Buy anything cool lately?

Great buys everyone! Awesome shirt Marty!!

I recently received 10 Menards cars from an extremely nice gentleman I met through a Facebook train group.

First up are a few of the M&Ms cars. These have been on my list for sometime now. Great additions to my never ending candy collection.

Next up is a Tide boxcar, a few CSX, PRR, Reading, and a Reading & Northern.

That’s all for now. Many more in the process of being delivered.

Found a Bucyrus Erie crane car in great condition.   Perfect addition to the Erie rolling stock.  

@Don McErlean posted:

Well I posted this on the "Marx Trains" thread but thought It might also be of interest here.  I found this Marx mechanical set at a local train show last weekend.  It dates from 1952 and it appeared in the 1952 Sears Christmas Wishbook for the amazing price of $4.98.  What I found so fascinating was the condition of the set.  The cardboard sleeves separating the pieces were still present, the track is shiny, and the trains look as thought they have never been out of the box, at least not very often.

Here is the box cover, colorful and a little worn but not too bad for 70 years old!

The contents of the box inside, including the original cardboard sleeves to keep the items from scratching each other.

The locomotive and tender.  A clockwork, WHISTLING Mercury locomotive and a "grey band" NYC tender

Side view of the locomotive and tender

The rolling stock from the set.  The wheels on these don't even show any significant usage.

Oh and almost best of all...the ORIGINAL KEY was still in the box.

Well its not the most rare set but I thought the condition at its age warranted me posting it for everyone to have a look.

Best Wishes

Don

That's a beautiful set!

@Richizzle07 posted:

Great buys everyone! Awesome shirt Marty!!

I recently received 10 Menards cars from an extremely nice gentleman I met through a Facebook train group.

First up are a few of the M&Ms cars. These have been on my list for sometime now. Great additions to my never ending candy collection.

Next up is a Tide boxcar, a few CSX, PRR, Reading, and a Reading & Northern.

That’s all for now. Many more in the process of being delivered.

Love the M&M and the Tide cars.

@Richizzle07 posted:

Great additions to my never ending candy collection.

How could they not make a plastic M&Ms load for this????

Ed "ICE" Berg - thank you for your compliment on my Marx set.  Richizzle07 - that is some collection of Menards cars.  They are colorful and seem to track great (I have several).  The "Tide" car is very recent so the seller must have just recently decided to part with them.  VjandP-nice car for sure, the #6560 is MPC from its earliest days (1971) and carries a significant collector value.

Best wishes

Don

@p51 posted:

How could they not make a plastic M&Ms load for this????

That right there is a great new product idea, IMHO.  Candy hopper cars with candy.  Not sure if any company has done such a thing.  But it would make a great addition to a Halloween or Easter layout. 

Mike

@IRON HORSE posted:

That right there is a great new product idea, IMHO.  Candy hopper cars with candy.  Not sure if any company has done such a thing.  But it would make a great addition to a Halloween or Easter layout.

Mike

Nope Nope Nope - would you really want to attract insects and rodents? Real candy, in a toy train? That would be a very big Halloween or Christmas surprise, to open one and have critters inside.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Nope Nope Nope - would you really want to attract insects and rodents? Real candy, in a toy train? That would be a very big Halloween or Christmas surprise, to open one and have critters inside.

Not real candy.  A simulated candy load.  I'm thinking Harry Heike custom made load of colored M&Ms.  Or you could make simulated little boxes of M&Ms in a load.

Problem with a simulated candy load is will look too real and some one will get a surprise when they eat it.  Can empty small bags and stuff them with something though.  That might look good.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Nope Nope Nope - would you really want to attract insects and rodents? Real candy, in a toy train? That would be a very big Halloween or Christmas surprise, to open one and have critters inside.

You guys kill me. Nothing wrong with a bulk load of real M & Ms in a hopper or gondola. I've had this on my layout for years, with a regular turnover of the M & Ms, thanks to grandkids and neighborhood kids (and adults) visiting the layout. A load of the real thing has been running around on my layout for years, with never a critter, thanks to a clean basement.

HEY! Yellowstone - send that one my way...LOVE M&M's.

Best Wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

HEY! Yellowstone - send that one my way...LOVE M&M's.

Best Wishes

Don

Right on, Don! Best wishes to you.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

You guys kill me. Nothing wrong with a bulk load of real M & Ms in a hopper or gondola. I've had this on my layout for years, with a regular turnover of the M & Ms, thanks to grandkids and neighborhood kids (and adults) visiting the layout. A load of the real thing has been running around on my layout for years, with never a critter, thanks to a clean basement.

Nice!

This reminds me of when the Ace Hardware man suggested I use Gorilla tape on my lawn mower to cover a rust hole.  When I said I was concerned that the tape wouldn't hold, he said, "just put another piece of tape over the hole if that happens."  I had that taped mower for several years after that and only had to replace the piece of tape once or twice.

I your case, if the candy gets bad, or eaten, just put some more candy in it

@IRON HORSE posted:

That right there is a great new product idea, IMHO.  Candy hopper cars with candy.  Not sure if any company has done such a thing.  But it would make a great addition to a Halloween or Easter layout.

Mike

I’d like to make fake M&Ms loads similar to the Reese’s Pieces ones I got a few weeks back.

Just picked up a refurbished legacy CSX ES44 #3010 from Lionel for a very good price. The hose on the front and one of the handrails came broken off. All is there and can be repaired easily. As far as i can tell this loco has never been run. Theres no lubrication or even a mark on a pickup roller or wheels. Very clean loco for the price. Functions perfectly. I also picked up a few menards flat cars with sea hawks. Lots of fun!

Got a new SD70ACE, works great on my O48 / O36 curves (soon to be all O48), but it doesn't clear the side of my tunnel after a curve. Looks like the project to rebuild my tunnel and upper loop is now a high priority. Guess I'll be doing that over the next few weeks 😬

@Dave Ripp. posted:

Thanks! Yup thats plankton

NOPE!

