We Buy Trains!

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. 

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:

E-mail us (bradystrains@gmail.com) a detailed list of your collection, ideally including product numbers, quantities, and condition. Pictures also help! 

• 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). 

John Brady 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.