I have a chance to buy some post war sets, I know prices have fallen, where do I go for accurate values today. Thank you.
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Welcome to the forums!
I moved your post to the CTT section, as most of the Lionel collectors frequent that area most. I’ve been using the Greenberg’s one (Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2025: Carp, Roger: 9798894910048: Amazon.com: Books), and I don’t know of any others. Please do keep in mind that the price guide is NOT a rulebook–in the end, a good price is what you’re willing to pay. Sets are cataloged in the back of the book.
Welcome Docshelby!
I have to agree with Engine_1988, there’s the various Greenberg Guides but you do have to treat them as “guides” and not testaments written in stone. Especially now as Post-War prices are for the most part trending down.
You can visit sites like trainz.com to get a feel for set prices, eBay is another place to kind of “Get your eye in.” The bigger train shows are another place to get some ideas.
But as Engine says in the end it’s what you’re willing to pay. That’s how I make my judgement calls on Post-War purchases.
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eBay values will generally tell you the upper end of what people are willing to pay for most things, when there’s a significant record of sold items to look over.
Like has been said before, “what you’re willing to pay” is the most important value to consider. The general public awareness of the value of trains has gone up, but the actual values are going down as I understand.
Demand and condition are the key factors that drive value- items that are in high demand, and in especially nice condition, will fetch the highest prices. Sometimes an item in less than ideal condition will still have significant value if it is a sought after enough piece. Likewise, a car that is easy to find but usually marred by blemishes will be worth more if it is an especially nice example.
Buy what you like, because you like it, and pay what you’re willing to pay. That’s my 2 cents 
-El
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