In a few weeks, I’ll be filling up a mini-storage with trains that my late brother acquired over the past several years. It’s my job to find a buyer or buyers for the “collection.” I model in HO scale. I have only an acquaintance’s knowledge of this sort of equipment, even though I’ve been in the hobby for about 45 years.
Most of the items are rolling stock, but there are a few bridges and some track, turnouts, and power packs. This is all O guage stuff from Atlas, K-Line, Lionel (modern era), MTH, Weaver, and Williams.
Can anyone steer me towards a reputable broker, store-front or otherwise, that can nelp me find a home for all these trains? I’m in Northern California, about 2 hours away from Sacramento.
If you check in the pages of Classic Toy Trains, you will see a few adds for folks who buy whole collections and then either auction them, or sell. Charlie from Train City is one such dealer. If it is a larger collection, I am sure others such as The Train-Station.com, or Trainz from Beuford Georgia would be willing to purchase for resale. Sorry for your loss. I am not sure what you could expect regarding price as I know that often people think something is worth a lot more then others are willing to pay for it. You may get a better deal if you listed and sold the collection individually, but that is a lot of work for you. I suggest you inventory the collection for items and condition. If you contact the Train Collectors of America (TCA) they could probably put you onto some folks who can give you a value estimate for the collection. You may very well find some very valuable pieces, but they would be the ones to tell you.
Hello , The best way to find a good broker is to pickup a copy of CLASSIC TOY TRAINS at a local hobby shop or book store. There are several buyer’s that place add’s in this magazine. They will even come to you . My condolences on the loss of your Brother and good luck with the sale of the trains. Mike
My brother subscribed to Classic Toy Trains. I get all the the other ones: MR, Trains, Classic Trains, MR Planning, Great MRs and so forth. The only two I don’t have visit my mailbox are Classic Toy Trains and Garden Railroading. Perhaps I should add a few more…or not.
sorry to hear about your brother. I would seriously consider keeping them for a bit and see if they grow on you. O gague is really fun stuff with the noises and smoke and stuff. at least consider keeping some, maybe his favorites.
I am going to guess that You are in Chico, CA I’m not sure how close Yuba City is to You, but you might ask “The Western Depot” in Yuba City, CA if they would be interested. I have dealt with them many times, and they have always been very Professional, Friendly and Honest in my dealings with them.
Sorry about your Brother, I also agree that you should pick some Favorite pieces to remember him by, I can’t think of a better way to remember him, than to have some of his trains under your Christmas Tree, I’m sure that would bring many Smiles [:D] to You and any other Family and Friends, which you may want to offer a Tree set to other Family members also, You can be sure that your Brother would have approved.
Be CAREFUL though, the O-Gauge Bug is VERY CONTAGIOUS, while virtually incurable it is fortunately rarely fatal (unless your wife catches you buying more trains)
Try going to www.choochooauctions.com a website for buying and selling only model trains, all scales or makes. I would like to help you with buying some of the items but my finances are in sad shape due to the economy.
A prayer for your brother and you. I was into “HO” for over fifty years until I was introduced to “O”. May I respectfully suggest that you don’t unload the larger stuff just yet. They seem to have a way of growing on you. Of course, it is your decision but whatever you decide, all the best.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My prayers for him and the family.
I agree with traindaddy. Unless there is a compelling reason to quickly liquidate your brother’s collection, I’d suggest you do the inventory, some research, and map out a strategy to keep his memory alive through a hobby he knew and loved. The Christmas layout/train was a good suggestion, even if you can only retain some of his more prized pieces.
Doug, I am familiar with The Western Depot. I first met Bob about thirty years ago when I was looking for a barrel for a Lionel e-unit. Sure enough, he had one!
Lee, thanks for the link to chooch auctions. I plan to call them.
Doug, Jack, and traindaddy1, thanks for your suggestions and attempted persuasion to get me to think about O scale; but I haven’t the extra real estate to accommodate anything this enormous. I have filtered out a few pieces of rolling stock and a few signals that are early post-war Lionel. My brother’s family has done likewise.
This is a great hobby. I am blessed to have “cyber-friends” like you folks to share it with.
If it’s a large collection, and your are willing to ship it, Maurail.com is the web site for a reputable auction house in SE Pennsylvania that holds train auctions every other week and draws buyers from all the mid-atlantic states.