Have you painted or something you bought repainted (or kit bashed),turn out to be scarce or rare later ?

Well, I don't know what rare means exactly.  I bashed and repainted a Lionel scale TMCC PRR T-1 to make this model of the never built ATSF 6-4-4-4 streamlined cab forward steamer (in Warbonnett below), knowing the T-1 was old, good and desirable, and that it might be some time before a Legacy version of it will be offered, but it's not scarce or "rare" like some things in this hobby. 

Let's look at it from a different point of view. How about buying something that would not be considered as rare, but turning that item into something that has not been made in O-Gauge. Rare, probably, valuable, only if someone really wants it.

What I am talking about is my conversion of a K-Line passenger set to the Rail Runner. I did not take on this project to have a rare or valuable item, I only did it because I really wanted this set and believed that it would not be done in O-Gauge. There is also one other out there that I know about done by Forum member Peter.

So besides the fact that this scarce or rare item still exists, just because it has been repainted or somehow modified I don't see how that should be an issue. Unless you are only buying O Gauge trains to make a killing on the resale.  lol

However, I would not knowingly paint or modify scarce or rare train item, but if it's a common, dime-A-dozen piece, it's fair game.

What about a train that was sent to a repair center for repairs by the original owner and the shop replaced the worn parts with new factory replacements. Maybe the motor is now different in that model or the smoke unit is different. Like those '46 smoke bulb Lionel turbines that got converted to the new smoker that came out in '47? Does that diminish the value of the converted loco since it was a "factory" repair? Does it increase the value of the unconverted ones?

Years ago a friend of mine sent in some fairly rare WP Lionel F-3's. The repair shop replaced the shells with Santa Fe, sent them back, and my friend never unpacked them until years later. Imagine his disappointment.

Nope, there are too many trains out there for anything to be "rare".

Now a one off prototype that's rare, the rest just seem to keep popping up.

For me personally as far as purchasing a redecorated model it depends on the quality of the paint job. As far as modifying a "rare" example, I would shy away from that as some examples are actually rare in tinplate. On the other hand some tinplate is as common as white bread, and I would not hesitate to attempt a "redo"..but there are also "junkers" that I have redone..so, theres a lot of variables in my book to consider.

Repainted lots of items.....never went back and checked if any were 'rare' or collectible......too late now!!

A McDonald's french fry offset MTH caboose.....weather it was worth $1 or $1000....I like this better!!

quote:

Just wondering if you have ever repainted or maybe bought something that was repainted or even kit bashed,only later to find out it might be scarce or even worse rare ?

I had a brand new, old stock, 221 olive green USMC Alco shell. Those shells did not come with an ornamental horn, and did not have a mounting hole for one.

I added the horn and mounted it on a chassis.

IMHO, adding that horn ruined it for a collector.

quote:

 Like those '46 smoke bulb Lionel turbines that got converted to the new smoker that came out in '47? Does that diminish the value of the converted loco since it was a "factory" repair? Does it increase the value of the unconverted ones?

IMHO, a 1946 turbine (or Berkshire) with it's original bulb type smoke unit is more desirable and therefore worth more than one that has been converted. 

That written, I have seen a lot more smoke bulb engines with the original bulb type smoke units as opposed to converted ones.

As an aside, the conversion kits are collectable in their own right. They are difficult to find, and sell for considerably more than the value of the components. There were two kits: one for the Turbine, and one for the Berkshire. I think they were still listed in the Lionel parts book as late as 1969.

Not trains, but Plasticville conversions and painting them has had some friends roll their eyes.

You mean I'm not supposed to use a set of PW Canadian Pacific F3s to make a Sponge Bob train? 

-Dave

As long as you cut a big hole in the cab roof and stick a Sponge Bob figure in it!!!! YES

quote:

You mean I'm not supposed to use a set of PW Canadian Pacific F3s to make a Sponge Bob train

It's your train, you can do what you want.

Lionel #59 Minuteman, 2-4-2, gas-turbine switcher; the original postwar one, bought new back then.

Did a poor paint job on it as a pre-teen, just before leaving trains for slot-cars.

What a year's difference would have made getting it into the attic for its long sleep until adulthood.

Ran it quite a bit though, earlier on, in its original scheme.

Dave

I figure my chances of having an item become rare is about as likely as my winning the lottery.  I don't worry about either.  I buy train items to run - not to stick on a shelf.  Only my unborn descendants would be lucky enough to benefit.

I have a Beep painted in the New Haven McGinness colors. I think I am the only one to have such an engine. Rare or valuable no but I like it.

As a kid, I kitbashed Marx ATSF #21's into one double-ended unit, brush painted blue with white trim.....it is in my junkbox...# 21's are not rare, but good ones are worth more than mine.  As for rare, I have several "critters" powered with Marx #999 chasses, and have plans for one or two with #333 and #1829 chasses.  When I first got back into the hobby in the '80's, these three engines could be bought for $5-$10 in local shows.  Now the last two are going for $50 and up. Dunno if that means they are

rarer, actually, the internet auction has brought stuff out of the woodwork to seem

a lot LESS rare, including these....but price is up.  I have kitbashed one of the 0-8-0

Lionel starter set engines and have plans to viciously attack another...horror of

horrors...are starter set engines likely to become sought after collectibles?

As a teenager I repainted a Lionel 614 switcher to black and white ATSF colors and did a very poor job of it. Repainted the second time about 20 years ago, the second paint job is just little better than the first time.

quote:

 I have kitbashed one of the 0-8-0

Lionel starter set engines and have plans to viciously attack another...horror of

horrors...are starter set engines likely to become sought after collectibles?

If you want to kitbash some starter set engines, don't let concern about future value hold you back.

That written, sometimes its the lower end stuff that becomes difficult to obtain.

While much less higher end stuff is made, it's generally treated better and kept. The lower end stuff often ends up trashed and/or discarded.

But who knows what folks will be looking to obtain in 30 or 40 years?

I didn't do it, but I recently bought a dark grey Plasticville house under construction that was nicely glued together. To make matters worse, the previous owner also had melted a few brads into the bottom of the walls (I guess to secure it to the layout?)

Not much into repainting or kitbashing, only have done a handful of both, so rare items are pretty safe in my care.

J White

got a second hand b60 baggage car and didn't like the faded old gold paint, so I thought I would re decal it using Middle division decals. Turns out it was hand lettered and probably a Joe Fischer car. HEE Haw whose the arse now!!!! still turned out good but!!!!! Oh well Live and Learn. Now anybody got a PRR blunt end observation kit or otherwise their willing to part with?

All of my Plasticville including the vintage stuff is painted, glued and has frosted glazing in the windows. Love the looks on some purists faces when I tell them that!

And when I tell them the boxes are long gone...

Jerry