Could someone direct me to a good reference for antique trains, track, structures( buildings by plasticville)
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Look at Ebay for prices, anything printed will be obsolete before the ink is dry,
I say it's just as important to know grading if you want to go by price guide. Those high prices ate often about quality rather than simply one that still exists. A "mint" C-9/C-10 may not even run....nobody knows; never got ran 😉
The SOLD ebay search is a pretty good reference though. Toss aside obvious lowballs and highballs and that's that.
TCA's site has a guide for grading pre-war and one for Post-war; no pricing.
I agree that the eBay "sold" search is the only price guide worth squat. Prior to eBay (around 1997), the so-called "price guides" were made up by 3 sources: dealers (who love to jack-up prices), publishers (who love to sell price guides with upgraded higher prices every 2 years), and "rich boy" vintage toy auctions. The other plus is that eBay shows you how many of item X has been sold over the past 3 months. That gives a decent idea of how common or rare a item is.
I also agree that in many cases the highest and lowest price not be figured into finding a "average" price. The highest is often a "bidding war", and the lowest can be a "Buy it now" that was set way too low. Also, make sure the condition of the item is factored in.
I agree with Joe,as someone who buys and sells a lot of trains,the eBay "sold" listings are now the "gold standard" to accurate pricing.
Ricky 
Thank you. I am in an art class with a man in his late 70’s that has his fathers trains. Late 20’s , 1936 engines, track toys ,cars , and structures.
