Need to sell large Lionel train collection

I'm one of those who buy such collections.  Whether you're in my price range depends on what you mean by large collection.  Did you mean over 50 locomotives and cars ?

The way to get prices is to post a list of the numbers of the items along with some photos to give us an idea of their condition.  You don't need a separate photo for each.  Arrange them in batches of 5 to 15 pieces that seem to go together.

As mentioned above an inventory list and / or good overview photos are going to be a critical part to getting the collection sold. Once you have a list put together I'd be happy to take a look at it. Our company is the largest toy train auction house in the United States. Even if the collection isn't the right fit for us, I'm happy to give you some suggestions and ideas of how you might move it along. Feel free to email with any questions. info@stoutauctions.com

For Auctions, your best bet is Stout. They advertise heavily on this and other websites to bring in the most buyers nationwide!

@AnnaC posted:

Hello - thank you for letting me join the is group. My father recently passed away and left me with a large Lionel train collection which I’d like to sell. There are over 50 plus trains and various other accessories. What is the best way to price these out and get them sold?

Thanks in advance. 
Anna

live2jump74@yahoo.com

If you have a son, I can say that nothing would make your dad happier than to see them passed down to him, or another of his grandsons if there are any. I have an engine that my grandfather gave my dad, which has been passed to me and now my son... 4 generations getting joy from the same engine, and my son has a direct connection to his great-grandfather he has never met. 

At least to me, some things are priceless.

General discussion of value is 15%  to 20% of purchase price, less all costs of moving the items to auction.   

Another auction site, Pittsburgh, PA area. 

@John4884 posted:

If you have a son, I can say that nothing would make your dad happier than to see them passed down to him, or another of his grandsons if there are any. I have an engine that my grandfather gave my dad, which has been passed to me and now my son... 4 generations getting joy from the same engine, and my son has a direct connection to his great-grandfather he has never met. 

At least to me, some things are priceless.

To which I would add...  If there was a neighbor's child who became enthralled with your dad's trains....would ask to see them run at every opportunity...who asked lots of questions about how they operated...would patiently watch while your dad cleaned/oiled the trains....activating the horn/whistle and throttle would put a smile on his/her face evey time...in essence was your dad's biggest hobby fan ever....  

Then, with the parents' permission, the trains might be lovingly given to that young future hobbyist...with ceremony and celebration!!  Just a suggestion.

Sometimes the kids, the grandkids, even nephews/nieces, have no real sustaining interest like that kid next door, down the street, always haunting your driveway to see/operate/appreciate the trains.  Sorta like pushing a car up a hill with a rope, as they say.

If your dad's trains are from his own youth and show signs of play, they're probably of far more sentimental value to someone who would want to embrace/respect/enjoy them, too.  

Sometimes the monetary value and the effort surrounding that sort of return is not nearly as rewarding as more simply passing on the legacy and the excitement and enjoyment.

FWIW, always....

KD

@AnnaC,

Welcome to the group, and my condolences on the loss of your Father.

You have found a forum filled with lots of good folks.  As discussed above, an inventory and pictures is the first step.  Selling the lot as a package to a resale outfit is the easiest and will bring you about 20 to 25% of the purchase price.  You may have noticed there is a "for sale" forum here, however per the rules of that forum you have to list a price, which I understand you are not yet in a position to do.  

Inventory and photos is the best way to get help in determining what your Father had.  If there is no inventory list laying about, which frankly most of us don't have outside of our skulls, then the next best thing to do is look for boxes.  The boxes will have the descriptions on the end flaps, if he kept them. Like some others recommended, if family or a friend has shown some interest than perhaps a portion being given away is a good thing.  Most folks in this hobby started out with a gift. Forum members could also help you in picking out items that go together if you go this route.

Re: inventory ...

If you have the boxes, then the item # and description will tell prospective buyers what you have.  If you don't have boxes, then look for a number on the side of the car (ex: 6464xxx on box cars).  Locomotives have a number on the cab side.  Otherwise, describe the item as best you can (ex: tank car, Shell).  I use my cell camera to photograph the box ends or the item itself so I have a collection of images I can review for generating an Excel list.   You can create a slide show to send to buyers.

Condition, condition, condition ... the TCA grading standards can be reviewed here.  Be honest.  The market is soft unless you have a truly collectable item.

Condition is critical for the value - pictures will be a big help.  The train collecting organizations have a very detailed system for assessing the condition, but that's probably not useful for someone in your situation.

As others have mentioned, there are people who will buy collections.  If you have a train store in your area that specializes in O-gauge trains (see the sponsor list), they may be interested or can direct you to a local buyer.

