I am looking for a value to put to some of my brass models that I am thinking of selling. I was wondering if there is a place where one can find a price ones like models sold for recently to put a value to them for selling in the near future. I remember there used to be a HO brown book but it went away. Ebay, I don't think there is a place to call up models sold in the past. I just want to know if I keep 'em or list them.
Philip.
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Phill,
There is no current "brown book" for O scale brass and the brown was only a guide even in HO. In today's rapidly changing values of brass and internet exposure you really need to look around on the internet to get any valid evaluation.
eBay does give you several months of completed auctions as a reference if your model isn't too rare. Do a search for your loco and if any come up or not, look on the left side column for completed auctions and click it. This will show you what has been listed over the past few months.
Look around on internet sites that list brass models, like Allegheny Scale Models, Caboose Hobbies, Brasstrains.com and Ireks Trains for what they are listing.
You might also list a few of them here and get some opinions. I'm sure that won't be breaking any rules since it's discussion and valuation rather than selling.
Butch
On eBay, you have to do an ADVANCED search. The link is to the right of the SEARCH key.
Rick
Butch has it right. Do yourself a favor and do some research. The problem with price guides is that they are locked into a specific time, and subjective to the author's ideas of what is what.
The Internet in general and Ebay in particular are good places to look/search, but prices can run all over the map, and if you have something rare and really desirable, you may not find it listed.
You could, as Butch mentioned, list some of what you have here. I am sure you will get opinions.
The more effort you put forth, the more likely you will be successful.
Good Luck,
Simon
PS: Remember, a GUIDE is just what it says, NOT the gospel!
Erik,can't find your E mail and don't understand how to post photo here. Used to ones browses photos and post. Understand cut and paste. and insert FB images. Psn0ball@aol.com
Phil
Why not submit a list here: what it is, who imported it, paint or no, weathering or no and condition. I'm sure you will get some opinions as to value, and you might even stir up some interest.
Simon
Simon, Most of my brass is Union Pacific. I was so turned on by precission scales issue of the U-50C upon seeing it at a Pasadena train show. I think it was back in the 1980s. I didn't buy as Overland was there and said to me they were to release a U-50 C too and it would be better and so I waited, and waited and waited. Seems like more than a decade passed by and no U50C. I finally found a couple of the U50s one was painted and the other I paid nearly $500 to have painted and weathered. I also own:
2 DD40s Overlands painted.
2 GP20s CLW painted, runners some day if I ever power up DC to layout. Now DCS.
1 GP 20 Oriental
1 PRB trinity airside hopper NIB
1 PRB white #4461 tank car.DOWX 60000 NIB
1 PRB greenville 60' DD box DTI.NIB
1 SD 40-2 Ovrland. Ptd. #3400
Just thinking of still owning as they look great above my computer desk. The right value may make me tempted to sell a few as I beginning to feel I have too many models. I still have some SUnset 2 rail steam that i display on my shelf as i rotate the display so to enjoy more of the collection. I need to build a longer covered shelf system for displaying more models. Foaming and glazing with these models everytime my eyes catch them when I enter the room.
Phil
Phil
Phil,
Nothing wrong with displaying your brass, despite what some of the operator only folks might say. Well done brass is ART, and there is no shame displaying art. Brass has the added bonus that it can also be operated if desired.
As for pricing I see most well detailed painted freight cars go in the $200-300 range. I found an unpainted Overland U50C test run listed for $995 and another one painted at $1250. Also found the same engine with a Cockerham drive starting bid of $1795 on the auction. A bunch of other second generation diesels by Overland (who has done the bulk of the more modern stuff) from a well known dealer in the area of $1200/$1300 painted. An SD40T-2 in SP bloody nose starting at $2195, again on the auction.
Hope this helps a bit!
Simon
PS: UP is a good road to model, especially if you like a large varied amount of equipment!
Simon, My SD40T2 is an older KMT model. I haven't run these engines as I only have a HO tech 2 transformer. I should try and see if it can make these engines move at all. At least it would be nice to know.
Phil
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