What is the value of this Lionel train set?
I have a Lionel Chessie Flyer model train set that was manufactured in 1997. I only used it a few times and it’s in great condition. Since the company is defunct, how much would this train set be worth? Lionel is quite alive and well, and cranking out products which are better than they’ve ever been. Modern era trains aren’t especially valuable. No one collects them yet, and lower end sets(like the Chessie Flyer) probably will never be especially collectible. In general, based on what I’ve seen at local train meets and on Ebay, brand new and unopened 10-20 year old starter sets tend to bring half to 3/4 of the original MSRP. Opened and run sets bring about 1/4 to 1/3 of the MSRP. As per my ‘98 Lionel catalog(I couldn’t locate a ‘97, but I doubt the prices changed much), the MSRP of the Chessie Flyer set was $149.95. So, that means, realistically, you’re looking at the set being worth $40-50. Like I said, don’t hold on to it with the expectation that it will become more valuable, or at
