Received a package Tuesday containing an MTH Alco UP C628.   It’s a Railking scale engine with photo sound 2.0 and new in the box.   I found it using MTH’s product locator and was surprised, happy, and a bit lucky to find one available since this locomotive in UP livery was released December of 2002.  This model has been resting on the shelf for the past 18 years.
In 1973 the Missabe was looking for motive power to help handle the upturn in taconite shipment brought on by an improved economy.   The DM&IR was a big supporter of Electro-Motive Division power but they could not deliver new locomotives until 1975.  So, the Missabe went searching for a temporary solution and found ten Union Pacific 6 axle Century series Alco C-630’s that were in good shape and reasonably priced.   They kept the basic livery colors, painted out the UP markings, blocked out the first number of their original four digit designations, and added simple block letters here and there, to identify the new owner as, the DMIR.   I have always liked the look of the UP and it’s massive locomotives, and now I have a good reason to see it on my layout.   I fondly remember, as a youngster, traveling out west to Denver and occasionally chasing some big steam along the route.   It's now lashed up to assist my two SD24’s, one of which is non-powered.
The #2901 will become DMIR #901.   I have some detail parts on order, need to find some maroon alphabet decals or dry transfers, add foot boards to the pilots, and move the horn back over the roof vents (DMIR placed them there to prevent them from freezing up in winter).   I also plan to convert it to a C630.  This will require some fabrication/modification to the venting on the hood bulge, just south of the cab.   For now, it will run as a C628.   Nice to have a new project in the wings!  
In the meantime, everyone keep on posting, good health to all, wash your hands, don't touch your face and stay on TRACK (of course, that means all 3 rails!).

Cheers, Dave
PS:  Another great diversion to help weather this storm:  Visit the Lake Superior train museum, one of my happy places:

https://www.youtube.com/playli...CSI4bn_W7nWrhgXlwtLu

They have produced over 60, 5+ minute vignettes highlighting the history of railroading in the north country of middle America.   Enjoy!!!

Dave, great shots and I LOVE that video!

Not for the layout, but nice additions for the train room:

First was a gift.  An enameled, cast iron spittoon with N&W on it.  Very heavy.  Need to remove the felt off the bottom someone added.

Next is an example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Made a dump run today and noticed something familiar on top of the trash compactor.  Grabbed it as fast as I could.  It’s a Adams & Westlake railroad lantern.   The glass is unmarked, but the metal brim is stamped M.C.R.R.  Can’t believe what some people throw away.

I brought this home from Norfolk Va saturday. 

I bought some more shelving from Glenn Snyder.  I had my handyman come and install them.  Spent some time organizing things as well.

One of my local train shops just got in a huge collection of mint MPC era stuff. Being a prewar guy I suppose the colorful nature of those years appeal to me. But they did have the complete Powhaten Arrow. Nice and never ran still in the boxes. Unfortunately some less then ideal storage has a left a few issues it is otherwise a very beautiful set. They had the Southern Pacific Daylight set but I had just missed it. 

I know I am really late to the party but I picked up my first LionScale 50' boxcar today. I can see where they cut corners to save money in the production but overall it is pretty nice. The trucks run very smoothly and I like the rotating bearing caps. I don't remember seeing anything LionScale in the latest catalog by Lionel (2020 Vol. 1), are they still making this product line?

I ordered from Stockyard Express 2 Premier half tracks with machine guns.  MTH has hit a home run with these.  Videos soon.  Thanks Clyde for shipping them so promptly!!!

Got this Williams LV Dash 9 off ebay for a pretty good deal, It was new and had never been run. Funny thing both motors were loose on their mounts and all gears were dry as a bone. Has trueblast plus (with no vol. control) I was going to use it for parts for another project, but as always, it seems to nice to strip for parts...  Jeff

A Bachmann Heisler with DCC and some San Juan Car Company Trucks and brake wheels/staffs for the narrow gauge; 

@Postwarman posted:

Got this Williams LV Dash 9 off ebay for a pretty good deal, It was new and had never been run. Funny thing both motors were loose on their mounts and all gears were dry as a bone. Has trueblast plus (with no vol. control) I was going to use it for parts for another project, but as always, it seems to nice to strip for parts...  Jeff

 

Jeff, I can't see the photograph you included.

Hi Mark,

   Try this..

Jeff

Jeff, That’s much better!!!  Thank you!

Mark, your welcome. 

Picked this up. Needs boards, motor, driveshaft, and paint. A MTH Premier Santa Fe 2900 class Northern. Going to end up as road number 2903, because I've seen 2903 several times at the Illinois Railway Museum. I've got PS3 boards and a roller bearing 9434 Pittman motor for it already. 

From Dixie Union Station, MTH Armco coil car.

Hi Bill, Couldn't see an email address for you in your profile, was wondering about your connection to Kodak? I worked for Eastman Kodak for 16 years started in 1982. Have been collecting Kodak cars when I can find them. I have the Kodak Park unlicensed K-line set, some KMT Kodak cars and Weaver tank cars. Noticed your 44 tonner and The Hopper. Email in my profile if you want to chat.

Thanks,

Jeff

For reasons I don’t understand, ever since the pandemic got going, I haven’t been down to the layout in spite of have plenty of time on my hands. Unfortunately, that hasn’t kept me from buying all sorts of stuff!!! Well, the boxes having reached critical mass, I finally had to unbox and test everything... so here is a litany of my recent purchased (in light of the times, I’ve tried to spread my spending!!!):

First, I picked up a Lionel 2-pack of Long Island 21” passenger cars and an FA-2 Cab Car from Charles Ro to go with the LIRR C-420. Looks like the LIRR is testing some equipment in a bid to get a contract to run trains on the Pocono - New York City run if it is ever restored!!!

