How much do Lionel trains go for? (2024)

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How much do Lionel trains go for?

Collectors pay intricate attention to the date and make of each model as those factors highly affect a vintage Lionel's worth. Today, a brand new Lionel train set's price varies from $100 to $500, relying greatly on a product's supply and demand.

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Which Lionel trains are worth the most?

10 Most Valuable Lionel Trains in The World
No.Lionel TrainsPrice
1.Standard Gauge$250,000
2.700 E Hudson Brass Prototype$77,000
3.2360 Vagell GG1$15,000
4.Girls Train Set$7,000
6 more rows

(Video) 1957 LIONEL TRAIN prices and what we'd pay today. WOW!
(Joey's Trains.)
Do Lionel trains appreciate in value?

Mint-in-box examples of vintage Lionel trains are still valuable and will continue to appreciate in value over time, because there are so few of them. That's the stuff you see on TV, because it's the exceptional stuff that makes good TV.

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Are Lionel trains a good investment?

Middle-aged men drove the boom period of Lionel trains as a good investment because it's typically from about the ages 40-60 that people are best able to pursue hobbies. By age 40, their careers tend to be pretty well established, and they have disposable income.

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How do I value a model train?

Model railway valuations are determined by a number of important factors. Sometimes the serial number on the side of a locomotive can make a massive difference to a model train value.
...
The main factors which influence an item's value are:
  1. Condition.
  2. Age.
  3. Rarity.
  4. Modifications.
  5. Production run variations.

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How do I sell my Lionel trains?

Sell toy trains locally

If you're up for it, there are still many local model railroad swap meets where you can find willing buyers. Or, use digital venues like Craigslist, Kijiji (in Canada), and Facebook Marketplace to list items for sale. This typically works better for smaller collections.

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How can you tell how old a Lionel train is?

The Information Is Most Likely On The Model Itself

Fortunately, you won't even have to do any disassembly of your model to determine the exact age. As long as it's still readable and intact, you can usually find a small metal plaque attached to the side or bottom of the train.

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Is Lionel trains going out of business?

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ Lionel Corp., famous for the model trains it once made, announced Wednesday it will go out of business, closing its financially troubled chain of discount toy stores.

(Video) Pre War Lionel Trains Boxed up for decades will they run? In loving memory of Grandpa AL
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How much are old train sets worth?

The value of vintage toy trains depends on the age of the model train. Most model trains are common and due to being well-loved, the value is in the memories your old train set holds for you. An old model train can be worth $100 or less, but it can also be worth $10,000!

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How much is a 50 year old Lionel train worth?

This train set was manufactured in 1950. It is worth $1,050 to $2,500. It sold at $1,600. This train set has the most impressive engine of its era.

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How much is a 1935 Lionel train set worth?

These are not rare cars, but this is a great engine. And the whole set together would easily bring $2,500 to $3,000 at auction.

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How much are trains worth?

So, How much do locomotives cost? A diesel locomotive could cost from $500,000-$2 million. While an electric locomotive could cost more than $6 million. Price depends on whether it is powered by AC or DC traction, how much horsepower it has, or what electronics it is equipped with.

How much do Lionel trains go for? (2024)
When did Lionel stop making trains in USA?

In 2006, Lionel's electric train became the first electric toy inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 1969, they sold their model train lines to General Mills, but continued to operate until 1993 as a holding company for their toy stores. Its model trains are still in production as a separate company.

Where can I sell model railway stuff?

Options For Selling Inherited Model Railway Collections
  • Sell To A High Street Model Railway Shop.
  • Sell To A Mobile or Online Model Railway Trader.
  • Send To An Auctioneers.
  • Sell On eBay.
  • Sell On Other Selling Sites (Gum Tree, Shpock, Preloved etc)
  • Sell Through Facebook Groups.
  • Sell At Toy & Train Fairs.
Oct 9, 2017

What's the rarest Lionel post war caboose?

The 6447 Pennsylvania N5C caboose is the rarest N5C caboose -- if not the rarest caboose -- produced during the entire postwar era.

Is there a market for old Lionel trains?

Pre-war Lionel trains can sell anywhere from twenty dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the rarity of the piece and its condition (among other factors).

How do I sell a train?

  1. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Price Received. Effort. ...
  2. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Price Received. Effort. ...
  3. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Price Received. Effort. ...
  4. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. Price Received. ...
  5. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Price Received.

How do you clean an old Lionel train?

Wet the dirty areas, put liquid detergent to the toothbrush, and gently scrub an area with no lettering. Rinse off the soap and check your progress. If the place you've just cleaned looks good, continue to scrub everything while rinsing frequently. Set the shell on a cloth towel to dry.

Are old Hornby trains valuable?

Hornby Dublo is the name on some of today's most valuable sets. Clockwork models from the start of World War II are highly valuable because few were made.

What do the numbers mean on Lionel trains?

The number is very logical: first digit 6 (for magnetic coupler), second digit 4 (standard line), third digit 6 (one higher than that of the previous gondola, the shorter 6452), last digit 2 (gondola). Lionel introduced another gondola in 1956, the 6562.