Over this past weekend I attended a Trains, Die Cast Toys, & Railroad Memorabilia Show held at the Taylor Fire Department in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. This was my first time ever at the show and it was much larger than I was expecting. I picked up 7 boxcars and saw several other very interesting items but I was thinking about York coming up and decided to hold off.

My first six boxcars are MTH Christmas and Holiday cars from numerous years. Guess I’ll need to finish this collection now too! 😂

The last boxcar I picked up from the show is a Lionel Norfolk Southern boxcar.

It was a great show that I’ll be sure to attend in the future! Here’s the entire haul!

@Richizzle07 posted:

I’d like to make fake M&Ms loads similar to the Reese’s Pieces ones I got a few weeks back.

So they have been done.  Very nice.  K-line.

@Richizzle07 posted:

Over this past weekend I attended a Trains, Die Cast Toys, & Railroad Memorabilia Show held at the Taylor Fire Department in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. This was my first time ever at the show and it was much larger than I was expecting. I picked up 7 boxcars and saw several other very interesting items but I was thinking about York coming up and decided to hold off.

My first six boxcars are MTH Christmas and Holiday cars from numerous years. Guess I’ll need to finish this collection now too! 😂

The last boxcar I picked up from the show is a Lionel Norfolk Southern boxcar.

It was a great show that I’ll be sure to attend in the future! Here’s the entire haul!

Richizzle,

Looks interesting. Do you know the dates (or the website) of future shows?

Thanks.

Bob

Pick these up a few weeks back at Hamburg train meet.

These 027 , 2- 2422 & 24023 passenger cars, went over and rewired them, and gonna give them to my grandson.

Couldn't resist the 6-18201 Chessie System unit train, I have the add on 18204 SD40 dummy and the 17105 add on cover hopper. This is the 2nd complete 6-18201 complete set I have.

@bobfett posted:

Richizzle,

Looks interesting. Do you know the dates (or the website) of future shows?

Thanks.

Bob

Hello Bob! Definitely worth checking out. Here’s their flyer with their next 3 shows.

In a previous post, I made an addendum indicating that I had placed orders for three more MTH chrome tankers (that I had discovered late in my "gotta catch 'em all" moment). Well, all three are "on the property". Captions reference the photo above:

I thought taking these out of the box and photographing them on their styrofoam inserts would make it easier to view the cars rather than leaving them in the box behind a layer of cellophane and plastic bag  like the previous batch of seven. After transferring the photo to my computer, I saw that...chrome tanks are hard to photograph so the lettering/logos are visible...So, out-of-box closeups:

30-73221 Pennsylvania. Funny story...from Trainz, Fedex showed it being picked up the same day as the order (I did it around 10am), then it sat in the Fedex pickup location in Ellenwood, GA for six days before jumping to Edison NJ SmartPost, then finally to my local FedEx hub in Yonkers...with a notation that it was going to be delivered Fedex Ground rather than USPS. While Ebay stated the delivery window was between 9/21 and 9/24, it was odd that the carrier essentially sat on it till it would arrive on the last day of a four-day delivery window.

30-73222 Alaska

30-73239 Killian's Irish Red.

So, after consulting my collection records, it would seem that I have about 36 chrome-plated tankers so far. That would include the 18 I have in my electronic records, a Lionel (6-26132), the two Williams prototypes from York, three starter-set cars I got from a MTH warehouse auction, two more I found on Ebay around the same time, seven I got from a dealer, and the three pictured here, also from Ebay.

That's gonna make some train when I put them all together. I think I'll use the two chrome-plated boxcars I have (K-Line TTOS 25th anniversary and MTH 25th anniversary) to divide the consist into railroad, petroleum and beverage roadnames

(Edit 09/26) Oh, and photographing chrome tankers is still difficult. I presume you'd need to shoot into a fully-lit enclosed white box (or outside on a sunny day) to eliminate dark reflections obscuring the markings.

---PCJ

I have quite a few 6415 and 6425 dome cars.  I bought 3 new dome cars, all with a nod to my father.  The first (and with only a slight connection) is a Timken car.  His company must have dealt with Timken because he kept bringing home Timken bearings (you can use only so many paperweights).  Another reason for buying the Timken car was because it was made in the USA.  The second car is a MobilGas.  He worked for a division of Mobil Chemical that produced paints and industrial coatings throughout my childhood.  The third car is Valspar.  They bought the plant from Mobil a few years after I left.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

You guys kill me. Nothing wrong with a bulk load of real M & Ms in a hopper or gondola. I've had this on my layout for years, with a regular turnover of the M & Ms, thanks to grandkids and neighborhood kids (and adults) visiting the layout. A load of the real thing has been running around on my layout for years, with never a critter, thanks to a clean basement.

YES! Loads of real candy is best. A false bottom can be installed so you don't have to have THAT much candy in a gon or hopper. Then when the running session is over put any leftovers in a bowl to eat later. OR just toss in some of the small Fun Size bags

Lionel #2232020 LionChief Plus 2.0 UP 2-8-4 Hudson. This wasn't really a "lately" purchase. This was a pre-order at Trainworld and came in maybe about six weeks ago, but then it just sat there while I did some work on the layout.

Personally as far as treats on the layout go; I always liked the LGB tank car that could dispense an adult beverage. My friend had one on his LGB layout. Having one in O gauge would be a treat.

Purchased these cars a few months ago from a forum member. I lean more towards the 3 rail scale side of the hobby but I do have a bit of tinplate. Having said that these cars are a bit of a blend of both and truly stunning in action, in my humble opinion. The K-Line Hudson matches up well handily pulling the set along.
Just wanted to share..

My next shipment of Menards cars have arrived. There’s 8 total Menards and 1 Lionel PRR boxcar.

I grabbed a second M&Ms brown hopper and my first M&Ms yellow hopper along with the Life Savers tanker.

