Old Lionel trains unboxing. Are they worth anything?

DarthMoose74 Oct 6, 2021

  1. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Here is an unboxing of some of my Dad's old Steam trains. No Idea what they are or worth in their current conditions.
     
  2. CarlH

    CarlH TrainBoard Member

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    The two G-scale 4-6-0 steam engines look like a G Scale Bachman 4-6-0 that I own. The one I own will not run with its tender.
    None of the steam engines are going to be worth much without their tenders. I find it hard to believe your Dad would have gotten rid of the tenders. My main suggestion is that you look harder in whatever belongings he left behind for those tenders.
     
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  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    If the DT&I switcher runs, it might fetch $35 on eBay. If its end steps weren't bent and its appearance was better, it might go for $50 or $60. I agree with @CarlH that finding the tenders is paramount.
     
  4. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    There are three O scale tenders and one G scale that I know of. May find the rest in the coming weeks.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Quite a mix. A couple of pre-War pieces. One possibly Marx. Some is Lionel Post War (1945-1969) At least one piece of 1970 and later. Condition appears mostly to be well used to heavily used. Omitting the large scale items, many in the C3 to C5 range.

    I agree about those missing tenders. We see people selling them separately on the big auction site. Those are often sellers to avoid. Must find and match them all. Without them, any value drops, drastically.

    The Lionel DT&I switcher was made from 1971 through 1974. If it runs well, clean and corrosion free, no cracks, wheel and pickup wear minimal or other issues, at least $40.

    There have been several runs of the turbine. It is not a rare item. I could not spot a number on the cab. It is heavily used, so no matter which release, value will be low. Without a tender, even less.

    I saw a 2026. They came with several different tenders, through the years. Again, nothing rare here. Condition. Which tender, if found.
     
  6. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Pre-Covid, we'd see a couple of old guys, at train show after train show, trying to sell the same batch of Lionel trains.
    The stuff looked like it came out of a dumpster, but was priced as though it was in C-10 Mint condition.
    More than a few folks come into possession of "Dad's old 'Lionel' trains" and immediately think of $$$.
     
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  7. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I've sometimes wondered what happened to the fellow in the link below who made an earnest request for our help in appraising his grandfather's trains for sale back in early 2019. He even created a website to sell them. As I remember, many of the tenders had been hand painted and separated from the locomotives, seriously reducing the worth of much of the collection. He had a few nice pieces in good order, but not many. Whatever the outcome, the fellow was appreciative of our help. I hope he did well with finding a home for the collection.

    https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/estate-collection-advice.122950/
     
    Doug Gosha likes this.
  8. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Love how Point jumps the gun and thinks it is all about money....
    Lame.
     
  9. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    Some folks just want to honor their Father, or Grandpa, Uncle or whatever. Some folks just want to get an idea of what the items are worth. No more, no less. Doesn't mean they are looking for a windfall. They just want to get educated or informed on their predecessors interests, we should embrace this. Folks that are not in the hobby asking about their relatives models. Heck, I hope somebody has enough interest to ask an educated body for advise too.
    You should not build this into a per-determined agenda.
     
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  10. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Regardless of whether the intent was to honor a deceased relative or to gauge what the collection of old trains might be worth, why not first clean them up and then post clear photos of each item?
    Trying for dramatic effect by creating an "unboxing" video suggests to me that the OP might well have an agenda and suspects or hopes that there might be something of a windfall in those boxes of dusty old trains.
     
  11. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Point, If you actually watched the video you would know I asked if i should clean them up more as some older items loose value when a patena is removed.

    If you read further you will see i said i am still looking for the other parts and tenders and will update everyone once found. (Which was today I found them)

    So way to jump the gun... :LOL:;):D
     
  12. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    I did watch the "unboxing" video.
    Dust is not patina. If you were concerned about disturbing any patina, you should have handled the models with gloves.
     
  13. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Point, That shows you watched 5 seconds of the video if that and became triggered.
    After showing them once they were then dusted off and shown again.

    I model in HO and 1.5 ridable.
    Never did O scale ever, hence my questions.

    But looking at your replies to other people's posts you are a big negative wet blanket to most members. Sad to be you.

    Have an awesome day!!!!
     
  14. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    You "jumped the gun" by wanting to know if the trains are "worth anything" before even attempting to identify what you have and its condition.
     
  15. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Um no, the video is asking the experts what I have.
    So take your negativity and Ego elsewhere. No wonder so many members have ignored you.. "clicks ignore button"
     
  16. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    There is no need for anyone to cast aspersions on other members or resort to what can easily be viewed as personal attacks. If your post appears to advance the conversation, by all means submit. If it doesn't, perhaps it shouldn't be posted.
     
    gjslsffan likes this.
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Patina is actually a form of light corrosion. It can be a positive in some antiques. As far as tinplate trains go, patina is something which is usually unwanted. Beyond carefully dusting them, any wiping should be with a very soft cloth and very lightly. No chemicals. In in areas harder to wipe, perhaps a cotton tipped swap. Older items can be easily damaged by rubbing away lettering, etc. Perhaps try one of the most used or worn pieces first.
     
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  18. DarthMoose74

    DarthMoose74 TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you BoxCab for the information. :)
     
    gjslsffan likes this.
  19. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    also, remember that water can hurt a toy train too...
     
  20. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    that video was hard to watch, I really would love to see better pictures of that pre-war electric.
     

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