Real value of Kingscale locomotives

[Chris_P]

As there is competition between ebay sellers of Coronations with one now reduced to £4275 having been previously advertised and another at £4500   [url=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394962660931 and various dealers seeking £5000+ for the larger Kingscale models what are members thought's about the long term prospects for the value of such models which seem to fetch even less when they appear in Model Train sales at popular specialist auctioneers?

[IanT]

In any sale there has to be a 'Seller' and a 'Buyer' Chris. If the number of sellers outstrips the number of buyers, then prices tend to fall (and vice versa) but that is the 'Price' - not the 'Value' of course.

I don't own any Kingscale locomotives myself but the ones I've seen at GTGs run well, look lovely and are clearly 'valued' by their owners. I couldn't build a similar locomotive for that 'price' if I placed any sort of hourly rate on my time. That's even forgetting the increasing cost of materials and also assuming that I could match the build & paint quality which (in my case) I very much doubt. So I think Kingscale engines are great value for someone who wants a high quality, RTR live steam loco.

If you can get a good one at a great (e.g low) price, then so much the better!  :-)

Regards,

IanT 
   

[cabbage]

Well I have four Kingscale locos and I don't regret buying any of them! Did I get them for "a good price" yes I think so.

Are they value for money -most definitely. If you look at the costs of competing suppliers and what their stock is.

I would consider buying one as "an investment" rather than a purchase.But as to which one to purchase first, then I would recommend the 14XX.

Regards

Ralph

[AshleyW]

some of those advertised at higher price are shops not private owners (such as rails sheffield) so they are bound to add something on for their overheads. some private loco's have come from other members, who are able to obtain them at sub kingscale prices and thus sell on for much less. but as Ian points out, g3 is relatively small, due to this many know what the others have, where they got it and how much they paid, so unless selling to a necomer, it's often very hard to get your money back.

[MikeWilliams]

Two comments on that Ashley:

1. I agree and I like it.  That means Investors are not interested and leave the models to us enthusiasts.  That's a good thing, yes?

2. Some of the Kingscale models are incredibly cheap.  I have an as-new 14XX for sale at a tad over £1400 and there's another for sale online at the same price.  Even a secondhand one currently advertised by a dealer for c£2100 is not a lot of money for what you get.  I suggest that the boiler, cylinders and wheels would cost you at least half of that on their own, so surely, eventually, that price must go up?

Mike

[cabbage]

I don't know if I class myself as a collector or a model user? I do remember when the late Dave Lowe ran his Brittania on my tracks it was gob smacking experience!!!

At the moment, (he says), I think that I would like a Coronation Scot and Brittania for my collection. I am not a GWR fan, and the rebuilt Merchant Navy... If it was a "genuine" aerostreamed Spam Can then vendor would have seen severe Red Shift as I took it home to my tracks!!!

The real value of the Kingscale models is the beauty and enjoyment of running them.

Regards

Ralph

[Chris_P]

Mike,

I'm pretty sure the 14xx you refer to as advertised by a dealer was purchased at the September Vectis Auction for £800 hammer plus 27% buyers premium.  I agree it is good for these things to be used and enjoyed but was always sceptical of manufacturer claims of models being investments if bought for the original RRP. We should, however, be grateful that sufficient people were willing and able to pay for them to encourage further production and provide a more affordable supply in the "pre-loved" market.  Now to find some suitable and affordable coaches to go with my pre-loved Britannia. 

[AshleyW]

ed jackson is selling a streamliner both on ebay and on g3 facebook

[cabbage]

I am going to go into a corner and cry... It is going to be September 2024 before the next tranche of my pension pots gets paid. August is when the five pots report in.

Regards

Ralph

[Chris_P]

Maybe a downward race for a sale? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394976967818 now only £3995 undercutting the tow others currently available on ebay.

[AshleyW]

looks like james haining, being in melrose, you could always ask about a depsoit to secure ?