limited edition lima locos

[darrel]

after a dabble with N gauge I decided to build a new OO gauge layout.

I have been going through all my old OO gauge locos with a view to what I can get rid of (Hornby class 37s for example) which ones are detailed and need no work doing to them. and which ones need detailing and weathering.

I came across a couple of lima limited editions a class 50 D400 and a class 47 47833 in two tone green.

now they are nice models and in good condition I plan to detail my other class 47s and 50s.ok they might not be to the standard of the latest models but with a bit of work they will be passable.

but what to do with the limited editions? do I detail them, leave them as they are or stick them on eBay and use the money to by a Bachmann 47 and a Hornby 50?

any advice?

[John M Upton]

Tricky question this one. Me personally I would be tempted to detail up the 47 (I have always held the Lima 47 body shell in high regard and the paintwork on the last few production runs was actually pretty good, pity about the innards!) and maybe improve the mechanicals in some way but not spend too much money on it.

 

The Fifty I would not bother with, too many problems to fix (not least the tiny wheels and as a result terrible performance) but the problem is if you sell them, don't expect much for them. A lot of Lima stuff now you can barely even give away. £25 for the 47 and £20 for the 50 on a good day on Ebay I would have thought, people still buy the 47's as they are still a good cheap basis for a detailing project and practice thereof but they will still not fork out anything like what they were worth at one time.

 

There must still be members of the presumably now dead and buried Lima Collectors Club (yes, there really was one) who must have seen the 'prized' and 'valuable' collection plummet in value faster than a Lemming with a lead parachute off of Beachy Head. They are probably still crying into their beer even now.

['CHARD]

Hmmm, doubt it'd be beer but still For what it's worth, I'd move them both on, one way or another.

 

Bachmann 47s can be picked up for a very good price, and in fairness there's the Heljan or Vi options too, if it's specific liveries that matter (note that one of the cheaper Bachmann 47s is two-tone green with full yellow ends though, so I'd've thought that was your best avenue).

 

Regards the Lima 50, there really is no mileage in keeping one of these, save a few beer tokens and check for offers below RRP with some of the major chains if I were you....

[darrel]

just had a look on eBay class 47 47833 is on sale for £69.50 D400 is on sale for £79.50 so if I was able to sell mine at that price it would easily cover the cost of new locos

most Lima locos are very cheep on there but these are limited editions and collectors are presumably prepared to pay more

[Ron Ron Ron]

Value in is the eye of the beholder. If they're of no interest to you, then they're not worth anything.

I thought the bottom fell out of the Lima LE market a long time ago, but if people are daft enough to pay silly prices......

 

If you can offload these two locos for a reasonably tidy sum, then do it. The money raised can be put towards obtaining far better quality models.

 

 

.

[Allegheny1600]

Hi Darrel,

For what it's worth, i'd put a Vi-Trains replacement chassis under your class 47, this should give you decent running! As you say - the body is not too bad and you'd get to use one of your locos.

Keep the original chassis in it's box along with the class 50 and wait for these to become worth something i.e. by handing them to your grandkids(!) as, by the time they're middle aged, Lima collectables may just worth a few bob.

Those items you saw on ebay are most likely going to be sitting there for a very long time before they sell at that price!

HTH,

John E.

[bennyboy]

just had a look on eBay class 47 47833 is on sale for £69.50 D400 is on sale for £79.50 so if I was able to sell mine at that price it would easily cover the cost of new locos

most Lima locos are very cheep on there but these are limited editions and collectors are presumably prepared to pay more

 

Yes, they may be on for sale at those prices, but is anyone actually buying them?

[craigwelsh]

Class 47 already reduced if its the same one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lima-BR-Class-47-Loco-47833-Captain-Peter-Manisty-RN_W0QQitemZ370326554893QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Trains_Railway_Models?hash=item56392ec90d

D44 you could watch here for £15 though not ltd one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LIMA-CLASS-50-D400-BR-blue_W0QQitemZ140391243051QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Trains_Railway_Models?hash=item20aff85d2b

 

Lima really did plummet in value when Hornby bought the tools so I doubt you'll be able to make enough to buy two locos from them.

 

The Bachmann FGE in reduced because it has the class 57 underframe on it but you can chop that around to fix it.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Yes, they may be on for sale at those prices, but is anyone actually buying them?

From past observation of eBay sales, nothing would surprise me. People pay stupid money for all sorts of items, even if they can be bought brand new and cheaper elsewhere.

However you're probably right when it comes to Lima LE's. There still seems to be a few people out there deluding themselves that their Lima LE's are valuable and much sort after.

IMHO the high prices sometimes asked are either a result of over optimism, or someone chancing it that some mug will cough up the readies.

 

.

[Ragtag]

I'd offload 'em if you think you can get a decent price.

 

I'd agree with Ron re: ebay. Some people will buy anything and pay some silly money for the privilege. See http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/7521-yee-gawds/ for some prime examples.