Selling Off My Trains

Good for you Don!

I discovered the same thing when we came back to trains in 2009. The scale pieces just seemed more appealing and gradually I started trading, buying, and selling our postwar and modern Lionel collection - very few pieces left, mostly some PW rolling stock and a No 1872 General which the CFO likes. It will stay...

Good for you Don, sometimes we have to take stock of what we have if for no other reason then to make room for what we wont.

My  nephew called me a few weeks back asking me if I would go over to Nicholas Smith with him to help him pick out a set for his two young boys. After thinking about it for a couple of hours I called him back and gave him a Lionel Bally Hoo cercus train, new in the box never been on the track.

What good was it doing sitting under my platform on some forgotten shelf?

When I opened the box the set was really beautiful, I almost wonted to go back on my word. But, fear not, I did not!

They have the set running under the tree and the kids love it.

My nephew is now planning to build a layout in his basement. I told him good luck and God Bless.

Don, I remember going thru that same thing. I just gave the non-scale engine and cars to Train people that came by to see the layout.

Seems like there should be several good homes for them on the thread "priced out of new purchases." 

Good for you Don. I've been doing the same. With a 4x8 layout running 2 trains at once, I simply don't have the room to run much. Not to mention, storage is an issue. When I filled all of my shelves, 4 plastic tubs under the layout and still things in original boxes I realized I had to stop buying and start selling. I lost a TON of money compared to what I paid for items but that is OK...just wanted to get rid of this stuff. I'm following the "less is more" principle which can be difficult when that shiny new engine is on the LHS shelf but it is best. 

Don, are you selling your items on the "bay"? ........I haven't seen your ads on forum for sale postings but I may have missed them.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Wonder if he is selling them locally. That collection would probably liven up the Hawaii market

What name are you selling under on the bay?

Dan

Good luck Don with your sale.

Don, Downsized my collection by half, not postwar Lionel, but K-Line, Weaver, Williams and AtlasO from 1990. Received Lionel set in 1955, disassembled layout in 1963, sat in storage until 1990, wife suggested that I should build a layout. Allan Miller in Run 269 of O Gauge Rail-Roading wrote a straightforward article on the value of our trains. Lionel Trains, Marx and American Flyer were popular through the early 1960's, say the latest 1965, I remember slot cars as one of the hobbies taking over the model train market. I'm 64 and my favorite toys in the 50's was the Lionel train and AC Gilbert erector set. Many people of younger generations have no/limited interest im model trains/erector sets. Also the electronic forum buffs may remember Heathkit and Allied catalogues.