Question on Lionel Train sets- Please help

[toysrus]

Does anybody here know much about Lionel Train sets? I dont know anything about trains at all. We received a Lionel Polar Express 2007 Train set for Christmas as a gift, we have no room for this set and the person who gave it to us cant return it. But its still sealed mint in box. My main question is should i take the offer of 290.00 i just had for this set? Or Are these type sets collectibles? Like will this go up in value yearly? Or is the same type set made each year?

It retailed at 299.00 online before the holidays. Here is the link.


Lionel Catalog - Lionel 2007 Train Catalog Volume 2

[Zemo]

If it's this one, I would say yea fast as there selling at 224

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-31960-Pol...QQcmdZViewItem

[toysrus]

Sell it or keep it??

But do you or does anybody know if they ( Lionel Trains ) make similiar Train sets every year? Or will the 2007 ploar express set that i have be the last of the Polar express sets? Also in time if kept in the box will the value rise?

Thanks

If it's this one, I would say yea fast as there selling at 224

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-31960-Pol...QQcmdZViewItem

[hobub]

Ask Allan at the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I don't know his contact off hand but check the MegoMeet threads. He specializes in that stuff.

[Adam West]

It said in the auction listing that it was only available 2004 and 2005.

It's hard to say whether or not it will go up. I do know that Polar Express is becoming a classic Christmas movie which will help.

I also know people who collect Lionel will pay premiums for limited edition sets.

[PCofmisfittoys]

there was tons available throughout christmas. They had add on pieces and other items. the one you have is the 0 -scale it sounds like and they come out with several others . I don't think they are limited and they are on the lionel website as well. 300.00 seems high but if someone will pay it ,go for it

[SteveD]

I'd say take the $290 offer. One of the biggest Lionel train stores (http://www.charlesro.com) has them for sale at $224, and that price range is pretty common across the board.

I wouldn't worry about the Polar Express going up in value over the years. Lionel has been making the same set every year since 2004, and I can't see them stopping production anytime soon. It's been one of the best-selling train sets for them in recent years.

The one time prices were going through the roof on them was back in 2004 because Lionel had underestimated demand for them and they were extremely hard to find that Christmas. I was lucky and had pre-ordered one during the summer.

The one category of Lionel trains that keep going up in price are boxed examples of postwar (1945-1969) trains. Some of those sets can go for thousands of dollars, especially the Girl's set from 1957.