Next up, I got two Atlas Canadian Pacific bulkhead flat cars. Other than I really like the CP, I didn’t have any of this type car (and Micro-Mark was having a great sale). 

By the way... anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of load these cars carried???

Next, I’ve wanted to put together a work train for a while (I’ve had a TMCC crane for a few years), so I picked up three Lionel NYC cars from Grzyboski’s - the tool car, bunk car, and kitchen car. I must say, it was weird calling in an order and having it delivered instead of just driving over and picking them up.

I must say, the detail on these cars is very nice, although some of the couplers are rather stiff. Also, while I have enjoyed the various sound cars, the chatter from the kitchen car is rather inane and annoying!!!

Next, I picked up three MTH cars from Mr. Muffins which I found in one of his frequent e-mails (if you don’t get them, I’d highly recommend signing up). First, a Pan Am boxcar. Having worked at 27th Street and Park Avenue South for over 30 years, I fondly remember the Pan Am symbol high up on their building at Grand Central...

And because I love the D&H (and NY!!!)…

And just because it is very striking...

Next, I picked up the CP FA-2 set from Nicholas Smith. As I’ve said, I like the CP, and especially this paint scheme (the first “set” of trains I purchase on my own was the Maple Leaf Limited in ‘81 with a SD-24 in the same scheme). This is a rather interesting set - the AA units are both powered... I am so use to having only one powered unit. I also got the SuperBass B unit. They are striking to say the least.

Finally, and this was a present, so I technically didn’t buy it, is another of the NYC Subway paintings I’ve been commissioning for the last few years. All the others were strictly based on the actual tile work from a number of the original stations in the subway system, but this one is something of a fantasy...

I’ve gotta stop buying stuff. Said no one ever!!!

Critical mass for sure, Paul!  Everything looks great!

I picked up this Lionel PS-5 gondola recently. It is for the Algoma Central Railway, which is in Northern Ontario, Canada. I know it is just a basic gondola with no load included but I am very happy to have it on my layout for no other reason than it just appeals to me.

@Postwarman posted:

Hi Bill, Couldn't see an email address for you in your profile, was wondering about your connection to Kodak? I worked for Eastman Kodak for 16 years started in 1982. Have been collecting Kodak cars when I can find them. I have the Kodak Park unlicensed K-line set, some KMT Kodak cars and Weaver tank cars. Noticed your 44 tonner and The Hopper. Email in my profile if you want to chat.

Thanks,

Jeff

Too funny. BIll & Jeff: I share the affinity for items by Eastman Kodak. Even funnier I also worked there for 16 years starting in 1982.  Took me from NY to San Francisco to Sacramento then to Charlotte. 

The story on the K-Line set is Kodak never granted permission for the rights and as such K-Line was forced to stop production limiting the number of sets. Not sure if that story is 100% accurate - but I have heard it that way from a couple of sources.

Weaver did some nice Tankers with Eastman Chemicals on the side and as you mentioned there are a few cool boxcars from KMT. 

Kodak Park used to have quite the little railroad.

Glad to have worked for the big yellow mother.

Paul

Paul, thanks for the Kodak  info. I've got a bunch of the Weaver tank cars with different road numbers. Working for Eastman Kodak was the best job that I ever had.  I was fresh out of electronics school and young enough to think that everyone had a great job like mine! I had tons of freedom and am still in field service since training at the old Hawkeye plant in Rochester. Kodak taught us that customer service is everything. It is so sad how badly that they missed the digital age. I could go on forever....but after all the years, I still bleed yellow! It was a very good ride...

Jeff

@Apples55 posted:

For reasons I don’t understand, ever since the pandemic got going, I haven’t been down to the layout in spite of have plenty of time on my hands. Unfortunately, that hasn’t kept me from buying all sorts of stuff!!! Well, the boxes having reached critical mass, I finally had to unbox and test everything... so here is a litany of my recent purchased (in light of the times, I’ve tried to spread my spending!!!):

First, I picked up a Lionel 2-pack of Long Island 21” passenger cars and an FA-2 Cab Car from Charles Ro to go with the LIRR C-420. Looks like the LIRR is testing some equipment in a bid to get a contract to run trains on the Pocono - New York City run if it is ever restored!!!

Nice collection of new stuff Paul. Especially the LIRR equipment.

I see you've taken it upon yourself to single-handedly keep the model train industry in business

Bob

Also doing my part to support a fellow modeler. Bought this recently from a forum member.

Williams by Bachman C&O BL-2. I know lot's of folks hate these engines but I think they are sharp.

Bob, I like them too,  it's the only engine that I could run that doesn't need a dummy behind it!  😊

Jeff 

@Postwarman posted:

Paul, thanks for the Kodak  info. I've got a bunch of the Weaver tank cars with different road numbers. Working for Eastman Kodak was the best job that I ever had.  I was fresh out of electronics school and young enough to think that everyone had a great job like mine! I had tons of freedom and am still in field service since training at the old Hawkeye plant in Rochester. Kodak taught us that customer service is everything. It is so sad how badly that they missed the digital age. I could go on forever....but after all the years, I still bleed yellow! It was a very good ride...

Jeff

 

My Dad worked on a joint project (he worked for DuPont) with some of the scientists at Eastman Kodak in Rochester in the early '70s.. He liked working there!! He corrected me several times.. "There is no 'd' in Rochester".. lol

@Bill T posted:

From Dixie Union Station, MTH Armco coil car.

Bill, catalog shows this car in orange, is this a special issue?

A couple new things this week.

First up was a Lionel WM "Northeastern" caboose with the older circle logo to go with my recently acquired WM Shay. 

