THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING TO PURCHASE LIONEL TRAINS , OR FOR THAT MATTER ANY TRAIN IS CONDITION AND TO WHAT GUIDE IT WAS GRADED AGAINST.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND WILL GUIDE YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT DICISION. TWO BOOKS I USE AS A GUIDE ARE GREENBERG'S LIONEL TRAINS AND TM'S LIONEL PRICE GUIDE.

BE SURE TO HAVE A CURRENT ISSUE , OLD PRICES ARE WORTHLESS.

BE SURE TO READ THE INTRODUCTIONS IN BOTH OF THIS BOOKS . THEY PROVIDE VALUABLE INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE THE GUIDE AND GRADING.

HAVING THE ORIGINAL BOX IN  EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WELL AS TRAINS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ARE YOUR BEST BUYS.

THERE ARE MANY EXCELLENT TRAIN CLUBS THAT OFFER OPEN MEETS WHERE EXPERTS ON CERTAIN ERAS SPEAK . THIS IS TIME WELL SPENT AND A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO INVOLVE YOUTH TO THE HOBBY AS SOMETIMES THEY INCLUDE DISPLAYS AND INTERACTION WHERE YOU CAN OPERATE THE TRAINS.