Buy anything cool lately?

Good point, but you ain't makeing the manufacturer happy

What does that comment mean?

@coach joe posted:

Budweiser was the beer of choice during my youth and has always been a public relations juggernaut so I have collected quite a few Bud and Anheuser Busch cars.  Here's my latest addition.

I may be stepping on toes here, but I worked for a Bud, when Bud light came out, and If I knew how to post the picture I'd post said picture of one of the original cans.

@Scrambler81 posted:

I didn’t buy a ton at York, but I finally got my bridge. I think I can squeeze it into the upper level of my layout, until I rebuild my whole layout around it. Just love the look of these bridges. I cleared a hole in my toy display while I get a spot ready for it.

Also picked up some diecast cars, and these two Marx pieces. I already have a tower on my layout, but I couldn’t get past how clean this one is.

Like the Truck also

Received Santa's Workshop yesterday from Charles Ro.

There is a mysterious hole in the roof.  Removing the roof, you can see a piece of black tape was placed on the underside of the roof to cover the hole.  It looks like Lionel had plans to put something else on the roof and then changed their mind.  Pretty crappy.

@Don McErlean posted:

@pennsyfan-  IMHO you have an absolute winner.  I believe the 333 was the best looking and most accurate of all Marx's steamers.  It was created by Marx to directly compete with Lionel's mid-range die cast steamers but at a lower price point.  Its a super locomotive.  Now lets look at "set 35250"  My Marx reference shows that the contents of your set, trains wise, is completely correct.  You should have the 333 locomotove and its die cast tender, I emphasize this tender as it is unique, made by Marx especially for the 333 locomotive, and the ONLY die cast tender Marx ever made.  This is indeed a lucky find.  The cars all appear correct, all NYC, and they are #234 coach and vista dome and #236 observation.  It also came with 16 pieces of 034 track and a #1249 transformer of 50 Watts (big for Marx).  IAW my reference the cars are metal, scale with low trucks and tilt automatic couplers (often called the "pickle fork" coupler).  It was listed in the 1951-1952 Allied catalogue.

Bob, you made a very correct decision to obtain this set.  It is one of the very best passenger sets Marx put out and the train itself is just an absolute beauty.  FYI the 333 is considered Marx's most sophisticated locomotive and was offered 1949-1958. The tender, #3991, is the only die cast tender Marx made and was made specifically to accompany the #333 locomotive.  It was marked "New York Central" and made between 1949-1954.

Best of luck with your new set and congratulations on a super find!

Don

Those 333 passenger sets are handsome - the engine and cars are 3/16ths O gauge; the passenger cars are really shortened up for sharp 0-27 curves, although the 333 passenger sets usually had Marx’s 0-34 wide radius curves and long straights. Marx’s tin litho  3/16s O gauge freight cars are the correct size/length and match American Flyers’ prewar 3/16s O gauge line nicely - when I had a layout up I ran Flyer locos like the 572 UP Northern and 561 K-5 Pennsy Pacific with the Marx tin cars (a transition car with a Flyer truck on one end and a Marx truck on the other end made things run smoothly).

@VinceL posted:

Received Santa's Workshop yesterday from Charles Ro.

There is a mysterious hole in the roof.  Removing the roof, you can see a piece of black tape was placed on the underside of the roof to cover the hole.  It looks like Lionel had plans to put something else on the roof and then changed their mind.  Pretty crappy.

I think this is the same basic building as Lionel's "Grandpa's Workshop" and the "She Shed" - all with sounds.

Perhaps the hole is there to amplify the sounds coming from inside the building, like a sound hole on a guitar ? 

@Richie C. posted:

I think this is the same basic building as Lionel's "Grandpa's Workshop" and the "She Shed" - all with sounds.

Perhaps the hole is there to amplify the sounds coming from inside the building, like a sound hole on a guitar ?

The speaker is mounted on the floor of the building facing down and there is an opening under the speaker.  So, I am sure the hole is not to amplify the sounds.

I have checked the other buildings you referenced.  The catalog pictures for them do not show a hole in the roof.

I have sent an email to TalktoUs to express my displeasure and to see if maybe there is something that was supposed to be mounted on the roof.

This Unique Art Clockwork set was delivered today.

@pennsyfan- What a great set.  I have a similar one, but you know I don't know if I have ever tried to run it...looks like that is something I will have to try.  Super set Bob.