Following the candy rush, is a Tide tanker, my second CSX hopper, Norfolk Southern flat with Pepsi Bottle truck, US Navy gondola, and a PRR gondola.

And here’s the Lionel PRR boxcar along with a photo of this entire package.

More packages are still on the way! Stay Tuned!

Ok this made my day - unexpectedly won this at auction after not winning.  Weaver Brass Hiawatha 4-6-4 steamer. Will pair well with the Weaver beaver tail Passenger set I bought from a forum member. Seller says he is the second owner - first owner had her on a shelf - he had her on a shelf and then boxed for the last 20 years or so. She has never been run! He does not have a layout. Surprised this has an old PS1 board in her.

What do you think of the chances the white battery is still good after all this time?  I have an extra PS3 upgrade kit which will go into this beauty.

And yes I am moving and this is shipping to Michigan while I am still here in Illinois. I so so want to run this on TPRR but not to be. 

Nice...

@Richizzle07 posted:

Hello Bob! Definitely worth checking out. Here’s their flyer with their next 3 shows.

Thank you, Rich. I don't think I can make the Oct. 29 show but will try for the December show.

Bob

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ok this made my day - unexpectedly won this at auction after not winning.  Weaver Brass Hiawatha 4-6-4 steamer. Will pair well with the Weaver beaver tail Passenger set I bought from a forum member. Seller says he is the second owner - first owner had her on a shelf - he had her on a shelf and then boxed for the last 20 years or so. She has never been run! He does not have a layout. Surprised this has an old PS1 board in her.

What do you think of the chances the white battery is still good after all this time?  I have an extra PS3 upgrade kit which will go into this beauty.

And yes I am moving and this is shipping to Michigan while I am still here in Illinois. I so so want to run this on TPRR but not to be.

Very nice.  I like both that engine and the beaver tail set especially.  And your ability to add a PS3 board will make it a really cool complete set.

I was fortunate to buy a used Premier PS3 MTH Hiawatha engine like this earlier this year with a matching passenger set and then completed the passenger set separately with 7 cars total.  So I appreciate what you have here. Enjoy because these are beautiful. 

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ok this made my day - unexpectedly won this at auction after not winning.  Weaver Brass Hiawatha 4-6-4 steamer. Will pair well with the Weaver beaver tail Passenger set I bought from a forum member. Seller says he is the second owner - first owner had her on a shelf - he had her on a shelf and then boxed for the last 20 years or so. She has never been run! He does not have a layout. Surprised this has an old PS1 board in her.

What do you think of the chances the white battery is still good after all this time?  I have an extra PS3 upgrade kit which will go into this beauty.

And yes I am moving and this is shipping to Michigan while I am still here in Illinois. I so so want to run this on TPRR but not to be.

If it is Weaver, why does it have an MTH board in it?

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ok this made my day - unexpectedly won this at auction after not winning.  Weaver Brass Hiawatha 4-6-4 steamer. Will pair well with the Weaver beaver tail Passenger set I bought from a forum member. Seller says he is the second owner - first owner had her on a shelf - he had her on a shelf and then boxed for the last 20 years or so. She has never been run! He does not have a layout. Surprised this has an old PS1 board in her.

What do you think of the chances the white battery is still good after all this time?  I have an extra PS3 upgrade kit which will go into this beauty.

And yes I am moving and this is shipping to Michigan while I am still here in Illinois. I so so want to run this on TPRR but not to be.

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ok this made my day - unexpectedly won this at auction after not winning.  Weaver Brass Hiawatha 4-6-4 steamer. Will pair well with the Weaver beaver tail Passenger set I bought from a forum member. Seller says he is the second owner - first owner had her on a shelf - he had her on a shelf and then boxed for the last 20 years or so. She has never been run! He does not have a layout. Surprised this has an old PS1 board in her.

What do you think of the chances the white battery is still good after all this time?  I have an extra PS3 upgrade kit which will go into this beauty.

And yes I am moving and this is shipping to Michigan while I am still here in Illinois. I so so want to run this on TPRR but not to be.

Never take a chance with a white battery. The possible outcome is not worth it. I would purchase a BCR but that's just my preference.

Can't resist responding to the posts. Thanks for the interest in a really great looking engine.

The question regarding the dreaded white battery was meant tongue in cheek - batteries are the first thing to go (get removed and replaced with a BCR) on an "new" used engine.

Turns out the seller has tables at York in the Silver Hall. I've never been there so I have no reference point. From his message I think he knows what he is talking about and I hope I am not sharing anything I shouldn't. Following is an excerpt from a message to me:

Yes this Weaver Brass Loco was made in Korea at what would become the MTH factory. During the early 90's Mike helped Engineer these locos and some for Lionel as well (Lionel's' scale PA's, PRR scale Turbine) These Weaver Models incorporate MTH/QSI Protosound and the instructions even say MTH's Protosound ..

I've only seen TMCC in Weaver's so this was a total surprise there was a PS1 in here. Of course I was not in the hobby at the time and all the really great innovative stuff going on then I was oblivious to. I feel fortunate to be able to pick up these Brass Weavers and K-Line stock on the used market - many in like new condition. BTW I have dealt with some really pleasant sellers on the bay - this was one.

Just got in from Berwyn's an Atlas Rock Island heavyweight RPO. Wonder if they did MP and Burlington RPO's to keep the mail moving on the High Plains?

@colorado hirailer posted:

Just got in from Berwyn's an Atlas Rock Island heavyweight RPO. Wonder if they did MP and Burlington RPO's to keep the mail moving on the High Plains?

What is the length not counting couplers?

I just received an engine I have been hunting for a long time.

Lionel produced the Union Pacific SD70ACe Heritage series in the 2007-time frame.  They represent Railroads UP had acquired.  They produced 6 different road names. Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, Chicago Northwester, Western Pacific, Rio Grande and the Kady M-K-T. Each SD70ACe was detailed in the traditional paint scheme of their former RR.   In my opinion the most attractive of the set was the Missouri-Kansas-Texas RR "The Kady".