Completed sales on eBay are a good source of value information, but selling one item at a time can be tedious.  If you sell everything at once, the earlier post mentioning 15-20% of original price is in the ballpark for recently-produced items (last 25 years or so) in nice condition.

Beware of anyone who wants to cherry-pick - you might get a decent price for one desirable item, but you'll be left with the less-desirable pieces.  

If you post your general geographic location, people might be able to provide information regarding specific buyers in your area.

And don't post your email address or phone number in a thread.  Spammers who will try to separate you from your money are always watching.

Anna, I'll offer my condolences on the passing on your father.  You certainly picked the best place to ask this question.  Everyone above gave excellent answers that you can go through to suit your purpose.  Dereck with Stoudt is a longtime friend of many of us within this group, and can give great guidance.  The business MikeCT gave is very reputable as well.

As someone who once helped a local woman in a similar situation with a nice American Flyer collection, I can say along with others you will need to inventory what you have as best as you are able.  That is every locomotive, car, complete boxed set, accessory, etc.  Part numbers will help a lot if your father saved the boxes.  Yes, condition of each item matters too.

Please ask any questions here, and yes I agree, you can edit your initial post to remove your email address.  You have it in your profile, and only logged in forum members can see that.  I did the same thing as you when I first joined the Forum long ago.  

@Mallard4468 posted:

Condition is critical for the value - pictures will be a big help.  The train collecting organizations have a very detailed system for assessing the condition, but that's probably not useful for someone in your situation.

As others have mentioned, there are people who will buy collections.  If you have a train store in your area that specializes in O-gauge trains (see the sponsor list), they may be interested or can direct you to a local buyer.

Completed sales on eBay are a good source of value information, but selling one item at a time can be tedious.  If you sell everything at once, the earlier post mentioning 15-20% of original price is in the ballpark for recently-produced items (last 25 years or so) in nice condition.

Beware of anyone who wants to cherry-pick - you might get a decent price for one desirable item, but you'll be left with the less-desirable pieces.  

I usually pay much more than that.  But my buying range is 20 to 100 items.  Agree with the cherry picking comment.  I have not yet found a Lionel item made between 1918 and 1960 that cannot be sold, even parts.

Malcolm Laughlin

Here are my thoughts on this subject.

I'd stay away from auction houses. An acquaintance of mine passed and his widow had a truly huge collection and layout to sell. After the auction fees and the auction house's charges for a rental truck, boxes, packaging materials and packing time, a hotel room and meals, the widow received almost nothing, This was one of the 3 well know auction houses, no, I will not name them. The general thought was that they also picked through the collection first. 

If you can find a, operator or a collector who would want these trains for his own collection you would get the best return. People who buy to sell would offer less as (rightly so) as they deserve a return on time and energy invested. Did your father have any "train friends"?

Consider looking for a local club, or contact the Train Collection Association (TCA) division in your area. You can find that info on their website.

If you have the time, EBAY is an option.

You can also post on the Buy and Sell section of this forum. A brief description and pics is not hard. I've had success both buying and selling here - easy peasy.

My advise is to first try craigslist....You may get lucky and find a collector in your area. No auction fees as even ebay takes its share. If you can find someone off craigslist chances are they can come to your home and pick up which also means no shipping for you....Which is a major pain. I had a neighbor who had a huge a collection with 550 engines and over 2000 pieces of rolling stock. He ended up selling to train a broker who gave him pennies on the dollar.......He was very sick and had no other choice and the train broker took advantage...Pretty sad! Feel free to contact me as I might be interested. Just depends on what you have....I would not be interested in any newer trains than 1960.

@Lionelski posted:

Here are my thoughts on this subject.

I'd stay away from auction houses. An acquaintance of mine passed and his widow had a truly huge collection and layout to sell. After the auction fees and the auction house's charges for a rental truck, boxes, packaging materials and packing time, a hotel room and meals, the widow received almost nothing, This was one of the 3 well know auction houses, no, I will not name them. The general thought was that they also picked through the collection first. 

If you can find a, operator or a collector who would want these trains for his own collection you would get the best return People who buy to sell would offer less as (rightly so) as they deserve a return on time and energy invested. Did your husband have any "train friends"?

Consider looking for a local club, or contact the Train Collection Association (TCA) division in your area. You can find that info on their website.

If you have the time, EBAY is an option.

You can also post on the Buy and Sell section of this forum. A brief description and pics is not hard. I've had success both buying and selling here - easy peasy.

 

Thanks John....that's what I was thinking...I have dealt with auction houses in the past...I know what you mean.... 

