We Buy Trains-- Sell us your trains today!

Fill out our survey now to get started!

Link here! Or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/ToY9BLnahdrP1hPw6

 

SELL BRADY'S TRAIN OUTLET YOUR MODEL TRAIN COLLECTION

Brady's Train Outlet is always looking for great model trains and accessories to satisfy the demand of our large and ever-growing customer base. No matter how big or small your model train collection is, we buy trains from all scales and eras and we offer a fair price in a timely fashion. 

Preference is given to model trains and accessories produced within the last 20 years. Due to advances in technology, newer trains often offer more detaiils, features, lights, and sounds, making them more desirable to our customers.

We will buy your model trains as a single piece or as a whole collection. 

We do the work for you! We make the selling process as easy as possible for our clients. 

Whatever your reason for selling your model train collection, we understand that it can be a stressful and sometimes emotional decision. Depending on your location and the size of your collection, selling your trains could be as easy as accepting our offer. Let us do the hard part. 

 

Next steps:

1. Fill out this survey now to get started! Click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/ToY9BLnahdrP1hPw6
2. Submit your response
3. Someone will reach out to you!  A representative from Brady's Train Outlet will be in touch to guide you on next steps! We will share a Dropbox link with you so that you can submit photos and your collection list.

What you'll need:

• A list of items in your collection 

• • Lists should be typed, preferably using Excel or a similar program
  • The most important information to include are the SKU (ex- 6-12345, 30-4567, 20-9800, 20-9800-1) and the item condition. You'll find the sku on the box. Item condition should reflect its appearance and whether the item works (if known/ applicable). 
• Photos of items, if possible. The more, the better! 

How to submit to Dropbox:

In the past, we've used email and text to receive photos, but it's too easy for information and photos to get lost or be missed. We have now switched to Dropbox, an easy and free system for sharing photos and files! 

After you submit your survey response, a representative from Brady's Train Outlet will email you an exclusive Dropbox link.

You will need to create a free account and click on the emailed verification link to finish setting up your account. Then you can accept our shared folder invitation and add your list and photos to the shared folder.

Again, the account is free and no payment is required to use Dropbox to share your files with us. Dropbox offers a free Basic plan that provides 2GB of free storage. This allows you to access and share files from any device, including computers, phones, and tablets. Dropbox does offer paid options with more storage available but payment is not required to share your files with us. 

Need some help? Dropbox offers a lot of tutorial videos to guide you through the process!

What to expect once you've submitted your list and photos:

John Brady or another representative from Brady's Train Outlet will be in touch to discuss your collection and offer a tentative estimate!

Many customers bring their trains into the store for an assessment. However, if you live out of state, don't despair! You can mail us the piece(s)-- this works well for small collections or single pieces you want to sell. If your collection is large enough, John may be willing to drive out to you to purchase and transport the collection. 

Please note, the value of model trains fluctuates a lot. You likely will not receive what you paid for the trains, or what their "best value" was at one point. Don't believe what you may read in price guides-- these reflect a rare best case scenario assuming the item is desirable and pristine. Condition and desirability greatly affect the item cost! It is very hard to predict which items will become valuable and which ones become a "flop." Remember that most people purchase trains based on personal preferences and interests, and were not intending to use the trains as an investment opportunity. 

Additionally, new model trains come with a lot of very desirable features such as new sounds, new ways to control the train, and more technology than ever. Older trains often are not as desirable to newer generations of hobbyists. So, even if a train is very old, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will bring in the "big bucks." Many prewar and postwar trains, for example, bring in a low value, especially if they are common or missing the boxes. To give another example, Lionel "MPC" era and many 1970s era HO trains (Lifelike, Tyco, etc) were generally cheaply made and thus have lost value over time. 

What affects the value of a train?

• desirability
• rareness (real or perceived) 
• item condition-- is it in good shape (paint, appearance, etc)? does it run? 
• box condition or lack thereof
• technology (sound, control system etc)
• cleanliness of the item and box 

Our purchasing decisions are made at our discretion, based on factors such as condition, demand, and market value. 

We do not actively buy used track of any kind. We also prefer to purchase items that have boxes-- lack of boxes really hurts the condition of the items and most unboxed items end up broken, scratched, or damaged. 

Our purchase offers are based on current market conditions and the need to resell the items at a profit. As such, our purchase prices necessarily reflect margins that allow us to operate sustainably and competitively. We have to build in a margin as well to account for broken, damaged, or unusable pieces (such as locomotives that need repairs before being sold). 

We do not match purchase offers, trade-in values, or pricing from other dealers, businesses, or third parties. All offers and valuations provided by our company are determined independently and are subject to change.