2007 was my first year of building a permanent layout.  I was on eBay every day.  My wife got suspicious of all the packages arriving daily, but I discovered engines that I liked.  The UP Heritage units popped right up. Unfortunately, the Kady was sold out and nobody was selling the unit used.  I purchased the Missouri Pacific which is also beautiful and the Chicago Northwestern.  They became my lashed-up freight haulers.  I continued to look for The Kady.

In the 2022 Lionel Catalog The Kady is being offered again. I placed an order with my Hobby Shop and decided to wait for its arrival.  Wouldn't you know, eBay sent a notification about a Kady that was being offered.  I could not resist. Guess what my lash-up will be in the future.

Below is what I received yesterday, a Lionel 6-28263 UP Heritage Katy SD70ACe brand new in it's original shipping box.

LOVE IT!!!!

@Wood posted:

I just received an engine I have been hunting for a long time.

Lionel produced the Union Pacific SD70ACe Heritage series in the 2007-time frame.  They represent Railroad's UP had acquired.  They produced 6 different road names. Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, Chicago Northwester, Western Pacific, Rio Grande and the Kady M-K-T. Each SD70ACe was detailed in the traditional paint scheme of their former RR.   In my opinion the most attractive of the set was the Missouri-Kansas-Texas RR "The Kady".

2007 was my first year of building a permanent layout.  I was on eBay every day.  My wife got suspicious of all the packages arriving daily, but I discovered engines that I liked.  The UP Heritage units popped right up. Unfortunately, the Kady was sold out and nobody was selling the unit used.  I purchased the Missouri Pacific which is also beautiful and the Chicago Northwestern.  They became my lashed-up freight haulers.  I continued to look for The Kady.

In the 2022 Lionel Catalog The Kady is being offered again. I placed an order with my Hobby Shop and decided to wait for its arrival.  Wouldn't you know, eBay sent a notification about a Kady that was being offered.  I could not resist. Guess what my lash-up will be in the future.

Below is what I received yesterday, a Lionel 6-28263 UP Heritage Katy SD70ACe brand new in it's original shipping box.

LOVE IT!!!!

Awesome locomotive, layout, and video, Wood. Just had to get TWO of the OGF cars, didn't cha? 😂 😂 😂

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Awesome locomotive, layout, and video, Wood. Just had to get TWO of the OGF cars, didn't cha? 😂 😂 😂

Oh yes Vern. I poured a lot of time and money into that site. All's well I'm back where I started and greatfull to be here.

Me too, Wood. Glad we're back where we belong. 😉

Darn, I love these things. Terrific price, picked up 24!

Another shipment of Menards have arrived!! This package contained 7 cars and 1 buildings.

First up is a PRR boxcar and a PRR(Norfolk Southern) hopper followed by an Erie Lackawanna hopper, US Army gondola, a Morton Salt boxcar, a J.P. Shepherd and Sons boxcar, and a Menards boxcar.

The one building I received is Dave’s Garage.

A photo of this shipment.

I’m sure excited with this continuous haul! There’s still more packages in route so continue to stay tuned!

Richizzle07-you must have bought out the store!  I have several Menards cars and love then all. I also have the gas station (Sinclair not Dave’s) which is sort of a facade although with lots of foreground detail. It’s a great building although I had to change the vehicle to something more age appropriate. Great stuff Menards.

best wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Richizzle07-you must have bought out the store!  I have several Menards cars and love then all. I also have the gas station (Sinclair not Dave’s) which is sort of a facade although with lots of foreground detail. It’s a great building although I had to change the vehicle to something more age appropriate. Great stuff Menards.

best wishes

Don

Thanks Don! It’s actually someone’s personal collection that I’m picking through. I had the Sinclair garage on my list but this one became available so I grabbed it. I still might get the Sinclair building and put it on a different level since I have three levels. I’m thinking there’s 2 more shipments of rolling stock and then the buildings should start rolling in. I’m meeting the gentleman in person the week after York to get some buildings in person. Then a couple more rolling stock shipments will continue after that. I’m definitely pleased with all these purchases!

Richizzle07 - Sounds like an exciting time.  Hope you post some pictures of your layout when you get all this material installed, sounds like quite a set up.  Me...I'm a flat table guy still running 0-31 curves and 0-22 switches I just love to watch'em go round!

Best wishes

Don

Got this in a couple of days ago: MTH #20-91717 Milwaukee Road Steel Caboose Center Cupola (photos mine)

@Ed "ICE" Berg posted:

Got this in a couple of days ago: MTH #20-91717 Milwaukee Road Steel Caboose Center Cupola (photos mine)

@Ed "ICE" Berg

That looks super. Incredible detail. Nice find

Just received this purchase from eBay (Hobbyspeed).  Legacy F7B Denver & Rio Grande Western #5652 NIB from the 2020 catalog part number 2033278.

Exchanging bodies to WP F7B so I can have a powered B unit in my California Zephyr consist.

Go to What did you do on your layout today? Follow this link:

https://ogrforum.com/...4#164024807721188194

These 86’ boxcars are too big for nearly anyone’s layout, let alone mine, but golly they’re irresistible to the inner kid in me.

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

These 86’ boxcars are too big for nearly anyone’s layout, let alone mine, but golly they’re irresistible to the inner kid in me.

They are pretty darn cool.

Picked up the Lionel C&O Yellowbelly Hudson, it's slated to get a full upgrade, Pittman motor, cruise, sound, fan driven smoke, etc.  I think I'll give it ground lights as well, the streamlined locomotives lend themselves to that option.

Not a new engine but rather some recent acquisitions of "what little & big boys dreams" are made out of. I have been collecting postwar since 1972 and never run across any of these - a 1941 just as we entered WWII (little did we know what was ahead), a 1950 Anniversary celebrating the success of Lionel trains, and a 1954 Advance.  Trains made in America by Americans at reasonable prices that still work!. All were picked up in Salt Lake City where I reside. To me- they represent the ultimate in total "coolness"..

