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Marklin Toy Trains - A Classic
in Toy Train Collection
People who collect toy trains have a genuine passion for them.
Some people prefer to only display them one time of year around
the family Christmas tree, while others dedicate entire rooms or
sections of their houses to showing off their collection.
However, a toy train is not just a toy train. They are not all
the same and some are more valuable than others. Anyone who
collects toy trains as a hobby is familiar with Marklin toy
trains. These trains have been around since 1891 and are a truly
unique addition to any toy train collection.
Marklin introduced a revolution in the toy train industry by
introducing the very first inclusive set of trains in 1891.
Marklin provided a fresh appeal to the typical toy train by
introducing a series of standard track gauges and a variety of
models with matching accessories. What came from this revolution
was the ability to build on your initial train set by expanding
your miniature railroad. It is thought that Marklin is at the
forefront of developing the expanding toy train set.
Getting a hold of one of the timeless pieces from Marklin is no
easy task and can cost thousands of dollars. In fact, some of
the pieces are so rare that they easily run in the six digits.
For example, an international auction of toy trains and
accessories recently held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sold a
complete Marklin station for $110,000. The station included an
exceptionally rare Marklin #2609 locomotive that was built
precisely to scale and marvelously painted by hand.
The unique toy train set was just as astonishing inside as it
was outside. (As most Marklin train sets are, no surprise
there!) The station included five interior rooms that were
cleverly adorned with tables, chairs, and other furniture you
would expect to find aboard passenger cars from back in the day.
It was originally thought that this rare Marklin station would
sell for around $30,000; that is, until it became the ultimate
"bidding brawl" between American and Europe. Two toy train
collectors from opposite ends of the world both went to great
lengths to snag the priceless item, but in the end America
prevailed in taking home the 29-inch long, 19-inch high beauty.
That wasn't the only Marklin item that brought in much more
money than originally estimated. A Marklin #2609 locomotive was
sold for $82,500. The gauge III set boasted a live steam engine
and precise hand-painted detail. The original sale estimate was
set at $25,000 - obviously, this goal was blown away when avid
collectors from around the world united in hopes of bringing
home a classic Marklin station. Several other Marklin items were
sold at the auction, but surprisingly not a single Marklin piece
sold for less than $25,000.
Now that you can see just how valuable these timeless classics
are, chances are you won't find them for cheap. Ebay does
occasionally place Marklin pieces up for bidding, but the
results won't differ much from a live auction. You can purchase
certain Marklin sets and accessories through marklin.com, but
again, you will pay a pretty penny.
For more information about
model trains checkout- "Model Trains for Beginners and
Insiders Club"- Click Here!
Model Train Layout Ideas, Tips, and Answers-Click Here!