Buy/Make Anything Cool Lately (Tinplate Version)

turned out great George!

My "baby" brother (10 years younger than me) passed unexpectedly last year. He loved Vegas and I made this Standard Gauge Diner for him from junk box parts.

Re: Buddy's Diner, pics of its progression from junk to finished are in the FAQ section of my website; www.Warrenvillerailroad.com

George S posted:

 

Turned out nice. Thanks for the color tip Steve! I found John Deere green at Ace in the Ace brand. Great paint! It went on thin and completely dried and hardened in my light bulb oven in one hour. I have to wait two days for Rustoleum to cure like that. Here’s a pic.

George 

Looks great.

Steve

John, I think Buddy's will be a busy establishment on your layout! I can see the love you put into his place. I really like what you did with that OB car body, it's a nice tribute to you brother. I want to do something like that for mine as well. When you find a place for Buddy's on your layout, I'd like to see it!

Rusty

Thanks Rusty,

I only run Standard Gauge under my Christmas tree, her is a pic with the diner.

I also painted the passenger cars and matching engine from derelicts.

Our 5 Rail layouts we take to shows are linear. A bit over 13’  long unless we steal more panels from someone not running. I have played with the idea of creating the option for an L shape. Got the panels and track cut. Need to sand the panels and add carpet. Whether we use it depends on the venue.

Steve

Steve,

Put that engine to work!

Kirk

I had not seen a AF 3007 Pennsylvania for sale the past two years until last week. I needed this one for my collection and she’s a beaut! I have a GN 3008, but mine is missing an original door and doesn’t have door handles. So, I’m upgrading.

I still need a NYC 3007 and my Illinois Central is a little rough.

George

this af o beast,,,,will do a better vid later,,runs like a bad,,,mostly ,ha

George S posted:

I had not seen a AF 3007 Pennsylvania for sale the past two years until last week. I needed this one for my collection and she’s a beaut! I have a GN 3008, but mine is missing an original door and doesn’t have door handles. So, I’m upgrading.

I still need a NYC 3007 and my Illinois Central is a little rough.

George

George,

Those are nice.  It took me over 10 years to upgrade my NYC 3007, but the wait was worth it.  The NYC gondolas are quite common, but finding one that met my standards was difficult. 

Not sure which one this was (guessing either Nickel Plate or Great Northern due to the green doors), but I am planning on customizing it at some point.  The only thing that is original and untouched are the doors.  

NWL

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

Jim O'C posted:

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

That is one of my cars.  The double sided litho appears on only one half of the inside of the car.  It is very interesting and I have never seen another lithographed car of any sort that features a similar reverse print.  

As for the dates, these cars are generally attributed to the period between 1925 and 1927, as they first appeared in the 1925 catalog and last appeared in the 1927 catalog.  

NWL

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Jim O'C posted:

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

That is one of my cars.  The double sided litho appears on only one half of the inside of the car.  It is very interesting and I have never seen another lithographed car of any sort that features a similar reverse print.  

As for the dates, these cars are generally attributed to the period between 1925 and 1927, as they first appeared in the 1925 catalog and last appeared in the 1927 catalog.  

NWL

I would guess that the tin failed the first pass through the lithography machine, so rather than waste it, they just flipped it over and used the other side. There are a lot of examples of this with Marx. These AF cars are relatively rare, so it would be naturally more unusual to see these manufacturing mistakes. 

For me personally, I don't have the room, patience or money to collect every variation. I'm happy to get one example of each road name in the best condition I can. I'm late to the game though, and many of the best pieces are already in well healed collections. I just need to wait for them to down-size.

George

George S posted:

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Jim O'C posted:

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

That is one of my cars.  The double sided litho appears on only one half of the inside of the car.  It is very interesting and I have never seen another lithographed car of any sort that features a similar reverse print.  

As for the dates, these cars are generally attributed to the period between 1925 and 1927, as they first appeared in the 1925 catalog and last appeared in the 1927 catalog.  

NWL

I would guess that the tin failed the first pass through the lithography machine, so rather than waste it, they just flipped it over and used the other side. There are a lot of examples of this with Marx. These AF cars are relatively rare, so it would be naturally more unusual to see these manufacturing mistakes. 

