Buy anything cool lately?

Wow, page 226, and Matt started this fine thread, and yesterday, while in Nashville, we stopped by Phillips Toy Mart and found these few items. It’s nice to visit the local hobby shops once in a while. Happy Railroading Everyone

Straight from Lionel, the new 60' Canadian Pacific boxcar with rotating bearing caps and hidden uncoupling tabs. It has great detail and came in one piece. I am hoping to pair this up with one of the soon to be released MTH Canadian Pacific SD70ACU military units.

Not picture worthy cool, but I finally got a CAB1 with a 135 watt brick and a PM-1. I now can run my conventional locomotives via the CAB1 and it works great!

Do you happen to know what other Lionel 60' AP BC are in along with the CP?  Thanks!

@DETROIT posted:

Do you happen to know what other Lionel 60' AP BC are in along with the CP?  Thanks!

Available (01/27/2021): Both of the DT&I versions, one of the Pennsylvania, both Penn Central, both NYC, and CP. Sold out of the Ford and Chevrolet ones.

Thank You! the posted Lionel shipping schedule is a little less than helpful.  Is there another more precise resource for when items will actually arrive???

My wife bought a Plasticville Greenhouse Kit and added it to the layout. It has some pretty cool details.

@DETROIT posted:

Thank You! the posted Lionel shipping schedule is a little less than helpful.  Is there another more precise resource for when items will actually arrive???

I just keep checking their website once it gets closer to the estimated ship date. Nothing sophisticated at all.

Bought a couple of these "Hakco(?)" temp gauges for my soldering iron per @gunrunnerjohn recommendation:  item number:

Took 2 weeks for delivery; cost $25.XX for the pair delivered.

This is what I bought my family this year to go around the tree. Mth sells these but not in set. Had to buy each car and some were on back order.

@Jeffery Boat posted:

My wife bought a Plasticville Greenhouse Kit and added it to the layout. It has some pretty cool details.

This is one of my favorites. Had one in the late 50’s early 60’s. Still have it but it was missing parts and had to purchase a complete one in a original box.

Wow Paul2 you are the TOFC man. I’ve had my eyes on that Hennis pups for awhile now I guess I’ll have to get them.

Mail Man dropped this off today. Added it to my Weaver Collection

Lee Drennen, those are good looking box cars, the P&D special run. Weaver made a lot of nice rolling stock and cool accessories. And by the way, I used to go to Olney I’ll to shop often while growing up in Flora. Highway 50, from East St. Louis through Flora over to Vincennes Indiana. (1957-1963) Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Lee Drennen, those are good looking box cars, the P&D special run. Weaver made a lot of nice rolling stock and cool accessories. And by the way, I used to go to Olney I’ll to shop often while growing up in Flora. Highway 50, from East St. Louis through Flora over to Vincennes Indiana. (1957-1963) Happy Railroading Everyone

Thanks Larry I like the those special runs Weaver did for people. That was a good route Hwy 50 I drove it at least 2-3 times a month from 1998-2016 then we lost the account.

From MTH's Final.

The A/C unit isn't there. You cannot see it. These are not the droids you seek.

Purchased these 18” aluminum beauties for pennies on the dollar with the awful zinc rot issue with the trucks.  Were so cheap I figured it was worth a project to try and bring them back from the dead.  If anyone has experience or tips for restoring these, it would be greatly appreciated!

Here’s a short video the Erie Lackawanna Flat Spot PS-1 Boxcar i got in the mail this week. I’m pretty pleased with the sounds.

Thanks for the video Dave, but, I am still not hearing a flat spot.

@Big Jim posted:

Thanks for the video Dave, but, I am still not hearing a flat spot.

Jim, There's a setting on the car where you can really hear the flat spot. GRJ posted a video of his car pulled by a steamer, with the sound off, that sounded, to me, like the steamer sound was on. It all depends on how you set up the car.

@PRRick posted:

Not picture worthy cool, but I finally got a CAB1 with a 135 watt brick and a PM-1. I now can run my conventional locomotives via the CAB1 and it works great!

Here is a video my my late pap's 226e (on page 226 of this thread no less!) growling along via remote control. I realize that this is way old technology but it's a blast and so simple to use! Glad I got this.

Got a quite a few new trains, accessories, diecast vehicles and o/s scale figures(soldiers) over the last 2 weeks.

