Hello i just recieved some boxes of HO train stuff i started to look through some of it and came across a box with hobbytown on it i opened it and fpoud a metal switcher in it all the parts seem to be there what i am asking is it worth anything
thanks
Short answer is probably not. While some vintage models (especially brass) may be worth something to a collector, odds aren’t in your favor.
If you have an extensive collection you want to get rid of, there are dealers, both those who buy outright and consignment sellers.
You can also rent a table at a local train show, and sell used stuff for a couple of bucks each.
And you might sucker somebody on e-Bay who has no more idea of the value than you do.
But my bet is that a couple of boxes of used HO train stuff is more a decluttering nightmare than a gold mine.
The right person might be very happy with the Hobbytown unit, especially for thel drive. I had an old Hobbytown chassis with a Cary FT body mounted on it and got $50 for it on eBay and the buyer was delighted. There are also some folks who just like to collect unbuilt kits. There is a lid for every pot.
These drives at one time were pretty common. Many were made to accept the Athearn Hi-F bodies of the time. I have one that was made for the GP7 body and still had that body on it when I got it. I’ve since moved the body onto a Model Power GP9 chassis. Not any quieter but I can put a decoder in it if I want to. Try putting a decoder on the Hobbytown motor and it’ll fry in no time.
A full Hobbytown diesel is typically worth $40 to $60, depending on what model it is and if it’s in very good condition. They’re especially good running models, and will outlast most others when properly maintained.
The HOSeeker website has some Hobbytown literature
http://hoseeker.net/otherhotrains3.html
Hobbytown had some complete locomotives – all metal – but they were primarily known for their replacement drives. Very large and strong motors, but as pointed out above, the open frame motors have a current draw well above the modern norm and a decoder meant for O or even G might be called for if you go DCC. Even then there might be issues.
Hobbytown engines, in common with the classic old all metal Varney F-3, pulled like a son of a gun.
The average local hobbyist might not be interested in the careful preparation of the body, need to drill and tap for some added details, and drive train issues associated with a Hobbytown engine even if in good condition. But they were valued items in their day and I am sure there are collectors who would pay a decent price if the item is in good shape and complete.
Dave Nelson
I have an E8 (with Cary Loco body) and a couple of RS3 Hobby Towns that, on my old DC layout, were the smoothest running at low-speed of any loco I had. Also have an additional RS3 in the box waiting for assembly.
Soon as I get present layout to operational status, I’ll be converting them to DCC. They’re well worth the effort, imho. Heavy. Solid. Smooth running.
This is the drive I have. It’s heavy, all wheel drive and pulls like an elephant. It’s has all brass gears and is quite noisy. It was made to fit under an Athearn GP7 body. I currently use a Model Power/IHC GP9 body on it.
Noisy? That is one of the most restrained observations ever to appear on the forum!
i might have a buyer for you but only if you promise to use the money to buy a spell checker capital letters commas and periods maybe even some quotation marks and dont take this too serious because im only kidding you ha ha ha
I have owned several Hobbytowns over the years, and I enjoyed working with them. Most of mine were Hoobytown drives with carbodies made by other companies.
If the drive is too noisy, NWSL’s Delrin tower gears for KMT diesels will work in their place (unless it’s Hobbytown’s low speed gearing, which uses finer teeth).
I disagree. If you are a craftsman this is a good find. I personally have over 20 orf these power frames and some bodies. They run forever, were fun to build and maintain, pull double what any other manufacturer’s unit can, have interchangeable gears for different speeds, etc. I’d rather have a Hobbytown underframe with a vell detailed body! Guess it is just personal opinions.
I think much of the negative opinions come from those who have never owned/built one. I have two - an RS-3 and an E7 (Hobbytown E-unit drive with a Cary E7 body). Each of them will pull the plaster off the wall, and the current draw is well under 1 amp. Smooth, with very good low-speed control. A little noisy, but then I’ve never met a 1:1 scale diesel that was quiet. (Unlike steam engines…[:D] )
Absolutely! These old locomotives are still worth owning.I still have my Dad’s Hobbytown RS3s(built in the early 60s) and all 5 still run like new.I remember the ones I had(a RS3 and RSD4/5) that I used at the Columbus Model Railroad club as yard engines…I built both of them.
I suspect the Hobbytown RS3 would pull the Atlas RS3 backwards without spining a wheel!
What whimps! [swg]
Back in the day we paid no attention to the noise…There was a upside as well.Unlike today’s whisper quiet locomotives you could tell the locomotive was still running.[:O]
I still like the sound of a Hobbytown RS3.
Let me triple ditto this. Keep it. My whole HO diesel fleet at one time sat on Hobbytown chassis. Not only did they pull as described, in various ways in this forum, but they were some of the most sure footed engines over “ugly” track I’ve ever seen.
ll interesting observations, and brings back memories. I too had a number of Hobbytown engines and drives. With a big Pittman motor and all that weight they could out-pull anything else. I had a ‘multi-drive’ ABA set of F’s with the big DC-90B motor. They could pull a 18 car brass passenger tray all over the club layout.
I sold the last chassis about 2 years ago on eBay - and got $50 for it as others have noted. Why did I get rid of the Hobbytown ‘fleet’?
I did consider a re-build with Bear Locomotive n/s wheels, but by the time I tried to contact them they appeared to be out of business. They are an interesting part of HO history. When I hear folks talk about them now, it reminded me of the mid 60’s when guys talked in glowing terns of ‘Olympic Express’ drives!
Jim
Jim,Do you recall the Pittman DC90?
That’s what my dad used in his RS3s and needless to say those were pullers.
Yeah - That was a Pittman DC-90B motor I had in the multi-drive set - a real ‘beast’ of a motor!
Jim