What's the best way to value a model railway collection?

[Islineclear3_1]

How does one value a large collection of rolling stock and locomotives for insurance purposes? Most are in mint condition, not taken out of their boxes

I'm asking for a friend as I have absolutely no idea

 

[Spaceship323]

How does one value a large collection of rolling stock and locomotives for insurance purposes? Most are in mint condition, not taken out of their boxes

I'm asking for a friend as I have absolutely no idea

Make a list and send it to one of the companies that buy model railway equipment, they'll give a price that they would be prepared to pay for the lot - which is in effect it's value
(I've sold lots of stuff and mostly for a lot less than the "book" value). The main price guide (Ramsay's 9th edition) is 10 years out of date

 

[bspahh]

Make a list and send it to one of the companies that buy model railway equipment, they'll give a price that they would be prepared to pay for the lot - which is in effect it's value
(I've sold lots of stuff and mostly for a lot less than the "book" value). The main price guide (Ramsay's 9th edition) is 10 years out of date

I would check with your insurance company. On Antiques Roadshow, the "insurance valuation" is what it would cost to buy an equivalent item, not what a dealer would pay you for it.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I would check with your insurance company. On Antiques Roadshow, the "insurance valuation" is what it would cost to buy an equivalent item, not what a dealer would pay you for it.

Ok thanks, I'll tell him. Most of his rolling stock are not manufactured any more

 

[4SubAsociation]

The first step would be to create a list or a database of what you have. Then you can start from there. Generally speaking Ebay sold items is a good starting point. But it really depends what it is he has. There was a good video little wicket railway did a while ago, what he essentially found was the items he had alot of shops etc where not buying and only one came back with a offer. In the end he sold the items on ebay and split the lot up.

Another place to look is previously sold lots at specialist auction houses (think vectis etc), but that may not give a accurate answer due to some items are put together in other lots.

 

[Ducatist4]

What its worth will be a lot less than the cost of replacing it if your policy is "new for old" (usually - unless you have very rare stuff).