I was given a lionel train set from my grandmother who is moving to st.louis. let me state this right now (IT IS NOT FOR SALE!),I am trying to get a ballpark idea of its value to see if i should have it added to my home insurance. The train set was made in 1950, the box is in fair to good cond., the engine is a 2-6-4 with prr shield on front of boiler and is very heavy about 8 to 10 lbs., the train came with a gondola, tank car, covered hopper, and caboose. all of which are in great to excelant cond., also in the box is a working log loader (with logs) a rail way crossing,station acces. (hand dollys, carts,people, and 5 or 6 rr crossing sighns all in excelant cond.the ovel track is in good to great cond., and in the box is a small box that says lionel lubrication and maint. kit (never been opend) and is in mint cond. the transformer works and is in poor to fair cond.??? (the cloth wire insulation is dry rotting off showing the bare wires. I was just wondering if i should have it added to my home owners insurance, i think that its worth some value and i understand i can not get a true appr. from this forum, iam just looking for a ballpark figure. also by chance my uncle found a pic. and on the back it said x-mass day 1950 and showed the train and my uncle playing with it. any help would be great thanks BJPLOW01@aol.com
Well, it is an intriguing history that makes it worth more to you than the average collector. What will be asked by any serious Lionel collector is, what is the number on the cab of the engine? That is the most important bit of info, along with the numbers on each car. Also go to a book store or hobby shop and find a book about post war Lionel put out by Greenberg press. In it you will find pictures and values for all of the items you have listed. These will be the best bet for getting a ball park value of your train set. Hope this helps. Greg Elems
Well after looking at the engine and cars I found the engine had 2 sets of no's. the first is on the keystone shield and is 5690, the 2nd no is on the cab and is 2035, the lehigh vally centerflow hopper 6456, sunoco tank car 6465, nyc gondola 6462, caboo. is sp 6257, and the no on the bottem of the tender is 6466w, i didnt know until i looked for the no's. that it had working couplers, I am not sure how you would "trip" the knockle pin from under the trucks with it setttin on the tracks. I guess i'll break down and call someone at the local ?( 50miles away) hobby shop and spend the 50 dollars to get it appr. I think I ll mount it on my wall in a glass case. thanks for your help BJPLOW01@aol.com
also i saw on the rolling stock the words lionel lines built 1947 could this be the real age of the train set? BJPLOW01@aol.com
Hello, BJPLOW01 The Lionel 2035 was made from 1950-1951. Value of the engine and tender is from $60-$145 per Greenberg's price guide. The "set" can go for $200-$350 depending on condition. IE no rust/corrosion or dents/dings. Normally you see some slight paint chipping on the engine. If the engine paint is like new then you have a rare piece and can bring as much as $500 for the set. Rich
