All Aboard Our Guide to Collecting Model Trains

All those interested in collecting model trains—all aboard! Between the intricate and artistic skill of painting each car and researching the most desired brands, there’s something for everyone in this hobby. Sound interesting? Well, next stop: learning all there is to know about collectible trains.   

What Are Collectible Trains

If you’re just hearing about this fascinating and fun hobby for the first time, you may be wondering what exactly counts as a collectible train. In the professional collector’s world, a collectible train refers to both motorized model trains and toy trains. Learning about each brand, from Lionel trains to BRIO train sets and more, under this umbrella term can help you narrow down your niche as you start your own collection. 

What is the Difference Between a Model Train and a Toy Train?

The primary difference between model trains and toy trains is their movement abilities and resemblance to real trains. Model trains, whether they’re built from scratch or bought, are exactly what they sound like—scaled-down versions of real-life trains that are designed to be able to run on a track. 

Toy trains, however, take more artistic liberty with their designs, often made to withstand being played with by children. While each has its place in the collector’s world, most choose to focus on one or the other. 

Why Do People Collect Model Trains?

Many collectors are drawn to the nostalgic nature of the smaller-than-life train sets. Whether they grew up playing with their grandfather’s Christmas train set around the holidays or are looking for a way to keep that childlike wonder alive as an adult, dedicating time and effort to collecting trains fulfils a deep-seated desire for simpler times.

Other collectors enjoy the educational and historical aspects of this hobby. The invention of the railroad was one of the most important technological and social advancements in history—and each train replica celebrates that fact! If you’ve been looking for a fun and engaging hobby that teaches you about transportation that spans decades past to the present era, this is it!

As with any collecting, a portion of the community are in it for the money. Between buying and fixing up old model trains and shelling out for top shelf replicas, many collectors become vendors at an American antique mall or online. Christmas trains, children’s toy sets, and more can all vary in value, making this hobby quite a lucrative investment. 

Skills Needed for Collecting Model Trains

Collecting anything takes some skill, whether it be rare Hot Wheels or kitchenware. Don’t let this list of skills fool you—anyone from ages 9 to 99 can learn how to collect trains:

• Passion: to keep you invested in your train setup

• Basic engineering: for building individual train cars and constructing the perfect railway

• Craftiness: for creating and painting figurines, foliage, and landscaping

• Logical thinking: for reading train building manuals and instructions and designing track layouts

• Research: for finding accurate models and building the set of your dreams

Are Collectible Trains Valuable?

The short answer—yes! The price of a model train can vary, depending on the rarity, condition, or age, but they are considered an extremely valuable item to collect. Whether it’s a BRIO train set bought for a young child or an antique Lionel train scooped up by the highest bidder, all collectible trains can fetch some amount of money, even if it’s only being sold for individual parts. 

Look Out for these 5 Popular Types of Collectible Trains 

As you start to shop, you’re sure to see these five types of modern and toy trains. Learn a bit more about each to see which ones tickle your fancy:

1. Discover Classic BRIO Train Sets

Wooden train sets have been around for nearly a hundred years—and with good reason! Well known for designing good, old-fashioned wooden trains in 1957, BRIO makes sets that are one of the top choices for toy train lovers. 

Each BRIO train set consists of multiple train cars, from the engine to the caboose, that can be disconnected and reconnected in any order with the magnetized design. BRIO trains are also easy to spot at an Illinois antique mall, as they almost all consist of bright and classic primary colors. Nowadays, you may find modern sets that mimic more contemporary trains, but the vintage designs remain a staple item in toy train collector sets. 

Fun fact: the peg-and-hole track connection system, where each piece of track can be snapped together for endless railroads, was introduced to the collectible trains community by BRIO.   

Do Other Collectible Trains Work on BRIO Tracks?

Part of the reason BRIO train sets have remained so popular with collectors is that the tracks are compatible with countless other toy train brands. Depending on the gauge size, individual pieces from multiple companies can be attached together with ease. That means many of your and your kid’s favorite locomotives can run on the same set with no problem.   

2. Hunt Down Rare Lionel Trains

To both expert and novice collectors, Lionel trains are basically synonymous with model trains. While it isn’t the only brand to make this style of motorized collectible train, it has been considered one of the best in the business since the 1910s. The brand even survived the Great Depression, coming back swinging with new and improved designs that are still sought after to this day. 

In general, Lionel trains can be separated into two categories when collecting: pre-war and post-war. According to the official Lionel catalog, there have been over 400 kinds of Lionel trains made in the post-war era alone! With hundreds of replicas to hunt down, all available at a wide variety of price points, Lionel trains are a must for any beginner collector. 

The next time you see a meet-up for collectible train lovers on our antique mall events list, stop by! You never know what amazing Lionel trains will be there waiting to chug right into your collection. 

