Sell off all Lionel Trains

[Dave Farquhar]

I was at my local train store a couple of weeks ago and a guy came in. He said he buys a lot of antiques and wanted to know what to look for as far as old trains went--what would be "a real find."

The owner smiled and said he had about $2,000 worth of books in his back room that he uses to appraise trains. He held up the current Greenberg Lionel book and said there are more than 5,000 items listed in there. Then he said the only way to make money on trains is to do it for 20 years.

I haven't been at it for 20 years but I actually made 30 bucks last month *and* this month selling off some excess trains. I was thrilled. Of course that's not enough to pay my electric bill, let alone make a living. I plowed it back into the hobby, of course.

In the case of my local shop, it wouldn't surprise me if he makes as much money from repairs and building layouts as he does selling trains. He makes a decent living, but he works some obnoxious hours sometimes in order to do it and I don't think any one of the three facets of his business would be enough to keep him going.

[eZAK]

expogs6,

If you are serious about selling you will need to provide a list of items!
An email will also be helpful!

[jimhaleyscomet]

expogs6,

Glad to see you are still with us. I too found collecting VERY expensive relative to what I wanted to spend. Even at $300 a train for new stuff that ment not much new stuff for me!. Then I made a portable layout on a door using 027 track and k-line low profile switches. I realized making layouts and running trains are a lot cheaper than buying trains. Building layouts and running trains gives me more more pleasure and takes more time than plunking down money for new stuff. I have quite buying trains but do still play with my little 36" x 80 " layout with 2 loops, two connected sidings, one reversing loop, one extra siding for care storage, 7 switches, one operating ice house, one operating Lionel train station (new at $40), one uncouple track, one operating flag man ($20), two home made houses and two $8 train stations. I also have two tunnels. Total platform cost was under $100 ($23 for the door, $60 for the switches) because I used track and transformers I already had. If you stay away from the ultra realistic scenery (woodland scenics and others) and the tunnel you can easily flip it on its side for storage. or slide it under a bed. When you are ready to run just toss it on a table, a desk, or the floor.

As for Ebay...I find very few deals there. Whatever I might save I tend to loose on shipping. I have also found if I go on Ebay I will buy and half the time I get the item and it is in worse shape that I thought. I do find some deals when I go to a train show 3 times per year. However, if there are no deals then I do not buy. I find the harder I look for deals, the more I enjoy buying something when I finally find it.

Collecting is fun, but I think building and operating are even more so.

Jim H

[brianel027]

expogs6, before you make a real final decision, go check out this website:
www.thortrains.net

There's a bunch on links there for layout designs, many of which are for very small spaces. You might be surprised what you can do in a 3x5 foot space. Build yourself a decent frame out of 1x4 or 2x2 pine and then use the pink insulation styrofoam board for the layout surface. There are several ways you can attach 027 track to this. It makes for a very lightweight, quiet and portable train layout that is easily moved out of the way. You can put casters on one side of the layout (on the face of the frame) so when the layout is stood upright, it can be rolled out of the way.

If you want more ideas for help in that direction, feel free to ask me, or ask here.
The decision is yours, but believe me it's a fun hobby - regardless of how some of us sometimes mouth off to the contrary here on the forums. Or get a little opinionated about what we do and don't like about the hobby. Most folks here on this forum are a pretty helpful group, even though we have different approaches to the hobby.

You talked about how expensive the hobby is... the only way the companies will make more affordable product is if they find they can sell it. And the conpanies all read these forums too... they see what is being talked about. They're in business to make money which means making trains people are willing to buy.

There are some positive signs on the horizon. The RMT "Beep" is one. The new Lionel Dockside switcher is another. Both have gotten good reviews and have sold well. Both are affordable. The Lionel Add-On packs for their starter sets are another sign, and also a competitively priced value. And despite the catalog glitch, the lower end U36B diesels (both WP and CSX) have DUAL motors instead of one as stated in the catalogs. The CSX one is very sharp looking, but I'll wait for Lionel to reissue the Conrail U36B with DUAL motors this time instead of cheaping out with just one single motor as they did with that one.

