I’m in the process of clearing out a deceased relative’s house and came across some model railway items, 2 layouts around 6×4′ and 40 – 50 locomotives and carriages, mostly Fleischmann, all boxed. I’m not sure what guage. What’s the best way to dispose of them? They need to be sold as easily as possible, so ebay’s out of the question.

Are there any specialist auction houses for this sort of thing? Unless I say otherwise, they’ll all go to the household sale at the local auctioneers, which seems a shame if there’s a better option. We’re near Mold, North Wales.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

I’d give the model exchange hobby shop in hollywell a call to see if they are interested in buying it as a job lot.

http://Www.mehs.co.uk

Got a photo?

Boxed items usually have a higher value. If a shop/dealer makes you an offer for the whole lot I trust you would obtain an alternative valuation before you proceed with the sale.

Rails of Sheffield will buy job lots of stock, easy, but you’ll get far less than selling privately. Alternatively stick it on eBay as a job lot.

Most likely to be HO gauge (each loco about 9-12″ long?), if it’s half that it’s N gauge.

Can I get some photos to lleebb76 at gmail.com, or a rough list of what is there? May be interested.

There are a large number of shops that will evaluate the lot if you put a list together and come and get it from you. The name Ellis Clark rings a bell, I will check a magazine and let you know.

Just spoke yo someone who knows a bit about model trains. He reckons Fleischmann are a very good quality brand, so could be worth a fair bit. Older models in their boxes are likely to be collectors items, and newer ones will also be in demand. Definitely worth doing some research and getting a couple of prices before you let them go I think.

Yes, Fleischmann make some lovely things. Make sure you get what they’re worth if you possibly can. Really good quality stuff.

Maybe contact your local model railway society or advertise them in Railway Modeller?

Google ‘N Gauge’ and ‘HO Gauge’ to find out the difference, but if the items are boxed they’ll have the scale on the box.

Pics would be great!

It may be worth speaking to this guy. http://www.thelocoshedmcr.co.uk/

I’d love to see some pictures though.

I took a large Hornby collection to a shop mentioned in this thread:

Was offered such a small sum that I’ve decided to keep it all for the time being.
Even the bloke’s customers advised me that it was worth far more than he was offering. 😐

I’d love to see some pictures though.

Me too!

Was offered such a small sum that I’ve decided to keep it all for the time being.

The Locoshed?

Pete, set it up and invite us all round! I’ll bring the Scalextric.

Alternatively, we should hire a room at The Church… and perhaps organise a stripper.

Harry, you’re a bad, bad man. 🙂

It’s all the stuff my dad bought when I was a kid.
Supposedly it was for me, but I hardly ever got near the bloody thing. 😀

Thinking of putting up shelving round the walls of the garage and running it in there – no room in the house at the mo!

Alternatively, we should hire a room at The Church and perhaps organise a stripper.

😐

This sort of thing is always worth putting onto ebay as single locos, and batches of coaches / wagons.
Shops will only offer 40-60% of their ebay value.

If you CBA to ebay, then buy one of the rail mags to ring round a few dealers – there are loads who deal in this sort of stuff.
Fleichsmann made mainly german/continental models, but they did do some UK equipment, so the market may be more limited if continental, but they are still sought after here.
9mm track is N gauge, OO is around 17mm, Z is around 7mm.

Thinking of putting up shelving round the walls of the garage and running it in there

Stick it on a board and hinge it to the wall. When are we coming round? Shall I bring crisps and Tizer?

Many thanks for all your replies. I’ll bring it home tomorrow, so can get a bit more information and take some photos. It sounds like N gauge though.

It does sound like n gauge given the number of locos and size of the baseboards. If it helps for scale, here is my n gauge layout with our phone next to it.

List and pics to ns28uk at yahoo co uk as soon as you can pls.

My FIL is a huge steam engine and model railway enthusiast and is based up the close to the border. He could be interested.

Cheers

N Gauge FTW

get it to these guys, they may collect..they ve a specialist toy/ collectors sale on 15 april.. i ve bought and sold through them before and you ll get a market price for em. dont worry about the date just about passing they ll accept stuff if you act quickly.. http://andrewhartleyfinearts.co.uk/blog/post/winter-antique-and-fine-art-sale/