Secondly was a 1990's Lionel UP 4-4-2 from one of the many starter sets that these 4-4-2s were included in back then.  My first set in 1997 was a NYC Flyer pulled by the NYC version of the 4-4-2.  A younger me accidentally ran it off the side of a layout I had back then which caused damage to one of the wheels.  We repaired it, but the repair didn't hold up to time and I decided it just needed a new chassis.  It's cheaper just to buy another locomotive than to just buy the part so that's what I did.  The donor locomotive appears to have had a nasty fall right onto its nose at some point as the pilot is cracked and hanging on by a thread along with some other cosmetic damage, so I didn't feel too bad about scavenging it for parts.  I now also have a spare tender for another locomotive, minus the air whistle which was also transplanted into mine.

@Postwarman posted:

Bob, I like them too,  it's the only engine that I could run that doesn't need a dummy behind it!  😊

Jeff 

Hmmmm.....a dummy BL-2 😈

@RSJB18 posted:

Hmmmm.....a dummy BL-2 😈

I have a dummy BL-2.  

Yeah, anything is possibly on my railroad....8-)

Jeff

Got this MTH rotary snow plow. Pretty neat!

Picked up this Lionel Santa Fe type T-1b 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive Class 4193 a few days ago for what I thought was a good price. 

I was told that none of the functions worked for the locomotive. I took it home and sure enough nothing worked. I did a quick reset of the locomotive and it turned out everything worked fine and the locomotive was fully functional. 

The T-1a and T-1b Berkshire locomotives were built for the Boston and Maine in 1928-1929. The first batch produced were the T-1a's and the second batch produced were the T-1b's. The big differences between the two were the sand dome on the T-1a was more triangular shaped while the T-1b was more rectangular in shape. Also the T-1b's had a larger tender with 6-wheel bogies while the T-1a's tender had 4-wheel bogies. This site in the link below has pictures of both the T-1a and T-1b Berkshires. 

https://sites.google.com/site/.../b-m-class-r-s-and-t

In the link above there is a nice picture of #4020 T-1b which Lionel's (formerly K-Line) model is a very good representation of. All the details are spot on.  I tried to match the angle of the photo of Lionel's model to that of #4020 to make comparisons easier. 

In 1945 the AT&SF was having a power shortage due to the war effort. The Boston and Main sold 7 Berkshire locomotives to the Santa Fe. Unfortunately, the locomotives that the B&M sold to the Santa Fe were the type T-1a and not the type T-1b. Thus, the sand dome on the model is not the same shape that appeared on the actual Santa Fe 4193 class locomotives. However, the T-1a and T-1b locomotives are very close in appearance and for me it is not a big deal. The tender seems to be accurate for Santa Fe #4198 which is the sister in the same class.  

https://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/atsf4198.htm

I did not pick up one of these when they first came because I was told and the catalog illustration was for a similar, but different A-1 type Berkshire used by the Boston and Albany. However, from the pictures B&M #4020 it is clear the the Lionel model is of the type T-1b Berkshire. 

I decided to track down the Sunset twin to my recently acquired J set. Very beautiful to display together. A little long for my layout so I will have to get some shelves set up so you can really appreciate them. I'm starting to worry if I'm falling down the MPC rabbit hole.

I just got this in the mail. I had planned to put one of these together myself from parts but if I can buy one cheaper that someone already did the conversion on... why not. The colors are little off but I'm just happy to have this behind my Hudson.

I bought another streamlined steam locomotive, this time from England. Manufactured by Ace Trains, London, it's an "O" Gauge "Coronation" Pacific loco and tender. 

All metal construction, 21.5" long, flywheel drive, custom-made gearbox, all wheels flanged, detailed cab back-head with firebox glow (see last photo attached), operates on 0-20V DC, working front lights, radii down to 27". Doesn't smoke—if you look down through the chimney, you see the tracks below. Of course, I'm displaying all my trains, not running them.

 

I bought this used, from The Stationmaster's Rooms, in England. See their offerings at https://thestationmastersrooms.co.uk

 

My most expensive acquisition ever—$1700, because of the exchange rate at the time between the dollar and the British Pound. There's currently another one for sale there, for even more. See link, if still available:

http://tinyurl.com/ycbud2p3

 

The box is a very thick, hard card stock, with photo and descriptive history on on the inside top—see photos:

I got some NIB SD-35s from SD40-2.  These are some nice engines.  I’m a PRR fan, but I don’t have too many DGLE PRR diesels since they are not the most colorful.  But the price was right and I’m happy with these 2008 vintage PS2 3V locos.  There is a grill over the exhaust, but the brake blister can be removed so it’s easy to load smoke fluid.  There is so much smoke that it leaks from the seams of the removable section.  The sound is good with not too much blower whine.  The battery checks OK, but I’ll probably replace it with one of GRJ’s SBRs.  The dummy has lights, but I wish the markers were lit and not everything else.  The light from the number boards bleeds into the cab.  The last shot here is with the interior lights turned off.  I’ll take a look at that when I replace the battery.  They look good running down the track.

First time on this thread but I can say that I have something interesting. Recently, I was looking through eBay and I found a lightly used MTH SF 2-10-4 from 2001. It has a ps2 sound system in it and cannot wait till it arrives! The only problem is, is that I have been told that the speaker sounds distorted and might need to replace it. Oh well, I always like a good project to work on. Thanks for reading and happy railroading!

Got this today off eBay. Such a neat looking model, oh how I wish I could actually use this.

It's a M426, which didn't even exist as a prototype over a year after my layout take place.

