Value of Lionel Dealer Layout

I have one of those, still in its original box. But the inside of the box lid was made into a sign. If you sold it through the internet, I think shipping would be a problem, and eat up a lot of the value.

I don't think they are too valuable.

Including the track would be a convenience for the buyer, adding whatever the actual value of the track might be. I believe the track should be brown tied 027.

Which  accessories do you have? I don't see places for any at all.

I think that Charlies is right, It looks Nice, and if it were for sale I would be interested, but the shipping would likely make it from a deal to a deal breaker. Unfortunately, local pick up would be the way to get the best return on it. I don't even want to think about trying to ship it from PA, to OR$$$$.

Doug

From eBay 2005:

ADCXRob -

Thanks for the info.  I always thought there was supposed to be the small truss bridge over the creek on the outer loop.

I know some of you live a long way from san diego.   but if anyone ever wants to donate something to the model railroad museum in san digeo they would gladly take any train related item.

The san diego model railroad museum is a 501c3 fully tax deductible charitable organization.

number upon request.

Gpritch posted:

I have had this Lionel Dealer for a number of year but don't have any idea of it's value.  I don't see any on ebay or other reference sites, thought y'all might be able to give me an idea.  I have enough 0-27 track and accessories to fully populate it, does that help its value if I were to sell it?  

My suggestion: try to sell it locally on Craigslist for $175, track included but not attached. If someone offers less, you can counter-offer without the track as a bargaining point. Local delivery negotiable too. It's obviously not practical to ship economically. I've had pretty good results selling on Craigslist but I instruct responders to give a phone number for a call-back because email inquiries are often phishers/spammers. Post your ad with good photos for best results. You can always drop the price if necessary. Might sell better closer to Christmas time.

If you want to try for more money, install the track and get a basic train-set train and transformer to go with it, take pics of the whole thing set up, and you can demonstrate it in operation to get people interested. If they offer less, deduct the train from the offer...

I don't claim to be an expert on valuation; this is just my gut feeling of what I would do.

My suggestion: try to sell it locally on Craigslist for $175, track included but not attached.

Sounds about right to me.
The layout is not drilled or punched for track screws.
I have seen a few of those layouts. None had the track attached.
No holes for screws or marks from adhesive to hold the track in place.

I think it might be a hard sell. There really aren't any spots to place accessories, limiting its usefulness.

It is a neat little layout.

I agree with the Craigslist suggestion, especially since there are a lot of model train folks in southeast PA. 

Perhaps you can also list it for sale on the OGR For Sale forum.  There will be a lot of folks coming into the York area for the April show and maybe one of them could swing by your house to pick it up?

Jim

I have seen that very same layout at York in the Purple Hall for several years now. I think the asking price was $3K - which explains why it's there year after year. Still, it's cute, and probably not too many left. I'd save it and use it at Christmas time.

Very cute little layout. Lack of room for accessories is the downside but o/w, pretty neat!

From time to time I've seen this dealer display on auction sites like e*ay.  These were made in mid 1970s.  Attached is a Lionel advertising brochure.

I've never seen one in the wild with all the track and those accessories mounted.
I guess the 132 station could go over the printed lake.
I'm not certain on how the crossing gate fits.
There aren't any holes pre-drilled for wires or mounting screws.

Maybe there was a gap between the advertisement and what was actually sold & delivered.

I have seen these on the bay and owned one a few years ago. Last one sold for a bout 225.00