Selling off large n scale collection

[slotracer]

I have been collecting N scale for a dozen years for the purpose of building a layout reflecting the Western NY area I experienced in the early seventies. Reality is, I no longer have the time or desire to build the layout so it's tiem to sell off the collection. I have 60 locomotives, 300+ cars plus track and buildings to get rid of as well as several hundered issues of MR, RMC and n scale magazines.

This equipment reflects roughtly a 1974 time period and uis heavy on Erie Lackwanna and Lehigh Valley, I have a little ERIE, DL&W, NYC, NKP and PRR and D&H locos in the mix.

Everything is in parts file drawers so I don't have the origianl boxes although I have instruction sheets for many of the locos.

I had a small "rest" layout set up for about a year but I took it down 5 years back. All of the equipment has had either minimal and in many cases, no track time.

I'd rather thin the herd at message boards like this before going to ebay. I am looking at fair prices that repesent a god deal for the buyer as wekll as me....ie: I'm not giving it away but I am not gouging either.

If you are interested in seeing what is available, email me at gary.merrifield at jm dot com and I will respond with a spreadsheet showing inventory.

Please note, that is my work email addy so I only respond M-F Mountain time normal work hours.

Thanks

Gary Merrifield

Bailey Colorado

[steamguy]

I can agree with your frustration. I have been in this for 30+ years and have accumulated a huge inventory, like over 600 locos and 1800 pieces of rolling inventory, and still have one more on its way.

By eBay sale estimation, I conservatively place the value at over $25K, and at the age of 65, my wife is concerned as to how she is going to get rid of the stuff. I am making her an inventory of all of my trains and model cars to help her, but I do not plan to start to get rid of anything for at least 5 more years, but the future is always uncertain.

At a few recent train shows I witnessed the widow of a certain friend who sold his stuff (she had plenty of help and support) for 3 train shows and at the third show stuff was getting pretty peekid. And, she had no savvy on how to negotiate the rest of the stuff.

My problem is even worse because I weaned all of my old stuff off to a friend, and what is left are all of the higher quality locos and rolling stock.

As of now, I have checked with area-wide hobby shops and the listers in mags under "trains wanted" and my inventory exceeds everything they are capable of buying. I have for the most part everything in original boxes and when bought used and loose, I utilized spare clear plastic boxes and sponge foam to house and protect them. I don't want to see these trains squandered or undersold, so you can understand my problem. Right now, call me "the procrastinator: