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Started by mercer farms, December 09, 2024, 09:09:14 AM

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mercer farms

December 09, 2024, 09:09:14 AM
im new to this chat page i have a few questions about some trains i have i bought them in a big lot and looking to find out what they are worth and age
but i can not find them on your web site
 

i also have a few locos that are rubber band driven could you tell me about what year they were made

trainman203

#1
December 09, 2024, 02:14:32 PM Last Edit: December 09, 2024, 02:17:42 PM by trainman203
The first thing is that it's 99% certain that, unless any of those trains are very large scale toys from the 1930s or so, they are worth very little.  The myth persists that old toy trains are worth their weight in  gold and it is generally false.  Very few of the truly collectible toys from the 1930s are in circulation anymore, they've mostly entered collections.

Bachmann is only one of many vendors that sold Model trains over the years and the odds are that your stuff is spread out over many, many vendors, with numbers of them certainly out of business today.  Even photographs might prove not very useful in identification. 

One thing that is certain is that the rubber band drive engines are by Athearn.  The rubber band drive was a failed experiment in train set economy in the early 1960s.  The rubber bands did not last long and once they broke, most of those engines ended up in the trash.  They are hardly worth anything at all today.  Even when operable, they were not suited to serious model railroading, they were made to go very fast to entertain children.

I don't know how much stuff you have, but your best bet is to personally be in touch with some veteran Model Railroader who can help you identify everything and see if there's any value to any of it.  Maybe you can go to a train show somewhere and inquire around.  Train shows are always full of individuals selling assorted old low value stuff just like you have, the only difference is that they know what it's worth, which isn't very much so the prices are low, sometimes $2 to $5 a car at best.

I'm truly sorry having to be the bearer of negativity, but I believe this is what you're looking at.

mercer farms

#2
December 10, 2024, 09:38:15 PM
thank you for the info now the 2nd thing i have is some bachmann  dcc trains but i can not find them on you site

idem no 64201
        60802
        51305
if you know any thing about them could you let me know what they are worth

jward

#3
December 11, 2024, 05:29:47 AM
The DCC equipped locomotives are good quality, and not the typical low end stuff found in a big lot of trains. Probably $50 TO $75 for the diesels and $200-300 for the steam based on ebay listings. Personally, if I were starting a layout I'd be keeping those 3 because they will be the ones you run while the lesser locomotives sit on the sidelines.
Jeffery S Ward Sr
Pittsburgh, PA

mercer farms

#4
December 11, 2024, 11:16:51 AM
ty was trying to find the one in bachmann store they are brand new still in box
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