Skip to main content

15 replies

Appreciating Harlan Creswell- Master Tinplate Builder

PRR8976PRR8976OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

There is currently a rare Standard Gauge 600e Hudson up for sale on "the big-EE" auction site. I don't know the seller or have any interest in the sale, but thought some of you may want to be aware. Supposedly, less than 30 were ever made. 

He was a talented builder who lived in Seattle and started his train building exploits in the late 1970's, making stunning examples of Standard Gauge tinplate. Disclaimer, I have nothing in Standard Gauge, other than accessories, but his hand-built creations were simply beautiful. 

http://www.tcawestern.org/liberty.htm 

http://stdgauge.blogspot.com/2...-by-hk-creswell.html

https://ogrforum.com/...ndard-gauge-switcher

One of my favorites of his Liberty Lines, which I wish I have, was his example of the B6 switcher, his 608E, which used a rubber O-ring drive belt. The first 2 photos were posted by our friend Carey Williams back in 2017. According to the TCA article, it was thought that less than 15 of the switchers were ever built. 

 

harlan creswell B6 via Carey Williams

 Harlen Creswell B6 fireman sideharlen creswell B6 topharlen creswell B6 below

Here's another 600E which previously sold:

600E no1600E no2600E no3600E no4

Tom 

 

Attachments

Hide
Images (8)
  • harlan creswell B6 via Carey Williams
  • Harlen Creswell B6 fireman side
  • harlen creswell B6 top
  • harlen creswell B6 below
  • 600E no1
  • 600E no2
  • 600E no3
  • 600E no4
Last edited by PRR8976
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

N navy.sealOGR Forum Member

I agree!  Creswell was a wonderful craftsman and I have several of his creations in my collection.  These include: two BiPolars (one painted in an olive drab livery and the other in Milwaukee Road's "tri-color" black, maroon, and orange paint scheme), one of his green State Car baggage cars, and lastly a black 600E.  As soon as I can locate and pull them out, I will take pictures and post them here. 

The link below will take you to a video of SGMA at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour show at the Dulles Expo Center in 2010.  50 seconds into this video you can see my large tri-color Creswell BiPolar sitting adjacent to an even larger all green Brute.  Then at the 9:02 minute mark, you can watch that same tri-color BiPolar pulling a long consist of tri-color MTH Milwaukee Road State Cars.  Neat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR7ZW-j428g

Bob Nelson

 

Attachments

Show
Images (1)
  • mceclip0
N navy.sealOGR Forum Member
MNCW posted:

Hi Bob,

   Very interesting. Did you get all of them directly from him or second-hand through auctions, etc. 

Tom

Tom,

I purchased all of them "second-hand".

At one point in time I also had a 608E lined up to purchase.  I had never seen one before and hadn't a clue as to what its market value might be.  So I did what I always did, I asked the MESG expert, Arno, what he thought it was worth.  Next thing I know, Arno is the proud owner of "my" 608E.  Needless to say we exchanged some words, but our friendship was worth more to me than the 608E so I let him off the hook.

Bob Nelson

PRR8976PRR8976OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Carey Williams posted:

Hello all I believe Harlan built 50 of the Hudson's ..or that was his goal ..also built State cars ... and supper State cars ( extra long) , a matching baggage car, and some freights ... he was talented at stamping steel (tinplate) . acticle 1979600Epage2my gondola and hopperBlue 600E mineIMG_0682IMG_0677

Carey,

   Your library skills have come through again! Thanks for posting that.

Tom 

 

N navy.sealOGR Forum Member
Jim Waterman posted:

Amazing that 3 of the 600's Havel hit the market just this summer 

Really like that 608e, Clem has a nice one.

should also check out the Glenn USRA type 0-6-0. I'm collecting parts to build one just missing a couple of details and some valve gear. 

Jim

Jim,  

Can you please post a picture of the Glenn USRA type 0-6-0.

Bob Nelson

N navy.sealOGR Forum Member
Carey Williams posted:

Hello Bob  here are a few photos of Glenns 060 ......Bob Henderich  modified several of the switchers into 260's ...  cast aluminium body ...rumor 25 060's were completed by Glenn ...but many odd castings were released in to the world as partial engines   

 

cheers Carey 

 

 

Glenn trains 060Glenns modified 280 Bob Hendericks

Wonderful!!  Thank you!

Bob Nelson

Add Reply

Views: 1,255
Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×

Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership

OGR Forum Supporting Membership

Help support this forum with an OGR Forum Supporting Membership.
You will be able to watch the videos in the INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO FORUM!
A one-year OGR Forum Supporting Membership is only $12 per year, so sign up now!


    OR     


Access the ALL the OGR VIDEO FORUMS AND  over 300 back issues of OGR
with a DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION!



$12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable)
×