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 Posted - July 23 2006 : 04:10:41 AM
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Does anyone know how much in demand are LL items.
I have been collecting LL stuff for a few years now and was just wondering.
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - July 23 2006 : 1:23:46 PM
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Carl:
Insofar as the last dying gasp of one of the two great pioneer manufacturers of American HO, Varney (and, yes, John Tyler's Mantua/Tyco is the other), is the birthright of Life Like's train line, early Life Like made from the old Varney patterns and molds have enjoyed some increased collectibility. Also, a few of the early train sets, particularly those equipped with the "Varney/Life Like" 4-6-2, the GG-1 electric or the Varney/Life Like DL-701 (RS-11) diesel, seem to fetch more and more money. Much other stuff, though, seems to go begging, which given Life Like's bright colors, rather poor operating characteristics and often-lousy fit and finish is appropriate. With the early train sets (the foam-fitted box types), some early cars and many of the accessory ramps, autos and trucks are still marked Varney (or crudely scribed out).
Specific mention should be made of the infamous Campbells Soup train ('86?) which seems to gain in collectibility every year and the Circus line, which--despite the often-mediocre fit and finish--seems to have gained a very devoted following and subsequent higher prices.
Also, certain locomotive liveries seem to be more highly pursued: ACL, CNW, Green Bay Western and Delaware and Hudson immediately spring to mind.
I think, Carl, your search for Life Like has put you ahead of the collecting curve and was a wise choice.
Magnolia Academy
ps: Failure to mention Life Like's magnificent Proto-series offerings would be inexcuseable. They are superb; I run some myself but still consider them current operators rather than "collectibles."
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Posted - July 25 2006 : 10:51:03 AM
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Hi,
I agree with Magnolia Academy's comments regarding Life-Like HO-Scale trains. The '70s Circus items seem to be of most interest and it is a very limited number of items. The Campbell's Soup set does occasionally bring some interest, but it was certainly produced is large quantity and is available at both swap meets and eBay routinely. In general, I would say there is virtually nothing made by Life-Like that can't be had with only minor effort and modest expense...which is not a bad thing. [;)]
Life-Like did many, many promotional train sets over the years. From grocery store sets and beyond there are tons of items out there that were never cataloged and of a special run nature. Life-Like also recently did many special runs for the Proto 1000 50' Hi-Roof Box Car. None of these gets much attention currently, but these are neat things to look for and pick up as they are kinda unique. The Proto 1000 set of ice cream Box Cars and the recent comics characters cars are both good examples of these special run recent Life-Like items.
Tony Cook
HO-Scale Trains Resource
http://ho-scaletrains.net
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Posted - July 26 2006 : 9:44:28 PM
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Being an Auto Mechanic,I have 4 LL Snap On tools sets.
I really like the promotional type sets,and sets made for stores like
Montgomery Ward,Toys R Us,and others.
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - July 27 2006 : 3:55:23 PM
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Carl:
Your mention of the Life Like Montgy Wards reminds me I forget to mention the New One Models of Philadelphia connection to Life Like (of Philly). The ubiquitous Life Like Teakettle steamer is a direct descendant of New One's Japanese imported Teakettle and is, pretty much, a dead ringer. The principle difference is the plastic cab instead of zamac, much like the old Varney docksider 0-4-0 which survives in the Life Like line (only with plastic shell) right down to the "V" (for Varney) on the boiler front.
Magnolia Academy
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Posted - March 02 2009 : 10:26:03 PM
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kool guys I only want the billboard/ad cars anyway 
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