Collecting In Z Scale
I’ve never been much of a Z scale collector myself, I simply tend to buy and keep what I like. I was wondering recently if the wave of good quality trains available from AZL and MTL haven’t put a dent into the Z scale collector market? This is a purely unscientific observation on my part but it seems some of the prices for older Z scale gear have actually come down in recent years.
One example is the venerable Marklin 8800, the 0-6-0 steam locomotive that is instantly recognizable to all Z scalers. A year or two back these locos, used, would regularly sell in the neighborhood of $125 on eBay, now they can be had for considerably less, even in mint condition.
I recently received an email from a Ztrains reader asking what I thought the value of some late 1970’s Z scale pieces would be. His list began with a never-run, late 1970s, 8800 locomotive. I hated to tell him but the reality is that his never-run 8800 likely wouldn’t run right now if he put it on the tracks due to HOS (Hardened Oil Syndrome). Early Marklin locos came from the factory with oil that would congeal and harden over time. Even if it did run, likely it wouldn’t run well. The chances are good that he’d actually damage the motor if he applied power before clearing that old, congealed oil.
In addition, consider that the older Marklin locos came equipped with 3-pole motors, not the newer 5-pole motors which (ideally) can produce a slower and smoother running train. This also works against old Marklin Z scale gear having higher values.
As with all things, there are exceptions of course: the Micro-Trains Line Moguls, the Marklin Casey Jones and D&RGW Bumblebee are a couple of examples. These locos, and loco sets, command a high dollar value but this is likely because they were produced in numbers that are more limited and their shells are made of brass. Brass is always a magic word in model railroading, as the shell detail tends to be better in brass than with an injection molded version, heavier too which generally means better running.
You can find other examples of collectible trains in Z scale, sometimes from manufacturers that are no longer in Z, custom pieces or very limited brass runs. Largely though Z scale may be simply too young to be a real collectors scale, at least from a financial point of view. Of course, that never-run Marklin 8800 may be worth something in the years to come. Hold on to anything long enough and it becomes harder to find on the open market and by definition, more valuable.
In the meantime, we have some terrific current locos and rolling stock to choose from in Z scale, at prices far less than we originally paid for those steam and diesel locos back in the good old days of Z scale. With $100 locomotives on the horizon in Z scale, I’d argue that these are the good old days in Z scale!
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I actually was thinking the same thing. I have been watching this guy trying to sell all 3 of the MTL moguls. I think this is now the 3rd re-list because the reserve is not ever been met. He has a buy it now price of $2500. Won’t happen. With the AZL Mikado on the way and the look of the prototype model being nothing less but striking, even these moguls will become less wanted.
I mean these listed as a manufacturers retail at $499. I have two of them. The 1681 and the 1798. Would I like the 1795? Sure, but I won’t pay more than retail. Sorry they don’t mean that much to me. There is a little common sense principal to the thing. I paid $390 for the 1681 in an auction, and $500 for the 1798 (excluding tax).
So here is the deal, if I can get a great running great looking steamer for 200 bucks…why get an average runner with no tender pickup? (they can be made to run exceptional, but you’ll need Gaugemasters and Jorger controllers) I do run these things almost daily.
The appeal of the Moguls is that they are the only small steam that looks correct in proportion. AZL nailed the GS4, Cab Forward, and the Challenger…most people cant afford those. Even the Casey Jones from Marklin looks a tad bit toyish.
In the end it is a great time to be in Z, if you love running trains. For someone collecting hoping for a big payday, I think you need to get lucky.
Heck even I couldn’t resist a GP30 from AZL that runs as good as all my N scale equipment, for only $140!
Joe,
The one thing I probably should have written in the article originally, that is if you really enjoy collecting something and it makes you happy… go for it! I wasn’t trying to rain on any collector’s parade.
In our hobby (as in the rest of life) money is an important thing, it’s not the only thing and life is full of intangibles :)
Really I wrote this piece because I was a little surprised at how much the prices on some used Z gear has recently dipped.
Your MTL Moguls are a great example of collecting pieces because you really like them (they are incredibly cool). That much better that you run them too!
John
Ztrains
John you are correct. I should have quantified my post with “from a runners point of view”.
I didn’t need those Moguls, but I wanted to run steam that looked good. So I had to pay up. I think the same thing happened when AZL made those great brass diesels. I think some did collect, but I think a lot of the earlier purchases were from people that wanted cool looking locos to pull their freight.
With injection molded plastic locomotives from MTL and AZL, I think the resale of the brass will most likely be suggested retail…unless it is something rare/unique, like the high hood SD 45.
So my guess on what is happening is that there are a lot of runners out there who in the past might have paid a “collector’s” price just to run something they thought was cool and couldn’t get anywhere. How many Marklin Amtrak F7′s have sold since the MTL painted F7 came out? I don’t know for sure, but my guess a lot of the Z crowd likes to run and thankfully we can do it in style these days!
Oh and let me add, I want a Cab Forward. I want one a lot. I will get one someday. When that day comes I might have to pay a fair price…but rest assured I will run the wheels off it when I do get one! :D