First up, my favorite Christmas present from my mom that arrived late, On30 Dept 56 Village Street Car

Unfortunately My MTH Proto 2 3 volt Amtrak F59PHI Surfliner’s microprocessor board fried the other week. Was really looking forward to putting it in a lash-up with this:

MTH RK Proto 2 Amtrak F40PH Phase IV

Phase IV Next to K-line Amtrak Phase III

My intermodal binge continues: New in this picture- Left to Right: The two 20’  containers(Lykes & APL) M-line 48’ SP container(love stacking it on the smaller container!) and an early Atlas O 3 front runner with 45’ Xtra Lease Pines Trailer  

Lionel PS-4 CN&W flat with CN&W PUPs

from an open house this weekend, picked up a Minitoys footbridge with box, plasticville accessories, and paint for $10!! Bridge is In great shape! As you can see, my consists barely make it under but there’s enough clearance on above and on both sides.

Plasticville pool, slide, swing set

I found these O gauge Flyer beauties today at a local train store, the owner said he just got them from the original owner's son. Sadly he couldn't find the Potomac engine but he is going to keep looking. The pullman box is missing but the cars are in great  shape. Also he had 5 freight cars with 4 of them in the original AF boxes too!

Picked up a few of these Atlas Trinity hoppers for a steal off the internet.  Honestly some of the finest O scale pieces ever made, in my personal opinion.

I purchased 4 new tanks to use as flat car loads. I am 75% done with two (see pictures below).

Greg

Had to get these: MTH PREMIER American Freedom Train Alco Pa’s 1948 and 1949.  Talk about a beautiful set of engines! Now I understand why they’re a hit with nearly every age of model railroader. I can’t recall anyone that’s ever said they don’t like the Alco PA LOL

I know that the American freedom train didn’t have originally two locomotives. It was just a single PA unit number 1776, but I thought that it was a fitting tribute that MTH did by numbering both of the units for the years that the American freedom train ran.

You guys know me if it’s red white and blue I got to have it LOL

The PFA sequence on this model is absolutely awesome and I kind of got a little emotional when I heard it being the patriot that I am.

Either way still an awesome set of engines!

Got these from a hobby shop north of here today

Less than 20 bucks for both!

I always wanted an SD40-2, so a couple of years ago I pulled the trigger on a Weaver SF Kodachrome model. I don't model SF at all so it's bound for a repaint, Alaska RR even though they never ran an SD40-2, It had the top step corner cracked off so I've been trying to figure out how to repair it before the re-paint when along comes a new unpainted body shell on eBay.

These Lionel Standard O showed up the other day. Yes I know there newer than my Layout theme but I have some plans to work them in and keep there markings

Got these at pretty good prices:

MTH Premier Union Pacific Rapid Discharge Hopper w/ Rock Load Road #27653

MTH Premier Union Pacific Rapid Discharge Hopper w/ Rock Load Road #106995

MTH Premier Southern Pacific Ps-2 Hopper Car Road #402297

@Drewski1992 posted:

Had to get these: MTH PREMIER American Freedom Train Alco Pa’s 1948 and 1949.  Talk about a beautiful set of engines! Now I understand why they’re a hit with nearly every age of model railroader. I can’t recall anyone that’s ever said they don’t like the Elko PA LOL

Great addition. I'm a huge fan of both Freedom Trains. Only got to see the 1970s one, but I have photos my Dad took of the 40s version, on a Tennessee stop.

If I modelled 3 rail, I'd have to recreate the 70s version...

@p51 posted:

Great addition. I'm a huge fan of both Freedom Trains. Only got to see the 1970s one, but I have photos my Dad took of the 40s version, on a Tennessee stop.

If I modelled 3 rail, I'd have to recreate the 70s version...

I'm sure you do realize there were TWO American Freedom Trains (AFTs) during 19780:

1974 - Preamble Express - This was the train set up to examine and pro[pose a route for the actual AFT.

1975-1976 - American Freedom Train - This is the "real" thing.

Currently I'm collecting all the AFT rolling stock from Lionel. So far 13 and looks like two 2-car packs coming this year.

@Jon Edwards love me some tin! Nice Prewar Flyer buys! All look in great shape with very clean/nick free enamel! Also really cool that the majority of the brass journals are intact and thetrucks are consistently gray(as one would expect in a set)-the tanker’s are black but it looks like they were painted over, and you got the boxes!! In terms of Prewar American made, I like those gray Flyer trucks. The yellow boxcar was one of the items in my first purchase of Prewar trains and thus also my first AF o gauge. Love the size of that one. Great stuff all around!

@Catonsville Central Railway as someone who was only just bitten a few months ago by the quality of Atlas trains, while I don’t have any Trinity hoppers, I don’t doubt your opinion of your wonderfully detailed Atlas rolling stock being the  ”...finest O scale pieces ever made...”! I love the Center Flow hoppers to begin with, throw in that Atlas detail and you have a nice haul right there!

