Halbert HO Train Collection Sold by Cordier Auctions for Over $500,000

October 1, 2014

Cordier Auctions sold the lifetime HO model train collection of Dr. David R. Halbert of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a total of $561,131. Consisting of 1,400 lots, the collection was sold across three sessions in 2014. The auctions were held at Cordier’s auction house located at 1500 Paxton Street in Harrisburg. Highlights include a United Scale Abernethy Lougheed locomotive & tender that sold for $3,220 and a W&R/Samhongsa Union Pacific Version 2 brass locomotive & tender that hammered down at $2,300. Prices quoted include a 15% buyer’s premium. The extraordinary collection consisted of thousands of individual pieces of locomotives, cars, and kits, most of which were unused. The high quality items, including brass locomotives, created a tremendous amount of pre-auction buzz in the model train community, and the prices realized astounded many collectors. Lots of note include a precision scale WM M-2 brass locomotive and tender which sold for $1,495, and a MTS Imports Ajin Reading Crusader #117 which sold for $1,092. The finale of the first auction was Dr. Halbert’s personal custom built HO train layout. The massive layout included multiple tracks, buildings, mountains, and tunnels and measured 43 feet by 45 feet. It sold to an online bidder for $633. Other quality brass such as a precision scale B&O EM-1 locomotive and tender sold for $1,265; a Precision/Samhongsa DM&I brass locomotive and tender hammered down at $1,955 following heavy bidding.

 

Custon Built HO Trian Layout
Custon Built HO Trian Layout
The HO Collection of Dr. David Halbert of Harrisburg, PA sold for $561,131
Dr. Halbert's Train Collection
W&RSamhongsa Union Pacific Version 2 Brass Locomotive & Tender - Sold $2,300
W&RSamhongsa Brass Loco & Tender
$2,300