engines on the rear cover of the May 1969 issue of MR. They were originally $89.50 for the set.
Plugging that figure in to the consumer price index formula: http://minneapolisfed.org/Research/data/us/calc/index.cfm that's about $474.57 in today's dollars. But the rarity of these engines could put them in the $700-$800 range or higher. I would try to sell them on ebay with a $500. minimum.

Dale Latham
  • Member since
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  • From: California & Maine
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Posted by andrechapelon on Friday, September 23, 2005 5:17 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Jumpinjen

Hi! I'm helping my dad out. He ahs this train and would like to find a buyer who appreciate sit. Any advice on where to post a listing. I want to be sure to get a good price on it for him. It's brand new condition, never been used and is in the original package in perfect condition. I believes it's number 45 out of 55 sets.

info on the box:
UNITED SCALE MODELS
GOLDEN SPIKE CENTENNIAL
C. P. JUPITER
U. P. #119
Mfg. by Atlas Industries, Inc.
Kawaguchi, Japan

Exclusively for Pacific Fast Mail
Scale Model Locomotive HO scale
Infinitely Superior


Thanks! Jen

jrivaldo@babycrazy.com



If it's actually in the kind of shape you say it is, I'd make your minimum bid $500. Those sets were rare. I've seen them for sale in the $750+ price range.

Andre
It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
  • Member since
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  • From: Amish country Tenn.
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Posted by loathar on Friday, September 23, 2005 4:53 PM
You could also Google the info on the package to try and get more info on it and if it is rare or not. You might want to E-mail Atlas for more info.(Atlasrr.com)?
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 23, 2005 3:48 PM
Try to find a similar auction on eBay and see what the minimum bid is. I'd say about $200 would be a good starting point.

Bob DeWoody
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 23, 2005 2:48 PM
I agree with Chip, ebay is the way to go. If properly listed it will get the attention of the collectors and if rare, will become a high-bidding item.
  • Member since
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  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, September 23, 2005 2:44 PM
EBay. If you are not confident, determine the minimum you will take for it and start your bidding at that point. There are collectors out there and if it is indeed rare, you will probably get a good price.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
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Need advice on where to sell somewhat rare (?) train.
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 23, 2005 2:41 PM
Hi! I'm helping my dad out. He ahs this train and would like to find a buyer who appreciate sit. Any advice on where to post a listing. I want to be sure to get a good price on it for him. It's brand new condition, never been used and is in the original package in perfect condition. I believes it's number 45 out of 55 sets.

info on the box:
UNITED SCALE MODELS
GOLDEN SPIKE CENTENNIAL
C. P. JUPITER
U. P. #119
Mfg. by Atlas Industries, Inc.
Kawaguchi, Japan

Exclusively for Pacific Fast Mail
Scale Model Locomotive HO scale
Infinitely Superior


Thanks! Jen

jrivaldo@babycrazy.com

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