@Trainbros89 fantastic work on those tanks! As someone who enjoys incorporating a military theme on my own layout, that’s awesome stuff. 2 quick questions- Do you repaint all of your tanks? And What types of tanks do you buy? I’m big into diecast 1/43-1/50 army vehicles but don’t mind/wouldn’t mind trying my hand at something I can really customize(besides minor paint changes and decals)

@StevefromPA posted:

@Jon Edwards love me some tin! Nice Prewar Flyer buys! All look in great shape with very clean/nick free enamel! Also really cool that the majority of the brass journals are intact and thetrucks are consistently gray(as one would expect in a set)-the tanker’s are black but it looks like they were painted over, and you got the boxes!! In terms of Prewar American made, I like those gray Flyer trucks. The yellow boxcar was one of the items in my first purchase of Prewar trains and thus also my first AF o gauge. Love the size of that one. Great stuff all around!

@Catonsville Central Railway as someone who was only just bitten a few months ago by the quality of Atlas trains, while I don’t have any Trinity hoppers, I don’t doubt your opinion of your wonderfully detailed Atlas rolling stock being the  ”...finest O scale pieces ever made...”! I love the Center Flow hoppers to begin with, throw in that Atlas detail and you have a nice haul right there!

@Trainbros89 fantastic work on those tanks! As someone who enjoys incorporating a military theme on my own layout, that’s awesome stuff. 2 quick questions- Do you repaint all of your tanks? And What types of tanks do you buy? I’m big into diecast 1/43-1/50 army vehicles but don’t mind/wouldn’t mind trying my hand at something I can really customize(besides minor paint changes and decals)

Hey Steve,

I appreciate the kind words! 99% of the tanks/vehicles I own are painted by me ( the only one that was painted from the manufacture was the mark iv tank). The manufactures of the models include: Tamiya, Bandai and Gaso.Line. If you have any questions/would like to know more about the models, feel free to contact me: email is in my profile.

regards

@p51 posted:

Great addition. I'm a huge fan of both Freedom Trains. Only got to see the 1970s one, but I have photos my Dad took of the 40s version, on a Tennessee stop.

If I modelled 3 rail, I'd have to recreate the 70s version...

That makes perfect sense that you’d want to model the one you saw Lee. I had gotten these because I didn’t have any diesel locomotives that were representing the 1930 1940 era of railroading. I had every other era but this one.  So I felt it was time that I get something to represent that time period.  

Now all I have to do is find me a good steam locomotive😎

I found this excellent book from CP that discusses the inspiration and history behind the Canadian Pacific military units that are meant to honor both the Canadian and United States armed forces.

Big haul this last week or two. Four new Friendship PS-1 boxcars and one NYC wood-sided Wi-Fi coupala-cam caboose by Lionel.

@Drewski1992 posted:

Had to get these: MTH PREMIER American Freedom Train Alco Pa’s 1948 and 1949.  Talk about a beautiful set of engines! Now I understand why they’re a hit with nearly every age of model railroader. I can’t recall anyone that’s ever said they don’t like the Alco PA LOL

I know that the American freedom train didn’t have originally two locomotives. It was just a single PA unit number 1776, but I thought that it was a fitting tribute that MTH did by numbering both of the units for the years that the American freedom train ran.

You guys know me if it’s red white and blue I got to have it LOL

The PFA sequence on this model is absolutely awesome and I kind of got a little emotional when I heard it being the patriot that I am.

Either way still an awesome set of engines!

Any chance to get a video of the PFA sequence.

Whooo Hoo! I just took delivery of these "hard to find" items:

I wasn't aware the 10th Anniversary billboard had a Gold Plated finish! Outstanding!

I got my Toy Story trains I preordered from Mario's Trains. Good prices good service.

Finally.  After years of waiting, I got my hands on one.  Die cast ES44AC from 2011...and this one was somehow still mint, sealed in the box.

And best of all, perhaps miraculously, I didn’t have to take a second mortgage to pay for it!

@NS1975 posted:

Any chance to get a video of the PFA sequence.

Sure! I’ll record a video of the sequence and upload it as soon as I have some time. Work has been crazy busy lately so I haven’t been able to get on here a lot. It’s not the most detailed PFA sequence like some of the other MTH engines, but it’s still pretty cool that they did a special sequence specifically for these engines rather than doing a generic one for them.

