Hobby, Models & Trains

Have you ever seen a brass model train? They’re magnificent in their well preserved forms. Decorated with intricate designs and elegantly hand-crafted, these highly collectible models never fail to catch people’s attentions. And when the light hits them just right, with the right amount of luster, they almost shine like gold.

To some they might as well be gold. They have become very lucrative investments to some. Originally made from Japan, these beauties were imported into the U.S. and sold somewhere between $50 and $100. Now they have reached stunning sale values ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000!

But collecting these trains is not for everybody. Nothing this valuable ever is.

To start, these things are hard to come by. Because of their price they have become unpopular in most local stores since they will usually just eat up shelf space without a large chance of being sold easily. You’d want to check with the companies that produce them. Companies like Lionel, Bachmann, Atheran, and Marklin usually have websites or sometimes even showrooms to showcase their brass models. Another good source is of course other collectors. There are many online places you can meet them like the NMRA or the National Model Railroad Association. Many enthusiasts also set up forums and websites to display and advertise their models. You can also get some on eBay and other online auctions. Watch out though, these things are not cheap and you are usually aren’t the only one interested in them. Many collectors will pay huge amounts of money to get that model they are after, even going way beyond the items actual market value. The bids will usually drive the price to insane levels and, if you are not willing to splurge on them, you might not find auctions as your best option. Another option is in special hobby shops which allow individual sellers to display their collections for sale. This has the advantage of having the models out on display. Unlike buying online, this will afford you the chance to inspect the model and, most times, the chance to even ask the seller about the model.

Asking about the item is very important to any collector. Should you find one you are interested in, don’t buy yet. Smart collectors will know more about their potential buys before actually getting them. Knowing more about the history of your potential buy will give you more insights to its actual value. Knowing the history is important because some models can be genuine antiques but haven’t developed a huge following yet so has very little resale value despite their usually extreme costs. Knowing more also helps you in generating an interest in your model should you ever decide to sell it.

Once you get your brass train, be very aware that it is somewhat a more delicate model than the regular models you may be used to. They are usually not considered toys. Collectors take great pains in maintaining them so making them run on tracks is usually out of the question. The enjoyment is in the collecting and not in the playing with these models. You will have to polish them regularly. Keep in mind that brass can be sensitive to polishing. Too much polishing will ruin the natural appearance of the train and consequently ruin its collector’s value as well.

If you think you are one of the few but really dedicated people who enjoy collecting and maintaining these high value trains, then by all means you should try your hand at them. Sometimes your collections can reward you in more than just financial benefits. Some have dedicated their lives to these models for the pure joy of watching their collections grow and prosper in time.