I am trying to find what the fair market value is for a pair of builders plates. I know this is one of those things where the price is set by how much someone wants them but I would like to get a feel for what they are going for nowadays. The plates are from a early 1920's standard gauge Porter tank locomotive.

If it is taboo to talk openly about such things, feel free to contact me via e-mail. Any help would be appreciated.

Roger

belpaire@aol.com

A good way to estimate market value would be to get some railroadiana lists from dealers and see what prices builders plates are actually going for. If you can find other Porter builders plates listed, you could approximate the market value of yours. This is the exact method that price guides use to determine market value.

awalker1829@yahoo.com

Bill and Sue Knous operate a consignment/auction site at the link below. They have posted results of past auctions and there are frequently builders plates in those auctions. They have also published a book on Railroadiana prices.

sc 'doc' lewis


Railroad Memories
utweyesguy@aol.com

There are many factors at work. Condition is very important. Extra holes, side-swipes, and cracks will hurt the value of any plate. The railroads that the locomotive served on are also very important. Industrial lines generally do not have the interest that you would see on certain class ones and certain narrow gauge lines. There is very strong interest in certain first generation CAST diesel plates from Alco DL109, FA and PA, F-M Trainmasters, Lima-Hamilton, and Baldwin plates from certain road units. This is happening as the population ages. Collectors are often interested in what they saw in their youth.

steamfan@crusoe.net

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