What is the difference between pre war and post-war Lionel trains?

The difference between the postwar and prewar Marx trains - YouTube

What are post-war Lionel trains?

PostWar Vintage Trains

The "Post-war Era" for Lionel Electric Trains typically covers the only from 1945 until 1969.

Who owns Lionel now?

Lionel, LLC
TypePrivate
Key peopleHoward Hitchco*ck, President
ProductsModel trains
RevenueUS$62 million (2006)
OwnerGuggenheim Partners 80% Neil Young 20%
6 more rows

Are Lionel trains made in China?

The company's O-gauge toy trains are made in China. Some products are shipped to Lionel operations in Virginia for final assembly and painting.

Are Lionel trains still made in USA?

Lionel trains

The iconic model-train brand, founded in New York City in 1900, keeps things on track today from a plant in North Carolina, where its sets are painted, decorated and assembled.

Are model trains a dying hobby?

Apparently model railroad hobby is dying due to lack on building railroads and no one wants the old pieces.. You're so wrong that it's actually funny. The latest news is that sales in the toy train hobby have gone ballistic over the past 12 months due to the pandemic.

What are the different sizes of Lionel trains?

Lionel trains and track come in different gauges. Lionel O gauge and O-27 gauge trains are our most popular. We also sell S gauge American Flyer trains, which are slightly smaller, and G (garden) gauge trains, which are slightly bigger.

What is Lionel standard gauge?

Standard Gauge, also known as wide gauge, was an early model railway and toy train rail gauge, introduced in the United States in 1906 by Lionel Corporation. As it was a toy standard, rather than a scale modeling standard, the actual scale of Standard Gauge locomotives and rolling stock varied.

How much is the Blue Comet train worth?

It's sold as much as $11,500. GUEST: Good heavens.

How long do train engines last?

The Tier 4 locomotive is designed for a typical lifespan of 25 to 30 years.

Can I own my own train?

Only around 80 people own private rail cars in the U.S. They are expensive toys—running upwards of $250,000. And that's not to mention storage and Amtrak fees, which can amount to $10,000 a year, and pulling charges, which on Amtrak run $2.10 per mile plus about $100 per night for parking.

Are Lionel train sets worth anything?

Lionel trains' value varies depending on design, materials, and era. At auction, Lionel train sets, pieces, and accessories can sell for a few hundred dollars or for a few thousand dollars, depending on the rarity and condition of the piece. Lionel collectors tend to have a lifelong passion for model railroading.

How can I tell how old my Lionel train is?

Lionel almost always placed their identification number underneath the cab of the locomotive. Shown below are some of the various numbers they used to identify these locomotives. O27 Gauge - you'll note that Lionel used four-digit numbers for these locomotives.

How much is an old train set worth?

The value of vintage toy trains depends on the age of the model train. Most model trains are common and due to being well-loved, the value is in the memories your old train set holds for you. An old model train can be worth $100 or less, but it can also be worth $10,000!

How much is a 1935 Lionel train set worth?

These are not rare cars, but this is a great engine. And the whole set together would easily bring $2,500 to $3,000 at auction.

How much is a 1950 Lionel train worth?

Lionel No.

This train set was manufactured in 1950. It is worth $1,050 to $2,500. It sold at $1,600.

Where can I sell model railway stuff?

Options For Selling Inherited Model Railway Collections
  • Sell To A High Street Model Railway Shop.
  • Sell To A Mobile or Online Model Railway Trader.
  • Send To An Auctioneers.
  • Sell On eBay.
  • Sell On Other Selling Sites (Gum Tree, Shpock, Preloved etc)
  • Sell Through Facebook Groups.
  • Sell At Toy & Train Fairs.
Oct 9, 2017

Is Lionel trains going out of business?

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ Lionel Corp., famous for the model trains it once made, announced Wednesday it will go out of business, closing its financially troubled chain of discount toy stores.

When did Lionel stop making trains in USA?

In 2006, Lionel's electric train became the first electric toy inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 1969, they sold their model train lines to General Mills, but continued to operate until 1993 as a holding company for their toy stores. Its model trains are still in production as a separate company.

What do the numbers mean on Lionel trains?

The number is very logical: first digit 6 (for magnetic coupler), second digit 4 (standard line), third digit 6 (one higher than that of the previous gondola, the shorter 6452), last digit 2 (gondola). Lionel introduced another gondola in 1956, the 6562.

When did Lionel start making trains in China?

In 2001, Lionel closed its last manufacturing plant in the United States, outsourcing production to Korea and China. While this move proved unpopular with some longtime fans, the backlash was minor in comparison to the failed move of production to Mexico in the 1980s.

Are model trains a dying hobby?

Apparently model railroad hobby is dying due to lack on building railroads and no one wants the old pieces.. You're so wrong that it's actually funny. The latest news is that sales in the toy train hobby have gone ballistic over the past 12 months due to the pandemic.

What's the rarest Lionel post war caboose?

The 6447 Pennsylvania N5C caboose is the rarest N5C caboose -- if not the rarest caboose -- produced during the entire postwar era.

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