Prewar Passenger Sets, are they common?? Where can I find them cheap??

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Part of my fasination with the hobby is Prewar trains as well as Postwar and modern. I Love Prewar Passenger Sets. Where can I find them?

I am very partial to the Red Comet and the Blue Stream, but I like other too.

Bert and Mary Poppins

Please Reply

[prewardude]

You might want to consider the reproduction sets being made by MTH. They're fairly expensive, but they are of VERY high quality. Here's a link for you:
http://www.mth-railking.com/catalog/prelist2.asp?cat=cf&line=Tinplate

[mersenne6]

Red Comet & Blue Streak! Whew! If we are talking originals in excellent condition with no failure of the die cast cabs we are talking a lot of money! I don't know the MTH reproduction but I'm sure it is a lot less than an original in similar condition.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Thanks, I'll try that. I know that MTH reproduces this stuff, and I plan to buy some of their stuff, but I want some of the originals. When I get my job bach, if I am going to splurge 500 dollars for a new Lionel Chesie Stem Special , I'll be prepared to spend anywhere under 1000 dollars

Bert and Mary Poppins

[tjsprague]

A Blue Streak in decent shape (not a full excellent) will run close to $2000. A Red Comet probably closer to $1000. You have to be very carefull though, as these engines have a tendency to deteriorate due to impurities in the castings.

If you're looking for nice tinplate sets to run, consider some of the later pre, or early post war sets. I got a really nice #1400 set, Gray 221 Dreyfuss Hudson with blue and silver passenger cars that I think look great. Picked it up a Loyd Ralston auction for $400 (no boxes keeps 'em reasonable) Another nice prewar set is the #246E, it has a 262 steamer & tender with the 600 series tinplate passanger cars in gray and red, i bought this for about $400 too at a TCA meet.

Check out how it looks on my Christmas Layout;
<http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=453102703&m=5211083711&r=5211083711#5211083711>

Then there's the all the PreWar passenger sets headed up by the electric engines. Lot's of pretty colors! I'd recommend a set with lights for the layout, they just look better.

Good luck.