RAILROAD SIGNALS
of the
Todd's Railfan Guide to
Prices of Railroadiana
and Other Stuff
Page 3 of ?
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I am always getting emails asking me what railroad items costs.
As much as I would like to be an expert on all things railroad or railroad signal related, I am not!
PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT SELLING THESE ITEMS -- Many people write and ask me if these
things are still for sale - I don't know.
Unlike other "antiques" you might see on the Antique Road Show, railroadiana is a much more fluid market depending on the interest of a certain item at the time it
is offered for sale. There is also the "relative" value of an item depending on someone's sense of historical value, for instance, there was once a simple 3 aspect color light signal for sale on Ebay maybe 10 years
ago. The starting price was $1500 because the seller felt it was worth way more that the real street value because he claimed it came from a specific station. The first time he listed the signal, he did not even
include a photo of the signal. The second time he listed the signal, because it obviously did not sell the first time around, he at least included a photo, but still had it listed for $1500. It did not sell
the second time around either. I never followed the auctions to see if he ever offered it again, but obviously, the market is very, very small for a signal collector looking for a signal from a specific depot.
With that said, I present a collection of sales and ads that I have come across to give the reader some idea of what you can expect to pay. The first batch (1-62) come from the
Discover Live Steam website. The majority of the remainder of
the listings were found on EBay.
Some of the prices for this stuff I feel are good, some I feel are excessive... my opinion is to the left in the little signal icon, I'm a guessin you can figure out what I'm trying to convey :-)...
Again, these are just my opinion!
Whether or not a particular price for something is "good" or "bad" depends on:
What you think something is worth,
How much you are willing to pay,
And, is it something you "just want", "think would be cool to have", or
"really, really just have to have it".
A few years ago on EBay, a late 1800's Banjo
type signal sold for $18,000!!! Wow! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the free enterprise system, but if you think a lot of prices are good, go to a train show and see how much of this stuff IS NOT selling!
Because the pages are picture intensive, I have divided
up the pages into quicker to load sets.....
Comment: Expensive, yes, but it comes painted
in a beautiful custom paint scheme, and it has all of the bells and
whistles to make operating this fella a pleasure!
Comment: Price is OK since it includes the
mast, ladder, and spare parts.
Comment: All fair prices! That's why they
all sold :-)
Comment: If it really is unused, it's worth
it.....
Comment: A little high for what appears to be a
single crossing gate lamp assembly.
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Pictures are always needed if anyone feels inclined to take 'em, send 'em, and share 'em, or if you have something to add or correct.... credit is always
given! Contact info is here
Mountain Car - Live Diesel Locomotive
$20,000
Pair
color light signals $2300
for the pair
Tool Car
$750
Semaphore Spectacle and Blade, with Lenses
$1500
Switch
Stand
$100
Replica Whistle $380
Crossbucks
$400ea
Crossing Gate
$1700
Leslie 3 Chime Horn
$550 
EMD
Diesel
Locomotive Bell
$250
Locomotive Control
$1500
Locomotive Control Stand
$1200 
Backup Light
$125
Whistle Sign
$250
Fixed
Semaphore
$1500
Switch Stand
$250
Signal
Ladder Platforms
$50 each
Fairmont Motorcar
Drivetrain
$200
Searchlight Signals on
Masts
$1000
Lessor Plate
$100
Whistle Sign and Mile Marker
$275 for the pair
Crossing Signal - No Gate
$750
Fairmont Work Train
$3500
Signals, Lanterns, etc
$ as listed
Signal Relay
$175
Signal Relay
$150
Plymouth Switcher
$3500
Signal Light
$275
Crossing Signals with Gates
$2500