Thanks for the suggestion😎

Woody Ridenour, Congratulations on acquiring the die cast ES44AC, these diesels are very nice, for your information, be easy on the hand railings, be sure to grease the wheel gears, gear casing, just be really careful. There are no parts at Lionel, I’ve had each one of each the DieCast diesels and only because I’m down sizing I sold them. Mike Reagan at the time of being head of Lionel Service told me they would not be remaking these super nice diesels. This is why I’m chiming in, enjoy, they are great pullers. Thanks for posting. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Woody Ridenour, Congratulations on acquiring the die cast ES44AC, these diesels are very nice, for your information, be easy on the hand railings, be sure to grease the wheel gears, gear casing, just be really careful. There are no parts at Lionel, I’ve had each one of each the DieCast diesels and only because I’m down sizing I sold them. Mike Reagan at the time of being head of Lionel Service told me they would not be remaking these super nice diesels. This is why I’m chiming in, enjoy, they are great pullers. Thanks for posting. Happy Railroading Everyone

Thanks for the info!  I'll bet they modified the same molds to handle plastic so to produce the plastic ES44AC's, so they no longer have the ability to make the die cast ones.  Just a guess. 

I spent 24 years in the USAF. Of those 24, at least 5 years in SAC (Strategic Air Command). Just purchased this car issued by LCCA:

@paulp575 posted:

I spent 24 years in the USAF. Of those 24, at least 5 years in SAC (Strategic Air Command). Just purchased this car issued by LCCA:

Nice cars and thank you for serving.

@Drewski1992 posted:

Had to get these: MTH PREMIER American Freedom Train Alco Pa’s 1948 and 1949.  Talk about a beautiful set of engines! Now I understand why they’re a hit with nearly every age of model railroader. I can’t recall anyone that’s ever said they don’t like the Alco PA LOL

I know that the American freedom train didn’t have originally two locomotives. It was just a single PA unit number 1776, but I thought that it was a fitting tribute that MTH did by numbering both of the units for the years that the American freedom train ran.

You guys know me if it’s red white and blue I got to have it LOL

The PFA sequence on this model is absolutely awesome and I kind of got a little emotional when I heard it being the patriot that I am.

Either way still an awesome set of engines!

Like you, if it's Red, White and Blue, I also have to have it.  I went as far as having Madison cars painted in a Red, White, and Blue scheme. These 6 cars came in today, here's just one, the observation car;

A new-mint in box Z4000!  Yes, date of manufacture is 1210 (Guessing that means December of 2010), but I confirmed it’s new-mint, and purchased it. Tested on my 87B mult when I got home with it, all voltages come up, handles move smooth as can be. Smiling wide on this lucky find. It’s will serve as a back up to my Z4000 circa 1997 until I begin construction of the new layout.

I saw these semi scale Lionel cars on EBay and decided to put in a rather low bid. I expected to to be out bid so I never paid attention to the auction. Imagine my surprise when I was notified that I WON! They were delivered yesterday in the shipper too! Now I’m searching the other cars at a reasonable price.

Bought at train show today Medina Ohio...postwar Lionel 3413 Mercury Capsule Car with just a barely noticeable slight crack in one railing.....all original...

@gandydancer1950 posted:

Bought at train show today Medina Ohio...postwar Lionel 3413 Mercury Capsule Car with just a barely noticeable slight crack in one railing.....all original...

Sweet!

MTH 20-89013 - End-of-Train-Device. Bought a couple of these. So far they are working great!

Just purchased an interesting Lindberg Model Kit ; Snark SM-62 intercontinental ballistic missile in 1:48 scale...from our local Ollie's discount store.  Comes equipped with 9 figures, mobile launching platform, and a tractor to pull it...all for $16.00.

@NS1975 posted:

I just keep checking their website once it gets closer to the estimated ship date. Nothing sophisticated at all.

Is there somewhere - besides the regular place - that you can search for estimated arrival dates on the Lionel website? I've tried to search for some upcoming items and they aren't even on the schedule.

I also checkout TrainWorld's website. Their due dates seem to stay updated much better than Lionel's.

https://ogrforum.com/...c/153603996320878489

Wow fellows, great finds, nice purchases. My Chessie System #902440 caboose finally arrived and I picked it up today, ordered out of the Lionel 2019 Volume 2 catalog. More pictures when I arrive home. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow fellows, great finds, nice purchases. My Chessie System #902440 caboose finally arrived and I picked it up today, ordered out of the Lionel 2019 Volume 2 catalog. More pictures when I arrive home. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry,

Treat that caboose nice and maybe I can buy it from you some day, like another B&O caboose I bought from you once before! Stay safe!