For me personally, I don't have the room, patience or money to collect every variation. I'm happy to get one example of each road name in the best condition I can. I'm late to the game though, and many of the best pieces are already in well healed collections. I just need to wait for them to down-size.

George

Not exactly sure on the misprint.  I can say that it is a negative image, to the image that is found on the outside of the car, in that all of the lettering is backward.  Not sure how that would be done.  It is almost as if the metal was laid on a wet surface and picked up the litho from that, but that does not make sense in my understanding how the item would have been printed.  

I have seen a number of re-used Flyer litho pieces, but most often the pieces are re-used as floors of cars.  Harder to find are lithographed items that are overpainted at the factory.  I have a couple of engines in my collection that feature lithographed bodies that are then overpainted at the factory.  These overpaints are evidenced by chips in the paint that reveal the lithograph.

Here is picture of a lithographed engine body that was overpainted.

Note the chips on the corner that show the brown lithograph underneath.  Also the cracking paint evident in the window frame is due to the lithograph alligatoring underneath the paint, as opposed to paint cracking.  

Here is another lithographed engine that is overpainted.

Note the red lithographed in the lower left side of the body.  This is where the black paint has been scratched to reveal the red/maroon lithograph.  

Not sure as to the reasons of these overpaints, as far as if there was something wrong with the litho or if they were simply excess production that was painted to create a special set for a specific retailer.  

NWL

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Jim O'C posted:

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

That is one of my cars.  The double sided litho appears on only one half of the inside of the car.  It is very interesting and I have never seen another lithographed car of any sort that features a similar reverse print.  

As for the dates, these cars are generally attributed to the period between 1925 and 1927, as they first appeared in the 1925 catalog and last appeared in the 1927 catalog.  

NWL

so Flyer fixed errors with repaint and shipped them out the door, but British Marx repaints and creates a whole different collectible niche with prices commensurate. go figure.

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Ok folks, here’s the contents of the big box. For size reference, that’s a six foot table it’s sitting on. Can’t run it on the home layout. Strictly club meets and shows. The height won’t go under my mountain which would not be hard to fix, but the cab swing will destroy the walls

Steve

Awesome!

We need a video of it running!

Made and bought.  Gong Bell Co. Fire Call box Light Pole

Sometime ago in the bottom of a junk box I got parts of a Gong Bell company Fire Pole.  Once I found out what it was I watched Ebay and bought parts of a second one. I never did find enough parts to replace everything that was missing but I got enough to put together the two items pictured. The tall one originally used a battery to power the light. I rewired it so I can run it off my transformer. The top on both were cut from wood as I could not find original pieces without buying another complete one for about $75.00, The shorter one,  which still stands about 8" tall is made from left over parts. I'll probably keep the shorter one since it goes well with Standard Gauge and see if I can sell the taller one. 

Jim O'C posted:

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Jim O'C posted:

I like this yellow double-stamped unit someone posted a few months back. Not sure the Dec. 1924 date is accurate though.

That is one of my cars.  The double sided litho appears on only one half of the inside of the car.  It is very interesting and I have never seen another lithographed car of any sort that features a similar reverse print.  

As for the dates, these cars are generally attributed to the period between 1925 and 1927, as they first appeared in the 1925 catalog and last appeared in the 1927 catalog.  

NWL

so Flyer fixed errors with repaint and shipped them out the door, but British Marx repaints and creates a whole different collectible niche with prices commensurate. go figure.

Saw some of these at York last year. The original Litho often shows through the over paint.

Steve

Pete in Kansas posted:

Made and bought.  Gong Bell Co. Fire Call box Light Pole

Sometime ago in the bottom of a junk box I got parts of a Gong Bell company Fire Pole.  Once I found out what it was I watched Ebay and bought parts of a second one. I never did find enough parts to replace everything that was missing but I got enough to put together the two items pictured. The tall one originally used a battery to power the light. I rewired it so I can run it off my transformer. The top on both were cut from wood as I could not find original pieces without buying another complete one for about $75.00, The shorter one,  which still stands about 8" tall is made from left over parts. I'll probably keep the shorter one since it goes well with Standard Gauge and see if I can sell the taller one. 

picked up one of these a few years back but never did anything with it, does the bell inside the fire box still ring?

attention: PETE IN KANSAS...

sending you an email about fire alarm lamp post in a few minutes...

