Skip to content
More than 100 years old, this fine hand-painted Bing 2 Gauge clockwork passenger set still runs. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.

New England Toy Train Exchange sale arrives March 20-21

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
More than 100 years old, this fine hand-painted Bing 2 Gauge clockwork passenger set still runs. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
More than 100 years old, this fine hand-painted Bing 2 Gauge clockwork passenger set still runs. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.

DANBURY, Conn. – New England Toy Train Exchange’s March 20-21 auction will roar in like a Lion(el) with 200 standard gauge lots and a fine selection of European trains. Live Internet bidding will be available on both days through www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

“It’s been a long time since there’s been an event along this line, which has a huge market. Collectors we know have done some thinning and we’ve come up with some great items,” said Mark Tobias, a partner in New England Toy Train Exchange.   

Among a number of scarce sets being offered is a standard gauge Ives Northern Limited passenger set, produced only in 1928. In C6+ condition, this set has a $5,000-$15,000 estimate. “We’re hoping it breaks $15,000,” said Tobias.

Comparable in Lionel is a nice 1928 version of the 381E State Set composed of a bi-polar locomotive, 412 California Pullman, 413 Colorado Pullman, 414 Illinois Pullman; and a 416 New York observation car. It has a $5,000-$12,000 estimate.

Rare rolling stock includes an early Lionel 3 trolley in C5+-C6 condition, which carries a high estimate of $10,000.

Gathering the most steam among European trains is a 1905 Bing 2 Gauge clockwork passenger set with a six-wheel tender and two coaches. This clean, hand-painted set is estimated to fetch $5,000-$15,000. “We’ve never had anything this early in Bing that wasn’t common,” said Tobias.

Friday’s session will consist of 325 general lots. The order of Saturday’s session will be American Standard, 1 and 2 Gauge section; European section, all gauges; prewar O and OO Gauge section; Lionel, Marx and American Flyer postwar section; rare and unusual section; modern section; and toy section.

“We’re including toys in every auction and there’s a nice selection this sale. I wouldn’t want them to be overlooked,” said Tobias.

Included is a boxed Wolverine Corner Grocer no. 182 set that opens to 37 inches wide. It is the most complete toy grocery set the auctioneers have encountered in many years.

Live online bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

For more information contact New England Toy Train Exchange at 203-730-1404 or visit the Web site www.newenglandtoytraineexchange.com.

Click here to view New England Toy Train Exchange’s upcoming catalogs.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

The original owner of this Lionel 763E freight set kept it displayed on a fireplace mantel for 60 years. It is expected to sell for as much as $4,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
The original owner of this Lionel 763E freight set kept it displayed on a fireplace mantel for 60 years. It is expected to sell for as much as $4,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
Near the end of the line for Ives, this Northern Limited passenger set from 1928 is considered rare. It carries an estimate of $5,000-$15,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
Near the end of the line for Ives, this Northern Limited passenger set from 1928 is considered rare. It carries an estimate of $5,000-$15,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
The finish on this Lionel 9U passenger set is as clean and shiny as the first day it left the station. The estimate on this set is $5,000-$10,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
The finish on this Lionel 9U passenger set is as clean and shiny as the first day it left the station. The estimate on this set is $5,000-$10,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
The passenger cars on this beautiful Marklin 65-13021 set are 15 inches long. The set is estimated to sell for as much as $10,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
The passenger cars on this beautiful Marklin 65-13021 set are 15 inches long. The set is estimated to sell for as much as $10,000. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
In near-mint condition, this boxed Lionel set 1520W appears never to have been run. It is estimated to bring $2,000-$3,500. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.
In near-mint condition, this boxed Lionel set 1520W appears never to have been run. It is estimated to bring $2,000-$3,500. Image courtesy New England Toy Train Exchange.