Buy anything cool lately?

I also picked up the Williams 70 ton Rutland diesel. I got it yesterday. Regrettably, nothing else jumped out at me at Trainland so I came home with just the one engine.

I have a ERR mini commander and sound set that I was going to put in a Kline Boxcab but I may follow John's lead and do this one first. It's a nice looking engine with decent detailing. As John said, metal hand rails would have been an improvement.

Here's the maiden voyage (with Williams sound). It would have been nice if they added a cap to hold the sound when changing direction.

@RSJB18 posted:

I have a ERR mini commander and sound set that I was going to put in a Kline Boxcab but I may follow John's lead and do this one first. It's a nice looking engine with decent detailing. As John said, metal hand rails would have been an improvement.

A big clue about removing the handrails for disassembly.  The little square pads at the bottom have some sort of glue on them.  After breaking one handrail, I figured that out.  What I did for the rest of them was to take my flush cutting wire cutters and gently squeeze around the base right on the chassis until the glue broke free.  That allows you to remove the handrails much easier, hopefully without damage.  Only the bases are glued, the ends of the rails stuck into the plastic shell are not glued, those just gently pull out.

That's a good deal on the 70 tonner.  I was in Trainland just before Thanksgiving and that deal wasn't yet available but I did snag the CN 44 tonner I posted previously for $129.  I wish this one was available at that time.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Good plan, it is a royal PITA.  You can read about it here.

Williams 44-Ton Upgrade with ERR CC-Lite, Sound, & Electrocouplers

Yep, I left the stock couplers on it.

Thank you for the link, John!  I don’t remember seeing this back six years ago.  I bought the 44-ton with the idea of repainting it to match a photograph I have of the unit that was at the power station I worked at too many years ago.  I wouldn’t feel as bad messing up the bargain basement Williams than I would messing up the more expensive MTH 🤪

Bob, the Rutland engine really looks great!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

A big clue about removing the handrails for disassembly.  The little square pads at the bottom have some sort of glue on them.  After breaking one handrail, I figured that out.  What I did for the rest of them was to take my flush cutting wire cutters and gently squeeze around the base right on the chassis until the glue broke free.  That allows you to remove the handrails much easier, hopefully without damage.  Only the bases are glued, the ends of the rails stuck into the plastic shell are not glued, those just gently pull out.

Thanks for the tip John. I already broke one rail on my 44 ton, I wasn't too eager to fiddle with these even though they are thicker. I have a nice pair of flush diagonals that will do the job.

@coach joe posted:

That's a good deal on the 70 tonner.  I was in Trainland just before Thanksgiving and that deal wasn't yet available but I did snag the CN 44 tonner I posted previously for $129.  I this one was available at that time.

I saw the sale a few weeks ago and was on the fence because I don't model any of the road names. Then I looked up the Rutland and found a winner. Yes- the inventory in the store was a little low. They had one of the new Lionel LC 0-6-0 tanks in the case but I want the Brooklyn Eastern model and they didn't have it. The shop was busy which was nice to see.

I have a LIRR RS-1 w/ PS3 on pre-order so I will be back there soon I hope.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Bob, the Rutland engine really looks great!

Thanks Mark. After buying their 44 tonner I figured the 70 would be of equal quality. I can't justify $400 + for the PS3 models, even thought they look great.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Thanks Mark. After buying their 44 tonner I figured the 70 would be of equal quality. I can't justify $400 + for the PS3 models, even thought they look great.

The MTH 44-ton locomotive is great... except...

It has a major issue over almost any kind of switch!  It's been written about here before, it appears it's actually connectivity through the wheels and not a problem with center track pickups.  I haven't spent the time to stick some wipers on the wheels to see if that solves it's problem, right now it's a shelf queen.

@coach joe posted:

That's a good deal on the 70 tonner.  I was in Trainland just before Thanksgiving and that deal wasn't yet available but I did snag the CN 44 tonner I posted previously for $129.  I this one was available at that time.

Sounds like some good deals at Trainland .

