I am a life long train fan and own an O Guage Lionel Penn Flyer Freight set and 2 G Gauges that come out at Christmas. As time progresses I add to the layout each year and have enjoyed it a lot. Once I retire I hope to make it a full time hobby with dedicated space.
My Question: Do Older HO Track and Transformers have any value?
2nd Question: Am I better/Safer to purchase new HO track and power for older sets.
Now the details:
That being said, I was recently donated two boxes full of *Train Stuff*....
All HO Gauge: Tyco, Bachman (die cast), Rivarossi and a couple of unknown engines. About 3 dummies and 4 engines with motors. A large collection of cars of varying quality and detail and a few cars that may even be O-Scale. And a nice collection of buildings and accessory cars as well.
The track is coroded and the transformers (Varney/Thunder Line/Model Rectifier/Tyco) all appear to be giving 15 volts but none have grounded connectors and that makes me nervous.
Before I take the engines down to a recommended expert to assess the value and see if they are worth spending the money to be cleaned and unseized (some are juse locked up) I am trying to get an idea of my way ahead on this.
I imagine the value is low for all of this stuff but Free HO is Free HO and If I can get a couple of working engines (for under $100 - $150) out of it I am happy and some of the cars are really nice.
TommyRVAMy Question: Do Older HO Track and Transformers have any value?
Not usually. You might find a use for the transformers to power your accessories.
TommyRVA Am I better/Safer to purchase new HO track and power for older sets.
Track. For sure.
My guess is you can get better and more detailed engines for your $100-$150 just by buying new. Your pictures didn't come through, but if they did you might find that you can save a trip to you expert. There are people here on this forum who can tell you if there is one or two worth saving.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Agree with chip, sounds like really old stuff, $$ better spent on new locos. If you can "free" them up for free, fine, other than that new, or newer that runs, would be the better way to go.
You will probably be better off just buying new track. The transformers you can keep and use unless you see that the cords have shorts or other damage. Don’t worry that they don’t have grounds. A lot of electrical devices don’t. The Rivarossi locomotives are worth keeping. Old Tyco and Bachmann not so much. How do you know that they have seized? Have you tested them? The motors are geared where you can’t just move the wheels on your own. Open up the Tyco and Bachmann and see if you can clean them up yourself instead of taking them to an expert. It might just be that the wheels are dirty. Once you know what you are doing then work on the Rivarossi.
Tommy
I am a newbie too. Welcome to the hobbie.
I built the 4' x 8' layout to get a box of old 'ho stuff' running. I learned a lot about old motors and wiring, track laying etc .
I wont be using those old locomotives because I bought some new locomotives and a very inexpensive trransformer and now everything goes all the around the loop and through the switches without stalling.
I used 36" flex track to make the loop. I just kept adding switches and elevations to the layout. Eventually I bought a DCC controller for the newer trians. I installed a switch so I could use the old DC style transformer or the new Digital Command and Control System depending on the locomotive I wanted to run.
You can learn a lot in the forums and the MR videos. Any question you have about gettin' started will be answered here in the forums. Many years of experience here.
Thomas
TommyRVAI imagine the value is low for all of this stuff but Free HO is Free HO and If I can get a couple of working engines (for under $100 - $150) out of it I am happy and some of the cars are really nice.
I think your $100-$150 would be much better spent on a new loco. You'll get a nice loco for that money, then once your up and running with your new loco, you can see if your other ones are worth salvaging.
If the track is corroded, as you mention, it's probably steel track, and is pretty much useless for decent train operation, but, maybe some could be used later on as scenery details.
The power pack could be used to power accessories on your planned layout.
Your cars could be salvaged and used again, along with the buildings.
So I'm agreeing with the rest of the guys.
For your Lionel and "O" gauge stuff, go check out the Classic Toy Trains forum.
Your pictures don't come through because of the change in Photobucket, where you have to have a paid subscription to post photos.
Once you get a photo hosting site that allows you to show pictures, show us just what locomotives you have. The Rivarossi souds interesting.
Good luck, and welcome to the forums!
Mike.
My You Tube
to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts are delayed by moderators, but please stick with us. That ends soon enough.
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TommyRVADo Older HO Track and Transformers have any value?
No. Minimal interest at best. Seriously, if you get $5.00 each for the transformers that would be amazing.
TommyRVAAm I better/Safer to purchase new HO track and power for older sets?
Yes. Definitely safer. Absolutely more reliable. I am a huge fan of Kato's HO scale Unitrack line for starters.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
TommyRVAThe track is coroded and the transformers (Varney/Thunder Line/Model Rectifier/Tyco) all appear to be giving 15 volts but none have grounded connectors and that makes me nervous.
Very few if any of the traditional DC power packs had or have a grounded plug - just the standard 2 prong -- so I would not let that aspect be of concern per se.
Thunder Line was the name for AHM trainsets circa 1965 to 70. Pretty low level power packs of unknown actual origin.
Model Rectifier should still be OK as those were always quality goods. My circa 1960 Model Rectifier Ampack still looks good, gives good service, and the plug looks new and unworn and uncracked, the cord looks good and remains flexible.
Maybe it makes no sense from an electrical standpoint but I usually take my cues from the condition of the case. If it too is pitted or corroded and looks like there was water damage, I'd toss.
Tyco power packs were in some cases made by Model Rectifier, just branded Tyco. I cannot speak for all however. If it has the copper "look" of Model Rectifier it is probably OK, but is likely very low power.
Varney would be very old. Some Varney and Scintilla (a long gone brand name, and I suspect a Varney branded pack is made by Scintilla) power packs were OK when new but used what almost looks like gutta percha for the plugs which cracks and decomposes over time. I had a Scintilla pack back in the 1960s which began to get very hot and smoke (!) so it was discarded on orders of my folks.
As for track being corroded, that suggests it got wet or very very damp. Sounds like an invitation to unhappiness and frustration to me, particularly if it is brass track anyway.
Dave Nelson
Lone Wolf and Santa FeHow do you know that they have seized?
Unlike a lot of O gauge locos that use straight cut gears, most HO scale locos use worm gears. The straight cut gears of O gauge locos allow your to turn the wheels (and motor) with only a little pressure. The worm gears on HO scale locos means you can push on the wheels until they break but they won't turn. The motor has to be spinning for the wheels to turn. Remove the body shells from the chassis and try turning the flywheels or motor shafts. If they turn, look to see whether the wheels also turn. Look hard as the wheels will only turn slightly compared to the flywheels/motor shaft revolutions due to the gear ratio. If everything moves, clean and re-lube everything, clean and polish the wheels (I assume they're brass) and test on a cleaned and polished section of track (I also assume has brass rails). If the locos work, replace the body shells and you're good to go. I agree with the others that I would just buy new track. While you can get the old brass track to work, you will constantly have to clean the track to keep it working. Modern Nickel Silver track is much easier to work with and requires far less maintenance.
Hornblower