I’ve been looking for some bobber cabooses and have always been a fan of John Allen’s, so when I saw the NMRA Howell Day Museum (which I deem a “good cause”) G&D versions I bought a set. I was wondering what the “traditional” approach is to painting and/or weathering NMRA Heritage (salute to famous layouts/builder’s lines) cars. Does it vastly reduce their value as a collector’s investment? (I’ll be actively running mine). Does it matter at all-these cars having/holding no particular “extra” value in years to come, anyway? I’ll be running mine on a regular basis, just curious… thanks.
I presume that these are plastic cars? Now this is just my opinion, but unless it is rare brass I really don’t think that they will have much increase in value, if any at all. And if they do turn out to be rare, the ones that will command the most return will be the ones that are mint, in box, and have never been run. I say run them and weather them to whatever your standard is.
I will echo Maxman’s comments, further pointing out that there isn’t any actual, organized, collecting interest for HO models, as there is for say O and certain N-scale items. The only way any G&D cars could really be accepted as collectible would be if they actually came from John Allen’s layout. The NMRA cars aren’t even serious replicas of rolling stock that existed on the G&D, but simply current production models painted and decaled in an approximation of John’ cars. As such, I don’t see why they should be regarded as anything beyond basically a curiosity, or novelty, and fun to have on your layout. Just enjoy weathering up and running yours and don’t worry about trying to maintain a pristine condition for some future collecting market. That’s the way I regard my one MDC example:
CNJ831
Thanks guys. That’s what I figured. In any event if this was my best shot at an investment portfolio, things aint goin’ so well anyhoo 
CNJ831, I always enjoy seeing anything from your incredible layout. I’ll have to keep an eye out for one of those MDC reefers. I didn’t know about them. The John Allen (Kalmbach) book got me back into Model Railroading in '88. I’m a huge fan. If folks have only seen the DVD/video things are pretty “silly”. The book is a fantastic work of art IMHO and if I can interchange with that world once in awhile, it would be my salute, in thanks for bringing me back into the hobby and for inspiring so many . At least my logging train will finally have a happy “ending”. Anyone happen to know if there is any glazing inside the cupola windows? I’ve seen some weathered examples that looked quite nice but can’t remember about the window glazing. Thanks.
Value on anything takes a willing seller and a willing buyer. Obviously the most valuable models will be those kits, unassembled still in the original box. Some specialty cars are increasing in value. Check out anything for the Virginian & Ohio on eBay. Prices are getting nuts. Recently an assembled Train Miniature V&O hopper in the original plastic box brought way over $20.00 Most TM cars rarely top $10.00, except for the tobacco series. Last year a V&O Accurail covered hopper sold at $100.00 plus! These aren’t models that were run on the V&O.
There’s no question that there are individuals in this hobby that like to collect things - although I’ve yet to fully understand what motivates those Tyco collectors. [;)] And, God knows, there are more than a few hobbyists around today with a lot more money than brains! The latter are evidenced by some of the insane prices bid on eBay for items of little real value.
Nevertheless, one has to appreciate that there should be a distinct difference between paying good money for an authentic item and doing so for something that is just a standard, run-of-the-mill, model that some company has slapped a famous model railroad’s herald on. This first is a collectible, the other nothing more than a novelty. The MDC, TM, Accurail, NMRA, et al. G&D cars are mass produced items that, to any logical individual, really should not carry a higher value than any other common car. My understanding is that the NMRA’s G&D cars are being used as a fund raiser for the Howell Day Museum in CA and thus eventually will probably number in the many thousands, hardly making them, or any of their ilk, a “collectible” item.
CNJ831