Who Buys Train Collections?

Depending how much time you have, you may want to try the for sale forum here.  You will probably get the best prices for your goods here.  If you decide you need to part with it all at once, you might try a local auction house.  Also, there are several hobby shops that  buy entire collections.  Trainz is one that comes to mind.  

The Trainz website is not working.  I have over 100 boxes.  Too much hassle to box and ship and dicker on this forum, one box at a time.  Do you have a better website address for Trainz?

ptalar

Look up top, they are a sponsor with a direct link..

I retitled to clearly ask what I am looking for. 

There are several individuals/organizations that regularly advertise in some of the O gauge mags who buy train collections. I believe they also advertise in LCCA and TCA publications. Sorry, don't know the names offhand or have in front of me but they can't be that hard to track down.

Texas Trains & Diecast

http://www.texastrainsanddiecast.com/

No free lunches in life.  I understand individual sales to toy train enthusiasts is a lot of work with shipping and what-not.  But entities typically interested in "entire collections" are resellers, so you're gonna take a big-time hit right there.  Lots of the forum sponsors like Nicholas Smith Trains, Grzyboski's, and Trainz will buy collections, but they're in business to make a profit on what they buy from you.  So say good-bye to getting market value for your collection If you choose to go that route.

David

You can also try http://www.traincity.com/shopbuy.html  keep in mind thou they may only offer about 40% of there resell value who ever you go with. local auction will charge you % most are around 20% of what they sell for and most goto auctions to get the best deal and usually it won't even come close to there value ( I know this from experience )  

I second that option.  Met Greg last Friday and he's a heck of a nice guy.  Honest also.

I buy collections depending on what you have. Please feel free to contact me.

Don Carver in Gettysburg, Pa. has a sales shop and buys collections. He told me "every day".  He specializes in old and used trains. Phone number: (717) 334-67  Good luck.

Henning's Trains buys complete collections, you can give them a call at: (215) 362-2442

I was just there today, picking up my purchases.  Great bunch of people. 

This is a great question as One Day, we all will most likely need to Liquidate our Train and Related to Train Collection. This is why I run everything that I buy as most likely the Buyer/Liquidator will offer less than its worth so as to make a profit. Most items will sell slowly, as it takes a long time to make their money back. So, in my opinion, I would have the Group or Individual Purchasing my collection, come in to my home and give me an estimation. Dis-Mantling my layout would take some real time, and strategy. As I am 70 years young, the time for the sale is slowly creeping up. Great Question, looking for a great Answer. Good Luck..

There are several advertisers who support ogauge magazine.  Get a copy and page through that too.  

Get a table at York and price them for what you think you can get.

He is in CA. so that might not be an option but if he looked in on some big ones there in CA. I might have this a little wrong on the exact name but believe they have one called cal stewart

I know want to sell it a a group but to be honest that might not be best when you say 100 boxes is that 100 pieces of train cars/engines or do you have 100 boxes full of trains.

ptalar,

Ask and you will receive. You have a good many leads to follow up tomorrow. I hope everything works out as you desire. 

Nowhere on here it says what kind of trains he has, Pre-war, post-war, MPC, Modern, Lionel, MTH or AF. What is he selling?

I emailed the list to you. 

Exactly. 

I sent you the list.

I know.  There are trade offs both ways.  I know I can make more money selling each piece on the forum.  But do I want the hassle and the search for card board boxes?  Also, the people on the buy/sell forum are not biting until the price is half retail or less and want free shipping.  Most resellers will pay you half the market price and will pick up your collection.  I might lose a $100 or more per engine by selling as a collection compared to the low ball buyers on the buy/sell forum.

Henning's trains.

hah3, are you Hennings Trains?

I replied to your e-mail from yesterday.  Thanks.

Crazy thought, but before you go through a dealer, you may want to hit a show nearby and take your chances there.  If you price things right, they will move, and you will do better than what is essentially wholesale (or worse...).  At least you aren't shipping things - just put price stickers on them and see what sells.  Maybe just take the more valuable items.   

I really hate shipping trains that I sell - it's the worst part of the transaction.  Everyone here on this site has been so easy/good to deal with that I almost feel obligated to offer things here first.   But the shipping....   it's just such a hassle, especially for larger items like 5/6 car sets.   Good like finding a box to fit the box...

But it can't hurt to at least advertise locally and see what you get.  You can also post here "local pickup only" - that will minimize your market, but it's free at least.  You might be surprised - if the deal is good and/or the item is rare, people will come to you.  

Just a thought!

and I have had friends that live near the seller willing to pick it up for me and ship it to me. I pay them a little extra but some of times it well worth it. 

again you can also do it on ebay and there's a way to mark local pick-up also.

Sent you an email.

There aren't many train shows here on the West Coast.  Train collectors are odd birds on the west coast.  East Coast is where train collecting is still strong.

Try here ----> http://www.trainz.com/

Two Items I picked up; trestle and cab forward

beautiful Trestle!!!