On that popular auction site, a maroon 380 set went for just under $1800. seller claimed it was found in a building and had not been moved for forty to fifty years. is this a rare lionel set?
Joe Gozzo
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I can't attest to the Rarity, but it was listed (a buyer question at bottom) as Set 343E, to get specific. From Dave McEntarfer's Guide to Sets, (1995 edition) with a grading of Excellent W/BOX $950. Drops to $750 if only VG condition. So, who got the better deal....Seller or Buyer (11 separate bidders).
I could be wrong, but not sure how it could be conducting this price when it appeared that the track was shot. The seller also mentioned the out box was falling apart. Oh well, the important thing here is the buyer is happy.
Joe Gozzo
The price achieved was due to the superb condition of the pieces. The set although not rare, is very hard to find in better than C7 condition. The set box can be restored professionally, and I bet that is what the buyer will do. It is a very rare box. The fact that it was unmolested by collectors and "estate fresh" certainly added to the desirability. After a lifetime in trains, I am still often awestruck by the gap in prices between C7 and C8 pieces.
No, but I did see a Maroon 5 set once. 
There is a green set with a buy it now price of $7500 on the bay site. I bought a maroon set with really nice bodied cars last year. Unfortunately two of the cars have 200 series trucks and two have 500 series trucks. And the engine is a not so great repaint with a missing roller. Runs great, just not original enough. Not one of my stellar buys for $300 or so, but the cars will be refitted to all 200 trucks and I'm thinking of snagging a good looking original maroon 380 for about two hundred bucks and putting together a nice set once and for all. Keep the other guy for parts. The cars are in really good shape and I really like their style and heft. They are heavier than my baby states. And that will do it for any new train buys, if I buy it at all. On the fence, leaning toward wait till next year. There will always be another. Don't need a $7500 green 380 set, that much I am sure about.