There was a great story years ago in Classic Toy Trains about a grown daughter and her dad who built a small layout together that was designed to be ready when they wanted to use it. I think it was not much bigger than 3.5x5 or 6 feet. The woman talked in the story about buying the lesser expensive cars (motivated by another series in CTT called "Cheap Classics"), lower end engines like K-Line Alco FA's and S-2's, and manual operating accessories. It was a bonding experience for her and her dad, even though the layout was a little more on the "toy" side.

In other words, it's more than the trains too. You may find you could have a similar experience where you might least expect it.

God bless, what ever you decide to do.

[philo426]

Well,I just hope that you will maintain your interest in trains and keep checking out the forum.it is not cool to lose fellow train enthusiusts!

[Anonymous]

To all forum members: I honestly do appreciate all of your replys!!
I wasn't cring in my beer or trying to be cheap as Mr. Odd somewhat implied. I know all hobbies
tend to be too expensive.
I think Mr. Brianel027 makes good sense as well as the Doctor, and some others.
Perhaps this is not a good time to sell w/all the stuff being out there.
I have no intention of setting up any sort of lay out because I don't have the space in my house.
Nor do I want to get into repairs or mods., think I am too old and too late getting started for any of that----
So I will sell off the most of stuff for as much as I can, keep a few pieces for display, and maybe buy some more for re-sale if "price is right". Right now its up in the air---

[:)][:)]

[tgovebaker]

Jaabat is right -- do it for what makes you happy. And if what makes you happy is different from what someone else does to get his jollies, so be it.

[Jumijo]

The last 3 posts speak volumes about what the hobby is about to me.

Brianel027 runs what he likes and what he can afford, and he's content. He doesn't care what others think of his trains and doesn't buy collector pieces as investments. He's also very generous with his knowledge.

pbjwilson buys wisely and has a whole wall of beautiful trains that he likes for what I think is not much money at all. He has clearly illustrated that the hobby can be enjoyed on a budget, be it collecting or operating.

Dr.Fu-Manchu calls himself an operator/collector, but I see him as a goodwill embassador. He buys items, fixes them up, and sells them at a fair price. He's taking previously broken trains, repairing them, and putting them back in the hands of people who enjoy them. What's not to like about that? The hobby could use more people like him.

As I said at the top of the post, the spirit and attitude these fellows (and many others on this forum) convey, is to me, a very positive one. The one thing I've learned in my short amount of time in the hobby is that sharing information and getting to know others who share my interests is every bit as pleasurable as running trains, building scenery or any other aspect one can think of.


Jim

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor Is In !!! Friend expogs6, what are you crying over??? Let me tell you a story: When I was a young evil doctor(early 1960's) My father(not an evil doctor) was dealing in 2nd hand stuff, Almost a "junk dealer" and he was always bringing home Lionel trains he came across in his wheeling and dealing. A case in point: He was checking the local(so.cal.area) salvation army store. Back then they allowed 2nd hand dealers into the intake area. He found a footlocker, looked inside and then closed the lid. He asked the Lt. who was running the area and asked him "how much" The Lt. said "20.00
bucks Lee(dad's name) Dad brought it home and he gave it to me. It had two complete Lionel standard gauge sets. Over the years till I finished high school, I was getting used Lionel & some Marx trains. When I went into the Navy, the shed that I built my layout and stored my trains was washed away in a flash flood. I lost all of my trains and did not get back into the hobby till the early 1990's. I bought a set at a yard sale and started over. I have only bought one new train and that was a MTH Daylight set. I perfer the used(read older) Trains because I like the stuff and am able to fix it. I will buy new items if it is something I cannot get in Postwar. I will not get into the new Loco's due to the electronics(read hard to fix) I don't know how much money I have spent, I know it is a whole lot more than when I was younger. But that is not the point ! I have more now than I had back in the day. I think of my self as an"operator/collector. Most of my stuff started as nonworking, but almost anything is fixable. I buy on E-bay and have gotten some deals, and I have a local dealer I go to. I also have parts dealers I buy from. I am sorry you are unhappy in the hobby. Perhaps you should get into coins, and leave the trains to people who are in it for fun, not profit !!! I also sell used items. I don't expect to make a profit, I like to break even and pass good, well built trains to others to have fun with. Ask Jerry about his stockyard & milk car & his #2026 steamer, He's 14 or 15 and he likes the old good stuff. If you are planning to sell off older Lionel, let me know, I will give you the prices posted in the Greenburg price guide. But don't expect gold prices for sliver ! Again, I am sorry that you thought that you might get rich from the hobby. Most of us did not get into it to get rich. Remember the old saying: Buyer beware!! Or a fool and his money are soon parted ! Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble, Yet Strangly Evil Doctor !!!

