Accucraft Cab Forward G Scale

Why do you ask ? They are G1, 1:32 scale. Live steam versions retailed new in the UK c£7000 when new. One hell of a working model. Need to be properly packed (NIB from factory) to ship. Saw one at a service agent getting a full from the ground up rebuild because it wasn't. It was a personal import to UK, 2nd hand from US - ouch ! Max
 
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I have got a accucraft SP 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward live steam in original condition with original boxes, Instruction manual, tools, certificates.
Only used for a static Model for 4 years and also been in box for 4 years.
The reason I’m making enquires is because it’s my daughters locomotive and she wants to sell it.
Any help would be nice on how to sell the locomotive.
 
While you have the original packaging that does not necessarily mean you will be able to securely and safely ship it with what you have - The vital original strapping, even if you have it, will probably be unusable. You have the right loco but I suspect in the wrong country to get the maximum market value - they are sought after beasts, especially NIB. However, things are only worth what people a willing to pay, and shipping and security are part of that equation. Others from your part of the world, who post on here, may be able to point you in the direction of a suitable dealer in your locale who might be willing to do a "commission" sale for you. I'd be tempted to look a specialist auctioneer for these types of items too, if they are available to you and there is a market for it where you are.

But I go back to my original concern - shipping and liabilities for safe transport, particularly if it is a private sale without any agent involved. These locos are heavy and complex (obvious) and easily damaged items if not properly prepared for movement and costly to rectify if not (if at all). You could end up with a lot of grief and a major financial loss if not done properly. If it were a private sale I'd make it conditional on personal collection only - but I live in the UK where a buyer may be a lot closer to me than in your neck of the woods.

I speak from experience, I shipped an equally heavy and complex Accucraft made loco from the US to the UK as a private sale rather than sourcing from a UK dealer (and let them take the risk) - it was still as factory packed and I got away with it :whew: I have seen, and had offered to me, the results of those attempts to ship similar that have failed, even with full factory packing. The things we risk to save £500 ;) Max

P.S. Welcome to the forum :)
 
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Thank you Max for your information and input.
we have made enquires with a local dealer here and he offered $3,000 aus, but researching this locomotive we know it’s worth more. We brought it a a good price and it’s part of a 100 made.
We brought the locomotive via a dealer.. the locomotive came from Accucraft and shipped to a South Australian dealer and shipped here to us Perth Western Australia.
 
did you get any other help. I could make you an offer but not all that much more than your dealer
Ron.
 
I bought my Accucraft Royal Hudson before it was offered on sale in the UK. I took ten weeks to come from Union City CA to Coventry incoming-goods facility. At some time it was severely got at by the TSA, and probably dropped a few times as well. The repairs, carried out by having had many replacements shipped from Cliff Luscher of Accucraft, cost way north of £500 ALL packaging was intact, BTW, although there were a few TSA probes still buried in it here and there. Looking for drugs or explosives, no doubt.

I've seen a second-hand model here in UK for £6500...your local offer of AUS$3000 is nothing less than an insult.
 
tac foley said:
I bought my Accucraft Royal Hudson before it was offered on sale in the UK. I took ten weeks to come from Union City CA to Coventry incoming-goods facility. At some time it was severely got at by the TSA, and probably dropped a few times as well. The repairs, carried out by having had many replacements shipped from Cliff Luscher of Accucraft, cost way north of £500 ALL packaging was intact, BTW, although there were a few TSA probes still buried in it here and there. Looking for drugs or explosives, no doubt.

I've seen a second-hand model here in UK for £6500...your local offer of AUS$3000 is nothing less than an insult.
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Thank you for your input
The cab forward took me 12 months to get it after putting a order in for it about 9 years ago
The locomotive has only been used as a static object from new
I have every thing that has come along with it in the 2 boxes it was packed in
It was number 56 out of a hundred made
I got all the paper work that came with it and who I dealt with buying it to Australia
I don’t mind loosing the transport cost and that was $1200
Some people don’t know what their looking at or they must think it had been used all the time
 
I agree with Tac that in the normal course of events the offers you have received may seem and probably are derisory. However, I go back to a point I made in my initial post - you have the right loco in probably the wrong location. I doubt there is a large enough easily accessible market in Aus' to generate the prices you might be hoping for. It may take a little time to market that loco and find a buyer willing to offer near the amount you envisioned where you are.

