Penn Line switcher

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi I traded for a large amount of HO scale model RR items yesterday and among the pile is this HEAVY small penn line switcher in the box. What is the value of something like this? Did I hit a homerun?It is in very clean condition Thanks

2

It is most unlikely that you have struck pay dirt with that Penn Line switcher, even if it is in excellent condition. Its value? Maybe $ 20 - $ 40, but the sentimental value is much higher.

3

This was my first Hobbyshop purchase in 1952, I still have it and it runs great. Love it for sentimental reasons.

Xword2005

4

Stick it on EBAY and see what it does, there seems to be a fair amount of “HO” collectors out there and since you have one in the “original” box it just might bring a premium. I sold one a couple of years ago on EBAY that I had laying in my parts cabinet for years, it brought just a bit over $40 and no box so that would probably be the thing to try.

Mark

5

Ranger - There are a lot of “it depends” involving the value of vintage models. For a long time I was a member of the NMRA’s HO Historical & Collecting SIG and learned quickly what made vintage models valuable to the small number of actual collectors of same that are out there.

A lot of Penn Line switchers were made over quite a span of time. Logically, the earliest examples are the most collectible. Likewise, the most valuable example would be a boxed locomotive kit in a completely untouched state. The least valuable would be a poorly finished, not running, model. There is a broad sliding scale of monetary value for examples in-between these extremes. Honestly, unless you have photos it would be very difficult to set any meaningful price. However, I wouldn’t expect it to typically command more the $25, or so.

CNJ831

6

I don’t recall a Penn Line SW switcher - they did have an F7 and a GP9 that were OK for the time. Often zinc rot set in however so an engine in good condition might have its own nostalgia value.

Speaking of which I enjoyed finding my first HO train set on the HOSeeker website

http://www.hoseeker.net/pennlineinformation.html

The one unique little engine they had the Mighty Midget – I have seen those selling for $50 and over at swap meets mostly because they are really neat little engines that do not resemble what anybody else has ever come up with.

Dave

7

  1. Whatever it is, if you want it to fetch a big price, put “RARE” in the title

  2. It’s not OLD, its an ANTIQUE

  3. Be sure to sprinkle words like VINTAGE and COLLECTIBLE throughout the listing

  4. It’s not DUSTY, that’s its PATINA

  5. GOUGES and SCRATCHES in the paint are CHARM and CHARACTER

  6. If its missing both handrails, three steps at the corners and a truck is hanging by a wire, it’s WELL-LOVED

  7. If at least two steps and a handrail remain, even if its just hanging by one lone stanchion, it’s GENTLY-USED

  8. JERKY, HESITANT, INTERMITTENT operation is “RAN WELL ON TEST TRACK”

  9. A burned-out motor, missing gears, or a crack down the whole length is either “I’M JUST SELLING THIS FOR A FRIEND” or “I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THESE”

  10. Be sure to set your shipping for at least $15-25 bucks and then actually ship it via PARCEL POST or BOOK RATE in a manila envelope. (If anybody says anything, just tell 'em SHIPPING MATERIALS COST MONEY and I HAVE TO BUY GAS TO GET TO THE POST OFFICE.

With just these 10 tips, you’ll be well on your way to making a bundle on ebay!

John

8

I see rare in the title of D&RGW Athearn RTR items that were sold new on the shelf in the last year or two and regularly show up on Ebay. Liar liar pants on fire! Obviosly rare is a VERY relative term.

9

Doesn’t qualify for book rate with USPS. May get away with it a few times, but if caught could be in trouble for trying to defraud the postal service. If it is checked (and yes, at bookrate it can be inspected by clerk in post office) it will go postage due, with letter sent to sender explaining this. Could hurt your ebay rating. Just a little info for all.

10

I can’t believe what I’m hearing (reading). If I only have one, it’s OBVIOUSLY rare.

How can you think I would try to inflate my asking price for a sucker to buy?

11

… and don’t forget to put “FSM” in the heading.