The odd thing, there are no Maker's Mark or name on the box anywhere. There's no way to even look up who built the thing. I looked them up online, the only ones I could find for sale anywhere are sold out of Spain.

Even though I cannot use it on my layout, it is such a cool model I'm definitely going to keep it. I just wish it was a model of a truck that would have existed in the time frame I model.

Just got a Minichamps 1929 Ford Model A coupe in beige off net. Model A's were common in my 1940 modeled year, so l look for various body styles.  The garage owner in my childhood town used to drive a '30-'31 coupe from his house to the garage in cold and snow, when nothing else would start?, as l trudged up the hill to school.  Two doors and four doors were common, and l have tracked down a 1/43 two door, but not seen a four door.

Just in from Mr. Muffin's and Stockyard Express.  My new MTH Premier Union Pacific F7 ABBA from the MTH 2020 Volume 1 Catalog.  Model #'s:

20-21361-1, 20-21361-3, 20-21362-3, 20-21362-1

Bought this a while ago so it's not exactly "cool lately" but finally got it out of the box in honor of the 4th!

Lionel MPC GP-9 BAR Spirit of '76 with matching caboose.

Does 2 rail count? 

Both old Athearn, wood and metal, very nice detailing and robust as heck.

Am a fan of the Intermountain cars, but their plastic details are just too fragile, so I'm sticking with this "old school" stuff.  

Mark in Oregon

Ebay score!

I've been scoring well on the bay.  I got a very clean #3462 milk can chunker.  Four is more fun than three.

  I had to have a MARX switch tower.

I was going after a Post War revolving light tower.  I just fell in serious like with this one.

Bill

Just purchased this Lionel Legacy NYC L2-A Mohawk yesterday brand new and never run!

Just returned from a mission to retrieve my latest order from the semi-local toy train store.

Two things, wish it was painted desert sand (will take care of that) and that the TOW package was in the transport position in stead at ready.

Gee going out today under the Cobid-19 conditions is like planning  and executing a mission.  Went to Barnes & Noble, then the Mall, then train shop and finally lunch!  At least did not have to step off at Oh-Dark-Thirty.

Ron

edit:

Must say nice flat car, especially for a RK.

Picked up a nice postwar Lionel 1567w set at an estate sale. Just some surface corrosion, oiled it up and runs great!

Got a pair of Lionel hot metal cars. These things are heavy (diecast metal body and trucks). Awesome 👍 flickering effect inside!!! 

Video:

I picked up this beautiful, near-mint, MTH Blue Comet (1998 version) and a set of 7 matching cars. I have always wanted a scale Blue Comet since I was very small, it is one of my "bucket list" engines.

She is being upgraded to PS3 as I write this.

@franktrain posted:

Picked up a nice postwar Lionel 1567w set at an estate sale. Just some surface corrosion, oiled it up and runs great!

That kind of stuff (fun) just makes my day!!!!!

George

 

 

@GeoPeg posted:

 

That made my day also. I was like a kid on Christmas. I have to get the horse car working for my Grandson, we are gonna have fun. 

Well, finally received my MTH George Bush funeral car and soon I’ll be setting up a similar George Bush funeral train, not exactly like the real one, but similar. That’s going to happen in the next few days. I hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy, praying continually. Happy Railroading     Thanks to Mr. Muffins, his last car...... the stress????

@leapinlarry posted:

Well, finally received my MTH George Bush funeral car and soon I’ll be setting up a similar George Bush funeral train, not exactly like the real one, but similar. That’s going to happen in the next few days. I hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy, praying continually. Happy Railroading     Thanks to Mr. Muffins, his last car...... the stress????

Larry, now you need to add the Navy Seal ( it was actual) standing post at the head of Bush's casket.

Ron

Thank you Ron, I’d love to do that, where can I find the figure or things I need. Thank you for the great idea. Happy Railroading 

Larry, Ron, The Bush funeral cars are great!  I did not know about the Navy Seal standing next to the casket.  What a great addition.  I would like to get a Bush funeral train, but with building a layout there are so many other things to buy.  I guess the engine and cars can be something to be on the lookout for in the years to come. 

@Mark Boyce posted:

Larry, Ron, The Bush funeral cars are great!  I did not know about the Navy Seal standing next to the casket.  What a great addition.  I would like to get a Bush funeral train, but with building a layout there are so many other things to buy.  I guess the engine and cars can be something to be on the lookout for in the years to come. 

Yes I found a picture showing that in fact standing post in dress blues was a Navy Seal.  You can mkae out his rank, years service and the Seal warfare badge.

Ron

Thank you Mark, I’m building a poor mans version of the George Bush train, an UP Lionel 7 car aluminum passenger car set bought over the last 2 years, the funeral car and a couple of others, to be pulled by 4 powered diesels. It’s going to be nice but not exactly like the real one. I need t find the Navy Seal figure. Happy Railroading 

@leapinlarry posted:

Thank you Ron, I’d love to do that, where can I find the figure or things I need. Thank you for the great idea. Happy Railroading 

Larry in 2004 MTH offered a set of military figures (30-11065) that included a seaman with his sea bag attached to his right leg.  Could not find this set locally but the full dome NS car I have lower level was populated with these figures.  So I extracted the figure out.  Was going to cut off the sea bag but that would have been a real pain.  Plus determined that would help stabilize the figure.  Painted the bag a dark medium grey so it would disappear into the shadows.  Unfortunately do not have steady enough of a hand to paint the Sailor's rank, service hashes, or warfare badge on.

Some pics.

Was lucky in that the UP passenger set I have has two dome cars plus two or three of the cars are lettered with prototypical correct names.  Then picked up a set of heavy weighs so I would have a heavy weight tail end observation car.

Also conjured up a front end power car somewhat similar.

