New vs. used ?

Just like buying a new car and driving it off the lot. Immediate depreciation.

The only model trains that hold their value are ones in short supply and desirable. They are the only ones that command a premium.

Does this include modern era or just vintage?

Basic law of supply and demand.

To give you an example, look at what used or secondary market K-Line passenger cars sell for, especially the 21" models. The selling prices can bring hundreds of dollars more than the original MSLP.

On the other side of the equation, an item that is readily available will bring selling prices much lower than perhaps what was paid.

This is a question that you cannot generalize.

Would say the biggest unknown is if the manufacturer repops the items, and in the case of engines, with more features for the same price. With this new "Must Have" Big Boy expect all previous Lionel Big Boys to fall substantially in value or the current one to skyrocket if demand outstrips production.

Another post mentions Big Boys on "that auction site" with starting prices above the selling price for this. Gonna sell? Doubt it. A great piece at 60 percent of list, no doubt if you like it. And have yet to see a kid not want to run a TMCC engine because a Legacy is out. In fact most friends with loops of track have been buying TMCC versions because they just watch them go in circles!

At least O is far superior to HO.  It makes me sick to think of the investment I made in HO and that stuff used is a dime a dozen.  I'm glad I'm in "O"

If I understand current warrantees, they are not transferable. So someone purchasing a "nearly new" train is buying an item without a warrantee. Who would take a chance for only a small savings?

Thanks everyone for the input. All of you have valid points. I heartily agree that the value comes in the form of running trains, and the hobby as a whole! Clifford

It makes me sick to think of the investment I made in HO

Investing in toy trains probably is not wise. Investing in Google probably makes sense.

I've only bought one new O scale locomotive & that is because finding a used one of that specific model is very difficult and none were available used at the time.

I prefer used equipment and don't worry about warranty issues.

Most of my O scale trains are 60+ years old & older.

My train investment is Gauge 1 brass track!

Even used, I can sell it for at the least, twice the price of what I paid for it!

Happy Rails.

Dave

Since I collect postwar, pretty much all my stuff is used (except the PWC stuff)

I find that postwar will usually hold it's value pretty well. I can probably sell my postwar stuff & break even.  The MPC era on the other hand, a lot of the boxcars etc, go for 10-20 dollars. ( Some of the MPC holds it's value at a decent level)

John C. True for the most part however there are exceptions to the rule HO Brass is one area that can increase in value. And by this I have some older HO brass that has increased in value over the past 2, 3-4 decades.

On a side note I find great values in used 3 rail freight , Atlas, Weaver etc.. Often less then 1/2 price of new and the cars have never been out of the box.

Every dime I "invested" in HO was returned at least a hundredfold in pure, unmitigated fun!  The same holds true for my N gauge stuff.  With postwar O, especially the action accessories, it may be two hundredfold, but I don't regret a penny I've spent on any of my toy trains.

If you wanna "invest" try bitcoins.  LOL!

Pete

A good thing when you are on the buying end!!!

But as stated supply and demand is one thing.....unreliable electronics is another....I bought a loco late last year that was DOA and I had to put a Dalee RU in it......a risk with some modern trains.

If you can resist the compulsion to buy new items...wait....wait....wait. Do not impulse buy. Be wise, be closed fisted. The prices on the new Chinese stuff is too high. Keep your wallet in your pocket for now. Next season the prices will be dramatically lower on the same items. I never buy current year trains. I only buy on the surplus leftover market and have saved thousands. Sometimes I find trains at 40- 50% off list.