Out on the cape again, did my usual stop at  centerline hobbies. Wasn’t planning on getting anything just wanted to check bargain table. Didn’t want to tap into my York find. Then I saw this.
Then to top it off the wife picked up a new T-shirt for me.

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

These 86’ boxcars are too big for nearly anyone’s layout, let alone mine, but golly they’re irresistible to the inner kid in me.

Have to agree, Woody. I purchased 2 of the 86’ car carriers and 1 of the 86’ box cars when they they first came out (I was supposed to get 2 of the box cars, but when I saw the size, I passed on the second!!!). Really don’t run them

Here is a comparison of one of the 86’ footers to a Lionel 60’ footer - really cool, but impractical!!! (That’s a Lionel 21’ Alaska passenger car in the background)

Buy anything cool lately? Yep.  bd

Stopped by a train show today with the expectation of not finding anything special.  But did find a new addition to my PUP collection.  A little disappointing that I found some small pieces broken that needed glued back in place but the car was only $28 so I'm still of the opinion that I got a good deal.

New SD40-2's just arrived:

I picked up a K Line K 742-8032 Wilson Car Lines wood-sided reefer at the North Texas Council of Train Clubs' Fall 2022 train show.  This may not sound like much to some people, but if you're trying to represent freight trains from the late steam to early transition era (circa 1936 to 1951), this is a darn good choice.  Historically accurate or not, it sure looks good!

@NVisich posted:

New SD40-2's just arrived:

Very smart and good looking. That will make a dramatic consist.

Mister Lee,  I love that Wilson reefer. We lived in Albert Lea, Minnesota in the early 60's and I saw a lot of those. I agree, it sure looks good and is definitely one of my favorites!

Here is a mint, never used MTH RailKing Steamer I picked up at a recent Auction.  The engine, UP 4-6-2 Forty Niner has QSI electronics so the first thing I did was to change the 9 volt battery for a BCR.  MTH issued a ton of RK engines that can be had for very low prices compared to today's offerings.

Another two MTH RailKing engines were found on an Auction site.  The Commodore Steamer and a pink "On Board For A Cure" Commadore Steamer.  I can use this pink engine to head up the Girl's train cars.

It's like a little puppy train.

@Mister_Lee- Hey I was at the same train show on Saturday up in Plano...liked your refer.  I got an MPC  Southern box car (posted today on Box Car Sunday), an Animal Car with an elephant sticking out, and two new cabooses (PRR and SRR )both scale extended vision models).  It was an interesting show I thought.  Sorry I didn't see you to say hello.

Don

The next order of Menards items arrived over the weekend. This shipment had 10 cars total, 8 tankers and 2 flats.

First up are the tankers. There’s a weathered Valvoline, Pepsi, Burlington Northern, Texaco, Norfolk Southern, Sunoco, UTLX, and an US Air Force tanker.

Following that massive influx of tankers are these two PRR flats.

Here’s the photo of this shipment of 10.

And there’s still more to come!!!

@Richizzle07- Hey Man, I admit I call myself a "Tank - a - holic" I just love tank cars.  Those guys from Menards are really neat.  Never saw them before...do you know can you still get them from the store?  Thanks  Doin

I just unpacked my  Made In The USA FREEDOM ISN'T FREE boxcar. While doing so, it occurred to me that a Patriotic/ Veterans/ Military train could make a nice display for the Veterans breakfast at my community clubhouse. I sent a message to the  Lifestyles Director. We’ll see how that goes.

@pennsyfan posted:

I just unpacked my  Made In The USA FREEDOM ISN'T FREE boxcar. While doing so, it occurred to me that a Patriotic/ Veterans/ Military train could make a nice display for the Veterans breakfast at my community clubhouse. I sent a message to the  Lifestyles Director. We’ll see how that goes.

That is a super cool car and would make  great addition to a set of holiday cars to celebrate both Memorial Day and Veteran's day.  Is that Lionel or MTH?

@pennsyfan - well first let me say I am pleased to see that your community "HAS" a "Veterans Breakfast".  Next I think that a patriotic train display would be really a solid thing to present during such an event and the car you illustrated is perfect for such a use.  Another solid use would be at a Model Train show that has operating layouts and is open to the public.  The train would then be seen by a large segment of adults and their children.  Here in Waco, pre COVID we had a Veterans Day Parade and the company I worked for would provide time off for any Vet who participated in the parade.  Folks wore their old uniforms (yes I will admit sometime "alterations" had to be made ) but it was a nice recognition by the community.

Don McErlean, USAF retired.

@pennsyfan posted:

I just unpacked my  Made In The USA FREEDOM ISN'T FREE boxcar. While doing so, it occurred to me that a Patriotic/ Veterans/ Military train could make a nice display for the Veterans breakfast at my community clubhouse. I sent a message to the  Lifestyles Director. We’ll see how that goes.

@pensyfan - That car was manufactured by METCA. I see it is still listed on their website store.

They also produced one a few years backs. Still trying to find it.

@Don McErlean posted:

@Richizzle07- Hey Man, I admit I call myself a "Tank - a - holic" I just love tank cars.  Those guys from Menards are really neat.  Never saw them before...do you know can you still get them from the store?  Thanks  Doin

Hello Don and Thanks! I’ve really come to like the products made by Menards. All these cars are no longer in production and aren’t available at the stores. Secondary market is the only place now.

From one of our sponsors:

RK PRR SW-9 PS3 (definitely a plain jane)

From a fellow forumite:

Premier Northern Pacific GP9 PS2

@paulp575 posted:

@pensyfan - That car was manufactured by METCA. I see it is still listed on their website store.

They also produced one a few years backs. Still trying to find it.

The car was manufactured by Lionel in NC USA. It was designed and it is sold exclusively by METCA.

