Value? Please excuse my ignorance...

[LargeScaleMomma]

Newly returing to trains with my DD! 

Is there a place where I can find the value of an 'older' train.  We bought a Large Scage Pennsylvaninan for DD for christmas.  I really want a christmas train, also, but we did not want to sink that kind of money into a once a year train.....

So this weekend, I find a Bachmann Big Hauler at a yard sale for $5.00.  I know it is not a 'great' train- it is 9 volt battery operated, but I thought I could paint it to make it a christmas train, but I want to know what it is worth before I "ruin" it. LOL!  That way, we have the nice, 'good' train for daily use (DD LOVES trains!) and the fun Christmas train.  I found some simular to this on ebay for $50, but I haven't seen it sold yet....

I just couldn't leave it there for 5 bucks!

[scottychaos]

9 volt battery?
in the tender?
that is the battery for the sound..

Are the wheels metal? If so, you have an older track-powered "Big Hauler"..
depending on its "generation" it could be worth $10 to $50 or so used..
but dont worry about "ruining" it..its not a valuable collectible!
paint it, modify it, do whatever you want to it..

see here for help in identifying the "generation" you have:

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html

What does "DD" mean? 
no idea what you are saying there..

Scot

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Go ahead and paint it, these are not worth a lot.

[LargeScaleMomma]

Cool, thanks!  That's what I was hoping!

It is a remote controlled train that runs on size D batteries to equal 9v (I guess)?

DD= Dear Daughter in internet speak, LOL!

[scottychaos]

ah! ok..then you have a "first generation" big hauler..
the earliest battery powered version..
its worth $5 to $20..(and $20 is pushing it..)
So do whatever you like to it! 

Scot

[Loco Bill Canelos]

I forget how many d cells go in it, but I would test it and the remote control, before putting in a lot of effort.