Hi there fellow marklin nutters,
I've been collecting HO Marklin since 1980 when my father left me a small collection, over the years i added to it then in the early 2000's I started collecting in earnest with the aim to collect at least 1 boxed version of every Marklin HO Train product produced from 1940 to 1970, with some extras like auto carriers in sets like 46133,2863, and the Junkers sets 2866 (still to get this).
I have now amassed a large amount and are getting down to the really hard to find & expensive items and tend to keep buying the cheaper items when I should save up and put the money to the rare items.
Still havnt got a good 3015 ,have the repro 30159 which I love , and many other items including buildings which I have ,418,419,422,423,473/6, so many more to still get.
I have recently been looking on E bay and there is a lot of O gauge which at first glance seems no dearer than HO in fact even cheaper and there is a wonderful range of interesting buildings and accessories which i like as have always been a tin toy fan.

So I was hoping I could get some advice on collecting O Gauge and am I right in thinking prices are lower than HO ? and what you think about switching to O having already got so much HO.
Maybe I just need to get saving and buy the rarer items , these are some of the items I still need to get ....in no particular order or version as always prefer the first and last of a series but cant always be too fussy except don't like getting the 1980's plastic top boxes so will always try to buy the pre 1970 style boxes and pre 1956 is the most preferred type with the early numbering too, but often just get what I can afford to start with and then improve the versions over time when a great deal comes up
Engines
3015,HR700,TP800,DT800,G800,RS790,ES800,HS800,T790,RMS800,MS800
3023,3019,3012,3059,3037
Carriages
4063,4075,4033,4070,4065,341SB,342E,342J,343J,344B,349,349E,351F,351SB,352,352J,353K,353,353JK,354,354J
Rolling Stock
4526,27,28,365K,372GK,388,389,393,364 silver,363,334E,332,321G,322,316/1,314BP,314/1,
Accessories
455,458,467 red,467/2 red, 467 cast bridge piers P30 & P6,410H,410M,412,413,414,416,415,424B,427,428,456,473/12,2038B,2039B,429,463,464,447,448/2,432,407M,407MN,440,444,436,440B,442G,
440BE,440BD,442GE,476,476N,477G,478EMG,478GNN,437,479G,452,452N,452/1,453,405G,405GN,406,430,469,2283

probably a few ive missed.
maybe I should just add a few O gauge as when they come up at good prices and still concentrate to finish the HO collection.
I also collect early faller wooden houses ,factory made .and Kibri tin buildings .

I hope some of you will be able to help me.
many thanks
kind regards
Marcus Bishop
Whangarei
New Zealand

Welcome along Marcus, plenty to be enjoyed and learned here

Marcus
You must have a fantastic collection if that is your wish list. I have a very similar collection and collect items from 1937 to 1960. Unless you have a very large budget then it is difficult to get the more rare items. I call myself a completionist which is someone that is only happy when you have one of every series. I believe it's a form of hoarding and I am gradually breaking the cycle and selling some previously treasured items. I very much like the older models and am grateful that I stopped buying new items in the late 90's. I also have considered collecting O gauge after seeing another local collectors new purchase which was a ute load of 1930 gear. This included the crocodile. I quite often look at the prices and have never seen anything that I thought looked reasonable. I guess the best advice is to buy what gives you pleasure but be aware that the market is srinking and unless you buy well you will loose money. Send me a pm if you want to discuss more as we may be able to help each other with doubles and postage to and from NZ is reasonable.
Kind regards
Roger