[Appraisal Request] I lost my father a few years ago; he left behind a huge model train collection. Who can help me determine their value?

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darthdio

New Member
Greetings, I have also shared these on a community on Reddit, but I thought it was worth contacting you too.

I lost my father a few years ago; he left behind a huge model train collection. Who can help me determine their value?
Looking for a good selling price for bulk. Everything you see there has layers of trains, tracks, and decorations, some with their original packaging. See images below:

Thank you in advance,
 
Greetings, I have also shared these on a community on Reddit, but I thought it was worth contacting you too.

I lost my father a few years ago; he left behind a huge model train collection. Who can help me determine their value?
Looking for a good selling price for bulk. Everything you see there has layers of trains, tracks, and decorations, some with their original packaging. See images below:

Thank you in advance,
Hello Darthdio.
I am sorry for your loss.
As for the collection, what you have looks to be a good amount of Lima (And maybe some Marklin too).
There was some Lionel stuff and a few toys. I would guesstimate (And I am no pro at this) somewhere between 300 and 500 (Or more). But I don't know if someone would actually pay that much on the spot for the whole lot. I just know there is at least that much in value. There are a few things in boxes alone that are worth some good money I think. 👍
You just need to decide if you are going to sit on it, (Maybe part it out) or just sell it as a whole. If I had more cash, it would be up my ally.
Hope that helps. You have a great day mate.

Regards.
 
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Unless you can find someone locally to appraise it, you are really on your own. It will take a bit of time, but you can use Google (or any other search engine) to look up individual part #'s where known, and in some cases see what the original cost was; or what dealers are asking if the item is still current. It would also bring up current listings for the items on internet sale sites like EBay. But unless it's a real collectable item, you won't get as much as you expect.
You might also see if you might enjoy the hobby yourself.
Good luck.
 


Hello Darthdio.
I am sorry for your loss.
As for the collection, what you have looks to be a good amount of Lima (And maybe some Marklin too).
There was some Lionel stuff and a few toys. I would guesstimate (And I am no pro at this) somewhere between 300 and 500 (Or more). But I don't know if someone would actually pay that much on the spot for the whole lot. I just know there is at least that much in value. There are a few things in boxes alone that are worth some good money I think. 👍
You just need to decide if you are going to sit on it, (Maybe part it out) or just sell it as a whole. If I had more cash, it would be up my ally.
Hope that helps. You have a great day mate.

Regards.
Thanks, this helps, albeit I found the liliput locomotive in the first images going for 100-150 on ebay, is that a high estimate or a normal range just for that?
 
Unless you can find someone locally to appraise it, you are really on your own. It will take a bit of time, but you can use Google (or any other search engine) to look up individual part #'s where known, and in some cases see what the original cost was; or what dealers are asking if the item is still current. It would also bring up current listings for the items on internet sale sites like EBay. But unless it's a real collectable item, you won't get as much as you expect.
You might also see if you might enjoy the hobby yourself.
Good luck.
Thanks for your message, yeah i suppose going through most of them with google lens might be an option but its too chaotic to even find most (if unboxed). What would you say a lot like this would go for normally?
 
Thanks, this helps, albeit I found the liliput locomotive in the first images going for 100-150 on ebay, is that a high estimate or a normal range just for that?
“Going for”, or “Sold for”?
I can ask a million dollars for something, that doesn’t mean it is worth that.
And if it did sell for that, was it anything unusual? Was it a one of a kind, or have many of them sold for that amount? And how long ago?
 
Thanks, this helps, albeit I found the liliput locomotive in the first images going for 100-150 on ebay, is that a high estimate or a normal range just for that?
I searched for the brand in general, and that seems about right (As it is a German make). But again, we don't know how long they were listed. If you want more money, you might need to sit on it (Which isn't a bad thing if you have time). I have been flipping models I don't want (Shells, and parts even). If you have time (And the right place to sell it) it will work in your favor.
 
Thank yo, guys, ill do some more research, also see how much model trains go in my country, also ebay although idk if possible to search already bought items on ebay
 


Thank yo, guys, ill do some more research, also see how much model trains go in my country, also ebay although idk if possible to search already bought items on ebay
Might look different on other eBay's, but if you make a search, scroll down and you should see it on the left side under "Show only".
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