List what you can on the FORUM....can't go wrong.....

Hello Anna, very sorry for your loss. Many of the "regulars"  here have shared the loss of loved ones especially the aging baby-boomers.

I have a suggestion, the choo choo auctions.com site has a price guide which reflects prices for which items have sold on their site, by manufacture's catalog number, often the number on the item...such as a Lionel # 736 locomotive is the engine number and its catalog number. MTH is the exception to this general rule.  These prices are Sales Prices. Unfortunately the value of many "post-war " items has tanked because of digital items and many, like your dad, passing.

You might do well to contact an officer of a  TCA chapter or folks on this site for assistance, preferably in person, to avoid being taken advantage of.

Your dad's trains, as a group, may be worth much less than you anticipate.... however particular items may have retained value or be highly desirable.

Unfortunately, pristine stuff with boxes fetch far more than "loved" and therefore frequently run items. It all depends on what your dad acquired and condition.

I had a huge collection 200 engines 100's of freight cars 40+ sets, did best at local train shows but it takes time finally sent list out to 8 buyers most wanted to pay 10%- 15% sight unseen 

Most of the stuff was c7 c8. Its tough right now maybe better in winter

Anna,

What City and State are you in?

No one here is alone, perhaps someone is nearby and can give you guidance as to value, etc

@dkdkrd posted:

To which I would add...  If there was a neighbor's child who became enthralled with your dad's trains....would ask to see them run at every opportunity...who asked lots of questions about how they operated...would patiently watch while your dad cleaned/oiled the trains....activating the horn/whistle and throttle would put a smile on his/her face evey time...in essence was your dad's biggest hobby fan ever....  

Then, with the parents' permission, the trains might be lovingly given to that young future hobbyist...with ceremony and celebration!!  Just a suggestion.

Sometimes the kids, the grandkids, even nephews/nieces, have no real sustaining interest like that kid next door, down the street, always haunting your driveway to see/operate/appreciate the trains.  Sorta like pushing a car up a hill with a rope, as they say.

If your dad's trains are from his own youth and show signs of play, they're probably of far more sentimental value to someone who would want to embrace/respect/enjoy them, too.  

Sometimes the monetary value and the effort surrounding that sort of return is not nearly as rewarding as more simply passing on the legacy and the excitement and enjoyment.

FWIW, always....

KD

Hello Anna, my condolences on the passing of your father.   May God illuminate his soul. 

I'm in full agreement with the gentlemen above along with what John aka Lionelski said regarding auctions.  As some have stated, you will only get a 15%-20% of what your dad actually paid out to acquire the trains. Also don't let anyone "cherry pick" the collection - as that would be a huge mistake.

I'm fairly certain you are very unfamiliar with this hobby and what items may be desirable and which ones may not be.  Don't let your lack of knowledge cause you to make a major mistake.  Think it through carefully and if you can find someone who your dad trusted in this hobby to assist you.

There are many good people in this hobby who are ready to assist you, but like anything in life there are those who will try to take advantage of your lack of knowledge. 

In few cultures there is an expression:  Measure three times but cut only once.    Be absolutely certain of what you are doing.  Because latter it will be too late once you realize you've made a mistake.  

If possible, take your time and don't rush into any agreement unless you are 100% certain its the right thing to do.  

Myself, I'd like to see as least part of your dad's collection stay within your family as a heirloom of sorts.   

Wishing you much success in your quest to find the right solution to the disposition of your dad's collection.

A few comments on some of the above comments. Regarding Craig's List, having done that a number of times, it can be very frustrating, with a lot of people wasting your time on the phone, people not showing up for appointments, etc. etc. Also, it may not be the best thing for a woman to do. You don't know who's going to show up at your house, or what their intentions might be. There have been a number of things written about this.

Ebay works fine, if you know what you're doing. It's tedious, though, photographing, listing, monitoring, and especially the packing and shipping part. It can take a lot of time, and to do it properly there's a bit of a learning curve.

Selling on this Forum is fine, but you still have to take the time to photograph, list, and pack and ship. Also, you shouldn't expect to get anywhere near top dollar, as most folks here are only looking for, shall we say, extremely good bargains.

Regardless, your first step is to determine what your items are worth, so you can price them. Some people here might help you with that. It might be beneficial if you let people here know what part of the country you live in, also. If you want the name of a person to sell the items for you, I can offer you a name of someone who does a lot of that as a side business, whom I've known for years, and is a straight up person. Let me know if you're interested. The good news is that you only have about 50 items to sell. That's not as much of a burden as it could be!