Larry, forgot to add I believe Arttista has the same sailor figure.

Ron

@leapinlarry posted:

Thank you Mark, I’m building a poor mans version of the George Bush train, an UP Lionel 7 car aluminum passenger car set bought over the last 2 years, the funeral car and a couple of others, to be pulled by 4 powered diesels. It’s going to be nice but not exactly like the real one. I need t find the Navy Seal figure. Happy Railroading 

Larry, A poor man's set is my kind of set!!  

@PRRronbh and @leapinlarry very nice Bush 41 trains! One of the only presidential trains I like- very unique and fantastic paint scheme, not so much political as it is patriotic, and a perfect blend of unique painted diesel and cars combined with classic UP livery cars. Love the sailor add-on and am happy you mentioned that MTH made that set! Never knew about it!

I haven’t posted in awhile or bought much lately, but what I’ve acquired have been things on my list. Also, Got into a Real K-Line kick ! Pardon the Layout mess- still working on it!

K-line Red Cross Heavyweight 15” Passenger Set. Came in Original set box and never run.  Cars work like brand new!

K-line Amtrak F40PH K2403-0353. TMCC, Railsounds, Cruise Control(version 4.0). Phase 3 livery. At first had some trouble with it running as it’d heat up but it seems to have subsided. Looks great with a lot of my Amtrak passenger cars but primarily runs a K-Line 15” Amtrak Horizon consist. Only problem is that it won’t play nice and lash-up with other engines. Regardless,  Extremely happy with this one!

Last but not least! some buildings:

Postwar American Flyer “Baggage Smasher” station(sans bagggage smasher figure) works great! Originally thought I might try and sell it but have grown to like it- even my dad mentioned it when he saw it on my layout lol.

Lionel diesel sanding Tower and Rail/Truck Transfer Depot

I got a set of MTH Strasburg wood-sided passenger cars today. They are pretty nice.  Here’s the parlor car.

@rplst8 very cool wood-sided car! Can’t remember which magazine from the last couple years I was recently going through and those caught my eye. As a lover of passenger cars in general im a big fan of the style of those wood-sideds

steve from PA - Some of the best/nicest cars that I have are K-line.  Passenger cars & reefers have great detail.  Haven't done much or bought anything in last 6 months, but the bug is biting me again.

@decoynh totally agree! I know that the passenger cars are held in high regard on this forum and just from the few of them that I own by K-line I can certainly see why! In December I found a great deal and ordered 8 of their catalogs from 2002-2009(4 are K-line by Lionel). If that was their “golden age”, I found that during that time they had such an awesome variety of unique and quality looking rolling stock.  I know there’s the K-line legacy site but the catalogs were a great resource that revealed some extra details, mostly smaller features but also a few major features not on the Legacy site(ex. Cruise control).

On another note, Regarding their engines-I know that the cruise function causes a lot of headaches but the 4.0 works great. The F40PH is my first K-line with TMCC and my first TMCC engine equipped with the higher speed step control feature( my other Lionel engines don’t have odyssey). Even though I’ll probably have Cruise M installed due to the risk of the cruise board going bad, I really, really enjoy how it runs and am impressed with the features of my K-line engine!

Been a while since I purchased any Postwar so got this little guy on the Bay. Excellent plus condition with box, runs great.

@Bill T love the small motorized units- especially the ones that are named for different branches of the Armed Forces! Your #41 happens to be the only one that I have and I really enjoy it as well. Neat runner, fun to watch the sucker move! Nice get and enjoy!

This nearly new RailKing Santa Fe F3. Soon to be transformed. Stay tuned...

Found this on ebay for $45. Had to grab it to see how it looked with the AFT train. I know they never had semi-trailers on them. I will be removing the trailer and the supports and adding concession stands and looking for the blazer and the forklift. Might have to kitbash the forklift. The brake wheel is wrong as well. I think the real ones were also longer. 

Picked these postwar Lionel up at a garage sale, the Wabash's are early Lionel 2333s and run great. Paint job is not perfect but I like it. The 51 has one slight crack in window strut on one side but it there. Runs very noisy and will need a good lubrication when I get a chance.

After cleanup, Follow the Flag!

Rare to find any trains at garage sales but this was a lot of fun. 

I went with a Christmas in July sale at @MrMuffin'sTrains.  I bought two new Premier MTH SD70s NYC and SP.  I also bought a Conrail SD80.  Somehow I had three Conrail caboose and no locomotives.

Just awaiting the shipping notifications.

John

Just got this jewel.  1950 773 and 2426W.  It's just about perfect.  Barely run.  I like it a lot.  Don't often see in this condition.

Last Christmas my Lionel Polar Railroad GP7 lost it's sounds, and the front headlight went out. It still runs for now, so it is a servicable "mute". With no repair options close by, I pulled the trigger on it's replacement. Hopefully, there will be a meet at York where I can drop the GP7 off with Gunrunner John.

In the meanwhile, I purchased this (MTH 20-5511-1) for a repaint project. This is the future (tongue in cheek) "Bi-Polar Railroad E12". IMHO Lionel missed the boat in not using the "Bi-Polar" moniker on their Legacy Polar Express Bi-Polar.

It will be the same basic paint scheme as seen below with the PE Blue replacing the Orange. IMHO this is going to be a great looking engine for pulling my Polar Railroad scale freight consist.

My apologies in advance to the Milwaukee Road fans for the repaint. 

Atlas O 3009920 - 1/48th Scale Quarter-Ton Military Vehicle - Jeep

Just ordered four from McMuffins.