Tom

Tom, I’ll write a note and place it in the box so that I won’t forget to give you first shot. I’m glad you remembered. It’s a fun Hobby. Happy Railroading

@FrankRazz posted:

Like you, if it's Red, White and Blue, I also have to have it.  I went as far as having Madison cars painted in a Red, White, and Blue scheme. These 6 cars came in today, here's just one, the observation car;

Wow Frank!! Those are bad ***! I’m jealous. I love the open air deck at the end! I love riding in passenger cars and standing out on the open air deck it’s the most awesome thing in the world as matter fact I could probably do an entire trip standing on the deck because it’s just so invigorating to me to with all the sites sounds and smells.  Was this an idea that you came up with? Also what are the cars based on or paying tribute to?

Postman dropped these off

Lee, that mailman of yours is sure a nice guy.

Mark. He is the best he puts my packages in my old farm truck and locks the door so the won’t get stolen.

I bought this Mth Railking Maryland & Pennsylvania Doodlebug over the summer.It came out in 2006 but are next to impossble to find.  It also has 2 passgener cars to go with it.

Enjoy!

@Tristan Mundis posted:

I bought this Mth Railking Maryland & Pennsylvania Doodlebug over the summer.It came out in 2006 but are next to impossble to find.  It also has 2 passgener cars to go with it

Enjoy!

This is awesome!  Congratulations and enjoy your find!

Ok Tom, MNCW, eat your heart out, (kidding) The caboose is home finally. Pictures of the caboose out of the box. It’s well detailed, has a figure inside, looks great. Made in Vietnam. Check it out. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry the Chessie caboose looks great!  It is worthy of many photographs!!

I had paid for a couple of prints from large-format negatives of the ET&WNC's last run in 1950 (they looked great, BTW) and they showed up today.

Inside the tube was this, something I didn't expect.

Needless to say, I sent the guy a email thanking him very much for that. I didn't have anything like this in my modest collection of paperwork from that RR.

It's be neat to know what that was for...

And this is the photo print, printed from John Krause negative that made the cover of Trains, of the final freight run of the 3 foot gauge ET&WNC, crossing the little Doe River outside of Hampton, TN.

I'd never seen each side of this shot before. Its always been printed in books and magazines as a horizontal format:

I had the image printed as a 18x24, then cut the sky away as you see it now, in a 12x18 frame.

@leapinlarry posted:

Ok Tom, MNCW, eat your heart out, (kidding) The caboose is home finally. Pictures of the caboose out of the box. It’s well detailed, has a figure inside, looks great. Made in Vietnam. Check it out. Happy Railroading Everyone

I fail to see the point of the number patch on the bay windows, when there isn't the same on the caboose ends. IMO it takes away from a otherwise nice paint job and a favorite scheme of mine.

Rusty

Maybe not too cool but a necessary part of my layout...Ibought a 4x8sheetofply tobuildmy testtrackon.

Got these in the mail the other day

@lee drennen posted:

Got these in the mail the other day

Great worms Lee!

@RSJB18 posted:

Great worms Lee!

Thanks Bob. I just had to get that GP7 White Worm they run good I think I had one at one time and sold it wish I never did.

The latest acquisition for my M.O.W. dept.

Rides on Atlas O track too!

Thanks Nicholas Smith for finding me these hard to find items! Dig the Gold finish on the billboard!

Today I picked up a rusty old (Marx?) bridge at a local antique store for cheap.  I was going to paint it, but I love the rusty patina better.  I threw an auto loader car at the end of the UP passenger consist real quick to make sure they’d clear it! Lol!

Bought some weathered cattle cars

Nice Cattle Cars @Ulus Ekerman !! Certainly look well-weathered!

@Former Member gotta love those Marx bridges! I know you said it’s rusty, but does it still have the name on the top of one of the ends? Also, nice UP heavyweight! Just curious who’s the manufacturer?

@lee drennen Cool Penn Central buys! That’s a RR to which it took me awhile to appreciate but now-a-days I do. That’s besides the point, either way, those are both nice pieces!

@StevefromPA posted:

@Former Member gotta love those Marx bridges! I know you said it’s rusty, but does it still have the name on the top of one of the ends? Also, nice UP heavyweight! Just curious who’s the manufacturer?

I looked at the bridge closer and it says Rock Island on the ends.  As for the UP passenger cars, they are MTH.  The funny thing about them is that they track better on old school tubular track instead of MTH's RealTrax.  They derailed like crazy on the RealTrax.  Odd.

Got quite a few items to add to my intermodal fleet this week from the postman! Some have been weeks in the waiting, it was nice that they arrived all in one week!