Howard...

The package arrived today, so to have some fun as Steve Eastman would with teasers, it has to pass the smell test first.  It did!

NWL

The box made it ok!

NWL

The inner boxes look ok, but too much track!  Had to get rid of some to make it the appropriate amount 10 straights and 8 curves.

NWL

OK, I am not as good at holding the suspense for long.  Here is the set.

I will admit to swapping the engine for one that was in my collection, as the one that came with the set had a large dent in one side.  However, I did keep the original headlight out of the engine, as it had a glass nipple at the top.

However, the engine I swapped into the set is of the same early 1922 vintage as the one that was in the set.  

Sadly, the baggage car is slightly alligatored, but it is very clean otherwise, with few chips.

Coach 1 is very nice

Coach 2 is equally as nice.

The roofs have a couple of small dents, but the original paint on the roofs is the best I have seen.  

The setbox is clearly marked as set 1306 and based on the couplers and motor, the set dates to early 1922.  

NWL

Nation Wide Lines posted:

OK, I am not as good at holding the suspense for long.  Here is the set.

I will admit to swapping the engine for one that was in my collection, as the one that came with the set had a large dent in one side.  However, I did keep the original headlight out of the engine, as it had a glass nipple at the top.

 

However, the engine I swapped into the set is of the same early 1922 vintage as the one that was in the set.  

 

Sadly, the baggage car is slightly alligatored, but it is very clean otherwise, with few chips.

Coach 1 is very nice

 

 

Coach 2 is equally as nice.

 

The roofs have a couple of small dents, but the original paint on the roofs is the best I have seen.  

The setbox is clearly marked as set 1306 and based on the couplers and motor, the set dates to early 1922.  

NWL

 

 

Wow! Great set! I haven't seen this one including those couplers. That's really neat!

George

George S posted:

Wow! Great set! I haven't seen this one including those couplers. That's really neat!

George

I believe those couplers are 1922 only.  The male coupler is of a thinner gauge metal and smaller than the later (and more common) couplers.  

NWL...cool set! I just got a nice partial of the set above...3 columbia cars and baggage. Pretty cool with all original wiring and  a couple of those original bulbs. Paper flooring inserts intact as well. Baggage is alligatored nearly the same as yours....even have the car boxes, though they are not bricks as are yours...

Rob English posted:

NWL...cool set! I just got a nice partial of the set above...3 columbia cars and baggage. Pretty cool with all original wiring and  a couple of those original bulbs. Paper flooring inserts intact as well. Baggage is alligatored nearly the same as yours....even have the car boxes, though they are not bricks as are yours...

What are the paper floor inserts?  Never heard of such a thing.  Is it something that someone added?  

Karl Bub "Flying Hamburger" sets in O gauge. I've had the 3-car clockwork version for a couple of years; I was happy to find the electric version recently, and even more pleased to get it running. It didn't like going forward, but runs OK in reverse.

The electric version is almost identical to the clockwork type except of course for the motor, and those nifty little headlights.

Picked up another 1919/1920 Turnerville Trolley today. I think I might be cornering the market on these but the bridge is an upgrade to others I already have. The spring in the launch house looks good too but I will have to borrow some straight channel track and the return spring from one of the others to test it out. 

This arrived in the mail today.  I was not quite expecting what it actually turned out to be, but have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  The buyer posted these photos

So I am thinking the item consisted of a small and unusual catalog for a wholesaler and a foldout.  

Turns out it is a special printed foldout for the wholesaler!

The funny thing is that my good friend, who would have really appreciated buying this, is on a cruise!  I guess the old saying holds true "You Cruise, You Lose"  LOL!

NWL

John Smatlak posted:

Karl Bub "Flying Hamburger" sets in O gauge. I've had the 3-car clockwork version for a couple of years; I was happy to find the electric version recently, and even more pleased to get it running. It didn't like going forward, but runs OK in reverse.