These came in last Friday, I saw these in the MTH catalog and was not drawn, but with my love of the B&O and MTH on the way out, I figured I could not go wrong.  Well as always MTH has blow me away and I now have 7 matching passenger cars on order.  Please forgive this E-8 pulling freight. 

Been on a bit of a tear lately. Inbound I have...

My 3rd MPC era set has followed me home. I'm not sure how a tinplate guy becomes a MPC guy but I think the wild colors are doing it.

I was able to trade for this set. All still boxed up and never ran until I brought it home.

On a side note. I really dig those old boxes they used in the 70s and 80s with actual pictures and all the odd fast facts. 

RamberDon: I have the same set, although mine has seen some run time, before I bought it. It's a great set, I grew up in the MPC era, and I agree those boxes are cool.

Rusty

@Diverging Clear posted:

RamberDon: I have the same set, although mine has seen some run time, before I bought it. It's a great set, I grew up in the MPC era, and I agree those boxes are cool.

Rusty

I'm trying to limit myself on how much I get. But I have a feeling I'm going to be having a half tinplate and half MPC collection at some point.

@DMASSO posted:

Atlas O 3009920 - 1/48th Scale Quarter-Ton Military Vehicle - Jeep

Just ordered four from McMuffins.

Contrary to ad, box is marked 1/43.

Just got these:

I really like the TOFC, some nice pup trailers there!

Rusty

Funny how things have come full circle, starting to see more TOFC's on intermodal trains. Lot's of UPS, FedEx, and especially Amazon.

Got 3 new hoppers for my (mostly) Canadian themed layout. They look great together and I'm glad I finally have some modern cylindrical hoppers on my board.

I really like seeing those Saskatchewan covered hoppers in a grain train. John thank you for posting a photo of your new Canadian covered hoppers!

Rusty

Well I finally got an engine that I have been on the hunt for a while, this Atlas O Reading C630.

I've been looking for another loco for my Reading passenger train and I thought this would be a good candidate. Mine wasn't exactly perfect, a detail part on the front pilot broke off (which I fixed) and the negative ring terminal for the rear truck was not crimped on correctly (causing the loco to have a bit of operation issues). But otherwise this is basically in like new condition now.

The details overall are amazing on this, even down to having separate door handles along the sides of the long hood. The ability to select which color you want the front classification lights to be is also a nice touch. Overall I am very happy with this purchase, likely going to be my last purchase for a long time (not including my 2 Pre-orders). Since I am starting to run out of space for locos.

 
New to me Lionel Phantom III set purchased from auction site for $255, four cars and Locomotive.  It’s a fun set, love the sounds.  First video has slow loop followed by fast run, second video show startup and shutdown sequences.  Addressed as loco 51 and everything but the electro coupler working, happy with my purchase!  

Just neeed to find a suitable engine to lead this consist.

Wow, that looks off.

Are the K-Line heavyweights really that much longer than the MTH ones?

Today I purchased a portable benchtop grinder, that I could use on my portable workbench in the train room.  I am in the process of building a metal girder bridge and I have to grind a lot of parts.

The grinder is getting the job done but I found one negative. The grinder has two LED lights, one for each grinding stone.  The issue is that each LED light is operated with three AAA batteries. I would have preferred that the LED lights got their power from the 110 volt line.

The rational is that when I finish this project I am going to move the grinder to an unheated garage. Cold weather can raise havoc on AAA batteries. 

Gary 🚂

Two new MTH Norfolk Southern chrome plated coal hoppers and two Lionel C44-9W's - Quebec North Shore and Labador (powered #407 and non-powered #413). 

"Buy anthing cool lately?"

Yup. Bought my first 3-rail stuff in years.

First came a Marx 25225 set just like the hand-me-down set that was given to me at 7 or 8 years of age in '59 0r '60...

And just today USPS brought my 2065, 2046W tender, and 2055. Already got them serviced and up and running!

It's great to be back into Postwar, both Lionel and Marx. I've missed the heft and feel, even the smell, of Lionel PW steam engines.

Andre

@rplst8 posted:

Wow, that looks off.

Are the K-Line heavyweights really that much longer than the MTH ones?

The K-Lines are 18 inches long while the MTH are 19 inches long.

I'm more concerned about  the height differences.

@paulp575 posted:

The K-Lines are 18 inches long while the MTH are 19 inches long.

I'm more concerned about  the height differences.

Understood, the coupler mismatch is troubling.  The MTH is the green one right? Not only does the coupler look high, the roof is too.

Re: length, I would have thought the MTH was shorter from the picture (assuming it’s the green one).

@rplst8 posted:

Understood, the coupler mismatch is troubling.  The MTH is the green one right? Not only does the coupler look high, the roof is too.

Re: length, I would have thought the MTH was shorter from the picture (assuming it’s the green one).

Yes, the green one is the new MTH car; the red/white/blue is the older K-Line car.

Overall, the MTH car is larger - taller and length-wise than the older K-Line car. I was afraid the couplers and diaphragms would not match up. That's another reason I've decided to collect ONLY the Lionel American Freedom Train cars - so they all match - couplers and diaphragms.

I bought some new signs from Chris at Miller Engineering as well as parts to convert from battery power to the wall outlet.  I can't wait to set these up.  They will look great!!!! Chris was super helpful as well.

John

Another order from Trainz, I got one of the older Williams FP-45's. This one seems to have been modified, as it has a flashing yellow light above the cab, and a plug in the back. I'm guess the plug was a tether to run two powered units back-to-back without issue. I also got two K-Line Amtrak Ore cars.

Added to my post-war fleet. #2035 and a #2025. Keeping my post-war to 1945-1955. Focusing  now on only post-war but will probably keep my livery of command engines.

