Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Memorabilia Value Guide
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway started operations in 1890 and stopped service in 1996 for a total period of operations of 106 years.
After the Civil War railroads exploded in the US with hundreds of lines starting service all over the country. This was the the age of steam locomotives and rail travel was still a luxury. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway items from this time period can be very valuable and items of most types that predate 1900 will be valuable if they are in good condition. Many collectors are looking for antique railroadiana that dates before 1900 so there is a strong market for anyone looking to sell.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway operated after 1940 which means that many of the most common items you might find will not be especially valuable, these include items like timetables, pinbacks, menus, and other promotional items given out by the railroad. These items tend to be quite common on the market today and typically will be worth only a couple dollars. If a railroad antique is dated 1940 or later, chances are that unless it is a very unique item, it will not be worth much if you want to sell.
Only the largest railroads like the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway operated in over 10 states, these are the most famous and well known lines that served the US market and they ran famous routes and had iconic locomotive designs in many cases. Items from these lines can range from very common for promotional items that were given away to the average passenger to exceedingly rare items like a Number Plate off of a famous locomotive. Railroads like Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway have a strong group of collectors interested in good items, especially in areas where the line ran originally, but with the internet folks from all over have also become more any more able to find items from railroads that aren't near them, this has driven up values on the most desirable items and made it easier to find common items which are even easier and cheaper to obtain than ever before.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Operated Routes in the Following States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma