Selling your old train sets

September 7, 2019

We get a lot of phone calls and inquiries about people who want to sell old train sets- maybe the set was someone’s fathers or grandfathers who recently passed away. To help aid in this process, we’ve gathered up some quick tips that will help you make the best decisions when it comes to selling old train sets.

old trains

Research

A good first step is to go online and find the model you are selling to see what it’s worth. If you don’t know the model, you can usually find the name of the manufacturer somewhere on the car body.  You can then compare it to others of similar make.

Best Condition

It’s best to make sure your train or train set is in good condition. This isn’t to say that you need to replace missing parts, but you should dust it off and clean it up. It’s also not a bad idea to test it before listing it or trying to sell it.  It’s easier to sell an item that you know runs correctly!

Selling or Donating Through Local Hobby Shop

Hey, that’s us! The staff at Junction Hobbies and Toys has great knowledge about trains. Even if you’re not interested in donating or selling just yet, the staff can offer you more information about your particular train. Junction Hobbies and Toys is always happy to accept donations!

HO trains

If you sell online…

  • Come up with a good description and be honest. Don’t say that an item is “new” if it has been run or used before. “Like new” is more accurate and your buyer will appreciate the honesty.
  • Include photos of YOUR actual train or train set. Do NOT use a google image. You want to show your model exactly as is.
  • Train Collectors Association has a grading scale so you can determine the condition of your train. This helps tremendously!