Buy anything cool lately?

@Chas posted:

I found a second set of the needle in a haystack/hen's teeth Weaver G1611-L  Second Run Erie Lackawanna Add-On Coach/Sleeper Passenger Car Set with grey trucks and green window tints.  I was fortunate to find another set this past January on eBay with a heads up from my friend and fellow forum member LarryW.  I plan to run one very long consist combined with 3 matching 5 car sets (minus the observation and baggage cars on 2 sets) pulled by my both powered set of the last MTH run of Premier E-8's in Erie Lackawanna(820 & 822).  I plan to install LED lights in all these cars before I do that.

These came in today via FedEx within 3 business days from Trainz in Georgia to New York and I couldn't be happier.  Below is link to the listing and a cut and paste to the feedback I left for the seller.

LINK TO THE LISTING FOR THESE CARS

I couldn't be happier!  Item was conservatively rated at C-7 and actually was a C-10 in mint condition with no roller or wheel wear (these must have came from a collection and never ran). It arrived in it's original box inside the original factory shipper with that well packed inside it's own shipping box. Well done Trainz 5 stars across the board

@Trainguy86 posted:

Hint: Lionel 6-11152 Challenger

I've had these for a while but I never got around to posting them here.  This  First Gear 1/34 Chevy tow truck came home with from a train show on Long Island.  What are the odds of a custom run for a truck repair in Iowa showing up on a table in Long Island bearing my name.  Yep it just had to come home with me.

The General Store and the Department Store are Lemax offered by Michaels during two separate Christmas seasons. The story goes the General Store in the country was so successful that Mr. Walker decided to give it a try downtown and wouldn't you know it was a hit.

Joe's Diner is one of those great telephones, the sign lights up and it even used to play Rock Around the Clock.  Last time I plugged it in it started playing without pushing the button and it wouldn't stop.  Unplugged it, plugged it back in and it sounded like Bill Haley was dying in a firestorm of static.  The diner rocks no more but still looks good and has the right name.  I believe I got it in a card store/ gift shop.  One of the handrails going up the steps was broken so in true New Yorker fashion I got a deal.

MTH PRR Rotary I bought on Day 2 of aforementioned sale. Also, the K Line searchlight caboose that is under repair. Fixed the searchlight, next it's the side that needs to be glued back together.

Just picked up a 6431 trailer car.  I has one normal type 11 trailer and the other is the single tire version that came with the 461 loader.

@coach joe posted:

I've had these for a while but I never got around to posting them here.  This  First Gear 1/34 Chevy tow truck came home with from a train show on Long Island.  What are the odds of a custom run for a truck repair in Iowa showing up on a table in Long Island bearing my name.  Yep it just had to come home with me.

The General Store and the Department Store are Lemax offered by Michaels during two separate Christmas seasons. The story goes the General Store in the country was so successful that Mr. Walker decided to give it a try downtown and wouldn't you know it was a hit.

Joe's Diner is one of those great telephones, the sign lights up and it even used to play Rock Around the Clock.  Last time I plugged it in it started playing without pushing the button and it wouldn't stop.  Unplugged it, plugged it back in and it sounded like Bill Haley was dying in a firestorm of static.  The diner rocks no more but still looks good and has the right name.  I believe I got it in a card store/ gift shop.  One of the handrails going up the steps was broken so in true New Yorker fashion I got a deal.

Joe, very nice diner and General store finds! It's also cool that they have your names on them! I too have Lemax and Department 56 on my layout, they add a bit of whimsey, especially for Xmas.  One of my Lemax houses has my last name on it, "Clark Residence". One thing about Lemax and Department 56 is they don't seem to follow any kind of scale. But I'm okay with that, my layout is not prototypical scale anyway! Too bad the music died in the Diner.

When one uses 0-27 track, even 42" curves, scale is not an option.

@RSJB18 posted:

Ain't no mountain high enough....🎵🎶🎵🎶

😂😂

Boy Bob............can't  believe Motown passed you up.

I bought all of these goodies last week at YORK except for the MKT/The Katy PW 6464 boxcar (bought from a OGR Forum member that arrived while I was away):

It was a good week!

Hmmm, you’re going to need a larger layout John.

Like John, I figured I’d share the couple of items I purchased at my first York. More details in my remodel thread in the signature.

Day 1 purchase’s:

Day 2 purchase’s:

My entire first York haul!

It definitely was a great week!

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Hmmm, you’re going to need a larger layout John.

If only it could be so, Jay.

If only...........

@Lionelski posted:

If only it could be so, Jay.

If only...........

Cause a basement full of trains isn't enough........

You could always tunnel under the back yard John

Quite a haul there John!

@Lionelski posted:

I bought all of these goodies last week at YORK except for the MKT/The Katy PW 6464 boxcar (bought from a OGR Forum member that arrived while I was away):

It was a good week!

Boy John......some people really know how to have zll the fun .

@Lionelski posted:

I bought all of these goodies last week at YORK except for the MKT/The Katy PW 6464 boxcar (bought from a OGR Forum member that arrived while I was away):

It was a good week!

Is there going to be urban renewal to make room for the trailer park?

