Gauging Model Trains' Worth
Around since the Civil War, toy trains are all collectible to one degree or another, whether push powered, spring wound, battery driven or electric.
The Saturday Early Show's Collectibles Expert Tony Hyman, author of Trash or Treasure: Guide to Buyers, takes a look at what's collectible in the world of model trains.
Some of the 19th century trains can be worth many thousands of dollars.
You are more likely to find electric trains, which come in six different sizes called gauges. The most popular is "O" gauge, which was made for 80 years by companies such as Lionel, American Flyer and Marx.
Lionel is the most recognized, thanks to founder Joshua Lionel Cowan's unilateral declaration that this was the world's standard. He repeated it often enough that eventually people came to believe it.
Track and transformers have little value. But look for complete boxed sets, which range in price from $50 to $5,000 and up, depending on age, condition and model number. It's smart to get expert advice.
Watch, too, for accessories, some of which can bring $200 or more. Other items range from $25 to hundreds of dollars.
Prices reached their high point in 1990, but have since dropped by as much as a half to two-thirds, thanks to Japanese and European buyers withdrawing from the market.
Changing tastes are making newer trains the most sought after.
People who operate model trains instead of collecting them prefer the smaller "HO" gauge trains built from kits. Although used "HO" sets are marketable, they're not especially valuable.
For more information on toy trains, contact Jay "The Chicago Kid" Robinson who has collected trains for more than 25 years. His email address is jcomcent@megsinet.net. He recommends the following guidelines to help determine the condition of trains or accessories. These standards are used by train collectors.
- New: Never used, unopened, perfect as manufactured.
Like new: Free of any blemishes, nicks, scratches, original condition throughout, vibrant colors, faint signs of handling or use, and includes the original box in like new condition.
Excellent: Minute scratches or nicks, no dents or rust, exceptionally clean and operational.
Very good: Few scratches, no dents, no rust, very clean, nothing missing, operating condition.
Good: Scratched, small dents, dirty, but all the parts are in place.
Fair: Well scratched, chipped, dented, rusted, warped or has missing or altered parts or has been repainted or not operational.
Find out about other collectibles described by The Saturday Early Show's Tony Hyman in the Collectibles Archive or visit Tony Hyman's Web site.
If you think you have a collectible worth a lot f cash, send an email to sat@cbsnews.com with "What's It Worth?" in the subject line. Or write to "What's It Worth?" The Saturday Early Show, 514 West 57th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y. 10019.