Model Railroading > Blue box - Worth anything?

I'm in the middle of downsizing and facing the reality there will never be that layout "I'll build someday."

I'm re-homing some of my better stuff to friends actively modeling for the satisfaction of seeing my models occasionally.

I will undoubtedly be left with some Athearn and Roundhouse (and Walthers equivalent) blue box rolling stock and locomotives.

My question is if these things are like railroad magazines (We've saved them for decades and they aren't worth the paper they're printed on) and there's no market for them or are people still seeking this kind of stuff?

I'm not thinking I'm sitting on any kind of treasure trove and trying to recoup my "investment" (that thankfully my wife shut me off from about 20 years ago) but rather wondering if this stuff can find a home somewhere or do I just send it to the great blue box in the sky and be done with it?

Insights and experience appreciated.

Mike Derrick

Posted from Android

I guy at our recent Tyler Train Show was selling blue box cars for $5 each.
He sold about half of what he brought to the show.

WrongWayMurphy Wrote:
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> A guy at our recent Tyler Train Show was selling
> blue box cars for $5 each.

Yep. Just blow 'em out. Also you could just give some to any young modelers you might know who are just starting out. My father's friend gave me some old stuff when I was a kid and I was thrilled to get it. A few years ago my friend told me one of her clients and his father were into model trains so I gave her a bunch of stuff to give them. 

 

Consider contacting any local model rr clubs in your region to see if they would like to have your items as a donation.  They could sell the stuff at a flea market or show and make a few $$$ and you could take a generous tax deduction.

-John

NEVER throw model trains in the garbage!

If you go the online route, you might try selling them in groups instead of individually - 4 or 5 for $20 for example.

I have seen one of the local train shows used Blue Box cars for a “Pinewood Derby” style race, and that appears to be a hit with kids. So a club donation could help setup something like that.

I am glad you are trying to find a home for your stuff. I plan to run my Blue Box stuff (locos and freight cars) in to the ground, they work and they help fill out my trains.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

I donated a bunch of stuff to a local club, they were thrilled, they either keep stuff if it pertains to what story they are trying to tell,or sell it to also help support the club.

Posted from Android

atsf121 Wrote:
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> If you go the online route, you might try selling
> them in groups instead of individually - 4 or 5
> for $20 for example.

I've sold a few hundred things on Ebay. In this case, best to list them individually for $1 and post all the listings at once or the same day. The market will dictate the price, which will match show prices, and people interested in multiple items will buy multiple items for the combined shipping discount. You'll move them all. Locos will need a video of them running to get optimal price.

Only time combined lots pay off is if it's all of the same car, which gains interest from people wanting a lot of one car, i.e. 4 or 5 or 12 Seaboard hoppers of the same type (ideally with different numbesr). People and auction houses listing mixed lots of random stuff leave so much money on the table because most people don't want half of what's in a mix. Ask yourself, would I want a group of these? If yes, it's probably okay to list together.

Or donate to a local club if the above sounds like too much work.

Old Blue Box stuff is also great to experiment on. You can learn to weather without worrying about ruining something expensive.

The blue box locomotive could sell in the $25-35 range fairly easily if they are in good shape and complete.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

I know a lot of modelers who would prefer to buy blocks box stuff including me. It may not be detailed but they were well made
I took a lot of engines and installed decoders and they are some of my best runners.
I would be interested to know what you have if you want to private message me

Posted from iPhone

I agree with sellingl in lots. These days the average modeler cant afford 20 to 30 car coal trains or other unit trains that require one type of car. Even though there are great looking rolling stock being produced these days, blue box hoppers are good enough quality for me if I can find some older 3 bay outside braced cars.

As far as donating to clubs, do some homework. One large (80+ members) local club has a core of dedicated volunteers who are willing to sort and price stuff and spend time at swap meets or on eBay. The next-largest club (30 members) wants nothing to do with general donations.