Keep Showing Off Your Collections!

It's a fun experience for me to see the toys I work with out in your living rooms, basements, backyards, and wherever else!

Keep sending in pictures of your collections to photos@3000toys.com! If you want, you may also include the story of how you got into collecting, how you acquired your collection, etc.

A big thank you to Jason for sending in pictures of his great collection!

Highway 61 releases the Dodge Challenger in exciting new colors!!

Like the name implies, Highway 61 Collectibles hearkens for the open road, and these high-detailed precision metal replicas won't disappoint. These are in-stock and ready to ship now!

Dodge Challenger R/T Classic - 1/18 Scale - Price = $76.99

• Detonator Yellow - Item #50851
• Furious Fuchsia - Item #50856
  

Dodge Challenger SRT 8 - 1/18 Scale - Price = $76.99

• Detonator Yellow - Item #50852
• Furious Fuchsia - Item #50857
  

Click here to see all our 1/18 scale cars.

Click here to learn more about die-cast scales.

$40 Million Train Collection

Katharine happened upon this article a little while ago, and we just found it amazing! Currently on display at Sotheby's in New York, Jerry Greene's toy train collection includes more than 3,500 antique locomotives and railroad buildings, all made between 1850 and 1940.

The collection includes hand-painted station houses, bridges, barges, carousels, Ferris wheels, and hundreds of figurines in 19th century garb and Prussian army uniforms. Some of the train stations are outfitted with working fountains and clocks, and many are replicas of the actual buildings in Europe.

Greene's father began the collection at the age of 18 and went on to collect more than 1,600 train sets, 10,000 figurines, and 700 stations.

Now the entire collection is up for auction as a single lot. When asked why he's selling it now, Greene answered, "I collected everything I could collect. The fun is in the search. I want to sell it, so that I have a clean basement. After this, I will collect something else."

Noel Barrett, an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow and president of Noel Barrett Antiques & Auctions, believes that $40-$50 million is a safe estimate for the collection.

Link: Toy collection could fetch more than $40 million

1980s Ertl Pieces Back in Stock!

For you collectors of farm toys, have we got a treat for you! We recently were able to purchase a collection of older Ertl farm toys, most of them dating back to the 1980s. Long out of production, many of these are difficult to find, and availability is extremely limited: of the items listed below, only one of each is available from us.

From varying agricultural manufacturers, any of these pieces would make a great addition to a farm toy collection, a valuable starting piece, or a priceless gift for a friend or family member.

Again, we only have one of each of these in stock, so get them before they're gone!
Click on an item number or picture for more info or to order.


John Deere 8200 Wf Tractor
Item #5840 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $59.00







John Deere Model B on rubber tires, square hood
Item #5904 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $49.00





Case IH 5140 Maxxum FWA Tractor with cab
Item #696 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $59.00


Also available; not pictured:

Deutz-Allis 6240 Tractor - Special Edition - Shelf Worn Box
Item #1269 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $49.00

Ford 8N Tractor with Flare Box Wagon - Original version from the 1980s, Made in the USA.
Item #309 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $39.00

Farmall Model H Tractor - Shelf Model - Shelf Worn Box
Item #414 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $39.00

International 7488 2+2 - Circa 1985 - Box is an 8/10
Item #467 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $159.00

International 5088 Tractor with cab
Item #468 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $59.00

John Deere 6000/7000 Demonstrator Tractor Kit - Box is well worn
Item #5739 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $49.00

Ford NAA Golden Jubilee Tractor - Box is yellowed from age - circa 1986
Item #803 - 1/16 Scale - Price = $39.00

2011 Price Increases

Unfortunately, prices increases are expected to be the norm in 2011, due mainly to the rapid climb of the Chinese Yuan. Combine the Yuan with higher material costs, fuel costs, and expected labor shortages, and you have the inevitable.

Several price increases already went into effect at the beginning of January,and several more will take place starting February 1st. These will include New-Ray, Norscot, Woodland Scenics, NZG, M2Machines, Unique Replicas, Maisto, Bruder, and Universal Hobbies.

Monday last week was the first day of the annual Hong Kong Toy Fair, and attendance was perceived to be down and prices to be up. Richard Gottlieb, president of a New York-based business development firm, wrote from the HK show this week, saying the typical toy industry price increases were "coming in at anywhere from 5% to 25%, with a mode of 15%." He went on to explain that these increases were to be expected, due to the inflation stats (November alone was 5.1%!). Experts are expecting an additional 5 to 6% in 2011.

Link: Hong Kong 2011; fewer people and higher prices

Show Off YOUR Collection

We usually spend time on here showing you what you could be collecting, but we want to know... what do you collect? We want to hear from you!

Whether it's Caterpillar construction equipment or semi trucks, Allis Chalmers tractors or tanks, or maybe something entirely unique, we'd love to hear about it.

We're asking you to send in pictures of your collection, maybe a picture of your train layout, you with your planes, or even your son or grandson with his collection of boy toys.

You can send your pictures to photos@3000toys.com, and your picture may be featured on our blog!

First JL Releases of 2011!

