Bachmann Gaines Gravy Train?

[Zircor]

Hi everyone, new here. I've recently had a growing interesting in model trains (starting with my purchase of an Athearn SF Warbonnet locomotive from an old boss, to my great-grandmother gifting upon me a set of N-scale freight cars she got for some magazine subscription). This has hit full steam (pun intended :) ) after the discovery of my late grandfather's (now mine) Bachmann Gaines Gravy Train. I was wondering if any of you have information on this set; a cursory Google search turns up no information on it. Was it a mail-order item? What is the age on it? if I'm remembering right, it's about 40 years old, judging by the address on the shipping carton (my grandparents hadn't lived at that address in MY lifetime; according to my mom it's been 40-50 years since they lived there). What about the scarcity and potential price of this item (should I put it under lock and key, or will it be OK to run it on my future set up, or sell it and become instantly rich :) ?) Thank you guys for any information you have on it.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I saw one of those on Ebay back in May. Somebody won it for $25.99

Bachmann HO Gaines Gravy Trian COMPLETE TRAIN SET *MIMB - (eBay.ca item 120262566883 end time 22-May-08 23:03:06 EDT) (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Bachmann-HO-Gaines-Gravy-Trian-COMPLETE-TRAIN-SET-MIMB_W0QQitemZ120262566883QQihZ002QQcategoryZ19132 QQcmdZViewItem)

[BN9900]

I saw one of those on Ebay back in May. Somebody won it for $25.99

Bachmann HO Gaines Gravy Trian COMPLETE TRAIN SET *MIMB - (eBay.ca item 120262566883 end time 22-May-08 23:03:06 EDT) (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Bachmann-HO-Gaines-Gravy-Trian-COMPLETE-TRAIN-SET-MIMB_W0QQitemZ120262566883QQihZ002QQcategoryZ19132 QQcmdZViewItem)

Problem with Ebay is that it is an auction house and like any auction house many items go for less than they are really worth. It is a good starting point, but I would check out local clubs, and hobby shops to get better pricing. I couldn't really see the set in the picture, but I have a couple of questions.

1. Was the gravy train run by one railroad only? If this is the case then find where it operated and then ask clubs and hobby shops in that area. The value goes down when you are not in it's home area. If it was a joint venture then check a few major hoby shops along the line.

2. If it is just a set of cars then the individual cars might be worth more than others.

So over all I think the final price of the Ganes Train on Ebay was low how ever do some more research if your truly interested.

Good luck

[Zircor]

Yeah the price did seem low.... Seeing as that there was only the one, as well, who knows.

As far as where/when it RAN, I have no idea. I doubt it was a train that was actually real though; it seems like it was just some kind of promo for the Gaines dog food brand (I have seen a lot of the model manufacturers that will do something similar for the right price). I'll take it with me to the local hobby store (even if it is just a Hobbytown USA) next time I have a chance.

[Midnight Railroader]

Don't be surprised if it turns out to be worth very little.

These kinds of plastic train sets with promo paint schemes aren't much when it comes to investments.

The eBay price may well have been about what you can expect to get for it.

[friscobob]

However, if it ISN'T worth a whole lot, don't toss it- keep it around, and run it from time to time. It may not have been prototypical, but in this hobby you don't always have to be prototypical, despite what some may think. ANd since it's from your granddad, there's sentimental value.

And by the way, welcome to Trainboard.:tb-smile:

[Dee Das]

What most people seem to forget is that old HO trains are just old HO trains. Most of them have values that range from very modest to non-existant. Even a lot of old HO brass has very little value anymore. Most of the plastic trainsets from the 60's, 70's and 80's were mass produced pieces of junk and there is very little demand for those items.

However, since this belonged to your grandfather and he kept it for so long, it must have meant something to him. If it was me, I would hang on to it and proudly display it in my display case. The sentimental value would make it priceless to me.

As far as investments go, don't let anyone tell you that trains are a good investment. With very few exceptions, HO model trains are not and will never be a good investment. If you want a good investment, there are hundreds of other investment vehicles out there that will pay better dividends. HO scale trains and the word investment should not be mentioned in the same sentence. :)