HO Scale Train Set 4'x8' LAYOUT...Where to sell and value??

[RTR]

Hey guys. I have a REALLY NICE Bachmann HO Scale Train with the FULL LAYOUT already put together and built on a 4'x8' sheet of plywood and a solid backing above that. It is fully dressed and is in really nice condition. A relitave of mine put around $3,000 into all of it, and has recently passed away. There are TONS of accessories and tracks that come with it, with many of them still in the original boxes. He had purchased a bunch of stuff to add on to the "town" layout. It is fully electric and the whole layout even lights up (he never got around to getting it hooked up before his death).

Question is:

* Where can I list it for sale, and do you all know of a site like this but for the trains and layouts.

* Also, what is all of this worth when selling it. We were thinking of asking around $1,600 OBO.

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE HELP.
 

[RTR]

It has 10 train cars total PLUS the train engine itself. 90% of the accessories (cars, trucks, people, campers, animals, etc.) are packed up to prevent damage. They are included with the sale. There are literally HUNDREDS of accessories that go with it. Here are some pictures of it....


 

[brian(MN)]

I am a model railroader. It appears you have a very neat and clean set up here. And complete and ready to run. I see a few of the boxes have prices on them, I have some of those autos and they are not cheap (10-15). The Bachman engine and cars are "entry level" trains. Maybe $100 for the basic engine and cars plus $5 for each addition , buildings are plastic-%5-10. Add in the details (people, autos,). You have some tools too I see. You have the whole set up for a beginner.
Your selling point could be it is like new, never used, complete, clean, ready to run ect. Excelent oportunity for a young fellow to get into the hobby, a father/son interest, or an older fellow who always wanted a train set or to have something for his grand children when they visit. Unfortunatly, most kids today have little interest is stuff like this. ( I have been in the hobby for 40 years, it is sad, it is such a creative hobby).
Try selling local or craigs list, you might get what you are asking, but don't hold hold your breath. A lot of work went into that , but it is hard to sell "work". Good luck.
Brian(MN)
 

[RTR]

[BDT in Minnesota]

trains.com

Full of information, but sorry; you cannot sell on that site..

I agree with what Brian mentioned about being an "entry level" train set..

I don't picture anyone comming up with a check for $1600 for an entry level train and layout..sorry..

The accessories that are still boxed, the automobiles, and any "loose" extras are best sold separately..( cost recovery wise )

I could go into much detail; but your best education will come from watching simular items that are sold on eBay... consider this your competition.

A local market would be sooooooooooo much easier, as you could avoid the shipping monkeybussiness...
 

[brian(MN)]

If your relative spent $3000 on it, usually that means list price, taxes, shipping. I am thinking more in the line of $500 for the whole works, I don't know for sure what is in the boxes. You could sell piece by piece, but I doubt if you would recover the $500, in fact I know you wouldn't, some would sell easy like the autos and people (you might get half price at a flea market), most you'd have to give away. Some people are interested in buying assembled buildings, but then these appear to be Bachmann and aren't worth that much.
Yes, watching ebay would give an idea.
Don't be surprised if someone offers you a "lowball" offer of $75 for the whole works, all they would do is sell the cream and scrap the rest.
Advertise locally , hopefully you can find some young person who would love a ready to use train set with parents who want their child to learn something else than a new video game.
Good luck,
Brian(MN)
 

[135 Fan]

I'd go to a hobby store that specializes in trains and see if they could help you. Some of the older locomotives or cars can be quite valuable depending on what make and model they are. There's group of model railroad engineers here that has a giant modular train set, set up in a shopping mall. They can plug the controls in where ever they need them. They can run several trains independently on the same track. They're a registered non profit organization and although it's free to see the layout, they ask for donations. I bet that train set is worth well over $100,000. Dave
 

[RTR]

Thanks guys. I actually called 2 local hobby shops, and they told me that $1,200 to $1,500 was a good price for it. Someone out there is wanting a set like that, just gotta find em. The lowest we can take for it CASH money would be around $1,000 to $1,200.