Are train sets worth money?

At auction, Lionel train sets, pieces, and accessories can sell for a few hundred dollars or for a few thousand dollars, depending on the rarity and condition of the piece. Lionel collectors tend to have a lifelong passion for model railroading. “Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with.

Is model railroading an expensive hobby?

The Model Railroad Hobby is not expensive when you compare it to comparable hobbies.

What is the most expensive model train set?

List of the most expensive model railways ever sold

• Miniature Wonderland, Germany: $12.12 Million.
• Model Train setup at 18055 SW Seiffert Road, Oregon :$3.5 million.
• Northlandz, NJ: Cost “Several Million Dollars” to open.
• Mayfair Model Railway: $1.21 million.
• Brass Budder Train: $150,000.

How much is my model train worth?

First, check with local hobby shops that deal with toy trains. If the hobby shop owner doesn’t have an idea of your train’s value, he or she may know of a local collector who would. Second, attend swap meets and train shows. Talk with toy train collectors there and show them your train.

What is a 1957 Lionel train set worth?

At auction, this set would probably sell for, depending on how well it could clean up, between $7,000 and $9,000.

How much are Marklin trains worth?

Simple steam engines from this period typically price in the $500 – $1,500 range. More complex steam engines with a pulley rig to power accessories reach into the early five-figures. Some of the largest Marklin steam plants, like some seem in the Marklin Museum in Germany, are worth well over $100,000 at auction.

Why are Lionel trains so expensive?

If you refer to sets currently being manufactured by Lionel, the reason for the high cost is based on 3 factors: There is no direct competition, and, The Lionel reputation gives the product a value it probably does not deserve, and/or, Identity with a copyrighted theme, such as Polar Express, or similar.

What is the rarest Hornby train?

Two of the Hornby ”Holy Grail” items are the Princess Elizabeth boxed set (sold from 1937-1941) and the Southern Eton set. The Eton is usually described as rarer and the most sought after, although some prefer the Princess Elizabeth.

Are Model Trains collectible?

Although still made today, the most collectible brass model trains are those produced in Japan up through the 1970s. Until the 1950s, steam locomotive models were more popular than diesel, and they continue to be desirable among collectors today.

What does HO mean in model trains?

half-O
The abbreviation “HO” stands for “half-O.” The smaller trains were less expensive and took up less space than their larger O scale cousins, which became popular with people who were moving into small homes and apartments in the 1940s.