Best investment i ever made was buying a Postwar Lionel 623 Santa Fe switch engine for $125. 3 months later I traded it for a Marlin 336 that had never been fired outside the factory!
I made a lot of money when collecting post war trains back in the late 1970's and early 1980's but the O gauge train market has made a complete 180 degree turnaround. Back when I was collecting post war stuff there were very few O gauger's who wanted to run their collective pieces because it would devalue them. Now there has been an explosion in operating every category of O gauge trains, even re-painting them to suit one's preference, which was a big NO, NO back in the day.
I believe this is a good thing, this is what the founders of O gauge wanted their trains to do in the first place.........run and have fun doing it.
Steve, Lady and Tex
Originally Posted by LionelTin:
Not this argument again.
Investing in trains is perfectly legitimate. There are going to be gainers and losers just like any other investment. I find that most higher end modern stuff will sell quickly if in excellent or better condition and with an original box. Many times bringing close to or at original retail. There are lemons, but for that most part that is true. With older trains, the older collectors and operators already have the items and many new comers want the new electronics. But there is a market for vintage trains if you bought right and that doesn't always mean getting it cheap. Condition is always key. It also depends on the meaning of investment. Are you looking for heaps of profit? Not going to happen. If your looking for a reasonable return, you'll make out fine if you have patience and thought out your purchases. If you bought them as a savings tool you'll do even better. I am very happy with my investments in trains. I enjoyed the hunt, I enjoyed fixing and running them, I enjoyed displaying them. It took years to gather everything, and it will take years to sell it off properly. Kind of like fishing, patience is the key.
All I can say to that is, you've had fun and thats where it should end because you're speculating on the future. For everyone who thinks like you, my guess is there's a hundred today experiencing the opposite result.
Joe
Back in the late 70's and 80's I was collection only prewar trains "o" gauge and standard gauge, Lionel, Bing, Ives and Hefner. I was doing good buying at a good price.
Then in the early 90's I got hooked on the new Lionel, K-line and MTH.
I started putting my trains up on the auction site. I did very well because the cost to list and sell was still very reasonable. I was also selling at TCA show's, that was a good market in the 90's. I think that I was very lucky selling when I did.
You can now buy MTH remake Lionel Standard gauge trains, They are new and look great, have all the bells and whistle.
Today I still have some "O" and standard gauge Prewar, Ives and Bing trains in my collection.
Now I only buy used "O" gauge trains from forum and TCA members, York is still the best for good deals. I do feel bad for all the prewar train collectors who though that their train collection was going to be their retirement. If you have a very hard to find engine that is not being made today by MTH you will do well if you can find someone who wants it.
I am seeing more and more train auctions with the prewar and post war trains Whatever they sell for at auction you need to take 20 to 30 percent off the selling price for the auction house.
How many used good engines sell second hand for what someone paid for them.
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