Weaver 52’ Trailer Train bulkhead flat! I’ve become a big fan of trailer train, love Cofcees- especially of the bulkhead variety. For a Weaver car, this has some nice weight to it with a metal bar along the bottom of the frame. The container isn’t new, but it’s an Atlas O APL 40’

Ordered these in mid-January- Three Weaver 20’ o scale containers- Orange NYK on the far Left C&O K-line by Lionel flat car(the other container on that car is an MTH premier 20’). On the K-line CSX flat car on the right, silver-gray Mistui O.S.K. & dark red/maroon Xtra Lease.

Also, just delivered today, a diecast K-line Thrall well car with one 40’ APL container and one 40’ BN America Container(shown below)

And as an added bonus in that purchase, it included a 48’ BNAU container

Obviously, I needed to modify the flat cars and Weaver containers to make all of them fit nicely. To do that, measuring, a dremel, thick styrene, and these two Right of Way  Industries 20’ containers(just sharing now- bought a couple months ago) made everything work out just fine

Hence the bottom of my Weaver containers now look like this

I’d be happy to elaborate more, but didn’t want to do it here. To finish things up, here’s a picture of some very welcomed additions to my layout!

@Former Member cool stuff man! I also have the Rock Island version of this bridge. If it wasn’t for issues with pantographs I would still have it up- so very smart on your part to test with the auto-loader!

I thought they looked like MTH. I have the PRR MTH heavyweight consist of 13 1/2” cars and couldn’t help but notice the similarity. Very cool!

-Steve

Lionel  Chicago & Northwestern Visionline StockCar - the 3 pack set. I think the Item number is 2026850.

I went on a little bit of a buying spree.

I couldn't pass on this Dash 9 demonstrator for such a modest price. This is my first TMCC engine and I mainly decided to buy it based on the sounds which IMO sound great. Not bad for 1997 technology but it still has the pullmor motors which sound a little dry so I'll check them over. Overall I'm very pleased with every aspect of it.

I also bought this railking superliner set. The rear coupler broke during shipping so I can only push with it right now! The locomotive is so-so performance wise but I really dig the cars.

Just received a nice set of Presidential Campaign Cars from 1976. They didn't come as a set; individually sold.

Looks like I'm going to have to find someone to repair the lights as only one of the cars lights on both ends. One is very weak.

And I'm missing the flag for one of the cars.

All three in one photo:

A couple banners I got back in January

@Drewski1992 posted:

Wow Frank!! Those are bad ***! I’m jealous. I love the open air deck at the end! I love riding in Ziggy'passenger cars and standing out on the open air deck it’s the most awesome thing in the world as matter fact I could probably do an entire trip standing on the deck because it’s just so invigorating to me to with all the sites sounds and smells.  Was this an idea that you came up with? Also what are the cars based on or paying tribute to?

I had the cars painted by Christine from CJB.  I told her the colors I wanted and the theme, she used her artistic talent to do all seven cars.  With the exception of one car with Buy War Bonds, the other six cars are named after battles and Admirals during the war in the Pacific.  The observation car is named Guadalcanal, the coaches and baggage cars are named, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Nimitz, Halsey, and Spruance.  I plan on sending another 4 or 5 more cars to Christine to complete my set.  I will use Vandegrift, a Marine General for one of the cars.  The other names I'm considering are King, Oldendorf, "Ziggy" Sprague, "Ching" Lee or Mitcher. Below is the Halsey coach;

FrankRazz

I picked up a second Santa Fe full length vista dome for my PA1 to pull around.  Both of the full length domes came with tan interiors.  The first one didn’t have passengers and before adding them, I painted the interior gray to match the five car set.  I didn’t paint the new one’s interior because it was too cold outside and it had a dozen or so passengers already glued in tight.  Just finished adding more passengers and LED lighting.

As I mentioned over on the what did you do on your layout thread, I just completed a major project on the back wall of the layout, so I had to reward myself by heading over to Grzyboski’s and purchasing some more trains (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it)

First up, I picked up two of the new Lionel 60’ boxcars. They have some nice graphics and detail (but they do have the new couplers )...

Next, I picked up a set of the Friendship Train boxcars. I had never heard of the train until these cars came out. I did an internet search and found some fascinating info about this amazing humanitarian effort just after WWII. I also found a video from Mr. Muffins where he suggested that Lionel may be making more of the boxcars... here we go!!! In a contemporary new reel, they showed a GG1 pulling part of the train, so I’ll have to get mine on the road.

@Apples55 posted:

As I mentioned over on the what did you do on your layout thread, I just completed a major project on the back wall of the layout, so I had to reward myself by heading over to Grzyboski’s and purchasing some more trains (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it)

Slip slidin' away.......😂😂😂😂

Liked the looks of Lionel's 120 Year caboose. Wanted it, but also needed it to compliment something I already had.