[pbjwilson]

I'm an e-bay addict. Love going through the listings in all sorts of catagories, mostly O gauge trains.

I regularly see complete train sets by Marx and pre-war Lionel sell for under $100.00.
That's a working engine a couple of cars and track! They may have condition problems, scratches and some rust, but nothing that keeps them from being good runners.

This is pretty much what I've purchased in the last year - mainly from e-bay.
Total for what you see on these shelves about $750

[brianel027]

expogs6, I know I've responded to some of your posts though my memory fails me as to what topics right now. But I recall that you were just getting started and that you were more interested in the affordable (lower) end of the hobby.

I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT CAN BE DONE!

You can't let others - be it dealers, experts, either other folks on the train forums get you down. Hey look, I understand the frustration and your feeling on the hobby. But there is affordable product out there, even if some of that product is used. Lionel MPC era product and older K-Line non-scale products are still out there and reasonably priced. Some would complain, well those engines are made with plastic gears instead of metal. Yep, so they are. But take care of them and they'll treat you fine. I've got plastic geared DC can motored engines that I've now been running for 15 years and they still run!!!
[:-^]

You have to learn about the products and the various periods stuff was made and then buy wisely. Some don't like the new RMT "Beep." It isn't scale or prototype they complain... so what! Fact is, the "Beep" is a big hit because it serves an end of the market that has been somewhat ignored.

Of course, there are ninny's on eBay: I love it when the title description says something like "rare" when there are 6 more of the exact same so-called "rare" item for sale at the same exact time. And there are a lot of folks who have no idea what "mint," "like new," "excellent," "very good," and "poor" condition mean. There are folks with junk who open the price guide and see the first listed price for mint condition and price their piece of junk at that price.... just ignore those folks!!

I don't run TMCC or DCS and never will. I don't like the speed control motors either. Good thing too because I can't afford the stuff anyways.

Talk about being the odd ball, I run my trains on DC current... [8] I've ripped the electronic e-units out of 3/4's of the stuff now because the inexpensive stuff I own runs so much better on straight DC... call it "Poor Man's Speed Control." My version of "Trainmaster Command Control" is a 3 foot stick with a rubber protector on one end and a coat "L" hook on the other.... it works for me.

I have an uncle in the TCA who says my stuff is junk. From a collector/financial viewpoint, he's right. But to me, from a budget operator vantage, my trains are priceless. They're mine. Many are completely unique. Many are custom repaints (I like newer roadnames!) Many are custom modifed... some of completely rebuilt inside.

But I still have fun with the hobby and MY trains. I used to have a blast going to train shows, or being at train shows with a portable display layout to pu***his hobby for families with kids! I've learned to repaint trains, design and build my own operating cars and accessories. I love it when I get some thing really beat up and supposedly ruined... I know I can give that item NEW life and have done so many times.

And so there's may ways the hobby can be enjoyed. And for those who can afford the more top level trains, freat. Even if I did have the money, I'd never spend so much money on a train engine, but that's just my feeling... good thing for the train companies there are others who don't feel this way.

expogs6, as far as the buying and selling aspect goes, this is probably not the best time period to be speculating on trains. Too many sellers, not enough buyers. Sure, everyone always wants the top dollar for trains they are selling. Some guys carry the same exact trains to shows year after year after year. You'd think if they really wanted to "sell" them, they would price them so they would sell. But that's not for any of us to worry about. There are plenty of sales and still plenty of blowouts happening. There is still a product glut on the market despite the attempts of the train companies to control this as best they can. So take advantage of sales when you can.

And speaking of market glut... there are still loads of trains tucked away in people's attics. I've talked to a couple of people in the past week who have trains in their attics they haven't looked at in decades. One guy said they were his dad's, so I could guess the trains are at least 50 years old.

