? For the FM Trainmaster Crowd

Bill,

The prototype FM TM Virginian loco. was actually yellow and black, never yellow and blue.

The beautiful yellow and blue color scheme was, for whatever reason, Lionel's mid. 1950's product line introduction.

Here's MTH Web-Site and see for yourself:

http://www.mthtrains.com/searc.../fm%20tm%20virginian

Ralph-RJL

I just looked.  I do not believe the picture is accurate.  I am not an MTH expert, but have seen photos of the new Train Master (mostly here) and the new Premier model is far more accurate than that pIcture, which seems to be of the traditional Lionel style body with one piece truck sideframes.

I seem to learn something everyday.  I thought the blue and yellow scheme was original.  Just checked e-bay for Virginian cabooses.  All offered at the moment are variations on blue and yellow.  So, if I get the black and yellow FM, looks like I might have to wait a while for a black and yellow caboose.

Has anyone seen a black and yellow Virginian caboose?

FYI, on e-bay is a buy it now new in the box post war yellow and blue version for, if I remember right, $1250.00.  Prototype or not, the yellow and blue versions appear to command higher prices.

Bill

Lionel 6-17631 VGN B/W Caboose  Vol 2 2001 Blk & Ylw

Bill,

I had bought this book: https://secure.witherspublishi...tent/fm-train-master,

which has some color and b&w photos.

Last year a friend, on another forum, asked the same question, as you and I had to inform him of the Virginian FM TM's actual colors.

He and I agree, that Lionel's mid. '50's original version of blue and yellow is a far more attractive color scheme, than the actual colors.

Here's a site to see Lionel's mid. '50's version:http://www.postwarlionel.com/

Ralph-RJL

Except, Virginian cabooses were red:

Images: Virginian Railway In Color by William G. McClure III and Jeremy F. Plant

Morning Sun Books c. 2005

Rusty

Rusty,

I don't know what other cabs. the Virginian had, but the friend I communicated with, regarding the FM TM Virginian loco., said the same about the red Virginian cab., as you show, which is very close to Weaver Models Virginian scale model caboose:

Modelshttp://www.weavermodels.com/page43.html

Scroll to Virginian Northeastern caboose, which closely resembles Rusty's color photo. of an actual Virginian caboose.

Ralph-RJL

Sometimes black will weather to a blue tint.

The original VIR TM is like the NS Heritage unit,

However, L might wanted to use the same blue paint as the CNJ TM.

The Weaver model would be a close and suitable substitute for VGN's steel cabeese.  VGN had no bay window cabooses.

Rusty

Thanks to all for the replies.  Now my decision is hard vis a vis what caboose to get.  I'm generally a scale dude with a slant toward prototyping.  However, I'm definitely not a rivet counter.  Thus, I just might decide on the yellow one.  But, I've got to get the FM first.  A local hobby shop is attempting to get one for me, but it's not a pre-order.  Could be iffy.

Bill