Well tinplate fans, I have nothing to compare with Steve from PA's 1902 -1911 station but I am pleased to report some progress in my search to complete a passenger set to go with my Light Olive 252 locomotive. On Nov 21, I posted that I had at long last acquired two 529 Pullmans from 1927-28 with the light olive basic body color which matches the loco. I reported at that time that I still had to find the 530 observation but since I had hunted the Pullmans for several years I was not optimistic on finding the observation. I can now report on (Partial) progress. I did find a light olive 530 however it has orange trim from 1928-29 instead of the red trim from 1927-28. Well one can't be too choosy with things that are nearly 94 years old, so here it is. For some reason, the Lt Olive color scheme (which ran for several years with various trims and journal combo's) seem to be much harder to find than the Orange or Red colors, not sure why. So my quest is at least partially complete. I do have the wheels and axles but they are soaking in vinegar to remove surface rust. It is however missing the blue celluloid "window shade" treatment over the windows. This is just an add on strip, I bet I can get some repro parts for that. This car was really in bad (i.e. dirty) shape as was pictured by the seller so it was no surprise and it was quite inexpensive. The "dirt" turned out to be a fine mist of some dark spray like substance. My first guess was long exposure to an older oil home heating system. We had one at my parents home in the 50's and Mom was always complaining about what it did to her wash. Luckily, it cleaned up rather easily with metal polish and buffing. The dark coating came off and the olive paint appeared. Lionel obviously used quality enamel in those days. This variation as you can see has orange trim and nickel journals. Underneath it has a type 1 oil label and a square frame, dating it clearly to 1928-29. The 1927-28 car I was looking for would have had the same oil label but no journals at all and of course the trim would be red (dark red).
Well, happy hunting tinplate fans. Steve from Pa...marvelous station, what a find. Thanks for posting pictures.
Don
