Lionel Trains Aren"t Just For Kids - Should You Repair Your Lionel Train Set?
Model train enthusiasts still buy and sell Lionel Train sets and collectors scour garage sales and pawn shops looking for new additions to their collections.
Unfortunately for most of us, old trains need to be in very good condition before they're valuable to collectors.
Even if a train is not considered collectible because of rust, dents, etc, it probably does have some value as a source for parts.
The value of Lionel Train sets fluctuates and is dependent on a number of conditions including the following: • Overall condition - It is very hard to find older trains in new or close to factory fresh conditions, but if you do, they are much more valuable.
Those with heavy wear from play will be less valuable as well.
• Are they complete? - Is the whole set still together? Many sets show up on the market missing cars and other accessories.
Obviously this will severely affect the value.
• Was this train set a rare item? - Some sets were produced in much greater quantities than others.
If you are lucky enough to own or come across one of the really rare sets, collectors will be very happy to talk with you.
• Is the set in its original box? - Finding a toy train set in its original box is pretty hard and even then, the condition of the box will add or detract from the overall value of the set.
• Do you have a set that is in demand and what is the current market condition? - Opinions about the value of different trains change from time to time so it makes actually setting a value on your train set difficult.
Where can you look to get an idea of your Lionel Trains value? Hobby shops usually have price guides that will give a ballpark figure on the prevailing value of different trains and model train shows are often a good source of information.
Remember though, it's not what its worth; it's what you can get for it! Are there different types of Lionel Trains? If so, what are they? The era in which they were manufactured divides the Lionel Train legacy into 3 distinct categories.
Here is a breakdown of each period of production: • Pre War: 1901 to 1941 - World War II halted production until 1945.
• Post War: 1945 to 1969 - Production from the end of World War II until the Lionel family sold the company.
• Modern: This production era is broken down into 3 groups.
1.
1970 to 1986 - The MPC/Fundimensions production era.
2.
1987 to 1996 - (LTI) Lionel Trains Inc.
production era.
3.
1997 to the present - (LLC) Lionel Limited Liability Corp production era.
Lionel Train sets are still being sold and many hobby shops are Lionel dealers.
Unfortunately for most of us, old trains need to be in very good condition before they're valuable to collectors.
Even if a train is not considered collectible because of rust, dents, etc, it probably does have some value as a source for parts.
The value of Lionel Train sets fluctuates and is dependent on a number of conditions including the following: • Overall condition - It is very hard to find older trains in new or close to factory fresh conditions, but if you do, they are much more valuable.
Those with heavy wear from play will be less valuable as well.
• Are they complete? - Is the whole set still together? Many sets show up on the market missing cars and other accessories.
Obviously this will severely affect the value.
• Was this train set a rare item? - Some sets were produced in much greater quantities than others.
If you are lucky enough to own or come across one of the really rare sets, collectors will be very happy to talk with you.
• Is the set in its original box? - Finding a toy train set in its original box is pretty hard and even then, the condition of the box will add or detract from the overall value of the set.
• Do you have a set that is in demand and what is the current market condition? - Opinions about the value of different trains change from time to time so it makes actually setting a value on your train set difficult.
Where can you look to get an idea of your Lionel Trains value? Hobby shops usually have price guides that will give a ballpark figure on the prevailing value of different trains and model train shows are often a good source of information.
Remember though, it's not what its worth; it's what you can get for it! Are there different types of Lionel Trains? If so, what are they? The era in which they were manufactured divides the Lionel Train legacy into 3 distinct categories.
Here is a breakdown of each period of production: • Pre War: 1901 to 1941 - World War II halted production until 1945.
• Post War: 1945 to 1969 - Production from the end of World War II until the Lionel family sold the company.
• Modern: This production era is broken down into 3 groups.
1.
1970 to 1986 - The MPC/Fundimensions production era.
2.
1987 to 1996 - (LTI) Lionel Trains Inc.
production era.
3.
1997 to the present - (LLC) Lionel Limited Liability Corp production era.
Lionel Train sets are still being sold and many hobby shops are Lionel dealers.