Figured it would be nice to trail the 6-car collection of National Lionel Train Day boxcars.

@RSJB18 posted:

Slip slidin' away.......😂😂😂😂

Bob... Bob... Bob... I take umbrage at your comment. I am definitely NOT slip slidin’ away. I have been in free fall for so long, I have no idea what “Slip slidin'” feels like

Just an FYI - the Friendship boxcars can run on O-31 curves...

And I didn’t even mention the new set of Vision Cattle cars (can’t wait to try the quillable mooooos!!!). And in cleaning up the other day, I found a DT&I Legacy Crane car and Boom car I picked up last year for a song (again, NOT Slip slidin' Away )!!!

You're not alone Paul. I just bought a MTH RS-1 from the forum. Pix to follow. 👍

@paulp575 posted:

Liked the looks of Lionel's 120 Year caboose. Wanted it, but also needed it to compliment something I already had.

Figured it would be nice to trail the 6-car collection of National Lionel Train Day boxcars.

What do the trucks and couplers look like underneath this caboose? Hopefully they didn't get the latest ones that are problematic. This caboose is something I'm interested in getting. The graphics look nice - any idea where it was produced?

@Randy_B posted:

What do the trucks and couplers look like underneath this caboose? Hopefully they didn't get the latest ones that are problematic. This caboose is something I'm interested in getting. The graphics look nice - any idea where it was produced?

They are a different type of couplers. They do have the little piece sticking out on the neck of the coupler. They don't have the thumb tack type of coupler.  They have a square piece that can uncouple - look something like the MTH couplers. It does say "Made in China" though.

@paulp575 posted:

They are a different type of couplers. They do have the little piece sticking out on the neck of the coupler. They don't have the thumb tack type of coupler.  They have a square piece that can uncouple - look something like the MTH couplers. It does say "Made in China" though.

Thanks for the info - that sounds promising. I really like the graphics although I don't usually go towards these types of products. I remember seeing the artwork and was glad they made the roof orange which they elected not to do on the previous Lionel N5B Lionel Lines caboose. I never thought 'Made in China' would ever be a source of relief! 

My Lionel 120 caboose came to my home just before Christmas, so it took a place of honor under the tree.  I hope that the Northeast caboose tooling gets used more in the future.

A couple weeks after New Years, my Transcontinental Railroad 150th anniversary train locomotives arrived.  Two beautiful steam locomotives.  Very quiet, too.  

Paul, great work on the building flats in the background!

Built something cool lately!

Back ordered a set of these beautiful plated MTH cars from 2019 months ago and by some miracle they actually came in! (And the RPO and full dome are on the way)

I posted awhile back that this was ordered, followed up with my thanks for the great service from Mr. Muffins...so here it is, I did find out that Eastman Kodak did actually have an RS1.

Jeff

Not completely sure but I think they only had Alco RSs. 

Yeah DETROIT, I was just going from some google pics, you may be correct..

Jeff

@RSJB18 posted:

You're not alone Paul. I just bought a MTH RS-1 from the forum. Pix to follow. 👍

I received the aforementioned engine this morning.

@RSJB18 posted:

I received the aforementioned engine this morning.

Sweet, Bob. Is that another command control engine???

@Apples55 posted:

Sweet, Bob. Is that another command control engine???

PS-2.....

Nice Bob, but doesn't the CEO think you have enough of the NH Engines! LOL

For those of you guys who asked,  here’s the PFA Sequence for the 1940s American Freedom Train Alco PA😎🇺🇸

After shoveling 10" of snow off my garage roof, it was nice to see this at my front door.  There is a Williams scale GG1 inside the box.

@Drewski1992 posted:

For those of you guys who asked,  here’s the PFA Sequence for the 1940s American Freedom Train Alco PA😎🇺🇸

Thanks for posting. Very nice looking engine for sure.

Thursday and Friday turned out to be pretty good days. Thursday my transformer cars from the  Canadian train club came and Friday I got a nice package from Gryzboski's. Until I opened it I was not sure what came LOL. And this is just my opinion but I am liking the product coming out of Vietnam. Pics.......Paul 2

That's quite a haul Paul. Nice

Bob

WOW Paul, I am guessing with that big of a haul the CEO must not be home ! LOL Must be visiting family somewhere. Don't worry I don't think anyone from here will ever tell her!

But Bob is right, Very Nice!

I just had to get one of these from the White Pass and Yukon RR.

Note the date, as they made these and then never ran trains that year. Can't wait to wear this in public once things get to normal at model train shows to cause double takes...

Some Santa Fe ore cars.

