Need some help determining a value.

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S

stang_crazy

Member
Ive recently found a small collection of ho scale stuff that im interested in. Mainly for the buildings that are in the collection.

The person says there is roughly 10 engines, 3 transformers, 60 plus assorted train cars, 50 buildings, businesses, houses and outbuildings. Assorted trees, people, animals and signs and a bunch of track, which i assume is brass.

Now ive seen photos and from what i can tell alot of it is tyco stuff, ect.

Id attach the photos but there is 30+ pics so ive uploaded them to my photobucket for ya to check out.

Im just looking for help in coming up with a fair offer. Im not sure what the structures are really worth. So thats why im asking.

any help is greatly appreciated.

Mike

Here is the link to the pictures. http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/stang_crazy89/Train%20Stuff/?albumview=grid&mediafilter=images
 
Boy, Mike, I'm not sure what to tell you. Do you really want all this stuff? The Tyco engines are worth maybe five bucks each. With the exception of what appears to be a few Athearn cars, the rest are junk AHM and Tyco, worth maybe a buck each. The buildings are all Plasticville, AHM, Life-Like and Tyco. It's hard to tell how well built they are in those photos. A building that looks OK from a few feet away can be a mass of glue blobs close up. None of the buildings are rare and most are currently available on the market. The transformers are worth basically nothing, maybe a buck again. Brass track is also basically worthless.

If you're looking for a quick way to populate your layout with buildings, the selection isn't bad and, as long as the construction quality is decent, you'll save yourself some time. From what I can see, I'd start at $2 per structure and go no higher than $7 or $8 per structure. The majority are toy train kits and, with some work, they can be made to look acceptable on a scale layout but none of them are exceptional.

I'd give the engines and cars a pass. The engines are low quality and most will be difficult to convert to DCC. The freight cars all have plastic wheels and horn hook couplers, which will have to be replaced if you want them to look and run better. Again, most of the cars are low quality fantasy cars and very few modelers would want them except for pieces for the scrap box.

Bottom line, I'd offer $100 for the lot and part out the stuff you don't want to keep on e-bay. You'll make a few dollars profit but it would be too big a pain for me to want to do.
 
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I agree with Jim. Mostly old junk. Even the structures are pretty common stuff seen on eBay in estate sales. The structures are only good if they fit your era, otherwise they are just place holders. IF it were me, I'd rather have a nice loco for my $100.
 


It always seems that people offering such old junk for sale think it is worth a whole lot. They've probably heard stories of Lionel equipment going for high collector prices, and assume any older model train stuff is valuable. If it were a collection of old toy cars and trucks, airplanes, etc., they'd think of it just as old toys, not valuable items.

A friend of mine heard that a fellow had passed away, and his widow wanted to sell off his train stuff. Again it was mostly old AHM, Tyco junk, and my friend was thinking of offering $200.00 for the lot. Before he could make his offer, the widow said the stuff wouldn't leave her basement until she had $2000.00 in her hand! I imagine its still there!
 
well i got a reply from the guy over night before ive made an offer & hes wanting to get $500.00 for it:confused:


So i dont see this going to far. i may just see if he will sell me just the structers.
 
Going along with the other comments - not worth anywhere near $500. For structures, check the monthly Walthers flyers that come in the mail. You can get some good deals there.
 
Some of the structures look good in pics but as said before they might be totally different in person. The trains are basically only good if you need something to practice on weathering.
The green blanket that the stuff is laying on looks like good quality. ;)
 
well i passed on the whole deal, and they said they got an offer of $350.00, if thats the truth its hard to say, but if i was gonna spend $500 it wouldnt be on that lot lol.

thanks for all your comments guys, now if i can just figure out what room in my basement i wanna set up my layout in ill be good. ha ha
 
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