I think shipping costs are really hurting the sales of used trains. Over the last few weeks, I have been trying to sell or give away items from a small collection that I became responsible for. The shipping cost of anything train related, seems to about equal the value of the item. I have a local mailing store that can search shipping costs for any box I take in, to find the lowest cost. It seems like even a small item in a small box will cost you at least $15.00 to ship it half way across the lower 48. Sometimes it costs more to ship something than the item is worth. Example: It cost $13.00 to ship a small Lionel tank car that I gave away.
Jeff