Premier quality at great prices: Johnny Lightning is a prime choice, offering more replica models, great themes, monthly releases, and innovative chase programs. Each model has authentic detailing and factory colors with 100% diecast metal bodies and chassis. Make sure to be on the look out for the rare White Lightning chase cars!

This week we received the first two of the many new releases coming this year!

Johnny Lightning Muscle Car Release 51 - This set includes one each of the following: 1968 Pontiac GTO and 1949 Buick Roadmaster
Item #51105YZ-SET - 1/24 Scale - Price = $27.95

Johnny Lightning 2.0 Release 5 - 8-Piece Assortment by Johnny Lightning in FACTORY SEALED CASE! (NON-RETURNABLE)
Assortment set includes 2 each of the following: 1987 Ford Mustang - Beat The Heat; 1972 Chevy Vega - Warren Johnston; 1987 Buick Grand National - Black with Flames; and 2009 Dodge Challenger - Mopar
Assortment is subject to change without notice and will likely include duplicates.
Item #51581E-CASE - 1/64 Scale - Price = $32.95

You can click here to view all future releases scheduled for 2011.

Just Arrived from Tonkin

I hope you all had a great first week of 2011! Here's some exciting second-week-of-the-new-year news for you: a whole new lineup of 1/87 Tonkin trucks! These just arrived in our warehouses last Friday, and are going fast! As mentioned before, all six of these trucks are in 1/87 scale, and they sell for $14.95 each. You can click on the images below for more info.

Interstate Distribution - Kenworth T660 with 53' Dry Van Trailer

KKW Trucking - International ProStar with 53' Dry Van Trailer

Frozen Food Express - International ProStar with 53' Dry Van Trailer

Schneider National - Freightliner Cascadia with 53' Dry Van Trailer

Walmart - Freightliner Cascadia with 53' Dry Van Trailer

Knight Transportation - International ProStar with 53' Dry Van Trailer

Greenlight Dioramas arriving this month!

Be sure to get your order in for the new 1/64 Greenlight Diorama Series 4. This release features 2 new licenses for 2011 in Animal House and Apollo 13. These are available for pre-order now at 3000toys.com for Jan - Feb delivery.






Trans Am Racing Diorama - Bill Maier #22 1968 Ford Mustang and Sam Posey #77 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

Ford Racing AV Mustangs Diorama - 2009 Ford Mustang AV8R and 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

Apollo 13 Diorama - 1965 Shelby GT-350, 1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427

Animal House Diorama - 1959 Chevy Corvette and 3 Characters

2011 Johnny Lightning Releases

Premier quality at great prices. Johnny Lightning is the collector's choice offering more replica models, great themes, monthly releases and innovative chase programs. With 100% diecast metal bodies, low price and 1% White Lightning chase cars, these are some of the most sought after 1:64 scale collections available. Be sure to look for Lightning Strike chase cars as well! 

The 2011 lineup for the Forever 64 collection includes 12 new tools. These include a Sprint Car, Dirt Modified, 1993 Ford Lightning, 1973 Chevy Caprice Wagon, Firebird Funny Car, 1965 VW Delivery, 1957 Buick Custom, Vega Modified, Chevy Cobalt ProStock, among others. The latest in this collection, Release 12, can be found right here at 3000toys.com. This 12-piece assortment includes the 1971 Chevy Chevelle "Beat the Heat", 1960 Pontiac GTO, 1970 Plymouth Cuda 383, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1950 Chevy Panel Delivery, 1977 Dodge Monaco Police, 1977 Dodge Monaco, 1967 Plymouth Fury II Police, 1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo SS, 1985 Pontiac Firebird, and the 1957 Chevy Ambulance "NHAA". 

JOHNNY LIGHTNING   50298T-CASE    1/64 Scale      Price = $27.95

JL Forever 64 Release 12 - 12-Piece Assortment by Johnny Lightning in FACTORY SEALED CASE!  

Release 5 in the JL 2.0 collection will be hitting our shelves later this month and is slated to include 2 each of the following: 1987 Ford Mustang - Beat The Heat, 1972 Chevy Vega - Warren Johnston, 1987 Buick Grand National - Black with Flames, and the 2009 Dodge Challenger - Mopar.

JOHNNY LIGHTNING - 51581E-CASE - 1/64      Price = $32.95

Johnny Lightning 2.0 Release 5 - 8-Piece Assortment by Johnny Lightning in FACTORY SEALED CASE!

  

Clearance!

Happy 2011 to all of you!! Here's a great way to start off the new year: a sale! We just wanted to remind you of our ongoing After Christmas Clearance Sale, with more than 230 items at greatly reduced prices. You can see all the sale items by clicking here. Here are a few of my favorites:

Citroen C3 Pluriel Cabriolet in Red
Bburago #22096R - 1/24 Scale - Price = $7.95 Was $11.95

Volvo A40D Dump Truck in SPECIAL BLUE
- Hi-Tech Line -
Motorart #13351 - 1/87 Scale - Price = $16.95 Was $28.95


Owner Operator - Peterbilt 379 Day Cab with Ag doubles with Tarp Load
- PRECISION SERIES -
Tonkin #7027 - 1/53 Scale - Price = $49.95 Was $74.95