@Apples55 posted:

As I mentioned over on the what did you do on your layout thread, I just completed a major project on the back wall of the layout, so I had to reward myself by heading over to Grzyboski’s and purchasing some more trains (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it)

First up, I picked up two of the new Lionel 60’ boxcars. They have some nice graphics and detail (but they do have the new couplers )...

Next, I picked up a set of the Friendship Train boxcars. I had never heard of the train until these cars came out. I did an internet search and found some fascinating info about this amazing humanitarian effort just after WWII. I also found a video from Mr. Muffins where he suggested that Lionel may be making more of the boxcars... here we go!!! In a contemporary new reel, they showed a GG1 pulling part of the train, so I’ll have to get mine on the road.

If you read the description for these cars on their website they definitely refer to making more. And that's my problem. How many more? This could get very expensive!

@Randy_B posted:

Thanks for the info - that sounds promising. I really like the graphics although I don't usually go towards these types of products. I remember seeing the artwork and was glad they made the roof orange which they elected not to do on the previous Lionel N5B Lionel Lines caboose. I never thought 'Made in China' would ever be a source of relief! 

The color scheme almost looks like a variation of the Lionel 2015 (115 years) boxcar design.

@FrankRazz posted:

I had the cars painted by Christine from CJB.  I told her the colors I wanted and the theme, she used her artistic talent to do all seven cars.  With the exception of one car with Buy War Bonds, the other six cars are named after battles and Admirals during the war in the Pacific.  The observation car is named Guadalcanal, the coaches and baggage cars are named, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Nimitz, Halsey, and Spruance.  I plan on sending another 4 or 5 more cars to Christine to complete my set.  I will use Vandegrift, a Marine General for one of the cars.  The other names I'm considering are King, Oldendorf, "Ziggy" Sprague, "Ching" Lee or Mitcher. Below is the Halsey coach;

FrankRazz

Very fitting tribute and awesome idea!

Not sure if this really qualifies as "cool" but picked up a Plastruct twin tank kit. Now I'll have to see if my modeling skills can handle this build. Never used plast-i-weld before, so this will be a new adventure!

This is what comes in the kit.

This is what it should look like when done. 

@ScoutingDad posted:

Not sure if this really qualifies as "cool" but picked up a Plastruct twin tank kit. Now I'll have to see if my modeling skills can handle this build. Never used plastic weld before, so this will be a new adventure!

This is what comes in the kit.

This is what it should look like when done.

Nice kit,  I grew up near Van Stratton Chemical company and those are like they had.

@paulp575 posted:

They are a different type of couplers. They do have the little piece sticking out on the neck of the coupler. They don't have the thumb tack type of coupler.  They have a square piece that can uncouple - look something like the MTH couplers. It does say "Made in China" though.

Here's a pic of the couplers:

Couple recent additions:

Milwaukee Road Ice Car 40' Wooden Reefer (Atlas 3001564). Raised in Milwaukee so think this would be a cool addition:

The graphics on these are really cool (and they have the meters on BOTH sides):

And both in one pic:

Joe Cool!
aka WWI Flying Ace

From Atlantis Models.

It doesn't get any cooler than Joe Cool! 

Unfortunately the 120th caboose appears to have the problematic trucks and couplers but I'm not positive.

Earlier this week, I swung by the local Menards to pick up some groceries.... I walked out not only with what I originally went there for, but I also walked out with the Cripple Creek engine works, the Vetter Sash and Door building, and a coal hopper.

My Lionel GS-5 arrived!

I added to my Lionel flat cars with pup trailers with this from Charles Ro. Since I mostly found all the Weaver TOFC's except for a couple I have now added these to my needle in a haystack quest. Should keep me busy searching for them. Pic............Paul 2

my new western pacific

@paul 2 posted:

I added to my Lionel flat cars with pup trailers with this from Charles Ro. Since I mostly found all the Weaver TOFC's except for a couple I have now added these to my needle in a haystack quest. Should keep me busy searching for them. Pic............Paul 2

Paul, it’s great looking!  With your history on the Weavers, you will have lots of pups before you know it!  Buy some Dog Chow now!  😉

MTH just released a Burlington extended vision caboose and I wanted one to go with my VO-1000.  I waited till it was issued to order one and by the time the order went in it was too late.  But they had issued the same caboose back in 2000 and I found one at Trainz.  Worked out OK as the car is like new and I saved a few bucks.  To reduce my shipping to product ratio, I also picked up a Mary Jane box car.  My paternal grandfather always had a supply of Mary Janes to give one or two to the grandkids (if we were good) so this car brings back fond memories.

I felt the same way about Clark bars. My favorite as a kid and no longer made. Found a Clark Bar box car to fill my nostalia appetite as well.