There are several older metal accessories on the layout that have seen better days.
Among them are the Lionel milk platform and block signal, Marx manual semaphores and search light and American Flyer railroad signs.
Question: Would you repaint them or just let them be?
As always, many thanks for your opinions.
The resale value is already down in the markets ! So , Yes repaint your items .
They are toys ! Not investment tools ! Yes , Repaint them .
I buy my trains to play with ! I don't worry if i put a light scratch on a train car or engine.
CHARTER MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE FALLEN FLAG MODEL TRAIN CLUB . I COLLECT HO, N , O-3rail & On30 Trains & run them ! I Use KATO HO & N scale Track . I also Use Lionel Fast Track ! I change track layouts Often !
They are yours so do what you like. If you are really particular you can buy exact match paint for your accessories. Several guys sell it. Some guys use Krylon paints that are close in color.
Roger
The items you mentioned have little dollar value so go ahead and paint them.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks for your replies. I'm off to the paint store..
WRGMILW The resale value is already down in the markets ! So , Yes repaint your items . They are toys ! Not investment tools ! Yes , Repaint them . I buy my trains to play with ! I don't worry if i put a light scratch on a train car or engine. Could not agree with you more!!
Could not agree with you more!!
I would.
Heck yeah! Repaint it is satisfying to make something old look new. If you check around in the forums you can find the colors of the paint others have used to get close to the original. Be careful with the Lionel Semaphore as too much paint will make it too stiff to work.
Kevin
Can't stop working on the railroad!
I'll repaint anything except salvagable lithography. And by salvagable I mean it can be scratched extensively but can't have any rust or pitting in the steel.
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
It is your railroad, so do what you want.
For me, it is the 'character' of the piece that is the deciding factor. I have acquired a couple of well worn locomotives that I have chosen to just wash the years of dust and grime off of them. The dents and dings in them are a testament to the hours of enjoyment the previous owners have had with them.
On the other hand, I have other pieces that seem to scream at me for a re-paint.
Good luck and have fun.
I too agree that the old scratches and worn look are appropriate for our 50 year old trains & accessories. I do have an A'F log loader that is a real mess and will get repainted as soon as I find time. I plan to drill out all the rivets and do each piece in the right colors as was original. I may buy the reproduction paints or look for Krylon colors that are close to original.
Good luck with your efforts and share some photo's as you progress.
Aflyer
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