@MTN - fully agree that the 333 sets are really neat.  I was glad to read of your running the Marx 3/16" scale cars with S gauge trucks and your American Flyer locomotives, I had been told that S gauge folks, especially in the 50's when the Marx cars were new, ran them and found them to be satisfactory.  However, you are the first one to confirm that.   Neat!!

Best Wishes

Don

@pennsyfan posted:

This Unique Art Clockwork set was delivered today.

If it isn't histoeric, it looks it. Great set

@Don McErlean posted:

@pennsyfan- What a great set.  I have a similar one, but you know I don't know if I have ever tried to run it...looks like that is something I will have to try.  Super set Bob.

@MTN - fully agree that the 333 sets are really neat.  I was glad to read of your running the Marx 3/16" scale cars with S gauge trucks and your American Flyer locomotives, I had been told that S gauge folks, especially in the 50's when the Marx cars were new, ran them and found them to be satisfactory.  However, you are the first one to confirm that.   Neat!!

Best Wishes

Don

The Flyer engines I have are prewar 3 rail O gauge versions built to 3/16ths scale - those steam locomotives were converted to 2 rail S gauge following WW 2. The prewar Flyer O gauge locomotives built to 3/16ths scale included the Reading Atlantic, Pennsy K5 Pacific, B&O Royal Blue streamlined Pacific, NYC Hudson, Nickel Plate Road 0-8-0, Union Pacific Challenger aka Northern, and a really ugly Atlantic using the K5 shell on a stretched 4-4-2 chassis. The puzzled look on peoples' faces when they'd see what they recognized as American Flyer locomotives was priceless - they didn't understand how I managed to run 3/16ths S scale trains on 3 rail track. Converting Marx cars to Flyer S gauge 2 rail trucks was popular - the NYC Pacemaker boxcar used to pop up at shows a lot. The litho on the Marx 3/16ths cars is beautiful and highly detailed - they look great with Gilbert's S gauge locomotives.

@pennsyfan. I love those Unique Art trains. I have two sets like yours one of which has the fairly rare Benny the Brakeman caboose. I also have two electric engine AA engines    Wayne

@WaynefromIn posted:

@pennsyfan. I love those Unique Art trains. I have two sets like yours one of which has the fairly rare Benny the Brakeman caboose. I also have two electric engine AA engines    Wayne

Wayne, I saw a caboose on the bay the asking price was about what I paid for the whole set. I am very happy with my set, the size astonished me.

@MTN- HA!  I will admit I wondered how you accomplished the difference in track gauge.  The late pre-war Flyer loco's are "perfect" they were S scale but O gauge...GREAT!  Hey if you have a chance, how about posting a picture of one of the consists, I for one would love to see it.  Thanks

@WaynefromIn-  Hey how about posting a picture of that caboose and the AA items.  Unique Art data and pictures are a long way from common.  Thanks.

Best Wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@MTN- HA!  I will admit I wondered how you accomplished the difference in track gauge.  The late pre-war Flyer loco's are "perfect" they were S scale but O gauge...GREAT!  Hey if you have a chance, how about posting a picture of one of the consists, I for one would love to see it.  Thanks

@WaynefromIn-  Hey how about posting a picture of that caboose and the AA items.  Unique Art data and pictures are a long way from common.  Thanks.

Best Wishes

Don

No snaps I'm afraid, but here's some links to Youtube that show comparisons of Flyer 3/16ths locomotives in O and Sgauge versions, and another video showing a Flyer 3/16ths O gauge Atlantic pulling a string of Modern era Marx boxcars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3GL06S7HU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1osktEg3eo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Acn2M64rQ

Some highlights of purchases from York.  I went with my adult son, so it looks like a lot.  But, I did stay in budget.

My highlights were a set of 4 GGD 80’ heavyweights in C&O, a powered and non-powered GP40 in RF&P, and a MTH H-3 in N&W.

My son’s highlights were a set of all door boxcars, a trade for MTH NS Veterans unit, matching caboose, Tropicana reefer set, and a MTH N&W water tender.  He also picked up an MTH NS genset.  But his biggest find was a new in box brass GG1 “Old Rivet” from GGD.  It has tmcc and amazing details.

@pennsyfan I saw the caboose you referred to on the bay and the asking price for it which isn"t really that unusual. They don't get that much for them but they keep asking. About the size look at the diesel engines, that's the first thing people usually remark about when they see them for the first time.