@Don McErlean posted:

@pennsyfan - well first let me say I am pleased to see that your community "HAS" a "Veterans Breakfast".  Next I think that a patriotic train display would be really a solid thing to present during such an event and the car you illustrated is perfect for such a use.  Another solid use would be at a Model Train show that has operating layouts and is open to the public.  The train would then be seen by a large segment of adults and their children.  Here in Waco, pre COVID we had a Veterans Day Parade and the company I worked for would provide time off for any Vet who participated in the parade.  Folks wore their old uniforms (yes I will admit sometime "alterations" had to be made ) but it was a nice recognition by the community.

Don McErlean, USAF retired.

Don,

The Equestra Train Club puts up a layout in the clubhouse every Christmas since 2014. We kick off the season the first Sunday of December with a pancake breakfast and Santa Clause. It is the best attended activity of the year. Since I’m the engineer for the event I can certainly assign one of the 3 0 Gauge tracks to the Veterans train. Here’s a look at the layout.

@pennsyfan posted:

The car was manufactured by Lionel in NC USA. It was designed and it is sold exclusively by METCA.

My bad! I stand corrected

Not long ago, a museum in NC completed restoration of one of the very few East Tennessee and Western North Carolina railroad boxcars: http://www.tarheelpress.com/etbox/

Today, one of guys who assisted just sent me a piece of siding from the boxcar. I can't get over that I now have a piece of a real ET&WNC freight car!

@p51, Lee, that’s a good find, real wood from a real freight car, ET&WNC, congratulations on getting this unique piece of wood. It will be interesting to see how you display this piece of history. Today I received a couple of REA cars from LegacyStation, Happy Railroading Everyone

No chrome tankers this time, but a pair of Menards doublestacks from their September re-stock (part of their order was held up due to port congestion):

I'm holding off on containers...I'll probably look for some MSC and a couple of others at a later date. I already have Atlas O 3-unit and MTH 5-unit sets that I haven't sought containers for.

_{(Nav links redacted...Forum rule disallows crosslinking one's posts within a thread)}

---PCJ

@leapinlarry posted:

@p51, Lee, that’s a good find, real wood from a real freight car, ET&WNC, congratulations on getting this unique piece of wood. It will be interesting to see how you display this piece of history. Today I received a couple of REA cars from LegacyStation, Happy Railroading Everyone

Boy, those express reefers look terrific, Larry. 😉

@naresar posted:

Stopped by a train show today with the expectation of not finding anything special.  But did find a new addition to my PUP collection.  A little disappointing that I found some small pieces broken that needed glued back in place but the car was only $28 so I'm still of the opinion that I got a good deal.

At the price those usually go for if you could glue the pieces back together you did get a deal.

@Apples55 posted:

Have to agree, Woody. I purchased 2 of the 86’ car carriers and 1 of the 86’ box cars when they they first came out (I was supposed to get 2 of the box cars, but when I saw the size, I passed on the second!!!). Really don’t run them

Here is a comparison of one of the 86’ footers to a Lionel 60’ footer - really cool, but impractical!!! (That’s a Lionel 21’ Alaska passenger car in the background)

It's those darn voices again!

@Ulus Ekerman posted:

More military flat cars coming our way soon.  How long is that train now?

@Mister_Lee posted:

I picked up a K Line K 742-8032 Wilson Car Lines wood-sided reefer at the North Texas Council of Train Clubs' Fall 2022 train show.  This may not sound like much to some people, but if you're trying to represent freight trains from the late steam to early transition era (circa 1936 to 1951), this is a darn good choice.  Historically accurate or not, it sure looks good!

That whole series was very cool.  Does it have the swinging hams?

Frank Razz, you're killing it at the auctions.

Don Mc, where's the pictures of your haul

@leapinlarry posted:

@p51, Lee, that’s a good find, real wood from a real freight car, ET&WNC, congratulations on getting this unique piece of wood. It will be interesting to see how you display this piece of history. Today I received a couple of REA cars from LegacyStation, Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry that Santa Fe express reefer sure is shiny.  Is that the one that needed the knuckle repair?  How'd that work out?

@coach joe- OK I went to the same train show as Mister Lee and came away with a fairly good haul.  I have posted some of these, like the cabooses on Tail End Tuesday, but here is a showing of my latest acquisitions.

A PRR extended vision caboose, Lionel Std O, with lights and smoke, from 1988

A SRR wood sided , Lionel  Std O, caboose with lights also from 1988

A fun car for my layout ...an Elephant Circus Car (with Elephant) from Lionel 1990

Finally for my pre war collection.  A Karl Bub , Gatekeepers House, made from 1928-1934

Well that's my haul last weekend, thanks for asking coach joe!

Best Wishes

Don

Eventually I plan on having a space center scene on my layout.  Planning on a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) out of foam core, launch pads, rockets, and a shuttle from LEGO, a LEM from Hallmark.  I was looking for part of a larger rocket to be in the VAB in some stage of assembly and won a bid on EBay for an incomplete set.  The picture showed 1/2 a rocket so it would do just fine.  When it came the rocket was missing just 3 pieces, all on the back side.  I haven't assembled any of the rest of the playset so I don't know what else may be missing beyond the figures.  I was never wild about the capsule on this set so it may wind up under construction in the VAB as originally planned. 

@pennsyfan - the layout you pictured is really neat, what a great opportunity to run a "Veterans Train" and your audience is just right.  Kids and parents for this new generation who are not as familiar with Vet's as perhaps they were 10-20 years ago.

@coachjoe - Well I really like your project, but it will be tough to make the VAB scale height, unless you want to cut a hole in your rooms ceiling.  The VAB is 526 ft high , which would be about 11 Ft high in O scale.   I worked for NASA in support of the manned space program and have been privileged to go into the VAB and that sucker is enormous!! Next, your right, those windows in the capsule are not likely to make it.   To reach orbit, a spacecraft leaving the Earth has to achieve about 7 miles / second or about 25,000 mph to enter orbit so those big front windows would be a tough design to come up with as you pass through the atmosphere.  I do like the rocket that you have however, it has the solid rocket boosters (SRB's in NASA parlance) on the sides as do most of our space launch systems.