Ultimately it's your decision. Any hobby is expensive. At least this is a hobby where you can (if you want) make so many things for your trains where you can be creative AND save money to boot. I could write an exceptionally LARGE book on ways to save money in this hobby by making stuff yourself. I've had guys who have been in the hobby for decades tell me they've never seen some of my ideas before! Or never thought of doing a certain thing the way I've done it... hey, that makes me feel good when I hear those kinds of things.

There's room for everyone in the hobby. And the hobby needs more budget operators... the more there are, the more likely the companies will eventually address those modelers.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is a loser for most buyers and many sellers but a winner for ebay who wins in both ends of the auction. Prudent buying is always best with one buyer and no competition. Ebay ensures lots of buyers so there are never Deals. I have stopped wasting time even looking at ebay trains.

A hobby has to be more than just spending money and time spending money. I do not even like so called collecting hobbies like stamps, beanie babies, trains as just possesing is not fullfilling in the long run. Never have understood paying for a collection then paying some pro to build a layout to run a few trains to impress others either.

This hobby is about building a layout yourself, using and learning new skills at making things with you hands and planning your layout and sticking to it to finish it or at least have it done to operate and have FUN.

A few cheap engines (2 to 4 will do and allow multiple train operation and create a need for a turntable and round house!) and 10 to 15 cars is all you need. Cars still are available at $10 and I still see a few good used engines for $40.

Charlie

[Anonymous]

This type of attitude really burns my butt! Last week a woman called my 14 year old daughter for a baby sitting job and when my daughter told her the pay rate the woman replied “I can only pay $5.00 an hour because I don’t work” I told my daughter not to reduce her price but she did and took the job. When she came home I found out that the reason she was baby sitting was so miss “I don’t work” could go get her nails done! Since when is anyone entitled to anything they want just because they want it? I want a bigger house, a better car and bunch more trains, but I realize that I need to find the means to get what I want and not whine about it or walk around with my hand out.

[Anonymous]

If money was the determining criterion for enjoyment of this hobby, I would have been out of it a good many years ago. There is something for just about every budget in O gauge and all the other scales and gauges, as well. And while $1,500 locomotives may be beyond the reach of many (I could afford them, but refuse to pay that kind of money for a toy locomotive), even one or two of those is within reach for someone who is frugal enough to stash away a bit of money here and there over time--especially if you have an understanding dealer who will put the item on layaway for you. And in the meantime there are plenty of very nice, easily affordable locomotives to place on your roster to keep your interest level--and anticipation--high.

Yes, it can be an expensive hobby--any hobby can be expensive--but it doesn't necessarily have to be.

[CSXJOE]

As has been said before, " If you have to ask, you can't afford it".

[philo426]

Yoy do not have to be rich to enjoy O gauge trains,you just have to be a smarter shopper!Look for used equipment,re-furbish,repaint etc until you have something that pleases you.Go to train shows were one may find bargains and check flea-markets and garage sales.I found a mint Lionel #132 station for $3 at a garage sale!As for locomotives you may not be able to afford the latest top-of-the-line offering from Lionel,Mth or 3Rd rail,but if you save up and search for blow-out sales you can often pick up some nice equipment for reasonable prices.The point is that if you want to do it bad enough you will find a way!Do not expect retailers or E-tailers to cut you any slack just because you are a little guy!Often the service that you get from certain mail-order house is just as valuable as low prices,because they will stand behind their product and will go the extra mile to help you!Just trains is a great place to shop as is Jim's trains just to give you an example.Do not become frustrated and embittered because you cannot afford the best just do the best you can and enjoy the trains!

[Anonymous]

Whenever I read a certain forum, it makes me want to sell all of my trains and get out of the hobby. [banghead]

If you're on a tight budget, take a look at Williams. They don't have all of the electronics like MTH and Lionel but they're reasonably priced.

