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 Posted - September 17 2007 : 10:52:45 PM
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Hello everyone!
Ive spent the last month buying almost everything tyco I've seen on E-bay.
Tonight I saw this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tyco-7418-G-I-Joe-Electric-Train-Battle-Set-NIB_W0QQitemZ230170576787QQihZ013QQcategoryZ19140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The seller also has this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110121999562&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=230170576787&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget
Why so much?
Whats the value of a Spirit of 76 train set new in box?
I just started getting into trains. I started out trying to get the same tyco train cars I had as a kid, and I just went crazy buying anything tyco.
Oh Well! got to have some toys!
Thanks
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 12:26:32 AM
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Hi and welcome to the world of model railroading! There is nothing like those little trains![^]
In response to your question of why so much for the Tyco trains. Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that they are no longer made. While I personally would not pay $1000 or even $470 for a GI Joe set, mint in the box or not (even if I had that kind of money), there are those who will pay it.
That being said, being able to have a complete, in the box, perhaps brand new in that box Tyco set is something that is a rarity. While the sets were all over the place in the late '70's and '80's, they are pretty hard to find "brand new" today. This makes them scarce and with the Ebay psyche of auction excitement that can catch a person, the prices sometimes go for more than they should.
Tyco trains, loved by many, hated by many, are in fact a piece of model railroading history and are definitely a piece of my lifetime history. Those of us in the 35-45 year old range grew up in the brown box era and clamored for a Tyco train set. For me, I try to fulfill a promise I made to myself as a teenager of getting as many of the Tyco pieces in the catalogs as I could. Now that I am older, I try to recapture those days and feelings though the trains and it would seem I am not alone. This creates competition for the available supply of Tyco pieces out there and hence, supply and demand, the prices rise.
On another note, a word of advice if you are just getting into model railroading or getting your kids into model railroading.
In my opinion, antique or vintage railroad equipment of any kind, Tyco or otherwise may prove disappointing for the beginner modeler. I would recommend that you pick up a new Life-like or Bachmann set to get you started, espeically the kids. This stuff will run well right out of the box and begin getting maximum play time immediately and help hold the attention of the youngsters. The vast majority of older equipment is going to need a thorough cleaning and lubricating at the very least and maybe a full tear down and reassembly to get them going again. Tyco was fairly high maintenance equipment and really didn't hold up well between servicing when even when operated gently, muchless trying to hold up to the rigors of high speeds, reversing when moving forward, etc. as some of us kids have done on occasion. [:D]
So, for what it is worth and in my opinion, hopefully this throws a perspective on your question.
Roy
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 12:37:52 AM
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Welcome.
With that...beware of "Musthavititus", the overwhelming desire to have everything model trains has to offer in a fraction of the time before understanding how the little nippers work. Makes for large expanses of plywood in rooms covered with an assortment of trackage, rolling stock and engines that at one time made perfect sense to the builder. The resulting frustration usually leads to stamp collecting, quilting or NASCAR diecast collecting.[:D]
I was a happy modeler with 35 years in the hobby 'til I found my first MIB Tyco GG1...sigh...it's been an uphill struggle ever since.[:D]
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 03:45:37 AM
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Welcome!
I think you will love this forum as we have many great people here.
mike
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 06:41:27 AM
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HI WELCOME,PERSONNALY I THINK LIKE MOST SCI FI SHOPS WHO FIND A LINK TO A TV/FILM VIA A TRAIN SET ALWAYS PUT A GREATER VALUE TO IT THAN A PURE TRAIN SHOP DEALER WOULD,I STAY AWAY FROM SUCH DEALERS AS THEY DO NOT KNOW IN MOST CASES WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT,AS REGARDS CONDITION,THEY MAY KNOW IT LOOKS CLEAN AND RUNS BUT DO THEY KNOW THE MECHANICS,WHEN BUYING LISTEN TO YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR HEART OTHERWISE IT COULD COST YOU MORE THAN ITS WORTH IF YOU ARE THINKING OR MAY NEED TO RESELL KEN
PS SORRY ABOUT CAPITALS CANT FIND MY GLASSES
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 5:46:14 PM
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That is rediculous. I cant belive anyone would pay that much for a G.I Joe set. 90-100$ tops for one MIB like that. Those sets are`nt even hard to come by. Seems like they are a dime a dozen.
A lone amature built the ark! A large group of professionals built the titanic!
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Posted - September 18 2007 : 6:54:35 PM
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shatgetz wrote....
beware of "Musthavititus", the overwhelming desire to have everything model trains has to offer in a fraction of the time before understanding how the little nippers work.
PERFECT ADVICE FOR THE NEWBIE !!!
I wish I had known you 25 years ago when I started in this hobby.
I would have saved a lot of money !!!
Bob Taylor
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Derek
Switcher
Status:
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Posted - September 19 2007 : 3:15:22 PM
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shatgetz wrote....
beware of "Musthavititus", the overwhelming desire to have everything model trains has to offer in a fraction of the time before understanding how the little nippers work.
Man I must remember that. "Musthavititus" I am just getting back into the hobby after a 30 year hiatus and feel like I need to have everything I did not get as a kid. From my brief reacquaintance with tyco I understand the engines are a temperamental beast to run quietly and reliably (at least for me). I plan on running new proto 2000's, katos and the like for engines and tyco rolling stock. Lots of them. I must try and not deign a layout that will get out of hand and frustrate me into abandoning it...
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Posted - September 19 2007 : 6:50:37 PM
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You're welcome guys.
I just remember all too well my first layout in 1974 and another I built in '83.
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Posted - September 19 2007 : 8:29:43 PM
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Hello and thanks to everyone for your replys.
I'll be posting some pics and asking some more questions
as time goes by.
Ive just picked up this hobby last month, and E-bay has had it's ups and down, but I'm learning as I go.
Thanks Again
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Posted - September 19 2007 : 8:37:51 PM
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Hi:
Welcome ,and remember to post a wanted in the Trading post. I'm going to have several things for sale in the next week or so, so keep your eyes open.
-Gareth
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