Paying that much for an entry level engine is silly. The bidders and eventual buyer is just speculating that because it’s rare, it may be worth something someday.
Let’s not forget we watched a Lionel Western Pacific 6464 boxcar go for $75,000 on Stout Auctions just like a year ago. People are free to spend their money how they want, and I’m free to think it’s foolish.
Or, it could be a business competitor that wants to examine it for some reason.