Don McErlean I'm totally incompetent when it comes to pictures. Check the bay to see them.   Wayne

My original post https://ogrforum.com/...1#180636388598686181

I received my MARX NYC passenger set today.
The set is beautiful, as you will see in the pictures. It drew me back to a previous discussion about staying with silhouettes .

https://ogrforum.com/...0#180214019401151360

look at these silhouettes, the background is a pleasant shade and the figures have colored clothing. I would never rip these out to replace with figures.


Something else that other manufacturers could have done. Look how easy it is to change a lightbulb!

On another thread some one questioned the name Girard on my Marx station. I had no idea where the name came from  Someone posted that Marx made trains in Girard PA  Well here it is!

Here is the set running. I have work to do, the engine is working too hard to move the cars. Yes I lubed everything.

Nothing like the running gear of a steam locomotive, It isn't your lubrication, except maybe slippage, it's the tight radius of the curve.  If you can open that up I beleive you will love the action

@pennsyfan posted:

My original post https://ogrforum.com/...1#180636388598686181

I received my MARX NYC passenger set today.
The set is beautiful, as you will see in the pictures. It drew me back to a previous discussion about staying with silhouettes .

https://ogrforum.com/...0#180214019401151360

look at these silhouettes, the background is a pleasant shade and the figures have colored clothing. I would never rip these out to replace with figures.

Those silhouettes are beautiful! I haven't seen anything like those before.

John

I finally got a Lackawanna Phoebe Snow passenger set to pull behind my Williams by Bachmann F7 A-A set. It's K-Line's  K4638A 5-car set of 15" Aluminum cars, consisting of an RPO, Coach, Diner, Sleeper, and Tavern Lounge. I love my other passenger sets but these are definitely the nicest. Trainz listed them as having new appearance and it's amazing to have to cut open the cellophane tape from individual boxes on a set that was catalogued in 2000. Only the tavern lounge and RPO box had even been opened. Something unexpected for me was that the diaphragms between cars touch each other on the straight sections. But I'd think that would be a problem on curves. On my 0-36 curves the corners of the car bodies almost touch and the diaphragms are far separated, but coming out of the curves the diaphragms effortlessly slip into alignment again without smooshing into each other. It's so well engineered. I'll try to include a video of that here. I'm only running 4 of the cars because together with the A-A locos the train takes up half of the loop.

John

@John’s trains

Beautiful set; the engines and cars are a great match up!

Enjoy

@John's Trains, thanks for the photos; beautiful train.

Especially enjoyed the close-ups and the unusual extrusion; I was not familiar with that particular extrusion.

Also, the blunt end observation car adds interest.

Not sure where it’s going yet.

Gene

A few weeks ago I purchased a beautiful set of Lionel pw NYC 2344 F3 AA units from a forum member. They needed the port hole windows (no biggy) I purchased and installed them. When I pulled the shell off the power unit to do the basic maintenance, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it looked brand new, unmolested inside. After doing the maintenance, put it back together, set them on the track, they ran great.

Thank you Carl.

To match and complete the NYC  2344 AA, a week ago I purchased a B-unit from FB, which arrived today.

@pennsyfan posted:

My original post https://ogrforum.com/...1#180636388598686181

I received my MARX NYC passenger set today.
The set is beautiful, as you will see in the pictures. It drew me back to a previous discussion about staying with silhouettes .

https://ogrforum.com/...0#180214019401151360

look at these silhouettes, the background is a pleasant shade and the figures have colored clothing. I would never rip these out to replace with figures.


Something else that other manufacturers could have done. Look how easy it is to change a lightbulb!

On another thread some one questioned the name Girard on my Marx station. I had no idea where the name came from  Someone posted that Marx made trains in Girard PA  Well here it is!

Here is the set running. I have work to do, the engine is working too hard to move the cars. Yes I lubed everything.

Marx 3/16ths O gauge cars are not good rollers and the wheels/axles need to be oiled (especially the diecast tender which is pretty heavy) - I recommend Marvel Mystery Oil for those cars. You may need to thoroughly clean the wheels and axles - it’s not hard to spread the side frames out a little to get them spread apart (work slowly), then use your favorite solvent and scrub everything with an old toothbrush.

The drivers shouldn’t be spinning so hard - I’d give their treads a thorough cleaning, oil the appropriate areas (axle bushings, pilot truck and trailing truck (again with the Marvel Mystery Oil), grease for the gears (Red and Tacky is what I use). The 333 is pretty light, but that short train shouldn’t make it slip so much. Wipe the track down with track cleaner and you should be good to go.