I just pulled the trigger on the first and last run of MTH's Premier Erie Lackawanna E-8's ever produced (cab #820 & 822 powered A units).  They just arrived at MTH"s warehouse on 7/30.  I was told that the duplicate cab #820 on the non-powered A unit may have been an oversight that was not brought to anyone's attention as usually a non-powered unit is offered in a different road number.  

Picked up a MTH Premier PS3 ABB set of Alco PAs in Southern Pacific Daylight livery. Nice locomotives. 

I picked this up off of eBay a few months ago--it was my last major train purchase since the start of the pandemic--and it only set me back a buck fifty.

Just received this book that was printed in 1957, which I had as a kid and forgot about it until a forum member Andre (Laming) had mentioned about it in a recent thread of his. Well after I saw it I just had to get another copy of that book again! Andre thanks for the info and bringing up great memories again. One project they mentioned toward the end of the book was how to make a realistic waterfall using light and a spinning drum behind plastic that looks like water. To this day I remember the project, but didn’t remember what book showed that, great stuff!

Wow!

Your little Bantam Book is in GREAT shape! (Mine is in shambles!) Seeing it's over 60 years old and was made of the cheapest pulp paper and bound with glue, the spines are very brittle. IF you want to keep it in great shape, you'll have to treat it gingerly. I tried to keep mine in as good of shape as I could, but over the decades its received a lot of cumulative use and now it's just a pile of separate pages with very few small sections still bound! (The cover isn't even attached anymore and merely acts as a folder to hold the loose pages therein!)

There are so many good memories inside my little Bantam Book that it's like an old beloved friend. (And I love the smell of the old pulp pages!)

Enjoy!

Andre

Andre, That dealer I mentioned, All Aboard train Shoppe shows he has another of the same issue book, but just slightly more "ragged" on the edges. Just thought I would mention that to you. That dealer mentions on all of those books that they should be handled very carefully as they are delicate.

@N5CJonny posted:

Andre, That dealer I mentioned, All Aboard train Shoppe shows he has another of the same issue book, but just slightly more "ragged" on the edges. Just thought I would mention that to you. That dealer mentions on all of those books that they should be handled very carefully as they are delicate.

I believe OGR has the biggest batch of enablers I've ever seen in one wad!

Andre

I was able to find the last two Macy's Boxcars on my wanted list. Both MTH Railking for less than $ 25.00 each.

@Sean007 posted:

I was able to find the last two Macy's Boxcars on my wanted list. Both MTH Railking for less than $ 25.00 each.

Have you seen the Lionel Macy's Thanksgiving cars?

6-39297 - Macy's Boxcar

6-39309 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Boxcar

Dunno if this is "cool", but so far I'm happy with it:

...Just came in today via eBay: being "used", it has a few minor nicks, and the lower tender handrail on the opposite side is missing. Turns out, that is one of the very few parts for this that is still available from Lionel!   

Performance is very similar to my Long Island Consol (#6-38036) which I guess is not surprising, as the mechanisms look identical. Love the bright headlight and classification  lights. The Vandy tender is neat too, and works well.

Mark in Oregon

EDIT: Right after posting this, I went "inside" and changed out a fairly burnt-out smoke wick with some new material; it now smokes quite nicely as well.  

It's cool Mark!  Real cool! 

@paulp575 posted:

Have you seen the Lionel Macy's Thanksgiving cars?

6-39297 - Macy's Boxcar

6-39309 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Boxcar

 

Thanks Paul - I have two of three Macy's Thanksgiving Boxcars. I have a bid on the 3rd one closing Friday.

@Sean007 posted:

Thanks Paul - I have two of three Macy's Thanksgiving Boxcars. I have a bid on the 3rd one closing Friday.

If you mean the ones with nice parade graphics on the sides, I believe there are a total of 5 6 of them.  (at least in somewhat recent history, since 2006 - there might have been something years ago from MPC I am unaware of)

Years are 2006 through 2009 and then 2016 and 2018, if I recall correctly.  (Sorry, I don't have item numbers for all of them handy at this computer.  But the 2 mentioned were parade graphic cars, I'm pretty sure). 

There could be a 6th 7th one, depending on how you look at variations.  The original one from 2006 (6-25043) was popular enough when released via Macy's that a "clone" was issued in the regular Lionel catalog the following year (since they were hard to find at Macy's to some extent, there were a lot of unhappy people who did not successfully get one from Macy's).  It has the same item number, but the built date on the boxcar door was different (original says 2006, re-run says 2007, but the catalog shows an image with the original 2006 on the door).  If you do an eBay search, there are pictures of both versions in some of the listings right now.  That was the only one re-issued in that manner, the others were all Macy's only for each Holiday season (though many have obviously ended up in dealers hands over the years, and/or dealers who bought them to speculate from Macy's themselves when they were "hot" items).

{edit: I can't believe I forgot about the 90th anniversary one from 2016 (here's a link to the site that reminded me when I was searching around)!  So there are 6 or 7 of them, depending on whether you count the variation on the first one.}

-Dave

@Sean007 posted:

Thanks Paul - I have two of three Macy's Thanksgiving Boxcars. I have a bid on the 3rd one closing Friday.

"Two of three" Macy's boxcars? Maybe I missed something but I'm seeing 2 from MTH and 2 from Lionel.

@Dave45681 posted:

If you mean the ones with nice parade graphics on the sides, I believe there are a total of 5 of them.  (at least in somewhat recent history, since 2006 - there might have been something years ago from MPC I am unaware of)

Years are 2006 through 2009 and then one in 2018, if I recall correctly.  (Sorry, I don't have item numbers for all of them handy at this computer.  But the 2 mentioned were parade graphic cars, I'm pretty sure).

