Not to take this off topic, but wouldn't the same be true for sports venues? If we as citizens refused to pay the high $$$$ of tickets to go see a ball game, one would think that the players salaries might dwindle down so it was actually affordable to take the family to the game.
Here we go again... another gross overstatement of the value of Kadee cars of the past based on a single data point. How can I say this delicately... well, I can't. "High auction values" as stated in collector guides have no bearing on the current reality. The "high auction value" means that someone once paid, in this case $800, for a car, and only in one of the auctions that the collector guides choose to track. This does not and has never included eBay which is "not recognized as a legitimate venue." (By whom, might I ask..) Depending on the guide in question, there may or may not be a date of that auction. If there is, dollars to donuts that this amount was achieved years ago, and most likely in the previous century. With very rare exceptions, which are getting rarer all the time for various reasons, the aftermarket for nearly all "collectible" N Scale including but not limited to Micro-Trains and Kadee cars is thoroughly and perhaps irreversably deflated. In other words, the bubble has burst.
i got one in repairable shape on the curb a number of years ago i had toreplce the trucks they were missing
I know the feeling... I'd KILL to find a few affordable Micro-Trains Studebaker boxcars from back in the 90's.... those were fantastic! I am working on a Studebaker Dealership for my layout....
According to some and it's worth noting, the original Kadee N Scale train equipment has more value then it's original MSRP. How much is debatable. I'm not of that persuasion as I believe it is, what could be considered "Collectables" but hardly carries a collector's price. In time maybe but not yet! The newer MTL is by far better then the old Kadee N Scale. I have Kadee N Scale and they are some of my best runners. From the yeah but committee. But and here's the clincher, with new Micro-trains wheelsets and knuckle couplers. They look good run nice and I will be looking for more. But at that price of $800.00 they better be Gold Plated . Now go believe what you want to... .
I don't disagree with what have been said but that particular car on eBay there were only six made. Interesting story in the description. Scarcity and collectors in the same room will drive prices up.
Nobody is paying hundreds of dollars for this crap anymore. I'm sure there are still people who still think that their beanie babies are valuable too. Delusion is delusion.
I like all things "vintage" and that means Kay-Dee when it comes to Micro Trains. Those and the odd Atlas USA get weathered and put into service.
