Bachmann or Hornby - which is more collectable?

QUOTE (Robert Stokes @ 12 Dec 2007, 15:06) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I don't understand this idea of collecting something in the hope that it will be much more valuable in many years time. I buy things because I like them as they are now. For instance, I won't touch old Hornby Dublo stuff and can't understand why people pay inflated prices for something inferior to what is available now. And why people buy the old tinplate is beyond my understanding. It would serve them right if it went out of fashion and lost value.

Buy to enjoy now!

Good, glad I'm not the only one that thinks that way.
Even when I still had my shop, 2 years ago, there were customers who would only buy Hornby, and not consider Bachmann, why, just because of the name. Even new comers to the hobby would first mention Hornby - the name goes before it. These people took alot of convincing that Bachmann was/is just as good - some times even better. But I'm just a modeller, not a collector, good locos are for running, not stuffing in a display case.
Paul M.

Interesting debate, I come from a family of collectors (I think it's in the blood now) but most of what they collected were static, i.e. stamps, model vechicles etc, these were meant to be a display case not running round a layout, and occasionally coming to grief or just plain wearing out.
We have the best of both worlds with very detailed models now made by both Hornby and Bachmann that look good in a display case but in my opinion look better pulling a rake of coaches on a layout.
I guess if you want something to put in a display case there are coal or porcelin models which look like they've used the same moulds as Hornby.
On the Hornby / Bachmann issue I to think it will be Bachmann due to there being less made and therefore less "preserved" than Hornby.
Does anyone know how Mainline or Airfix GMR models fair on the collectors market, not that I have any but they are two companies no longer around, although the models still are being made by Hornby or Bachmann for the most part.

Happy Modelling

Mike

I often ponder on the reasons why some people buy a model and then leave it in a box or on display where it won't collect dust or fade because the value may be diminished.

I have a few friends who collect model trains from a certain period - not as an investment but for the sheer joy of looking at the models on display -this I can understand.
But to buy a model that was purposely made to move along a track as an "investment" and to leave it in its box for "X" years with the view that its value will increase - this I struggle with. ( Not that I have any objection - as it adds another group of buyers that make the production of models more viable for the RTR manufacturers.)

In answer to Gary's original question I would ask "Which of the two companies is going to bring out the more interesting models? ' as I suggest that its the model that makes it a collectible not the manufacturer - merely having a "limited edition" does not make it a certain to become a good investment - take the prices now paid for the original Blue Pullmans as an example - who would have predicted that 30 odd years ago? On the other hand the more recent Heljan class 47 "Windsor Castle" limited edition is currently available at well under the original asking price.

Me - I sometimes buy "collectibles" or "limited editions to run on my layout because its the model I have been looking for - its my hobby

Dave

QUOTE (gdaysydney @ 13 Dec 2007, 23:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I often ponder on the reasons why some people buy a model and then leave it in a box or on display where it won't collect dust or fade because the value may be diminished.

I have a few friends who collect model trains from a certain period - not as an investment but for the sheer joy of looking at the models on display -this I can understand.
But to buy a model that was purposely made to move along a track as an "investment" and to leave it in its box for "X" years with the view that its value will increase - this I struggle with. ( Not that I have any objection - as it adds another group of buyers that make the production of models more viable for the RTR manufacturers.)

In answer to Gary's original question I would ask "Which of the two companies is going to bring out the more interesting models? ' as I suggest that its the model that makes it a collectible not the manufacturer - merely having a "limited edition" does not make it a certain to become a good investment - take the prices now paid for the original Blue Pullmans as an example - who would have predicted that 30 odd years ago? On the other hand the more recent Heljan class 47 "Windsor Castle" limited edition is currently available at well under the original asking price.

Me - I sometimes buy "collectibles" or "limited editions to run on my layout because its the model I have been looking for - its my hobby
Dave

To be honest, I sometimes have trouble equating the 'buy it as an investment and keep it in it's box because the value will increase' approach with being a collector- I'm a modeller (not just of railways...) AND a collector (diecast cars- also a modeller as I sometimes modify and repaint, as well as building kits), and I collect because I'm interested in the models and the actual vehicles they're based on. Yes, much of my collection is still packed away in its' boxes, simply because I don't have cabinet space to display the lot, and I know that some of them have increased in value, but for me that's not the reason I collect.

I suspect some of those of who buy limited editions and either hide them away in the hope the value will increase, or stick them on EBay in the hope of making a quick profit would be as happy doing the same with model buses, doll's houses or anything else they think might be worth a few quid in 20 years time....