How much would it be for giving it the command  control systems minus , of course , the electro couplers ? 🤔

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Sounds like some good deals at Trainland .

How much would it be for giving it the command  control systems minus , of course , the electro couplers ? 🤔

That would be Trainworld, not Trainland.  As it turns out, the url www.trainland.com just redirects you to www.Trainworld.com.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Sounds like some good deals at Trainland .

How much would it be for giving it the command  control systems minus , of course , the electro couplers ? 🤔

The two boards (MC and RS) were about $225. I don't intend to do EC's but will upgrade the lighting.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

A big clue about removing the handrails for disassembly.  The little square pads at the bottom have some sort of glue on them.  After breaking one handrail, I figured that out.  What I did for the rest of them was to take my flush cutting wire cutters and gently squeeze around the base right on the chassis until the glue broke free.  That allows you to remove the handrails much easier, hopefully without damage.  Only the bases are glued, the ends of the rails stuck into the plastic shell are not glued, those just gently pull out.

John, What would you use for replacement stanchions and railing? Pat B.

@lpb007 posted:

John, What would you use for replacement stanchions and railing? Pat B.

That's the $64,000 question.  I once build replacement handrails for a Lionel Trainmaster, but it was a PITA by the time I was done.  For the 70-ton locomotive I put the old railings back on.  I had only slightly mangled them before I found the trick to removing them.

See arrow, that one was my screwup.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's the $64,000 question.  I once build replacement handrails for a Lionel Trainmaster, but it was a PITA by the time I was done.  For the 70-ton locomotive I put the old railings back on.  I had only slightly mangled them before I found the trick to removing them.

See arrow, that one was my screwup.

I see plenty of 1:1 locos with bent rails.

Call it weathering

@RSJB18 posted:

I see plenty of 1:1 locos with bent rails.

Call it weathering

I had to blow up the photograph before I was able to see what the arrow was pointing to.  You recovered nicely, John.

Doing this as three separate posts.

First set, my new buds at Berwyn's delivered 6 cars which were part of their custom runs. 2 Burlington reefers, 1 Soo, 1 Grand Trunk and 2 ICG boxcars. Also ran into Tim at the Wheaton Train Show last weekend.  I've met him once at his Berwyn store and he recognized me mask and all. I was at a disadvantage, but he made a few comments so I quickly figured out who he was. He has quite a talent at remembering faces and people. Not bad for meeting someone once!

I received two Sears Robuck trailers today from Stockyard Express. I have not opened them yet.

2nd Set - As long as I was on the topic of the Wheaton Train Show.  Here are a couple of cars I picked up. GN hopper, State of Main and C&NW boxcars. Bought the GN to replace a Railking version and could not help myself with the State of Maine Box car. I've seen it on several layouts and it sure stands out, so what the heck.  At the bottom right I picked up a bunch of pines and assorted trees all 8 to 16 feet tall. The firs are what caught my attention. I think its a bottle brush tree with the branches swept down then covered with fine ground foam.  Got several ideas from these trees, so for a buck a piece I figured it was a decent deal. 

@ScoutingDad posted:

Doing this as three separate posts.

First set, my new buds at Berwyn's delivered 6 cars which were part of their custom runs. 2 Burlington reefers, 1 Soo, 1 Grand Trunk and 2 ICG boxcars. Also ran into Tim at the Wheaton Train Show last weekend.  I've met him once at his Berwyn store and he recognized me mask and all. I was at a disadvantage, but he made a few comments so I quickly figured out who he was. He has quite a talent at remembering faces and people. Not bad for meeting someone once!

What a great looking train. I love the midwest theme. Tim is great I've know him for many years.

@ScoutingDad posted:

2nd Set - As long as I was on the topic of the Wheaton Train Show.  Here are a couple of cars I picked up. GN hopper, State of Main and C&NW boxcars. Bought the GN to replace a Railking version and could not help myself with the State of Maine Box car. I've seen it on several layouts and it sure stands out, so what the heck.  At the bottom right I picked up a bunch of pines and assorted trees all 8 to 16 feet tall. The firs are what caught my attention. I think its a bottle brush tree with the branches swept down then covered with fine ground foam.  Got several ideas from these trees, so for a buck a piece I figured it was a decent deal.

