Anyone know what the most expensive collectible Lionel item would be?
I don’t have anything in mind, I was just curious.
The Brute would be my guess!
Hello GV! To date,the single-most expensive Lionel Train was sold at Auction last year for $250,000.00., It was a Standard Gauge set from 1934 Mint in the box with a 400E Engine & State Passenger Cars. All in immaculate condition too. Almost looked like it came from the factory. In second place would be the Brass Protoype for the 700E Hudson that sold for over $77,000.00 & used to sit on a shelf in Joshua Cowen’s New York office behind his desk & is a valuable piece of Lionel History in itself. These are two items that come to mind here. Take Care.
That’s my guess also !!
Thanks, John
There has been many outragious prices paid for Lionel trains. I believe a mint 700e went for 100,000plus. If it is MIB and rare who knows. It is all about what collectors are willing to pay. If you were to find a prototype for a desireable piece or a very rare variation, I am sure it would catch a pretty penny. There have been set boxes that went for many thousands.
Well, the last I heard, the owner of the “Brute” (Allison Cox) was asking $500,000.00 for her. Don’t know if anyone has ponied up the cash though. If anyone ever does, methinks that would be your winner right there. The Standard gauge set that Keith mentioned above is the most expensive Lionel item that I have ever heard that ACTUALLY SOLD, though.
- Clint
What is the “Brute”?
I also would agree with the brute!
The brute was a really big model that was made for JLC when he had items being made in italy. It was a lot bigger then standerd gauge. This is the only info I know.
alex
The “Brute” kind of resembles a Bi-Polier. I think there was 2 made the massive one that is huge that just went up for sale and a identical one but smaller I thing it is O-gauge. I think CTT had a article this year on the big one and that they stripped it of paint and did some kind of preservation to the metal. But the smaller one is still in original shape painted green. Don’t remember where I saw the info on the smaller one. Mite of been the same article.
Me I would like the smaller Mini-Brute cause of course if I owned it I would run it.
FOUND IT. May 2007 “The Brute stops here”
The smaller one here it states in a picture is a SUPER 381
I would have to agree about the Brute and the mint standard gauge set mentioned, but also worthy of consideration and possible winners would be the early motorized gondola and trolleys from the first days of Lionel as a train supplier.
Yes, more details can be found HERE.
I’d be VERY happy indeed with a mint Standard Gauge “Blue Comet” set.
Ain’t gonna happen. Can’t afford one and even if I could I’d have no space to run it, except maybe around the Christmas tree once a year.
Do you think this is the most viewed topic on this forum? MSN News linked to it a few days ago.
Here’s some more on “The Brute” and MTH’s standard gauge adaptation:
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I’d be happy with a traditional remake but unless you want to watch it chase it’s tail in a circle you need at least 4 by 5 to run a 400e and 3 blue comet cars. I do 5 by 7 and doubt that anything bigger than a 385/1835 will grace my rails. And it’s a long shot that I’ll have the money any time soon to chase that dream [;)]. My little number 8 and matching 35 and 36 passenger cars and the handful of 500 series freights look great on a layout this size so I’m happy. [:D]
Well I began to look at that MSN article with a jaundiced eye as soon as I spotted the all-too-common misuse of the word “infamous” right at the outset.
Let’s get the definition straight, “infamous” refers to someone or something famous for all the wrong reasons. A great example:
Hitler is infamous. On the other hand Churchill is famous. That’s how it works.
There’s nothing infamous about Lionel.
(Another thing that drives me crazy is the use of the word “decimate” in place of “devastate,” but that’s another story.)
Anyway, the MSN article’s a good example of “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” But then I never expect much from MSN in the way of top-quality journalism anyway. [+o(]
This was written by AI, no innate knowledge.