Caught in an Infinite Loop of Steam Engines

This has all the makings of alligators and swamps......so far the swamp is winning!

I think you're in too deep to stop now. Get them all running and share the results.

Bob

Nice job! I love it when someone saves a train from the scrap heap!

Projects always have leftover parts, which lead to more project ideas, which, when done, always have other leftover parts, which, well, you know. I have an inventory of completed projects (mostly steam locos), and shelves of ideas. They will all outlive me. There is no time.

I have suffered from this for years, in the realm of high-rail scratch-bashing. It's the best part of this hobby. Also the worst.

("If I took this part, and put it on that part, then could find that other part on eBay, and after some mods....")

Just when you think you're out, they suck you back in.

This may be related, you can be the judge.  Occasionally I get bored  and like knights of old set myself on a quest.  From 1988 thru 1996 Kline issued the Holiday Bonanza series of cars, engines and related items to retailers for the holiday season.  The package available for purchase included limited edition items only available in this package.  I only became aware of it because someone on ebay was selling the complete package from 1988.  Turns out over a period of a few months he put up the entire series 1988-96 inclusive for sale.

The challenge became, as I found out after purchasing them, occasionally there were items missing from the 'complete' annual package.  It took months to find and purchase each and every missing item.  I would put up pictures but I have yet to add enough shelf space to display them.

You may well be asking yourself why someone would want the entire K-Line Holiday Bonanza series.  Truthfully, I have no idea but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Found the 6032 gondola and 6037 caboose for a great price from a train store in Jersey to go with the 1130 engine. Ordered today.  Already have the cars in my inventory to create a set for the 681.  Still waffling on the pre-war cars for the 229.

Found a 6034 on line and ordered same. Will post pic of entire train when all items arrive.

If you are having fun with the trains, it is good. I was given a set headed by a 681 for Christmas of 1949. I was not yet 2. It was played with hard and treasured. The engine still runs well for me, and there is a roster of more modern engines to go with it. I enjoy them all. I will be suprised for any of the newer engines to last as well and give as much enjoyment as the 681, but everybody has their own ideas about what is fun for them with their trains.

Larry, they were expensive back in the day but were built to last.  Parts are easy to come by.  Can't say the same for the modern stuff in 50 years.

With the help of online sources was able to add the tender and cars to engine 1130 to replicate Scout catalog set number 1500 from 1953.  Two more sets to go.

I set a goal for postwar. 1 representative engine (same boiler) and 1 representative car.   Then I added a few fun cars.  Along came some TMCC engines that were not postwar design, A girls set.   Then the pre-war switchers and a 18005/700e.   

For fun I went through the postwar catalogues and saw how many of the sets I could reproduce.    I think I came up with 40+ with original cars or the remakes.   I couldn't build them all at once.  Many of the cars and engines share across the sets, so building 1 at a time I could do it.   But that drove me to fill a few holes...

I think the swamp of desire is draining well now.   The gators of lust are subsiding.    Time to have fun expanding the layout, running more, fixing less.

Joe, just curious, what show did you get these engines at? Too bad the 681 was stripped, you never know till you open them up. If you would have bought my 681 at Greenberg Chantilly you would have liked it! Pretty much perfect! I will have it at the Greenberg Richmond show next month. But I love how you are pursuing this whole project! Great job! I am in the Greenville NC area, Best wishes and Happy New Year!        Mike

K-liner-

The 681 was purchased at the Nuese River RR club show at the NC 😊Fairgrounds in November.  At least it had the 6 wheel tender.

Oh I can relate! That is how I came to have probably 5 turbines (everything but a 682), 6 1666’s, and 4 2026’s! And let’s not talk about milk cars. 14 or more.