does adding decals lower value.

This question comes into play with scarce, valuable originals. Altering them lowers their value.

 

On common items, decals and paint schemes (properly done) may add value.

I just have to make the nose one in blue on my vinyl cutter since I couldn't find any o scale yellow bonnet decals I did find them in ho and the woman I spoke with said sometimes the ho are sized alittle big so they might work so I ordered them too but in looking at them the ho 's are to small . I like this engines train wreck sounds one the guy says the swallowed his spleen, and a piece of coal, broke his glasses, and the worst one he doesn't answer. which we all know what that means LOL .

 

 

 

That looks like a good sheet. I'd say scan it and enlarge to 181% and you have H.O. size. Print them to decal paper and you're good to go. Obviously this should be a one-time thing as you don't want to be a pirate.

I didn't think of that. I was going to use the warbonnet sheet for everything but the nose and copy the blue nose and cut on the vinyl cutter but your idea would be easier.

 

Taking it out of the box lowers it's value.  But it's a toy train, not a retirement plan.

 

Rusty

The O gauge train hobby has changed drastically over the past 20 years.  I was part of the "post war" Lionel train collecting hobby where trains in like new condition could buy you a house.  The change is towards operating not collecting for future value.  True, some O gauge items will be sought after more than others, but overall it is the value of operating the trains now.  Nice O gauge trains are being weathered, modified and kabashed for the enjoyment of operating them.

 

If someone likes an item they will buy it to have fun with it not make it a shelf queen for an investment down the road.  So have fun with your trains, make them what you want and don't worry about going to the bank with it.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

 

quote:

The change is towards operating not collecting for future value

 

Having watched Stout's auction yesterday, I'd say collecting is alive and well.

As far as I am concerned, collecting never was, and will never be about future value (making money). It is about having an interest in toy trains, learning about them, and hunting down the pieces of interest, and owning them.

Money is just money.

 

I am aware that there were, and are people who collect for profit. I consider them to be speculators.

 

It does not matter what the collectable might be, originality is always preferred. Watch Antiques Roadshow, or read any of the publications on antiques and collectables.

If you consistently beat a stock index, then you are running a business.  I say "go for it". If you are buying brand new toys - trains, automobiles, airplanes, Franklin Mint - and expecting to beat the stock indexes, you are probably delusional.  Opinion.

This "resale value" thing really gets out of hand. And you have a RK sub-scale loco.

Monetary value? Not much. Value to you? Much, apparently, and that is the only important

part. OK, I'm not an idiot, and I wouldn't put decals on a mint Pre-War 5344 Hudson,

either (I'd sell it and buy 2 new ones with a can motors) - but most of this stuff is

just stuff, and any chance appreciation in "value" will be realized by very few of us,

unless and perhaps you are a Collector and not a Model Railroader - which is a whole

'nuther mental place to be, relative to my own.

so in short doesn't hurt the value. cause there isn't much value to it but does make it look better. it looks to plain right now.  yes semi scale but that's what most of my stuff is, smaller layout here only 10x12 layout.

 

Since the really famous and popular Santa Fe bonnets are red, I would think any other color would be disadvantaged on the used market anyway, with or without decals. But what do I know. I have a Lionel tender decaled for the N&W that I use with Marx 2-4-2 locos!  lol

The question you need to ask is...Is it more or less valuable to ME.  You're the only one you need to worry about.

 

It gets me when I see an ad for a new item saying "Buy this COLLECTIBLE now before they're gone!".

 

When you think about it, what's more rare, 1 of 5,000 identical pieces or the one piece that someone has turned into a "master"piece, the only one of its kind?

I agree With Bob Delbridge, it's Your Treasure, Run it, or Shelf it, it's not like buying Tesla Stock, which last March (2013) was $22???, And now over $280 per share....Our Toy Trains are for fun, It's simple, Enjoy the moment.

 

This subject comes up all the time on different threads....as someone said above,
the authentic and rare once produced item is collectible to those that "collect".
I would tend to say that the stuff produced lately was made in such great
quantity, that it will not make an investment....but, then, there are the K-
line aluminum cars, so...what do I know?  I do not buy model trains for an investment...
if I did, it certainly did not pan out, for I have boxes shelved with plastic HO kits
from my time on that tangent.

went ahead and started the decals just have to make the nose decal in blue.