kintbury jon Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 One of my biggest problems is not resisting a bargain. That's when scouring through ebay can do my bank balance great harm. This time I was searching through on Sunday and came across a Lima 117 titled 'LIMA'. It was this one: I'd seen it go for three figures in the past and it was going for £30 at the time. I sometimes bid on things I don't particularly need but look at the price and think, "Well if it's going to go at that price i'll have it." Trouble was I won it for £38 + post, and a predicament has arisen now it has arrived. The boxes are sealed in plastic, it has never been opened so really is in mint condition. So do I store it away (there were only 300 produced) or do I maintain its preserved status? I think i'll open it as I think trains should be run, but would be interested to know whether anyone has anything that they have kept sealed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Triang Paul Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Keep this one as it is and buy another to run !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Black Hat Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Ive voted not to open it - normally, would say sod it and open it, but given its still in wrapt plastic, and its a Lima which has gone the way of the dodo... it might creep up in value. But will you see it in your lifetime! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman7 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Leave it sealed but stick it straight back on ebay - chances are it will make a bit of extra dosh straight away and you can buy something you really want! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 It's designed to be used. You will never make a fortune out of it and the 3 figure ones you have seen must have sold to complete idiots TBH! You'd get more sticking £30 in a bank account I reckon Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted November 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2011 Run it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Run them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I was watching that one on ebay and nearly bid on it but decided not to for fear of her in doors getting the hump. I wouldnt have gone much above £40 though as i am a bit tight. As for run/ not run, I would say not run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn-on-the-platform Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'm a fan of the James May 'throw the box away and play with it' philosophy. However, in this case, you seem to have got a real bargain, for something you don't seem to be that enthusiastic about, that could earn you a fair amount of money in the future, so I would say don't run it for now at least. See how much these sets are going for in the future and then re-assess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kintbury jon Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 Cheers for the replies, I think i'll open it and run it. Might try and fit a Limby 121 chassis to it so it runs a little smoother. The only down side to it is the incorrect DMBS bodyshell at both ends (though i'm not going to hack the bodysides!) Interesting to see the results so far (5 yes, 5 no) I was expecting everyone to say open it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Graff Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 On a little side note, I often see ads describing NIB, and never used. And when it is a loco I'm not interested at all! If it has never been used, or even tested, it could be a dud straight out of the box! I would never risk buying something for my running railway, that might only be suitable for the box-collectors! And regarding the Lima cars, do as stated above, they're built to be used, so use 'em! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold unravelled Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2011 By opening it you are doing the collectors a favour, by making their mint models even more rare... Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Why not donate them to RMWebs yearly raffle? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Stick it back on eBay with a decent description and see if you can make some profit out of it. You'd be better hacking up an old one with a run in motor bogie and by the time you finish hacking up the cars you'll need to repaint anyway.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian Smeeton Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2011 I would punt it back on e-bay & use the cash fro something more my style, whaever that is. Regards Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozexpatriate Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If you like BR(WR) and you would like to run a three coach rake exactly like this - open it. Chances are that you weren't looking specifically for this item. In that case, if you don't care so much for BR(WR), there's a good chance somebody out there really wants to find a good home for these (for some obscure reason that escapes me). It would make someone's day if you can connect with him/her and sell these coaches for what they are worth to a buyer who really wants them. Perhaps you'll find a buyer on RMweb classifieds? I don't think you'll ever make a *lot* of money on this item. (Though you never know - we do have a thread dedicated to eBay silliness.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If you like BR(WR) and you would like to run a three coach rake exactly like this - open it. It seems odd referring to it as BR (WR) by the 80s, I always think of the regions as a 60s thing, mainly because of the more distinctive differences in steam and diesels at the time I guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Get the tools out and do some modelling on it... What will it be worth when Bachmann or Hornby bring one out??? Porcy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raffles Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Open it. No, hang on, don't open it. Oh, go on then, open it. Sell it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dilbert Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Open the set and do something with it or resell it, but don't keep this stored for 'investment' purposes... dilbert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2011 It seems odd referring to it as BR (WR) by the 80s, I always think of the regions as a 60s thing, mainly because of the more distinctive differences in steam and diesels at the time I guess. It was BR (WR) until the spring of 1992 - I know that cos my job title up to that year included the word 'Regional' (mind you the business sectors were increasingly flexing their muscles and were running in parallel with the Regions) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-farms Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Run it, you will only want to enjoy it and you can't enjoy it inside it's box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Steven B Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2011 If it fits with what you model then open the box and enjoy it. If it doesn't fit, then stick it back on eBay, keep your fingers crossed and buy something more usable with any profit. It's got rotating wheels and a motor - it was ment to be used. Happy modelling. Steven B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'm very glad I opened and played with all my rare models, at least you know they work and don't have huge scratches down the back. Do some collectors sit them there and just gaze longingly at the box? surely if you like boxes that much staples would be heaven! (just fill it with scraps of steel and write on the outside 'Aster A4 Mallard' and think of how exclusive your model is). Once met a chap who had a Blower Bentley still in it's factory crate that collectors fawned over, he used it as patterns to make replica parts and just hammered a nail back in to seal it up! Who'd know Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'd say run it. As for its value - well it cost you only £38. Thats its value. Put it up on E Bay and only get £25 and you will wish you ran it. Have fun either way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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