How Rare/Valuable Is this Lionel Train?

I believe it's a relatively reasonable price. The new Lionel Hiawatha was quite popular as I can best recall when it first came out, and I consider it rare if you look at all the crazy prices online. Considering it's in Like-New condition however, there MAY be better offers out there.

Finding each piece separately usually costs less than buying the set at once, at least in my experience.

Your case is mainly a toss of the dice in this case.

Does this engine & car show up for sale in the forum here or ebay frequently? I'm under the impression is a hard to come by one for sale but maybe I haven't waited long enough???

In my opinion, you should never buy trains (or cars or other collectibles) as investment based on making money if you decided to sell.  

You decided if you want to enjoy and be satisfied with that.   If you do make a good deal when you sell it that is all the better.

I can't think of ONE O-Gauge train set or individual item produced in the modern era that has held its value significantly over time.  NOT ONE!    And that's largely because the importers continue to produce newer models with (mostly) incremental improvements -- thus undercutting the demand for the earlier models once new features are introduced.  Think of it as a technology treadmill of sorts.

Sure... We can point to something like Vision Line tankers with sound, die-cast ES44's, and even MTH's NS office car special set as items that have done reasonably well for now.  But I predict it's only a matter of time -- even for that class of products -- when a newer production run will cause a drop in their value while many of us are still living.  For some products, they may still hold value for a few more years, but even those will see their time in the "high demand" spotlight fade.  Every single one of them.

You've heard it said here many times... Buy this stuff 'cause you LIKE it -- not because you're driven by ROI.  The list is long and growing by the day... of products once thought to be untouchable collectables, yet history has proven them to be anything but.

David

Thanks but I'm not actually asking if this is a good investment. I don't see it as an investment. What I'm asking for opinions on is is this particular train set hard to come by and is this $1,800 a decent price. If this set shows up for sale regularly then there is no risk to me in passing on this one but if it's hard to come by I would like to know that.

On that note any idea of MTH or Lionel are planning on coming out w/ this particular 1935 edition of this locomotive? I only seem to see the 1937 Hudson edition by MTH.

David I think the cprail and ge evo es44s in diecast are never gonna be remade in metal again . They might get made in plastic But that makes them unique .

If you want, buy it.  It will bring you more enjoyment than not buying and wishing you had.

Brent

I think that is a reasonable price for that set.  As you said, it is a premium scale version, not the remake of the semi-scale prewar version.  The scale version is hard to find.

Look at the MTH Lionel Corporation Tinplate catalogs and find there Hiawatha which would a reproduction of the 1935 set.

Here is a link.

What John23 said above.

my grandmother use to always tell me never buy anything because you think you can make a buck on in some day.  only buy what you really like.  i always love what i buy have never been tempted to sell any of my trains or anything else.  i fig when i am dead and gone my family can get the shock of there lives.  that trains do not hold there value.  lol

I suggest that you are careful about your purchase. The Hiawatha has been made several times and by several companies. Make certain you are getting the one you want.

As others have posted, don't buy trains expecting to be able to sell them at a profit, or even to recoup your investment. Consider the money well spent on something you enjoy.

My LHS owner used to tell me: "Buy it, cause you can't take $$$ it with you".

I always followed his sage advice and have been glad that I do.

I saw this when I did a search. 

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6562923