[bfd300]

Hello everyone,
My name is Otto and i am new to this forum.
I recently found my childhood trains in the attic and I am wondering what they might be worth. I can tell you the loco is an 89 006 and it works.I also have other rail cars like a shell tanker and coach cars.
I also have quite a bit of track.I assembled a circle and the train does work.
The loco and cars are in OK shape....has a little rust on the hooks ups but over all pretty good.I loved this train as a young boy but havn't used them since I was around 10 and I am 40 now.The power supply is marklin 10va w/ signs of wear but works.

Thank you for your time
Otto

 

[tankist]

welcome.
the set is worth exactly as much as the ammount the interested person you will find willing to give for it.
hard to tell anything without pictures.

 

[bfd300]

Yea i was working on the pics........here are a few!

 

[bfd300]

one more picture

 

[bfd300]

and a coiple of the loco

 

[Reckers]

What tankist was explaining to you is that "What's it worth?" is highly subjective. There are books that list prices for sets, engines, cars, and so on: those books are written by sellers. They have a vested interest in a perception that very high prices are normal. As a result, train store walls are lined with used trains that are dust-covered and have those high prices on their tags. Do some homework: look on ebay for similar equipment and see what it sells for. Look at websites that sell used trains and see if your stuff is listed there. Ebay will tell you what it really sells for; the websites will tell you what dealers hope it will sell for. Also, do not try to clean it. Use a light brush to dust it off and see if it will run or not. Cleaning solvents may reduce it's value, and "Does it run?" is the first question a potential buyer will ask.

Best of luck!

 

[bfd300]

Thanks for your help..I really appreciate it.BTW yes it does run.
I was amazed it did after 30 years.
Otto

 

[tworail]

The loco was the most popular loco that Marklin ever made, there are probably more than 100,000 out there. So, even in mint condition it would not be worth that much. If you look on Ebay you will see similar 'sets'. Unless it's in absolute mint condition, it's not worth more than $50 for the lot, possibly $75.

What I would do is clean it up and keep it

Then make a classic Marklin table like this:

 

[Reckers]

....and lube it before you use it much more! I'll bet it's pretty dry.

Best wishes,

 

[tworail]

Here is a tip for old engines that haven't been run in a long time.. remove the plastic body shell (for the 3000 there is a screw on top) get a hair dryer and direct some heat towards the underside of the loco. This should warm up the old oil a bit. Now, if it's not totally caked in there with tons of dirt and grime, apply some new oil and run it in forward and reverse for a while, then clean with a toothbrush and re-oil. That should get it in tip-top running condition.

 

[Reckers]

Nice tip, Tworail. I'll remember that, if my gf will quit leaving our hairdryers in PA when she visits home. *L*

I got an old AF engine on Ebay about a month ago....was in terrific shape, but still seemed to have the original grease from 60 years ago caked up in it, hard and dry. Guy said it used to run but stopped. Some cleaning, new oil and grease and it flies. Cleaning and lubrication will make it last another 40 years, Bfd300.