746 Postwar Norfolk & Western

Don't agree with your statement on prices on postwar 746 engines on e bay tenders alone have sold for 500.00 plus dollars . Engines in like new condition with tenders are selling in the 750 plus range, boxes bring a higher premium. I own nineteen of these engines some boxed and some without boxes and will continue to collect them as I feel they are become as scarce as 1950 hudsons. Have been going to Tca  York since 1975 and the prices there are constantly increasing on these engines.   

It took me over 20 years to finally buy one due to the high price and still paid 750 for mine and glad I was able to get it for that and it was the short strip so I imagine the long strips are going for more.

Überstationmeister posted:

I stand by my statement. Over my 30 or so years experience, "street" prices for them have certainly come down dramatically (Ebay is not the "street"). I see short stripes for $450 or less in Like New/Excellent condition. Long stripes in the $500 range. Lone 746W tenders below $150.  The postwar market is just not that strong any more. Reproductions are everywhere and a good portion of the hobby want TMCC/Legacy/DCS, not nostalgia.

Agreed, and prices will continue to drop for post war era Lionel. The people who remember these items as kids who have that nostalgia factor are getting older. As those buyers start to pass away demand will drop and so will prices.

It doesn't matter whether you are buying a genuine postwar Lionel 746 or a knockoff with or without some sort of electronic controls. If you are buying trains as an investment, I think you are buying them for the wrong reason. There is a very limited market for all this stuff.

Prices on most antiques and collectables are dropping.

There is way too much common sense in this thread.  The market demand is sharply decreasing due to hobbyists increasing age and the newer electronics.  I am making a rash assumption that the supply is remaining constant (fewer being picked up at garage/estate sales, not many being thrown away in the trash).  That usually means the price will decrease but who knows.

I certainly wouldn't want to corner the market on postwar 746 engines in hopes of stabilizing the price. 

I have over 40 years experience in buying and selling postwar o guage trains. E bay is certainly more realistic of what other collectors are paying across the board, not local train shows where there is select few that actual spend that kind of money on like new or rare postwar items .Yes I agree that the new generation likes all the bells and  whistles but how many can afford LIonel legacy prices ?If that were true why are many collectors still paying top dollar for pre war and standard guage trains.There is a strong demand for these trains in the south.I attend all tca and local shows in my area and no one is selling 746 for the prices you are quoting.

So we have to kick this can down the road again !!