Good luck with your rocket launch facility, it sounds like a fun project.

Best Wishes

Don

Thanks Don.  There's nothing scale about my trains.  027 track, 42" diameter outer loop, 27"inner, I hope so my VAB doesn't need to be that massive.  I have two of these LEGO rockets, again equipped with SRBs,

one of these, not from LEGO, although I'll be using a LEGO construction elevator as a launch pad,

One of these

a shuttle and a couple of crawlers to move rockets around.  I'll get some pictures of those and add them later.

@Coach Joe, now that’s a great idea having a space rocket scene on your layout, and yes, the Sante Fe REA car was exchanged and the new one works, as does the new B&O REA car.

I've wanted this set for a while, and finally grabbed one for a decent price on the bay.  Very little run time and no scratches/blemishes anywhere.

Don

I almost put a bid on that! Glad you got it!

@Darrell posted:

I almost put a bid on that! Glad you got it!

It was a rare opportunity.  They don't come up very often, and when they do the price is usually too high.  Either that or seller charging ridiculous shipping fee.

I was really excited to find two new Geeps to represent the lines that will feed the freight yard.
I love the short lines.
I bought an East Penn Railroad engine (will serve practically all the freight customers) and a New York Container Terminal model for the intermodal yard. Eventually, I'll buy a "lease" unit for them to share.
The East Penn loco really is pretty! It's shame she'll be pulling chemicals and trash containers.

@coachjoe- Glad you decided not to make the VAB scale height, that would have been a project.  Nice rockets by the way.  The first two look more like our current band of launch vehicles including both Artemis and Space X.  The #3 reminds me more of the Saturn V of the original Apollo fame, even the black blocks in the paint scheme.  OBTW if you like "big" and "powerful" each Saturn V was powered by 5 F-1 rocket engines, each one of which produced 1.52  MILLION lbs of thrust !  Still all of these seem more realistic than the one you showed with the fancy capsule on top.

By the way, in case you want to go "multi modal" most of the rocket segments for the large launch vehicles like Artemis or the Shuttle program arrived at the launch site by BARGE!  Yup! by water.  They were too large to be easily shipped by rail so they went as far as was economical and then were loaded on a custom made barge and floated to Cape Kennedy.

This is a great idea Joe, best of luck with it.  Keep posting pictures.

Don

I picked up a bunch at an auction, around 60 pieces. I keep telling myself to stop buying engines, but I always find a few that won't leave me alone. I do have a budget, so I don't want to blow it all on 1 or 2 pieces, are you listening BIG BOY! Apparently not:

It's an older MTH, but a real good price, well within my budget. I'm not going to have anything left to buy at York if I keep this up...

Got a few auto racks and my friend weathered/hand graffiti'd these as well. The car in the last photo is based on a prototype graffiti job that covered that whole side 

Picked up a small piece with some sentimental significance. My father worked for Sperry Gyroscope (Sperry- Rand) as an electrical engineer, for 45 years. Sperry Rail Service was founded prior to Sperry Gyro, and built by Elmer Sperry. After SRS was formed he invented the gyroscope guidance system, and Sperry Gyroscope several years later.

This Sperry Speeder is a Lionel model with TMCC.

Bob

@RSJB18

OMG. That's a gotta have unit for you! Nice story about you Dad. Glad you were able to obtain it.

I did not know Lionel put TMCC in those units. My GrandKids love the speedy little units. I'll have to look for them.

@Wood posted:

@RSJB18

OMG. That's a gotta have unit for you! Nice story about you Dad. Glad you were able to obtain it.

I did not know Lionel put TMCC in those units. My GrandKids love the speedy little units. I'll have to look for them.

Yea- pretty cool. Can't wait to get it on the rails.

growing up on Long Island in the 60's-70's everyone's dad worked either on Wall Street or at one of the big three defense contractors, Grumman, Sperry, or Fairchild Republic. Lot's of great history in the region.

Thanks

A few things actually

The new cannon car which I will now refer to as "The Biggest Iron" at every opportunity I have.
To quote the announcer from Battlefield 1: "We are being reinforced with an armored train!"

Next up I found this old N scale "briefcase trainset" that folds up for storage, the hobby store got it with track and a train but I ended up only buying the unfortunately now non-functional locomotive and the case, for now, wasn't too much for the engine and set so I'm not stressed about it. I'm tempted to go back and grab the track that they got it with, even if it's old it can still be cleaned up.

It's not in the greatest condition, but hey, it's technically a pre-detailed layout and looks pretty cool. I also have a singular N scale (Kato Super Chief) train set, so hey, might as well give it a home to run on.

@Ulus Ekerman posted:

Where are you finding the choppers?  I'm looking for a few 1/43rd Hueys to go along with my 1960s-1980s military train.  I already have M113 APC and M60 tanks, just need a few Hueys to complete the train

Here's another auction win.  I have the original Lionel-issued 1957 Picatinny Arsenal switcher but it's getting a little tired and it runs a little erratic.  I saw this celebration copy, mint, never out of the box going for peanuts.  I was the only bidder so weclome home, you'll find work here at the Razz house.

I've been on the lookout for a 2012 Lionel Legacy GP9 to have as a back-up for my 2007 Legacy GP7, since the 7 is early Legacy and no electronic boards are available for it anymore. Anyway, the 9 arrived today and I put it through its paces. It's definitely an improvement over the 7, with removable trucks sides to change out traction tires and the trucks also swivel for quick access to the motors.

The only minus is that the diesel horn is different from the 7s, which was the way I remember hearing it as a kid growing up in the fifties. When the UP replaced its GP7 with GP9s, the horns sounded the same. But not on mine. Anyway, I am glad to have found one very reasonably priced, as these GP9s only come along for sale about once a year or so.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

I've been on the lookout for a 2012 Lionel Legacy GP9 to have as a back-up for my 2007 Legacy GP7, since the 7 is early Legacy and no electronic boards are available for it anymore. Anyway, the 9 arrived today and I put it through its paces. It's definitely an improvement over the 7, with removable trucks sides to change out traction tires and the trucks also swivel for quick access to the motors.

