Old trains will always remain old, there is a start and finish to them, you know what you are searching for, the missing treasure you know is out there and will hold a reasonable value, and at what condition you want them in, I've no doubt it will remain this way.
The new market is okay, beautiful well made and run models but the problem is if they starts to flood the market, much like Corgi and others did on the toy transport scene, it never ends. Most people treat these models like crystal, understandably for the price!! So down the road unlike now you will have no need to hunt out the mint train/running engine, they will be lots and lots out there.
Here lies the value answer.....
I buy old and new trains because I like em, I've reached a point in my life where I now am surrounded with things I like....value is always going to be a issue no matter what anyone will tell you.....buying them=fun......running them=fun......and selling them or passing them on=fun......we win all ways.
