Hello Everyone,
I search the "Want to Buy" section each day with the intent to help members find their item-sharing locations, shops, or other forum member's who are selling items I know about. I know I've helped at least 7-8 members find an item. I get great joy in knowing forum members 'found' an item with my help.
Well, karma returned the favor today. I went to an estate auction and believe it or not, there weren't many of us there. All of the bidders were hardcore collectors; except me. They didn't mind sharing their opinion, if I asked for it or not, either! I looked through the trains and couldn't believe my eyes-a lot of hard-to-find, rare, O Scale items at 'no reserve.' There was Lionel, 3rd Rail, Ross, Gargraves, Weaver, K-Line and MTH. (Sorry david1, no black FEF. Doug, there weren't any 3rd Rail Early Challengers either). If their were, I'd bought them and sold them to you guys at the auction price-I know you've been looking forever for these items. You wouldn't have been disappointed-saw a 3rd Rail UP 4-12-2 sell for $495 (NIB)!
I didn't plan to buy much-figured the collectors were going to drive the prices beyond my range. But after the first few auctions (I watched NIB MTH Premiere 5 car passenger sets sell for under a $100-and there were several more sold at that price!) I began bidding. I got a K-Line die-cast car NIB for under $8! That opened the 'flood gates' and I bought 22 items, all NIB. My favorite buy was a giant track lot. Even after paying the buyer's premium, it was a fantastic deal. Would've bought more but couldn't get it in the truck! Had to put the windows down to fit a few items! My poor Lab had frozen slobber on his face when we got home!
My wife was floored with the deals I got. Lucky she supports my antics...
On the drive home, I couldn't help think maybe all those days of e-mailing strangers, (members of this forum I've never met before) with information about items may have been 'fate' for me to find these deals(?).
Whatever it was, fate or not, I'm extremely thankful/happy with how it worked out; I found items I never dreamed of ever adding to my collection and for pennies on the dollar...can't beat that-a once in a life time event. Sure felt good to 'scratch' those items off my 'must have' list!
And, don't worry, I'll still keep helping people find items they want. That's what the forum is for-helping each other, making new friends, and enjoying our toys!
Have a great Christmas and hope everyone has a safe rest of the year!
Updated 12/17:
I've been waiting to update with pictures when all of my items arrived from shipping. There was a shipping issue but the last box arrived today!
Above: This is the stuff I shipped, I forgot to get a full truck picture!
Above: My "Ultimate K Line Buy" is what I called this box. All of these are BNIB.
Above: Track lot. The crossover needs some work, but I got all this so cheap I was still money ahead to buy it. The crossover and 4-ways sets are used, the rest is new. Not pictured here is a box of Gargraves flex track (51 pcs). All for less $72! It's not my intent to brag, but I couldn't pass this deal up! This Lot is what really opened the flood gates!
Above: UP K Line 21" Passenger cars. These are the reason I went to the auction. Bidding was heavy on all 21" K-line passenger cars, no matter the road name. Bidding was fierce on a few. These were the only road name I wanted. There were other road names and lots of rare K Line passenger cars (stuff I've only saw in catalogs or on the forum). I really wanted these to complete my collection.
It's hard to see in the picture, but the boxes are pretty worn. However, the cars are NIB! See below!
Above: The Chair Car.
Above: The hard to find Placid Haven Car.
Above: The very rare Flat End Dome Observation Car. Never ran, NIB. The newest 'prize' in my collection!
Above: Lionel 2-8-0. I'm ashamed to tell you guys what I paid for this one. I couldn't believe there was no interest in it during the auction. NIB. It'll get a lot of extra detail parts and some weathering (some day..).
There's a lot more stuff I didn't have time to post. May post more later.
Like I said, I'm not trying 'blow off' about this, I just want to share my excitement with fellow OGR Members. So thankful for what I was able to buy that day. I hope you all enjoy the pictures.
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