Good Evening folks,
As I wait on pins and needles for my most recent purchase to arrive I have a few questions. What year did Lionel offer the GS4 Daylight and how much was it new? Also, if you have one or have knowledge of them I’d be happy to hear about your experiences with engine, good or bad. Thanks in advance
Bruce Webster
The year was 1983, and the price was somewhere around $350 depending on who you bought it from. A lot of dealers would only sell it with a set of cars, for a combined price of around $650.
The price on that engine took off like a rocket, very high demand. I want to say that it maxed out around $1300 around the late 90’s, and has been falling since. This is due to newer models with more features comming on the market. The diner and the regular dome car can be expensive when you find them, but again newer models have been made.
I have one, it is probably the single most valuable piece I own. I’m not into high buck stuff. I bought it new, so it wasn’t that bad. I only ran it a couple of times, and it seemed fine. It has been in it’s box for the last 20 years.
Big_Boy 2004,
What I’ve bought must be a later issue than the one from 1983. It has railsounds, Crewtalk, TowerCom and TMCC. Lionel #18071. I would have intially been more specific had I known Lionel made more than one version of the GS4 SP Daylight. Or have they? This engine came directly out of the Kughn collection.
Bruce Webster
Sorry Bruce, that was the original 8307 I was talking about. Checking a Greenberg guide from a couple of years ago, that version was made in 1998. Current value $760 in new condition. If you want, I could check the magazines to find out what dealers were selling them for back then.
I’d sure appreciate finding out what it was worth new, Elliot. With only limited literature I don’t have any way of looking it up myself. Thanks for the current price info too! Seems I’ve bought this one right ( about $200 less than what your price guide says) even if I did the deal rather blindly. I figured such a showy loco wouldn’t be cheap being it has never been run, has all the electro-gizmos and is still packed in both it’s original boxes. Now…how to convince the better half it really doesn’t look right without a set of matching 18" aluminum passenger cars?
Bruce Webster
Bruce, from September 1998 CTT, Charlie Ro’s ad had it at $994.95. That sounds about right, it has come down in price since it was offered. Hope you got a good deal, and good luck on the cars.
Thanks a lot Elliot! I figure I did OK on the deal from what you’ve told me. I bought 3 locos in a package, all new in the box but old stock. I better hold off till Xmas before asking about the cars. Again, thanks so much.
Bruce Webster
You’re welcome Bruce, my pleasure.