We are looking at purchasing a prewar Lionel set with a 262 Engine with passenger cars.
Set A: It is in better condition, contains no boxes and is $ 200 more.
Set B: It is in a less condition, contains boxes that are in very good shape and cost $200 less
Qustions:: In the price of a set, how much $$ value (pure or %) do boxes add?
Since both conditions are acceptable ,Do I go with the set in better condition or the one with the boxes?
How rare is finding boxes to prewar items?
The boxes can bring big bucks on their own but my advise is buy both sets and sell the cars that are not in as good shape, you will end up with better cars in the boxes and won’t be out much more $$$$$$$$$!!!
I agree. It’s easier to replace the cars than the boxes.
I gave up worrying about boxes a long time ago,
I would go against the flow, and buy the better set without the boxes.
High end collectors want boxes, mint preferably, period!!!
The 262 set is real nice. If you can swing both thats the way to go if just one it depends what shape the set really is in thats $200 less to me the boxes may be worth the diference alone so that would be the better buy in my book. I’m lucky as I have 2 post wars sets in boxes one the boxes are fair the other there good and one even in the set box. Now go out of my way to buy boxes for a while I did but now I will look for something in original box of what I want and if its in my budget probably go for it but if it don’t have the box oh well thats okay also.
It really your call.
Having the original boxes are great and they do add value to the set and high end collectors do like the boxes. Me, I collect the trains and not boxes, but I do keep them all if I do get them. No box never detered me from not buying a piece that I really liked for the right price. I have been known to use the no box as a haggling point. That is a tough decision. I would probably go with the set with the boxes, unless I could get the guy with the nicer set with no boxes to drop his price and use the other as leverage. Like RT said, it is your call.
Good Luck,
John
Condition, condition, condition! In the gun collecting field, which I’m very familiar with, a piece in beautiful condition without the box will beat the one in poor condition with the box every time. Some may disagree with me but that’s what I’ve seen over the last 40 years.
Trains, I’m not so sure, but I’d have to think the same rules would apply.
At any rate, if you can afford them both get both, put the great condition train in the box and sell the other.
PS: Don’t store it in the box. Cardboard attracts moisture and this could be why the boxed set isn’t in as good shape as the unboxed set.
PPS: Just what kind of condition are we talking about? New, like new, 75%, 60%, 50%?
I agree.
I run all of mine whether they are worth 5 dollars or a thousand and do not give a flip about a box or it’s condition.
I am not a collector of anything, I only buy what I like and do not care if they made 10 or 10,000.
With lionel trains anyway many post war and pre war boxes can bring as much if not more than the item it self. You have collector more interested in the boxes than the items as you can find replacement items easier than the boxes.
Again as asked by few what type of condition are we talking pics of the different sets would help a lot
Also be careful as Lionel did a reissue of this set not to long ago so the excellant looking set could be that also.
Forgot about that. Also all original can affect price depending on what was replaced and if it was an original part or copy.
I don’t collect boxes. It takes too much space to store them and they are easily damaged. With that said, I do have some trains that I bought new in the last 35 years, and I have the boxes for them. I also have a box for a 152 set which has the original track and rheostat in it. I also have a box for a 248 and two cars. Since I don’t have enough room for the trains I have, I am not about to start collecting boxes. Besides, I am an operator, not really a collector. With only 3 exceptions, every train I have has been run.
I agree. I see no sense in having something that is meant to be run and letting it collect dust.
I have the first locomotive I received when I was a boy. a 2026 which I added magna traction to, and I still run that occasionally. The box thing is something I do not understand and never will, I can sure understand wanting a train that is in top condition but not the box it came in.
Dave first I’m not really a big box collector as it takes to much room but will take care of a box if I get one.
in the toy world it seems the boxes can be just as important for some reason as the toy and not just trains. Mr. robot ect,ect,ect.
Now I do have two post war sets with all there boxes and one with the original set box ( which I had to find a engine and tender for which happen to have poor boxes ) so there kept complete.
I did for about a month or two start collecting boxes and found out real quick I didn’t have the cash flow or the room to go that angle lol but have bought a few repo boxes to keep the trains in but not to the exstent to keep doing it just a few I like the idea of having boxes for.
Modern trains I have more boxes than I know what to do with but just can’t seem to part with them. lol
Being an operator, not a collector per se I should say I do have the boxes all my new trains have come in. I won’t throw them out because hey, you never know, do you?
But, if I’m at a train meet and see something I like it’s immaterial to me whether it’s got the box or not. Does it run? That’s all I care about.
So the question is are you a runner or a collector and if a runner do you care about the value for your estate?
Hello rrebell! I’m a runner, and I don’t concern myself too much about future value of the estate. As most of my trains are new I’m sure there’s going to be a depreciation period and it’ll be years before they start to increase in value. But I don’t buy them for any possible re-sale value in the future anyway, I buy them because I like them! By the time these things are worth a ton of money I’ll be long, long gone!
Wayne
As a whole trains are not a good investment for your estate as other than a few most have lost there value to be consider valuable. And then they need to be in excellant condition. If your collecting them for your retirement or any other means to get big bucks your collecting the wrong thing.
Yes, none of the newer trains I have bought have gone up in value except maybe the Legacy SP Daylight.
One just sold on E bay for $1350. All others have gone down in value and the boxes add little value to these trains.
Probably 50 years from now they may be worth a lot but none of us will be around to see it.
My sons and grandsons might keep them but who knows.