This scene looks great and you read my mind. I was wishing for a better view of the bridge and here it is.

ScoutingDad, Nice looking cars and what a great looking layout!

3rd set - when you are on a roll, don't stop.  From my long time friends at TRAINZ,  pulled the trigger and bought a few more items.  Two for me are noteworthy; the Lionel Milwaukee Road Pup trailers and the Corgi Milwaukee Road panel truck.  I think I have a thing for the color "orange",  the Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears wear orange, so why not my trains?  Being from the Midwest corn and soybeans and pigs and fowl are big things, so had to have the Wayne Feeds hopper from Atlas to add to my grain hoppers. Truly and impressive car with how the covers open to allow loading.   

@Dave Ripp. posted:

This scene looks great and you read my mind. I was wishing for a better view of the bridge and here it is.

@Dave Ripp.  Dave I am putting a new post together on the TPRR. Did not realize its been 6 months since I updated it.  There are much better bridge pics there as well as videos. Its had come a long way since my first post.

@ScoutingDad posted:

@Dave Ripp.  Dave I am putting a new post together on the TPRR. Did not realize its been 6 months since I updated it.  There are much better bridge pics there as well as videos. Its had come a long way since my first post.

I look forward to it.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's the $64,000 question.  I once build replacement handrails for a Lionel Trainmaster, but it was a PITA by the time I was done.  For the 70-ton locomotive I put the old railings back on.  I had only slightly mangled them before I found the trick to removing them.

See arrow, that one was my screwup.

John, Thanks for the response. Nice recovery. If that is as bad as it gets, life is good. Pat B.

I think that I would be more concerned with how would anyone get past that part of the railing down the hood toward the cab!

@Big Jim posted:

I think that I would be more concerned with how would anyone get past that part of the railing down the hood toward the cab!

Well, my major concern is the fact that I think I'd crush the frame just climbing the steps!

MTH 20-20157-1

@MikeH posted:

MTH 20-20157-1

That's really nice and I see it really smokes profusely. Great buy!!!

@MikeH posted:

MTH 20-20157-1

HOLY SMOKE  Mike.....

Really nice looking diesels .

Thanks guys.  Yeah, I bought it used and received it today.  Before putting it on the track, I popped the shells on both A's.  I oiled the spindles on the smoke fan motors.  I noticed that the batting looked brand new.  And it was bone dry.  So while I had the shells off, I added enough smoke fluid to thoroughly saturate both.  It was 40+ drops for each!   You see the result.  Smoking like an MTH.

Picked this Lionel Prewar 801 Wabash caboose at last Sunday’s Wayne NJ train show for $5.00.
I Cleaned the caboose, and as you can see it came out very nice for being over 100 years old.
I was surprised on how the wheels/axles turned out after cleaning the rust off
From by research, it was MFG in 1917 and is not a candidate for repaint as it was loved by someone

I also purchased CP-7 couplers and a Con-50 manual reversing switch, all prewar reproduction parts.

Bought a MTH Metrolink F40 Engine with the six Bombardier passenger cars, 10-15 Lionel UP 21' Passenger Cars, Lionel UP SP 1996 SD70, Lionel SP SD40T, and Lionel Vision Line ATSF Stock Cars

I got 3 new cars to fit my early 70's layout era. A couple mid to late 60's Chevy models and a 64 Plymouth.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

I got 3 new cars to fit my early 70's layout era. A couple mid to late 60's Chevy models and a 64 Plymouth.

Dave,

Love that 64 Plymouth, "Mopar Or No Car".

Jeff

Really nice Chevys and Plymouth, Dave!!  My second car was a '73 Plymouth Satellite, the first was a '69 Ford Galaxy XL.  You can tell the auto manufacturers had gotten into the space race! 