@pennsyfan posted:

Is there going to be urban renewal to make room for the trailer park?

Yup!

While I wasn't able to attend York, several members of our module group went and found me one of my requested items: K-Line 4-6-6T in B&A still factory sealed. That completes buying those. At a later date, I'll be sending them away for Legacy upgrades.

Also later this week, I'll be paying off a layaway of the Lionel 1926 Cardinals Set from Stockyard Express. I already have the add-on cars and will be publicly debuted at our module group's next show pending testing so I don't blow the transformer breaker like at our last event.

Found an unused MTH DCS Commander (50-1028) today for less than half of what they are going for online and less than the original price when they came out years back. Wasn't looking for it, but figured why not and may use it on a small Christmas layout that has stationary conventional transformer on it now.

On 5/4/22, this arrived at my doorstep:

As I lifted it from its packaging to set up a photo, all I could think was:

"Great GoogaMOOGa, this is one CHONKY MammerJammah". Check that weight below:

BTW, I wonder what's the deal with the paper inner wrap? A loco this heavy insures you only remove that wrapping once--Attempting to re-use it when placing the BB back in its box will no doubt rip it to shreds.  I noticed that MTH has its foam 'locomotive wrap' as a seperate sale item now. Does it interact with the shiny finish in an undesirable manner?

---PCJ

You have a good point about the  wrapping and shiny paint. The foam or plastic might not be good. Might leave a mark on a pressure contact point? Dave

I don't know if it is cool or not, but picked up some things at York I really liked. Found a TMCC version of a NYC S2 electric (I love ugly duckling engines) for a decent price from a dealer. Bought a standard gauge caboose (216?) to keep my #8 engine company where it is displayed. Picked up a couple of weaver hoppers with the Chessie the cat logo (curses on CSX, blah) that the guy wanted to get rid of , for my all Chessie train. Also found an Atlas wood side reefer for "Parrot Potatoes", couldn't resist it and knew my wife would love it.

Only sorry I couldn't afford the no 1 gauge live steam engine in one of the halls (I think silver or blue), that was the one I had to let get away

NathanB:  Hey that picture looks like an AF flight suit. Hello from another (now retired) AF guy who lived in/around Dayton ( and WPAFB) in70’s and 80’s. Where I got started in TCA and train collecting.

Railride: beautiful engine but it’s so long on my layout I would have to attach the caboose to the front as it would extend all the way around!!

Best wishes to all

Don

@RailRide posted:

On 5/4/22, this arrived at my doorstep:

As I lifted it from its packaging to set up a photo, all I could think was:

"Great GoogaMOOGa, this is one CHONKY MammerJammah". Check that weight below:

BTW, I wonder what's the deal with the paper inner wrap? A loco this heavy insures you only remove that wrapping once--Attempting to re-use it when placing the BB back in its box will no doubt rip it to shreds.  I noticed that MTH has its foam 'locomotive wrap' as a seperate sale item now. Does it interact with the shiny finish in an undesirable manner?

---PCJ

What a GREAT locomotive. You must have a very wide doorstep to hold that monster!

@Don McErlean posted:

NathanB:  Hey that picture looks like an AF flight suit. Hello from another (now retired) AF guy who lived in/around Dayton ( and WPAFB) in70’s and 80’s. Where I got started in TCA and train collecting.

Railride: beautiful engine but it’s so long on my layout I would have to attach the caboose to the front as it would extend all the way around!!

Best wishes to all

Don

Flew on B-17 Aluminum Overcast and they had souvenir bomber jackets exclusive to those who flew on it. Also a year before, I flew on a Trimotor and there was a young girl who had never flown before so her very first flight was on a vintage aircraft (I had the right seat on that one). Looking forward to fly on more vintage aircraft. Coming from a military family it was special.

Also this would coincide, my deceased great-uncle served in the Army. After being discharged, he became a deacon which is why I went for the 1926 Cardinals Set. I sure he would be proud of it.

@Randy Harrison posted:

What a GREAT locomotive. You must have a very wide doorstep to hold that monster!

A nice wide porch one story up from street level, not to mention someone at home to recieve it upon arrival

---PCJ

Finally found a MTH Bavarian S 3/6 steam engine in blue

Not purchased but given to me.  1961 edition, should be a fun read.

Not necessarily cool but I scored these track cleaning items on eBay last week. I also got a trackman2000G for GR.

I got the coaches from this lionel set...

Got a TON, IMO, of cool stuff from the 2-3 weeks prior to York until now!!

but for this post, I’ll just give pics of my pre-York “big buys” and what came in the mail today

Pre- York Diesels:

FINALLY- first o scale Legacy Conrail Diesel! SD40 Savings Bonds Scheme. CR is my fav RR

another FINALLY- Norfolk & Southern Legacy SD60m.

This & the CR SD40 are such “key” additions for me because of their RR’s large geographical & the eras each encompasses. The CR covers the 80s and early 90s, east coast & Midwest. NS can cover to present day and can be seen almost anywhere

Another  “key” addition- Legacy Santa Fe SD40 in blue/yellow freight scheme. Got it for almost  half off since it was a store display model & has a partially broken window. But it functions great!

