To Mint or not to Mint - Lionel Post war set

clean and lube it, run it and have fun!

Amen to that.

The set can't be Mint and Like New.  Like New suggests the set has been operated or displayed in the past.  Mint would indicate the set never has been removed from the box(es), even for inspection or photographs.  Handle with care and you won't diminish the value.

What, me worry?

That is not a prime collectible set, so don't worry about losing big potential sales dollars by running it.  Those early Alco Diesels are great runners, so do like Dave K says above.

If it has been opened and run then I say run it. I avoid mint items because I am going to run my stuff. Every time a mint item is opened or used, that is one less mint item out there.

"They were made to be toys that are played with, so I play with them!". That is what a friend said about his standard gauge trains running around the Christmas tree when a known collector came over to visit. The collector almost had heart failure when he saw the trains running!

My two cents - trains were made as toys and were meant to be played with, so enjoy the train and your memories.

@Retlaw posted:

My two cents - trains were made as toys and were meant to be played with, so enjoy the train and your memories.

Agreed and if I may……from a well known Richard Kughn interview:

What advice would you give to a rising train collector? Where should he or she start?

“Be an operator, not a collector. Operators don’t want stuff sitting on shelves. They are not going to collect anything; they are going to build a train layout, operate it, repair it and run it. When a train engine burns up or runs out, they will try to repair it or go out and buy another one. They share their train and layout with their family and friends. They let them play with the train; they let them enjoy it. Operators join a club to share and learn from fellow Lionel train enthusiasts. Collectors love to just look at these great toy trains. They buy them to put on a shelf or keep in a box under the bed.”

Have fun!!!!

My dad has that set.  The rolling stock is in absolutely perfect condition but the locomotives (silver UP instead of yellow) aren't perfect.  I guess they derail more often!  It's a good set, he gave it to me at one point and I ran it around the Christmas tree.  If you're careful with it, running it isn't going to hurt it.  Just make sure to take out the D battery from the locomotive when you put it away again, lest it corrode.

It is a beautiful set = RUN IT = that is why it was made.  Your dad's parents never intended it to live in a box or on a shelf.  Lets face it = you are never going to sell it.  It will be operable long after your heart is not.  Then let whoever inherits worry about it.  Decision made:  Go play with it & relive your childhood dreams while you watch it go round & round!

I just recently bought a sealed 783 Hudson. I opened it right up, took the shell off, greased and oiled it, and have run it every day since.

I also pulled out the sound of steam boards and put in a postwar air whistle.

Have fun!!!

Run it.

DEFINITLY run it! That's what they were made for. Investment value? I'd open and build a mint 700K if I had one.

I have only one item that has never been run, and that's the Atlas custom run Natty Boh car. I worked at the brewery back in the 70's. It's the only scale car I own, and fits with nothing else, but it's pretty and it looks good with the Varney H0 cars from the 60's.

I probably should have sold it when people here on the Forum were asking and getting $200-300 for them!

@Ironhorseman posted:

If these sets appeared on the market more often, I would still be happy with a more used set.  Just looking for some insights to make a decision on if I should consider the purchase.  Oh, money is available as a factor but not a blocker for the purchase.

Appreciate your insights.

Stephen

Actually, I see these sets quite often. Granted, they may not all be so-called Mint, but they show up enough that they're definitely obtainable.

In any event, agree with all of the others. By all means run it and enjoy it.

If I were in your shoes, I'd run it. I believe trains--even the most valuable or collectible ones--should be run, and that's what I do with mine. If your track work is good, I believe your risk of damage is minimal. May it help you relive memories of your Dad.

Thanks everyone for your comments, some great insights were provided.  I've decided to let someone else treasure it and find a more "well loved" set instead.

Stephen

Ironhorseman: Buy it, run it, and enjoy it! Especially if it brings back good memories. Postwar Lionel sets do not have the same value they did 40 years ago. And it's more fun being an operator than a collector. Maintain that set and keep it clean, You won't be sorry.

Here's my original Lionel Cleartrack Special set Santa brought me in 1955 and it still runs just as well as it did back then. My grandkids love it and can't believe how old it is.

Hello Stephen. Let your own memories be your guide: you want this set because you have fond recollections of you and your dad running it not looking at it in a box. Smile and run it!

@Ironhorseman posted:

Thanks everyone for your comments, some great insights were provided.  I've decided to let someone else treasure it and find a more "well loved" set instead.

Stephen

Yikes! I feel like buying this set now and running it. Videos and images to follow.

@Alfred E Neuman posted:

The set can't be Mint and Like New.  Like New suggests the set has been operated or displayed in the past.  Mint would indicate the set never has been removed from the box(es), even for inspection or photographs.  Handle with care and you won't diminish the value.

Correct! It is either mint or it's not. Like New is not mint (but that is also a great grade if you want to operate or even collect the set).  Buy it and run it. Toy trains were meant to be operated. If I ever find the prewar set that was my first exposure to Lionel Trains (the set actually was purchased for my older sister), and if it was in Like New condition, I would likely buy it today.

Stephen, whatever the condition of the set you obtain the memories will be part of a time machine experience. Enjoy the adventure!

send a photo when that magical trip happens.