Collecting Model Trains

Fun Hobby and Great Financial Investment

There are many hobbies that one can participate in during their spare time.  While most can be a fun way to spend idle time, not many can be seen as a financial investment. Model railroading is the exception. Not only is this hobby fun but the items one can collect in this area can easily be resold for profit.  The bottom line is that these toys will not lose their value. So if you are looking for a fun hobby to pursue  while meeting some really interesting people why not choose model trains since this is a hobby that can be treated as an investment/

Most adults (men or women) can probably remember that at some time in their childhood that they had a set of model trains. Maybe, you just found that old set in your attic or discovered an old set that belonged to a father, uncle or grandparent. Possibly, you just purchased an old set at a local garage sale. If so you are in luck! Unlike toys made today these old train sets were made to last. Even if they were extensively used, it does not take too much of an effort to get electric trains 50 years old to run again. And once you get this set going with a little effort you can start on a collection that would make the folks and any old train line proud. From here it is not a long step to become a collector. 

As a collector the first step is tp determine the size that you like. The size is called the scale or guage. The popular scales are:

1. Z Scale with a ratio of 1 to 220. This means that a Z scale train is 1/220th the size of the real thing.
2. N Scale with a ratio of 1 to 160
3. O Scale with a ration of 1 to 48
4. HO Scale with a ratio of 1 to 87
5. S Scale with a ratio of 1 to 64

Some of the best know manufactures are Marklin (Z Scale), Lionel (O Scale), Atlas (HO Scale), Mikado (N) and American Flyer (S Scale).

The main reason for choosing a scale is probably the amount of space you have to construct a layout. While Z and N are the smallest and will allow a good layout on a 4 X 6 board, their engines and mechanics are aslo small and can be unreliable.

N scale trains started around 1927 and are powered by DC motors which accept a nominal max of 12 volts. in traditional DC control, the speed of the trian is determined by the amount of voltage supplied. New motors draw very little current, typically .2 amps. Here is a good picture of an N scale train that shows some perspective.

N scale has a worldwide following. In places like Japan with there is little space N Scale is the most popular scale of model trains.

N Scale on Ebay

Here is a Z scale with is around 1/3 smaller that the N scale

Z Scale on eBay

HO scale is the most popular scale worldwide. It gets its name from the German Halb-null or "half-zero" since it is approximately half the size of O scale. In HO, 3.5 millimeters represent i actual foot. HO rails are around 16.5 millimeters apart while real trains are 4 feet 8 inches apart.

HO Scale on eBay

O scale is alo very common and is the guage that I collect. First made in Germany by Marklin around 1900. This scale is the common 3 rail model railroad made popular by Lionel.

Here is are some nice O scale Lionel layouts. Notice the detailed scenery that is available.

All scales allow the collector to produce extremely details model railroads that mimic almost anything that you see on the actual rails..from Sante Fe Freight to Amtrak Passenger trains. All are powered by electric transformers when take the typical household current and "transform" this to a currently that is safe for children to run. Of course, with any electrical device, supervisor needs to be supplied to the very young.

Collecting O scale trains means that you will probably be looking at Lionel or Marx Trains. There are other O scale manufactures such as Weaver and MTH but Lionel, along with Marx are the most common. The best way to proceed is the use a guide that list the value of almost all Lionel or Marx Trains. This guide is the Greenberg Guide and sells for around $14, well worth the cost. A couple of points:

1. Older trains are more valuable that newer ones by older I mean trains made around the 1920s. Greenberg breaks this by several periods, pre-war 1901 - 1942, post war 1945 -1969, modern 1970 - 1987, and Current 1987 - Now.
2. Obviously the better shape the more valuable. Better shape means do thye run? How scratched are they? How much paint loss is visible? Sometimes small things like broken steps, missing doors, and broken couplers can have a huge effect on the value.
3. Do they have the original box? What shape is the box?

O Scale on Ebay

A good example of a highly collectible Lionel O Scale train is the one made in the 1950's for girls. The engine and tender are pink and the cars are pastel colored. This complete set with a box in good condition sells for thousands of dollars. There was another set made in the 1990s that is also vey sought after and can sell for for up to $1000.

Check to see if any of these Girls trains are being sold on eBay

Beside making the guide Greenberg does a lot of show. Look them up on the internet under "Greenberg Train Shows" and you should be able to find a schedule. These are good places to go for a purchase since (unlock hobby shops) you can bargain with sellers.

Here are some photos from my collection. Here is a Marx Military Train. This train with a box may sell for up to $500.

Here is a Lionel pre war O scale train.  The one with the orange engine.  The baseball will show some size perspective This one can  go for almost $400 with a box in good shape.

One thing I did not mention was standard guage. This is a Lionel standard guage train made around 1910. With a box this one could also bring around $400 on ebay. Standard guage is much bigger that O scale. Lionel produced this guage up to the 1920's.  It is the one with the red engine.  The other train is an American Flyer 0 guage. This is rare since American Flyer is know for S guage trains which are slightly smaller that O guage.

Remember when collecting model trains there are a few hints to follow:

1. Use a price guide
2. Condition of the train is important
3. Does the train run?
4. Is the box included. Not only the box but all the inserts. instructions, and even the packaging materials add value.