[csxt30]

Patience may be a key here, instead of quitting. Sometimes we may,( myself included) get in a hurry to get all kinds of stuff. I have to look for ways sometimes to slow myself down, & that's when I usually get a new section of the layout started, Or I'll finish a started project. Try to do other things so as not get caught up in all the stuff we want to get down the road. I just hate trying to sell stuff, but I enjoy saving up for something at the hobby shop or an upcoming train show. I just try to keep from getting the HEEBEE- GEEBEEES!! As for E-bay, I have been extremely fortunate on all my items I have gotten. I don't get into selling and maybe that's why I don't see any bad stuff going on there. Where I have lost though, is when I change hobbies or start over in one. Maybe if you get away from that ebay & enjoy the stuff you already have & give serious thought to future items you really need & of course save for them, then maybe you could enjoy the trains!!! Thanks, John

[espeefoamer]

I just decided to get into NASCAR,so I rebuilt my car into a racecar in my driveway.Now I have to figure out what to do with the leftover parts[:0][:(].

[Anonymous]

Odd-d,
Just don't built your NASCAR in your basement, it might be hard to get it out when its done!
I just can't believe those evil companies trying to make a profit on toy trains!

[Anonymous]

Gosh! A feller just can't win! Here I was going to buy and sell some trains on ebay and make some money by profiting off other modellers when those crass greedy bums made a profit off of me instead! Well I'll show them. I'm just going to sell all my trains at a profit and take up some other hobby.....like building a NASCAR car and racing it. I just know all those guys will just fall all over themselves to get me a car--CHEAP--and then drive slower so I can win all that money. I just know that they will have pity on me 'cause I'm a little guy.

The moral of this story is to never play another man's game. Odd-d

[ben10ben]

According to your original post, am I a horrible person for buying something off of Ebay, putting my time, effort, and money into it, and then expecting to get back more than I paid for it? I think not.

Just for the heck of it, I calculated how much profit I made off of various such items compared to the amount of time I spent on them. In most instances, the amount that I maid per hour of work was somewhere in the neighborhood of $2-3 per hour. Sorry, but most employers would consider that to be a bargain in any field.

I don't fix up trains to become rich, I do it for the fun of doing. Any money that I make goes to help me purchase other train related items. And my doing that shouldn't keep you from enjoying the hobby.

[tgovebaker]

The hobby can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be, and I've even gradually come to like the idea of rotating my collection. I currently have a BNSF SD60 dummy up for sale on eBay, even though I bought it only a year ago. It is a great MTH Premier product, but since it is non-powered and because I've beomce addicted to TMCC lash-ups, it doesn't really fit my needs anymore. (That and the fact that my wife hates it because "It doesn't do anything"). Similarly, I've sold a fair amount of rolling stock, much of it purchased off eBay originally, as I've gradually narrowed my focus to modern-era Western roads.

I don't think the fact that I am reselling rolling stock online makes me a bad person. Rather, the money that comes in from those sales will help to cover the costs of the Atlas SD60M I have reserved at Norm's.

Look: its a hobby. It's supposed to be fun. If it isn't fun, then its not the hobby for you. But that doesn't make the rest of us who enjoy it into bad people. Even the guys from the East.

[FJ and G]

Jon,

As we say in Bull Run, Va., don't feed Jiff to a Rabbit Hound





Also, don't try hooking catfish with a brass engine

[highrailjon]

I remember one day growing up as a kid, dad hitched the buckboard up to our mule and piled us kids in it to go to town. While we were all playing barefoot in the city street while dad was in the pawn shop, a toy store owner feeling sorry for us gave each of us 13 kids a real 3rd rail brass engine!! When we got home we realized that we did'nt even have any train tracks. But we had a fishin' pond. So we glued little sticks and sails onto the engines and pitched them all into the pond. Not one of them floated. The moral of the story is:, well I don't really know. But I do know this: don't ever let your dad catch you feeding his corn squeezins' to his favorite coon dog.[;)]

[lionelsoni]

Charlie, already been there, done that.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Now THAT is a lonely toy.

I once fell into the trap of having many trains.

Many trains does not a hobby make. Pick yer favorites and take care of them.

Good Luck!

[FJ and G]

[Kooljock1]

Starter course in the train hobby:

Buy some trains to play with.
Buy some more trains to play with.
Buy even more trains to play with.

Play with trains.

Play with them some more.

Sell some trains to make room for more trains. This usually happens at a loss, but who cares? You had fun playing with them right?

Buy some trains to play with.
Buy some more trains to play with.

Play with trains.

This could go on all day. I'm guessing from your post that you forgot to play with your trains.

Jon [8D]