The only minus is that the diesel horn is different from the 7s, which was the way I remember hearing it as a kid growing up in the fifties. When the UP replaced its GP7 with GP9s, the horns sounded the same. But not on mine. Anyway, I am glad to have found one very reasonably priced, as these GP9s only come along for sale about once a year or so.

That's a perfect find for you GP 7. Nice engine Vern. Nice video. Good luck with her.

Thank you, Wood. I still favor the GP7, but this one will make a nice back-up should the GP7 get tired. 😉

@RSJB18 posted:

Picked up a small piece with some sentimental significance. My father worked for Sperry Gyroscope (Sperry- Rand) as an electrical engineer, for 45 years. Sperry Rail Service was founded prior to Sperry Gyro, and built by Elmer Sperry. After SRS was formed he invented the gyroscope guidance system, and Sperry Gyroscope several years later.

This Sperry Speeder is a Lionel model with TMCC.

Bob

What a great connection Bob! Making memories that’s what it’s all about.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Thank you, Wood. I still favor the GP7, but this one will make a nice back-up should the GP7 get tired. 😉

Unfortunately that's what happens to modern era engines.. They get tired and have no replacement parts. My childhood Praire engine still runs clickety clack..

Bought 2 NIB Atlas cars from a fellow forumite.  Atlas does such a nice job on their cars, really nice up close.  While I’m an eastern RR guy , the ghosts of CNW, NP, MILW, etc here in South Dakota call to me when I see their former ROW’s.

@pennsyfan posted:

What a great connection Bob! Making memories that’s what it’s all about.

Thanks. He's the reason I love this hobby.

Bob

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Thank you, Wood. I still favor the GP7, but this one will make a nice back-up should the GP7 get tired. 😉

Vern- FWIW, you could always retro fit ERR boards in the 7 if the need should arise. It's too nice a model to sit on the shelf.

Planned obsolescence sucks........

Bob

These beauties showed up few weeks ago, along with bankruptcy blue caboose, from Berwyn's and I finally found time to pull them out of the box. Now if we only had the basement remodeled so the boys and I could get a layout started.

@RSJB18 posted:

Vern- FWIW, you could always retro fit ERR boards in the 7 if the need should arise. It's too nice a model to sit on the shelf.

Planned obsolescence sucks........

Bob

Thanks, Bob. I agree and will probably do just that if the GP7 fails. And you're right, planned obsolescence does suck. 😳

Took a chance on a mpc gp9  NYC 8477. It's built like a postwar with magentraction and Pullmor type 1 motor. Got it for a reasonable price. Runs really well and quiet. For an MPC era engine I'm pretty impressed.

I just got this in the mail today, a piece of siding off ET&WNC caboose # 505. It was removed as part of the restoration effort at the Avery County museum in Newland, NC and sent to me by the gentleman who restored the caboose:


I swear I was cackling to myself with joy from the mailbox once I realized what was inside the envelope!

And here's my own model of this caboose, made from a Deerfield River Laser kit, sitting atop part of the real thing:

This has always been one of my gotta haves. Now I have a consist to go to the shore. As the song goes, “On the way to Cape May…”

Lee,

Your caboose model and now the section from the real thing to put it on are beyond awesome!

You must be thrilled.

Tomlinson Run Railroad

My latest project...

@TomlinsonRunRR posted:

Lee,

Your caboose model and now the section from the real thing to put it on are beyond awesome!

You must be thrilled.

I am, in a giddy kid like way that feels good down to my soul.

I never thought I'd get something like this.

A METCA Norfolk Southern SD33ECO (lionel sd-40)

@Yellowstone Special posted:

I've been on the lookout for a 2012 Lionel Legacy GP9 to have as a back-up for my 2007 Legacy GP7, since the 7 is early Legacy and no electronic boards are available for it anymore. Anyway, the 9 arrived today and I put it through its paces. It's definitely an improvement over the 7, with removable trucks sides to change out traction tires and the trucks also swivel for quick access to the motors.

The only minus is that the diesel horn is different from the 7s, which was the way I remember hearing it as a kid growing up in the fifties. When the UP replaced its GP7 with GP9s, the horns sounded the same. But not on mine. Anyway, I am glad to have found one very reasonably priced, as these GP9s only come along for sale about once a year or so.

Vern, awesome find! Before you put the GP 9 away, lash it up with your GP 7 and do lap! ;-)

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

Took a chance on a mpc gp9  NYC 8477. It's built like a postwar with magentraction and Pullmor type 1 motor. Got it for a reasonable price. Runs really well and quiet. For an MPC era engine I'm pretty impressed.

MPC made 2 others like that around the same time. The Milwaukee Road GP9 from the Fallen Flags Set, and the JC Penney Exclusive Wabash GP9 with the display case.

This is my first train purchase for 2022: the LCCA Christmas boxcar.

This was at my doorstep yesterday. I now have the commemorative Christmas bocxcars for LRRC and LCCA dating from 2009-2022.

I just picked up the M&M's inspection car set at Menards.

It isn't on their webpage and as far as I know there hasn't been an official announcement about it yet.

I haven't had a chance to open yet but plan to do so soon.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

MPC made 2 others like that around the same time. The Milwaukee Road GP9 from the Fallen Flags Set, and the JC Penney Exclusive Wabash GP9 with the display case.

I like the Wabash gp9. It may be a future purchase! I'm thinking about getting an MPC B&O F3 8364 and change the truck to magnatraction. I think when you really look there were a lot of nice quality mpc products out there. The steam engines are also really nice.

It’s Hallmark time.

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Vern, awesome find! Before you put the GP 9 away, lash it up with your GP 7 and do lap! ;-)

Thank you, Scott. I’ll have to try that. 👍