A local older gentleman has decided to get out of the hobby. He has a massed quite a collection (so I have heard) and wondered if I was interested in any or all of the collection.
I currently model Modern era, so there may be little I could actually use.
However is there anything I should keep my eye out for that may be worth picking up?
Any ideas I’d appriciate it its an HO collection.
Cheers
Jeremy
First off, expect a Warbonnet F7. It’s an unwritten law that gift collections HAVE to include an F7 in SF scheme. DOn’t ask me why.
There’s a lot that could be good, without any ideas on the collection, it might be hard to tell ya. Take what looks good. Older era can still run in newer era. If it’s a boxcar, it works. Get stuff you think looks good. If you see brass, or Die cast (PCM/BLI,etc) grab it. aso, fixer-uper cars can be good for practicing on with paining and weathering. also, lightweight “cheapy” cars can be fun to work with and improve. Engines. Grab engines.
All in all, if you have room for it, get alot of what you can. If you don’;t use it, find it a good home. But if you don’t grab it, and come up with a use later, you’ll be sorry.
Well you could look over his collection and “cherry pick” the items you can use…I have “cherry picked” buildings,figures,extra parts,detail parts etc while passing over locomotives and cars that didn’t fit my era unless I wanted it for trading fodder or knew somebody that was looking for that engine or car…
Heh heh if I was advising the seller and not the buyer I’d suggest a “no cherry picking” rule.
It is a rule of thumb that most people over-value their collection of older model trains. They cannot get out of their minds the amount that was paid, as opposed to what the market currently thinks it is worth. And I have to admit that sometimes at “antique” [sic] shops you see very ordinary models selling for extraordinary prices – they think everything should be priced like vintage Lionel.
It took me a while to realize that most of my trains from the 1960s and 1970s now had relatively little value due to oversize flanges, thick paint, inaccurate lettering, etc.
Now, if this collection has brass, or unbuilt Fine Scale Miniatures kits, or Ambroid or LaBelle or other unbuilt craftsman kits, a PFM sound system in good shape, rare Walthers passenger cars, then those might have genuine value. But few collections really have that stuff.
When I look at older collections I tend to look for old Varney or Athearn metal freight cars in good condition. Those were lithographed car sides and they still look awful good to my eyes.
Dave Nelson
No need to ask you why - the answer is obvious. The AT&SF Red/silver warbonnet is one of the prettier and flashier paint schemes ever offered. I realize that everyone has different tastes but to me its obviously an attention getter and that is why it is so popular among the general train collectors. I’ve considered buying one my self but I’ve resisted since I’d rather focus my hobby dollars on specific goals.
As for the collection, just like anything else you have to know your products and items etc. If the collection has junk, leave it be, but if if has some good name brands you could use or sell, then it might be worth picking through the collection and making an offer on a box or two of items.
This is a subject and comment we have all been faced with. So and so has a great train collection and you just have to see it. Don’t be disappointed but take a look to see if you can use any of the trains for sale. I normally look and then comment how great it was to have these all these years. What I really mean is, I am glad you have them and hope someone else does not get stuck with them.
Turns our most of the collections will have many TYCO, Bachmann and older Athearn along with the ever present AHM by Rivarossi. No PFM, Key, Overland, Westside, Max Gray, USH, Challenger Imports, Division Point, W&R, Safue ALCO Models, Custom brass, post 1984 era Tenshodo, Erie, Akane or any other real collectors items. You get the idea.
Occasionally, you might find a great collection that should be purchased at an honest price for what it is worth.