Toy train operating and collecting

Havn't posted in a while...

Been actually working on the layout in my spare time.

Just got back from my first York meet. Picked up the 4 car '97 Lionel Alu Santa Fe pass. car set, ~ cond. 8+, no boxes.

Assuming that there is one, I'd like to find the matching 2 or 3 car expansion set.

Any help with locating one appreciated.

 By the way, would the Santa Fe cars be valued any differently than the similar gray NYC cars that Lionel offered the same year?

Thanks,

runtime

Seriously now.....doesn't anyone have any helpful info to offer on this???

I'm not exactly sure what trainset you're talking about.  Is it the San Diegan set?  The one that came with a PA and really nice observation car?  Lionel called it the "Surfliner".

If it is this set, then the two cars you'll need are in the following set:

Lionel 2 car add on for Surfliner

I think I found one of these on eBay:

Santa Fe 2 car add on set

This might be the set you have (check the names):

eBay 4 car set

I'm very familiar with the 1991 Super Chief set since I have this one.  There are two add on cars for this set if I remember right.  A full dome and an "Indian" series duplex sleeping car.  Interestingly the Indian Series duplex sleeper matches a similar one Lionel made the same year in NYC paint.  So maybe you want the 1991 set?

I'm sure someone will know better then my limited knowledge of these sets, but I think the 4 car Lionel Surfliner cars have fluted Budd style roofs, while the 1991 Super Chief set cars have smooth Pullman/ACF style roofs.  So be sure to check the roofs on these cars so they match...if you want them to match.  The Santa Fe ran both Budd and Pullman lightweight cars together all the time on almost every train, so it's not a prototype issue to run them together but you might prefer your trainset to match.

Matt:

Thanks for the info! Now I know what I'm looking for.

The set I picked up is the '97 Surfliner 4 car set.

I'm tempted to get the add on cars as you found on e-bay. I've never bought on e-bay, and I'm confused as to whether the seller you directed me to wants a fixed price (ie- $200) or if he will accept bids. The price is substantially more than I paid per car, but mine came with no boxes and some free adhered dust. If it's bidable, I would bid. I also don't know if this is a rare opportunity to get these of if they are commonly available in top or new condition.

Thanks again,

runtime

The two car add-on listed on eBay is a fixed price of 199.99.  That's what "buy it now" means.  It seems more and more eBay sellers prefer using the fixed price (buy it now) instead of bids.

Shop around, you might find this set cheaper somewhere else.  I bet this set might even be available from one of the many vendors listed in Classic Toy Trains.

 You can also comparison shop within eBay. Click the "advanced seach" link (to the right of the search bar. You may have to have an account and be logged in to do this: not entirely sure).  Then scroll down and find the box that says "Search Completed Listings" Check that and search for your cars. EBay will show you matching auctions that have already ended, so you can see what similar cars have been selling for recently.

It seems that many (not all) sellers who list items with only the "Buy It Now" option charge significantly more than the "going rate" of similar items sold in regular auctions.  If you are willing to have your item not sell, then you can ask more (just like at a meet, but easier, b/c you don't have lug it to and from the car!)

Thank you guys for your advice.

I'm trying to cool my heels, although I'm tempted to act while the set is on my mind. I'll try to learn how to search e-bay.

runtime