The electric version is almost identical to the clockwork type except of course for the motor, and those nifty little headlights.

And here's a photo of the motor

George S posted:

I still need a NYC 3007 and my Illinois Central is a little rough.

George

I was mistaken. I guess I have the NYC gondola. Do I have the full set now?

George 

This fascinates me a little.  Several years without a sale and a AF 3007 PA gondola sells to me. The next week another is listed on a Buy it Now sale for less. It seems I set the market. The one listed is not in as good of condition as mine, but the price is less than I paid. You will see this on both sides of the buying and selling market. There are some very fine pieces listed for sale at prices that are at the top of the market, but their condition bears the price. However, they go unsold. I'm still learning about collecting, and collecting is changing with online auctions. Yet, there is still a price you need to decide on every purchase depending on rarity and condition.

George 

Yes George, you do....now you need to start thinking about the six different Morris Reefer sides (and the Nationwide version makes 7)

Supreme Canned Goods and Specialties

Supreme Hams and Bacon

Supreme Large Fancy Eggs

Supreme Marigold Oleomargarine

Supreme Full Cream Cheese

Supreme Fancy Creamery Butter

- see if you can get all of them in 3 cars. I wasn't able to do it in 3 but I did it in 4. I'm still looking for a nice Nationwide version.

George S posted:

This fascinates me a little.  Several years without a sale and a AF 3007 PA gondola sells to me. The next week another is listed on a Buy it Now sale for less. It seems I set the market. The one listed is not in as good of condition as mine, but the price is less than I paid. You will see this on both sides of the buying and selling market. There are some very fine pieces listed for sale at prices that are at the top of the market, but their condition bears the price. However, they go unsold. I'm still learning about collecting, and collecting is changing with online auctions. Yet, there is still a price you need to decide on every purchase depending on rarity and condition.

George 

they made a 3009 sand dump car but only in 4-wheel, so I think you now have all the bases covered.

Well- eat your hearts out gang - look what I found - for $13 delivered!!

I had no idea how big this tin really is - see the modern Steelers box car for scale. I guess that’s what happens you only see things against standard gauge trains.    Also its really fun when my wife loves the look of a new acquisition!

Jim O'C posted:

George S posted:

This fascinates me a little.  Several years without a sale and a AF 3007 PA gondola sells to me. The next week another is listed on a Buy it Now sale for less. It seems I set the market. The one listed is not in as good of condition as mine, but the price is less than I paid. You will see this on both sides of the buying and selling market. There are some very fine pieces listed for sale at prices that are at the top of the market, but their condition bears the price. However, they go unsold. I'm still learning about collecting, and collecting is changing with online auctions. Yet, there is still a price you need to decide on every purchase depending on rarity and condition.

George 

they made a 3009 sand dump car but only in 4-wheel, so I think you now have all the bases covered.

They made a 6.5 inch dump car as an 8 wheel car, it is numbered 3019.  

NWL

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Jim O'C posted:

George S posted:

This fascinates me a little.  Several years without a sale and a AF 3007 PA gondola sells to me. The next week another is listed on a Buy it Now sale for less. It seems I set the market. The one listed is not in as good of condition as mine, but the price is less than I paid. You will see this on both sides of the buying and selling market. There are some very fine pieces listed for sale at prices that are at the top of the market, but their condition bears the price. However, they go unsold. I'm still learning about collecting, and collecting is changing with online auctions. Yet, there is still a price you need to decide on every purchase depending on rarity and condition.

George 

they made a 3009 sand dump car but only in 4-wheel, so I think you now have all the bases covered. 

They made a 6.5 inch dump car as an 8 wheel car, it is numbered 3019.  

 

 

NWL

I think you guys are just trying to trick me with the odd American Flyer numbering schemes. 

Given the 3000 series I have collected are 9 1/2" lithographed cars, I don't think either of the dump cars could be considered part of the series. The log car is a little unusual in this set as it is the only one that is not litho, but it has the same trucks and size and is generally considered part of that series of cars. There is also a derrick car numbered in the 3000's, but it is considered part of the 3200 series cars. I still want to upgrade some of my cars, but I am pretty happy that I have one of each in pretty good condition.

George