| Have you ever seen a brass model train? They're | | | | special hobby shops which allow individual sellers to |
| magnificent in their well preserved forms. | | | | display their collections for sale. This has the |
| Decorated with intricate designs and elegantly | | | | advantage of having the models out on display. |
| hand-crafted, these highly collectible models never | | | | Unlike buying online, this will afford you the chance |
| fail to catch people's attentions. And when the | | | | to inspect the model and, most times, the chance |
| light hits them just right, with the right amount of | | | | to even ask the seller about the model. |
| luster, they almost shine like gold. | | | | Asking about the item is very important to any |
| To some they might as well be gold. They have | | | | collector. Should you find one you are interested |
| become very lucrative investments to some. | | | | in, don't buy yet. Smart collectors will know more |
| Originally made from Japan, these beauties were | | | | about their potential buys before actually getting |
| imported into the U.S. and sold somewhere | | | | them. Knowing more about the history of your |
| between $50 and $100. Now they have reached | | | | potential buy will give you more insights to its |
| stunning sale values ranging anywhere from | | | | actual value. Knowing the history is important |
| $2,000 to $30,000! | | | | because some models can be genuine antiques |
| But collecting these trains is not for everybody. | | | | but haven't developed a huge following yet so has |
| Nothing this valuable ever is. | | | | very little resale value despite their usually |
| To start, these things are hard to come by. | | | | extreme costs. Knowing more also helps you in |
| Because of their price they have become | | | | generating an interest in your model should you |
| unpopular in most local stores since they will | | | | ever decide to sell it. |
| usually just eat up shelf space without a large | | | | Once you get your brass train, be very aware |
| chance of being sold easily. You'd want to check | | | | that it is somewhat a more delicate model than |
| with the companies that produce them. | | | | the regular models you may be used to. They are |
| Companies like Lionel, Bachmann, Atheran, and | | | | usually not considered toys. Collectors take great |
| Marklin usually have websites or sometimes even | | | | pains in maintaining them so making them run on |
| showrooms to showcase their brass models. | | | | tracks is usually out of the question. The |
| Another good source is of course other collectors. | | | | enjoyment is in the collecting and not in the |
| There are many online places you can meet them | | | | playing with these models. You will have to polish |
| like the NMRA or the National Model Railroad | | | | them regularly. Keep in mind that brass can be |
| Association. Many enthusiasts also set up forums | | | | sensitive to polishing. Too much polishing will ruin |
| and websites to display and advertise their | | | | the natural appearance of the train and |
| models. You can also get some on eBay and | | | | consequently ruin its collector's value as well. |
| other online auctions. Watch out though, these | | | | If you think you are one of the few but really |
| things are not cheap and you are usually aren't | | | | dedicated people who enjoy collecting and |
| the only one interested in them. Many collectors | | | | maintaining these high value trains, then by all |
| will pay huge amounts of money to get that | | | | means you should try your hand at them. |
| model they are after, even going way beyond | | | | Sometimes your collections can reward you in |
| the items actual market value. The bids will usually | | | | more than just financial benefits. Some have |
| drive the price to insane levels and, if you are not | | | | dedicated their lives to these models for the pure |
| willing to splurge on them, you might not find | | | | joy of watching their collections grow and prosper |
| auctions as your best option. Another option is in | | | | in time. |