-Dave

Here is a pic of Lionel's 2007 Macy's Parade boxcar, # 39297.

I added the discrete "Karen Balloon Handler" decal because she was one at the NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at that time. She is also the designer of my website, just FYI.

@Lionelski posted:

Here is a pic of Lionel's 2007 Macy's Parade boxcar, # 39297.

I added the discrete "Karen Balloon Handler" decal because she was one at the NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at that time. She is also the designer of my website, just FYI.

According to the MTH website:

30-74153 - Uncataloged; delivered Jun 2004

30-74195 - Uncataloged; delivered Apr 2006

And from the Lionel website:

6-25043 - Lionel 2007 Train Catalog Volume 1 (I have this one in my collection)

Following 2 are not listed on the Lionel website, but I have them in my collection):

6-39297 - Macy's Boxcar

6-39309 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Boxcar

Are these the 5 you are talking about?

If not, who manufactured them and what's the SKU?

@Lionelski posted:

Here is a pic of Lionel's 2007 Macy's Parade boxcar, # 39297.

I added the discrete "Karen Balloon Handler" decal because she was one at the NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at that time. She is also the designer of my website, just FYI.

First off, awesome website.

I have a website but it's just a listing of all  the items I have in my collection (periodically updated as I keep adding items to my collection). I don't presently have a layout but probably will sometime next year after I move to a more suitable apartment): http://dog-walker.org/trains-modern.htm

@paulp575 posted:

6-39297 - Macy's Boxcar

6-39309 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Boxcar

 

These two lionel cars, and I'm pretty sure several others, were sold at Macy's stores during the Christmas  shopping seasons in the 2004-2009 time period. I don't think they were cataloged 

@paulp575 posted:

According to the MTH website:

30-74153 - Uncataloged; delivered Jun 2004

30-74195 - Uncataloged; delivered Apr 2006

And from the Lionel website:

6-25043 - Lionel 2007 Train Catalog Volume 1 (I have this one in my collection)

Following 2 are not listed on the Lionel website, but I have them in my collection):

6-39297 - Macy's Boxcar

6-39309 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Boxcar

Are these the 5 you are talking about?

If not, who manufactured them and what's the SKU?

 

Sorry for the confusion: I meant that I have two of three MTH Macy's Boxcars, but I cannot confirm the third one.

I have from MTH both 30-75153 and 30-75195.

I have from Lionel:    2006 6-25043, 2007 6-39297, 2008 6-39309,

2009 6-39325 and the one from 2018 (can't find the number now).

Yes . It took, literally, months to get here...and arrived in a box covered with Cyrillic print.  It is a 1/43 model of an auto built in the former USSR with Model A dies provided by Ford.  Why go there?  It was a four door (l had previously found a two door model from elsewhere), and these and not common 1/43 models of open cars were common on streets when l trudged to school through the snow.  Sadly, l have found no source for my grandfather's Chevrolets: a 1937 pickup, or 1931 and 1940 two doors, except in HO.  But this is a coup.

ordered a Lionel B6sb Switcher from Mr Muffin, hope to see it around the middle of October

Went by our local toy train shop that just today reopened after closing dowmn mid-March due to Covid-19 to order a couple "Snap &  Glue Magnetic Clamp Sets."  And low and behold on the counter was their last copy of the just released "Southern Railway  In Color" volume 4.

Covered the "pics art work" to keep the moderator happy!

Ron

Picked this up today, Was in Louisville for work. Another great find at the Roundhouse,  $75.00 Williams Test run only, like new in box. I just can't pass stuff like that up!   Jeff

Finally for the last Premier run, MTH did the E-8 in Erie Lackawanna. Item number 20-21363-1 Cab #820.  I have the other powered #822 on the way!

Look what I got from the latest Bowser clearance sale!

This may no longer count as "lately" (was a few months back), but I haven't seen anyone else post one, so here goes:

As we all know York didn't happen in April.  As many of us also know, for many years MTH has been doing their "York Boxcar" to commemorate the event.

I have been a member of the MTH Railroader Club since it's inception.  So I naturally called MTH to sign up for this year's O Gauge cars as I always do (normally I sign up at York).  While I was on the phone I casually asked what the story was with the April York cars (this was over a month before the announcement of MTH closing, so it was not obvious anything significant would be different, except for the fact that York did not happen).  I half assumed (at that time) that maybe MTH would have them over-stamped state-side with October info, or something like that.

So the end of the story is I was told they were available, so I added one to my MTHRRC order.  This is the car.  It is obviously different from all the recent ones with catalog covers duplicated for the graphics, since it has 40th anniversary info on it.

So what is (presumably) the final MTH York car is for a York meet that didn't happen.  That's certainly an oddity for the MTH/York history book!

-Dave

Haven't bought any tradtional size trains in quite a while but couldn't pass this up.

Its a TMCC Mikado Jr. Installed a scale coupler on the pilot, replaced the smoke resistor and added a Cruise M. Kept the 2 chuff puffer. Hardly noticeable with the tiny drivers. Original RS4. Compare with a Lionchief version today.

Pete

Wow..l am envious of your visit to the Roundhouse., with pandemic, l have not gotten there in months.

@Norton posted:

Haven't bought any tradtional size trains in quite a while but couldn't pass this up.

Its a TMCC Mikado Jr. Installed a scale coupler on the pilot, replaced the smoke resistor and added a Cruise M. Kept the 2 chuff puffer. Hardly noticeable with the tiny drivers. Original RS4. Compare with a Lionchief version today.

Pete

Pete, very nice steamer, the O rings from the stack are great.

New / old stock. A MTH Great Northern Y-1 electric. Always wanted this guy and finally have one running on the Seattle & Yakima RR.