"One day, and probably soon … The boxes will be worth more than the engines."
Sometimes I am too subtle in my sarcasm. With the number of Lionel engines I have received that needed repair as new, in factory-sealed box items, I believe the engines may become worth-less than they are today. Maybe absolutely worthless. My Lionel repair rate is around 25 percent for new items in factory-sealed boxes. I just received my CSX F40PH #9999 back from Lionel on its second trip, and the sound volume control dial now does not work. It will be going back for a third time.
The replacement 6-85176 C&O 2-6-6-2 #1522 from Lionel Service arrived with loose parts and white paint on the left side walkway. Lionel sent it to me to replace my NEW Vision Line GG1 #4913 that they could not fix after three trips back to Lionel.
I did see a box on Ebay once for $1,000.00 five years ago. This was probably a person who misread the listing thinking the trains were in the box and was trying to get his/her money back.
Yes, I do keep the boxes, but only to send the engines back to Lionel for repair
Sincerely, John Rowlen
P.S. My two Lionel H-10 Legacy engines work perfectly. I am done buying big articulated steamers.