@ScoutingDad love Trainz and love those pick-ups ya got!! I really like Corgi's "Fallen Flags" series of RR vehicles- there's some pretty neat ones and that van is certainly one of them! Also- those ps-4 wooden flats are some of the best cars Lionel has made in recent years, IMO, mainly due to their versatility(except when there's a fixed load) but the Toffee 20' pups don't fall into that category. I have a few different trailers and like trying them out of different mfgs. cars- but especially on my ps-4 PUP toffee. Nice haul!

@RonH nice piece of tin you got yourself! For $5 that's a good price and it's not in junker condition either. Awesome job cleaning it up- do you have/do you plan on getting some freight to go with it?

@MikeH that's a really sweet ABA set of the GM&O. Got my first GM&O a few weeks back and have enjoyed reading up on the line. Those diesels look incredibly well-done, well-detailed, and spew diesel exhaust like In see it in my dreams! Ha. Awesome stuff!

@Jdjones24 man that sounds like a great haul!! I love the K-line version of the metro link and associated bombardiers, love the espee as well!! Sounds like you really went all out on those 21' passenger cars- good for you! You'll have to show us some pics- at least of the metrolink and SP SD40t!

@Dave Ripp. awesome looking town! Those cars fit in perfectly! I too like that Plymouth a bunch. Who's the mfg. on those?

Some recent deliveries- have been trying to gather some new freight. Took advantage of the Trainz triple point promotion the week of 12/6 to 12/12 so I got quite a few items. Main focus was on ATSF and UP, atlas items at good prices, covered hoppers, and box cars. I'll start with some of the items that don't necessarily fit the above...

My "military train" . Was very happy to find and score the Atlas Troop car- converted into  DOD Guard car G56 which is actually on display at the Arkansas RR museum! The Atlas O Coil car and Weaver United  States Army Boxcar I got from @Beth Marshall from PDT- thanks Beth!

Love my patched/stamped cars! Coil car is former NS, now marked for GE railcar services

Lionel Conrail 60' single door boxcar(Trainz) and MEC Pan Am 50'6" atlas trainman(ebay). Love Conrail for its versatility in freight consists

Better shot of the Pan Am boxcar! Always wanted one, finally found one for a reasonable price. I do like the modern safety stripes on the side

Last for this post- two gondolas from Trainz: Lionel CSX 65' mill gondola(again love the safety stripes) and MTH BC Rail with load(load removed-carrying screwdriver ha). The Mill gon dwarfs my 52' gondolas so I've been keeping it separated. Both really nice gons!

Will try to get more up later!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Really nice Chevys and Plymouth, Dave!!  My second car was a '73 Plymouth Satellite, the first was a '69 Ford Galaxy XL.  You can tell the auto manufacturers had gotten into the space race! 

We had a 73 Satellite too Mark. That 318 had some punch. It looked like the local PD cruisers too so I got away with a little too much when I drove it.
My first car was a 73 Dart- 218 slant 6.

My first was a 68 Dart GT with 273 V8 and a posi rear.  I never legally registered it but I did take it out just a few times before I got my license.  Then I had a 74 Valiant with the 225 slant 6, I think it was.  I totaled it one day driving home from HS.  I totaled a lot of cars back then (early 1980s).  Actually the first car I totaled was a 1973 Chevy Vega, being chased by the police (not very fast) in a snowstorm when I was in 8th grade, 1978 or 79 I guess it would have been.  Supposedly I was home babysitting my younger siblings.  Dad was a little mad that night.

Speaking of "Buy anything cool lately?", I expect to take delivery tomorrow of a new set of Lionel Legacy PA diesels.  The New Haven line in classic black and red!  This is a replacement for the pair of the same supposedly "delivered" to me 2 weeks ago by FedEx.  Their "proof of delivery" is the driver's note "left at garage."  I don't have a garage and, at the moment, neither do I yet have that pair of New Haven PA diesels.  In an email today, Lionel assured me this set arriving tomorrow is the very last set they have in stock.  I hope they got the full $999.99 from FedEx on the "lost" set that is probably under the driver's Christmas tree right now....