It's "home" market, where the greatest interest will be to create that market to drive the price, is probably north America. Even there interest may be limited and as a result the maximum value will be affected when you have to offset the known risks and costs of shipping from your location as well. Any potential buyer will be aware of these factors that need to be accounted for, especially if it is a trader willing to take a punt but still in need of turning a profit. Even in their original, as factory shipped, packaging Accucraft's larger loco products were really intended to be moved as "groups" of items, Hence Tac's experiences with his Royal Hudson. Look at Bachmann locos of a similar size for comparison, though they are a lot lighter, because of the larger production runs it was economical to have form fitting styrofoam packaging to protect them, as new or used, and a shock proofed outer boxes too - they are seen as a much lower risk to ship as a result.

You might be better off posting in one of the US based garden railway or Gauge 1 forums to get a better idea of interest and views. And be very clear of its condition and unsteamed status. That can be very important to buyers, particularly those who want it as a display item with "investment" potential. Sorry I cannot be more positive. Max

P.S. The transport cost is always a loss.
 
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Agreed with the Bachmann/LGB packaging. Compare the weight of the Accucraft K27 - steam or electric - with the Bachmann version, as an example Shipping weight for the Accucraft model was 50# - for the Bachmann version it was 30#.

West Coast USA might be the place, If I knew Peter Comley better I might recommend you talking to him. Or perhaps one of the Vancouver boys might be interested - do you want me to ask around?
 
Hi Kimbo
You could try Michael Ragg at Argyle Loco Works in Melbourne and get it listed in his market place.
But as Maxi-Model says we are a very small community here in Aus ,so if you want to sell here don't
be in a hurry . I shudder to think what my children are going co call me when I pop my clogs and they
have to sell my lot.
I acquire most of my stuff from Argyle or from the US I use a freight forwarder and DHL and have only
had a badly packed Accucraft K27 damaged and in need of the blacksmiths shop.
As for freight costs forget it and write it of. The tyranny of distance prevails.
Ron.
 
Long heavy locomotives are rarely packed correctly even if in their original box and specific instructions are given. :banghead: They shunt back and forth until destroyed every time the shipping apes drop the box on each end.
Don't ask how I know this... Number 3 catastrophe below. Let's just say that the snow plough is now pointing skyward and the first two drivers are poised to go up a steep hill. :(

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Ronchatt said:
Hi Kimbo
You could try Michael Ragg at Argyle Loco Works in Melbourne and get it listed in his market place.
But as Maxi-Model says we are a very small community here in Aus ,so if you want to sell here don't
be in a hurry . I shudder to think what my children are going co call me when I pop my clogs and they
have to sell my lot.
I acquire most of my stuff from Argyle or from the US I use a freight forwarder and DHL and have only
had a badly packed Accucraft K27 damaged and in need of the blacksmiths shop.
As for freight costs forget it and write it of. The tyranny of distance prevails.
Ron.
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The Argyle Market Place for second hand listings page has not breathed a whiff of steam for quite some time now. I just checked and it is now there again but empty.
Michael at Argyle has sold on commission at times too but as already mentioned, there is not a huge market here in Australia that would lash out a decent price for such an item but you only need one buyer who desires one that is not a t^g#t a$$. :giggle: The camel trip across the Nullarbor Plain might be a bit rough too. :whew:

When you pop the clogs, your children will probably put the lot on eBay with a start price of 99 cents and only one live steam enthusiast will look that week. :sweating:
 
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I know it will cost.. But there must still be specialist couriers who will ship delicate / valuable items?

You always have to write-off carriage-costs, but if you *really* want an item.. :(
 
Trying to copy the original Accucraft packaging will cost a fortune - have you ever unpacked an Accucraft live steamer from its original packing? It takes about an hour of very careful handling. If the original packing has been kept by the OP, then that will make it easier to some extent...but it is a HUGE and very delicate item in two sections - even the tender unit weighs in the order of twelve pounds.

Sending it out of Australia would be a daunting task that I, for one, would not even try.



This was the Hudson - shipping weight from Union City CA was 46 pounds - this loco is a LOT smaller than the CF.

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These are the two outers - each one holding one half of the locomotive -

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Good luck with a loco that's a foot longer, and ten kg heavier.
 
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PhilP said:
I know it will cost.. But there must still be specialist couriers who will ship delicate / valuable items?

You always have to write-off carriage-costs, but if you *really* want an item.. :(
Click to expand...

He doesn't want it, he wants to get rid of it.
 
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