The Most Valuable Lionel Trains Ever Sold

If you see one of these in a Florida antique mall, grab it! You may have struck gold:

• Mint Condition 1934 Lionel Standard Gauge Diesel Train Set--$250,000 

• Lionel Prewar 700E Hudson Brass Prototype--$70,000

• Lionel Standard Gauge #387W Train Set--$12,600

3. Search for Christmas Train Sets

From the Polar Express to the classic motorized track that wraps around the base of a tree, trains have been a part of Christmas celebrations and décor since the late 19th century. With so many people using the newly emerging railways to travel home during the holidays, companies began rolling Christmas train sets out as a seasonal toy. Many popular vintage and modern brands have released Christmas train sets, so some collectors focus exclusively on collecting these festive tracks and cars!

With so many brands to choose from, Christmas train sets can be found at a wide range of value and are most often bought to match people’s décor (especially complementing everyone’s favorite, vintage blow molds!). Most locomotives are painted with seasonal colors, such as red, green, and gold, and feature festive favorites like Santa Claus, presents, elves, snowmen, and more. If you’re looking for the perfect way to personalize your home and show off a passion project during the holidays, Christmas train sets are for you. 

4. Play Around with Thomas the Tank Engine Trains

Thomas the Tank Engine is more than just a British children’s TV show that ran from 1984 to 2021--to some collectors, these small wooden toy trains are a symbol of their childhood. In general, only vintage Thomas Trains that are 20 years old or older are considered valuable, but even the more modern ones can be priceless to a nostalgic-based collector. These toy trains can also be found in both stationary wooden designs and battery-powered plastic styles. 

Thomas trains are possibly the easiest to spot as you walk through vendor malls. Just keep an eye out for the classic expressive faces on the engine car. With a variety of beloved characters to choose from, such as Percy, Emily, and more, you can collect the whole cast and complete your set. Don’t forget to buy a few wooden tracks so your locomotives can zoom around the room just like they do in the show!

5. Look Out for Athearn Trains

Athearn has been one of the top companies in innovative model trains for over 75 years and is a popular choice for vintage collectible train lovers today. Using fan-favorite locomotives as inspiration, the brand strived to make detailed replicas of traditional trains, passenger vehicles, freight car models, and more. At Athearn, authenticity and quality matter above all else, so you can trust that every collectible train you find was made to last you a lifetime.

As you shop for collectible trains, keep an eye out for ultra-detailed designs, from different brand labels printed on the side of a car to the carefully attached wheels. While it isn’t as well-known as a Lionel train, Athearn is a popular enough brand that you could find one at any Crown Point antique mall you wander into. And, with a variety of sizes to choose from, you can build a collection perfectly suited to your space.

3 Ways to Display and Store Your Collectible Trains

Once you’ve scored a few model trains at a vendor mall in Florida, you’ll have to decide on the best way to store and display them. Luckily, there are a variety of options to suit any kind of collector. Consider one of these three popular methods:

1. Show Off Collectible Trains on Glass Shelves

If you’re searching for a way to display your treasured trains, why not use them to decorate your home? The best way to showcase your model trains is finding secure shelving, whether it be a China cabinet, mantle, or special glass shelves. With this method, friends and family can appreciate the hard work and effort you put into your hobby and you can feel a sense of accomplishment every time you walk past. 

2. Keep Model Trains Safe in Storage Boxes 

The best way to ensure a long life for your curated set of model trains is to invest in high-quality storage boxes. If left out, collectible trains can sometimes be exposed to harsh or humid weather, sun rays that damage paint jobs, and more value-decreasing issues. To avoid this issue, store each one in its original packaging in a model train storage box in a cupboard or closet and take it out to admire as needed. 

Pro tip: These are especially essential if you ever intend to sell antiques and become a vendor, as it’s the best way to keep them out of harm’s way in your home.

3. Create a Model Train Track Set Table

Why should playing with our toys stop when we’re a kid? Instead of storing your model trains out of sight, consider building your very own tabletop track. Railway enthusiasts rave about being able to go to their table and watch their locomotives actually travel. There are plenty of specific tutorials online that you can refer to as you embark on this crafty endeavor, so take a look and see how others did it before attempting it yourself!

Possible Decorations for a Model Train Set

When you shop for collectible trains at a vendor mall, keep an eye out for little decorative additions like these that you can spruce up and introduce to your railroad scene: 

• Bottle brush trees

• Human statues

• Structures

• Lights

• Buildings

• Signage

• Tunnels

• Bridges

• Animals

• Water towers

• Cars

How to Maintain a Model Train

If you want your model trains to run smoothly for years to come, you need to learn proper maintenance. Every so often, you should clean the wheels, oil and lubricate any moving parts, check the gauge, shine the rails, and clean all sides carefully to keep everything in working order. Make sure to research if your chosen brand requires special cleaners, whether it be something as high value as a Lionel train or something more personally valuable like a Thomas the Tank Engine toy. 

Everyone remembers their first train set. Make yours count by learning all there is to know about different popular brands, storage and display options, and more with this helpful guide, and soon you’ll be a locomotive pro in no time! Who knows—you may even want to become a vendor yourself.