@Guttersnipe posted:

Nothing like the running gear of a steam locomotive, It isn't your lubrication, except maybe slippage, it's the tight radius of the curve.  If you can open that up I beleive you will love the action

Those curves look like 0-54 or 0-72 - the 333 can handle 0-27 curves, and it usually came with 0-34 curves in sets as it was Marx’ premium steam locomotive. The engine would benefit from having some additional weight if memory serves, but it’s been a long time since I worked on one.

@MTN posted:

Marx 3/16ths O gauge cars are not good rollers and the wheels/axles need to be oiled (especially the diecast tender which is pretty heavy) - I recommend Marvel Mystery Oil for those cars. You may need to thoroughly clean the wheels and axles - it’s not hard to spread the side frames out a little to get them spread apart (work slowly), then use your favorite solvent and scrub everything with an old toothbrush.

The drivers shouldn’t be spinning so hard - I’d give their treads a thorough cleaning, oil the appropriate areas (axle bushings, pilot truck and trailing truck (again with the Marvel Mystery Oil), grease for the gears (Red and Tacky is what I use). The 333 is pretty light, but that short train shouldn’t make it slip so much. Wipe the track down with track cleaner and you should be good to go.

Thank you for the comments and advice. A couple of things. There’s a wheel set missing o the front truck of the tender. It doesn’t track well. I’m wondering if that is causing part of the problem. I am expecting a wheel set momentarily. I did lube everything. I don’t think they are dirty. There was.hardly any evidence of running. I was speaking with a Marx person today that told me that set doesn’t run very well. He suggested graphite on the passenger axels. You are correct the track is 072. It did run better after I wiped the track; but not much.  I’m not sure if it was before or after the video.

I keep buying bronze in bulk…

@Dennis Holler posted:

I keep buying bronze in bulk…

You ain't kidding.  Better reinforce those trestles. 

Mitch

Some recent tinplate acquisitions, courtesy of the New York office (aka E.O. Costello):

I was thinking Christmas train:

...but ran into coupler height issues.

This might work, though. 

Raise the tree.  good catch, and love that 49 Buick

Just arrived Lionel legacy 2331220.

Well you can certainly see that coming

Yes that is why I purchased that engine.

I’ve added a locomotive to my Western Roads of Paradise layout! Lionel has produced this 2-6-0 Mogul before, most notably, the Strasburg #89. I’ve been wanting a smaller steam locomotive on my layout for some time now, and finally pulled the trigger as it was beckoning to me.

Lionel released several 2-6-0 Legacy steamers in the 2022 Vol. II catalog, including a SOUTHERN PACIFIC LEGACY 2-6-0 #1760. SP #1760 a M-6 class built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1901 and unfortunately went to the scrapper in 1959.

It was a tough call though between the SP version and 2331150 SAN LUIS & RIO GRANDE LEGACY 2-6-0 #1744, as #1744 was originally ordered by SP at the same time as #1760. #1744 is currently under restoration and will be returned to its original Southern Pacific designation by the Pacific Locomotive Association that operates Niles Canyon Railway (NCRY.COM) in Fremont, CA. For me, the Southern Pacific Road name suited my layout more than San Luis & Rio Grande, so #1760 it is! I also like the Vanderbilt cylindrical tender the SP versions have! Here’s some photos from the box to layout. Note: When I first took the locomotive and tender out of the box, I noticed the tender was heavier than the locomotive!

Happy Railroading everyone, and Happy Friday!

I picked up a bunch of figures and scenery items like HO scale water towers at the Citrus Model train show today down here in South Florida. However, the  best thing I got was this premier flatcar with 2 Denver police cars, new, in box for under $20.  I figured I’d ditch the cars and use the flat for a jeep or military truck model that I plan to eventually build. But, after removing the cars, I’m quite impressed with the level of detail on these die cast vehicles - working axels, painted suspensions, interior, engine  details, etc.  In fact, each car is easily worth more than I paid.  Now, I’m thinking about redecaling them to NYPD and keeping them on the flat or placing them around the layout.  What a nice surprise!

Has anyone ever removed the black plastic wheel mounts on the flatcar without damaging it?  They seem to be glued in. Those definitely have to go if I decide to use the flat for my military trucks.

Those police cars are very nice.