Why is this a key addition? First, I have plenty of western RS- especially Santa Fe. Before this loco, I had an ATSF GP35 Kodachrome and ATSF GP35 with BNSF stamp, and while I love those locos- neither is your “normal” regularly seen Santa Fe freight puller with six axles

Wanred to include this as well even though it’s not a loco- Atlas A&B TTX/SP Gunderson twin stacks. I’ve always loved the look of these intermodal well cars and while only 2 isn’t prototypical, I’m very happy to have these to run with intermodal & auto train rolling stock

As for today’s Friday deliveries:

2 Lionel CSX boxcars.

love the bottom one( it’s Lionscale) Wish I would’ve looked more into the“ big blue” prior to buying, issues with prototypicality. Regardless, the Lionscale boxcar is a nice addition to my modern and I love that it has safety stripes

And two hoppers from Atlas- LV PS4227 low side and UP 40’  air slide.

Bought the LV to add variety to late 60s and 1970s Eastern consists, should look nice w/ Penn Central & other fallen flags led by a CR loco. The UP essentially for the same reasons except west coast and 60s/70s.

more to come!(hopefully soon!)

steve

For my NP NCL train, I've added a mail-dormitory car (a/k/a RPO car with crew quarters) and needed custom decals for the lettering.  Got in touch with Christopher @ fusionscalegraphics.com and he created what I needed in 48 hours with the benefit of having printed NP NCL decals for me previously.  The cost was very reasonable as well, only some three=digit numbers and the USM/RPO words were different.

When Christine Braden needs decals, she sends him the artwork to print.  She referred me to him 18 months ago or so and this is the fourth project he's done for me.

I'm actually making two NP NCL RPO cars:  one for myself, and the other for a friend who bought my previous NP NCL train.  The two sets are slightly different shades of dark green, and the RPO letters were dark green on the prototype.  I sent Christopher color samples of the two dark greens I'm using and he matched them to create two slightly different shades of green letters to go with their respective car.

Pretty neat.

My latest Demonstrator models thanks to METCA. They did an outstanding job with these!

Steve, something about that Conrail blue. Enjoy. Looks beautiful.

Rod has a point about Conrail Blue.  It’s a good shade of blue for an engine.

@prrhorseshoecurve very nice switcher. Was thinking about that on METCA’s site as I need a switched but Had already preordered the the PB&N sw1200(geographical ties). But that sw8 is super sharp, since I found the site a few months ago I’ve liked their offerings

@romiller49 & @Mark Boyce it that blue, really is something special, though. Having been born in 1991,  I only got to experience about 8 years of Conrail but I got a significant amount of exposure. My grandparents house, where we went to dinner every Sunday for My first 14 years, is right across from the old Lehigh Valley line. I still remember if it was nice out, they’d have the door open, and there was a glass screen door. Any time I heard a train I’d run to the door and often saw that Conrail blue! My pop and I, and later my brother. Would walk a mile or 2 down those tracks in the spring, summer, fall(can’t do it anymore) , look for abandoned trackage that had been a siding, see the canal locks left from the floods in the 40s/50s, the old trestle going across the Lehigh river and connecting the LV & CNJ, and, of course, passing trains led it blue diesels...later,  my Pop had told me that Conrail was bought by NS & CSX. once my brother was able to walk with us, about 2000-2003, we saw more black than blue. But I do remember being super excited/happy when I’d see a Conrail loco- ESPECIALLY  after looking at the string of locos coming towards me, seeing it head in black, but when the 3rd or 4th would pass it’d be in Conrail blue. Good times

Finally obtained an MTH CNW SD24. Yes, I know they had SD18's, but I MAY convert an SD9 shell and add air tanks if I get the time. No photos yet since I don't have a layout up (but if I get access to one I'll sit it out for a photo).

@StevefromPA posted:

@prrhorseshoecurve very nice switcher. Was thinking about that on METCA’s site as I need a switched but Had already preordered the the PB&N sw1200(geographical ties). But that sw8 is super sharp, since I found the site a few months ago I’ve liked their offerings

Better start saving your pennies. I spoke to those Metca guys and they now have more info on Demo schemes that have not been done yet. There maybe more prototypical Demonstrator schemes forthcoming.

Well hello everyone, below I have posted an item I purchased yesterday at a local antique shop.  It is a celebratory display for the 80th Anniversary of the famous John Deere Plow Company, this one in Columbus, Ohio.  It is about 30 years old, the celebration taking place in 1992 (80 years from 1912 -1992) and it utilizes a K-line, O gauge, 6400 series boxcar that has been custom decorated for John Deere.  If you have further interest, I did post some more detailed pictures in "Box Car Sunday" for today in the "Miscellaneous, photo albums and video's" thread.  The cost was quite modest, in fact the entire display was less than the price of a typical box car of the quality used.  It has die cast trucks, fully sprung, with automatic couplers on both ends.  Mounted on a piece of Gargraves track on a well finished maple board.  The car is mounted such that it could be removed and run on a train as normal without damage to the car or to the display.

Here is a close up of the plaque mounted on the board.

Well I thought this was quite unusual and "cool" (at least to me).

Best Wishes

Don