Model train value checker & scanner
Point your camera at any locomotive, car, or set and Minti identifies the brand, scale, and era, then shows what it's worth from live eBay listings. Track condition, organize your layout roster, and sell it, all in one app.
How much are your model trains worth?
A single price tag tells you very little. Minti pulls live eBay listings for your exact piece, drops the outliers, and shows you every comparable it used, so a postwar Lionel steam engine, a modern HO diesel, or a boxed set all get a current value you can check for yourself.
- Low, average, and high range from live eBay listings, with a one-tap link to eBay's sold history to double-check
- See how boxed and loose pieces compare so you know the box premium
- Price history across 7-day, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year windows, with Pro
Identify any piece in seconds
Not sure exactly what you're holding? Minti's AI reads the piece and its markings to identify the brand, such as Lionel or American Flyer, the scale (O, HO, N, and more), and the era. It separates prewar and postwar vintage from modern reissues, and notes original boxes and condition, so near-identical models don't get mixed up. No manual catalog-number searching.
- Recognizes major makers across O, HO, N, and other gauges
- Reads markings and box labels to confirm the catalog number and road name
- Auto-fills scale, era, and attributes so your entry stays clean
What drives the value
With model trains, a handful of factors move the price more than anything else. Brand and era come first, since postwar Lionel and scarce prewar pieces command a premium over common modern runs. Scale matters, along with the original box and paperwork, the condition of the paint, trim, and trucks, and whether the piece is in working order. Minti helps you record all of it honestly, so your value reflects the piece you actually have.
- Brand and era, from postwar Lionel and prewar pieces to modern reissues
- Scale, original box, and paperwork, since a clean box adds value
- Condition and working order, since a running motor lifts the price
Organize your model train collection
Keep your locomotives, cars, and sets in collections and folders that mirror how you actually run them. Every item carries its images, condition, scale, and current value, and your portfolio total updates as the market moves, so you always know what your roster is worth.
- Set Tracker: turn a roster or a line into a checklist with owned versus missing, a completion percentage, and the remaining cost to finish, free on every plan
- Profit and loss tracking, what you paid against what a piece is worth now, plus realized profit after fees
Buy, sell & auction in the marketplace
When you're ready to trade, list any piece as a fixed-price Buy It Now or a live auction with anti-snipe extensions. Make and receive offers, accept secure payment through Stripe, and ship with a pre-paid label. Funds are held safely until the buyer confirms delivery. For a boxed set that is awkward to ship, local pickup lets the buyer pay through Minti up front, holds the money until the handoff, and releases it after you scan the buyer's QR code or a 6 digit code and the 48 hour inspection window closes.
Model Train FAQ
How do I find out what my model train is worth?
Scan the piece with Minti. The AI identifies the brand, scale, and era, then pulls live eBay listings for that exact locomotive or car, drops the outliers, and shows you every comparable it used, so you can see where the number comes from and tap through to eBay's sold history to double-check.
Can Minti identify the brand and scale?
Yes. Minti reads the piece and any markings to pin down the brand, such as Lionel or American Flyer, and the scale, whether O, HO, N, or another gauge, and it separates prewar and postwar vintage from modern reissues so you know exactly what you have.
Does the original box and condition matter?
Very much. A clean original box, the instruction sheets, and working order all add value, while chips, rust, missing parts, or a non-running motor bring it down. Minti helps you record the box, paperwork, and condition so your value is realistic.
Can I sell model trains for local pickup?
Yes. With local pickup the buyer pays through Minti up front and the money is held until the handoff, which suits a boxed set or a layout lot that is awkward to ship. At the meeting you scan the buyer's QR code or enter a 6 digit code, and the buyer has a 48 hour inspection window before the funds release.
Is Minti free to use?
Yes. Minti is free to download and includes a monthly allowance of AI scans, plus organizing, value tracking, and marketplace access. Paid tiers raise the scan and storage limits for larger collections.
How do I sell model trains on Minti?
List any piece as a fixed-price Buy It Now or a live auction, receive offers from buyers, and accept secure payment through Stripe. Minti generates a pre-paid shipping label and holds funds until the buyer confirms delivery.