C+LS Train Master production numbers ???

I also am looking for a Virginian Train Master either phase. I believe they worth about $2500 (at least that what I am willing pay for one). Hard to find!

Stephen

Stephen - I know what you mean - I've offered more than that to a fellow who has one of each phase - no dice . I thought my offer to trade a factory painted SP Black Widow would scare one up , but no . Been looking for a TM-2 Demonstrator to match my TM-1 and again - no dice . Zippo on the Pennsy as well . I've been offered unpainted ones , but really holding out for the FP versions .

          Bryan

Small numbers! Going from my memory of the website, but I am pretty sure the figure for PRR was 16. Not sure about the Virginian, but it too was a small number. I think a bit over 100 total production of all types. Don't hold your breath.

Simon

Bryan,

I am fairly sure that everything  made total was a figure a bit over 100.

Simon

Anyone have pictures of these Trainmasters they could post?

Here are 3 of the Factory Painted SP Black Widow #4815 . I have a FP Demonstrator as well , but I haven't taken any pic's .I'd love to see the Virginian and Pennsy versions .

          Bryan

Great snaps!!!

I saw one of the CNJ units at the recent O Scale National in New Jersey. It was positively exquisite. As an admirer of CNJ's Train Masters from the days of my youth spent along the NY&LB, the opportunity to personally see one of these models was worth the price of admission in and of itself.

Bob  

To all, I used to question Henry about lack of photo's for his stateside custom painted models. Not ever one including me know of different phases of trains or paint schemes. As they say a few photos goes along way...

Dennis 

I guess for the VGN version that we will have to up the ante to about $3000.00 to acquire one.

Stephen

Impressive models.   All I can say is wow and wow I can't afford that!

I guess we all have a ''favorite '' the one you'd grab if the house was on fire - and for me this is it . These models have incredible detail and the factory painted versions have amazing crispness to their striping and lettering . I'd love to find TM-2 to keep this one company ! On the Virginian - hate to admit it , but I'd probably spend 3K on one - YIKES !!

          Bryan

I guess for the VGN version that we will have to up the ante to about $3000.00 to acquire one.

Stephen

Henry's train masters have held their value but my guess and I am no expert is that 10% to 20% of retail is fair market value for any of these models. A bidding war on eBay would change the price...I believe C&LS Demonstrator would bring in top prices...

Dennis

I don't own and didn't take the photos I have of the Factory Painted Pennsy version , which while it doesn't have the '' pop '' of the Demo , Black Widow , or Virginian is really nice in Brunswick green . The Pennsy has the antennae , coil , and a neat inverted V rain gutter on the cab roof . Nice model .

          Bryan

Being a Pennsy fan I'd like to see shots of that model (and the Virginian is another favorite from coveting the Lionel version - that could stand some visuals, too). 

I don't want to post photos that don't belong to me , but when I manage to acquire the Pennsy and Virginian versions I'll gladly post them.

          Bryan

Yep - credit where credit is due!

The Erie unit sure is pretty!

Is the Erie paint scheme correct or a fantasy scheme?     I really like it and would paint my baby TM that if its prototypical.

thx

http://trainmanjim.tripod.com/...on-yard?i=14&s=1

I just tried the link above and it works fine?

Dennis 

Brad,

That's the Erie-Lackawanna "transition" paint scheme that was applied to a number of locos (FT/F3/TM/FA, etc.) after the merger in November of 1961.

Matt Forsyth

Forsyth Rail Services

http://mattforsyth.com/

Dennis, you are correct!   It doesn't load off my ipad though...

Matt---thanks for the clarification---I have a Baby TM I may paint that scheme as I doubt I will locate a 2R TM to paint in that lettering.

Just a FYI: I spoke to a well regarding 2R brass importer who knew Henry.     He stated that there were between 200-250 models built.    He had not inkling as to how many were painted at the factory vs in the US, but the piece count is way over 100.

Take it for what its worth...

I am wondering if someone can post a link to the old CLS website as its broken/down.    If you have an archived link, I would appreciate it.

http://www.car-locomotive.com/

Brad, this is the last link that I had to the old website. Henry told me a few years back that he let it go...

Dennis 

Try this

http://web.archive.org/web/200...fairbanks-morse.html

Holy Smokes ! I never saw his web-site - great to see all the info that I figured was lost . I guess I see now why the guy I offered 3K for his FP Virginian wasn't biting ! Feel extremely lucky to own a Demonstrator and a SP Black Widow , but the Pennsy and Virginian versions have eluded me . Thanks a bunch for posting the link ! Time to get in the '' way back machine '' and go buy some at those prices !

          Bryan

A VGN with FP is going to be a load of $....    At some point, a few will hit the market---its sellers choice.     I doubt it will ever be a buyers market for these engines.

You're not kidding - I've been offered 3K for my Black Widow - tempting , but it's going to be nearly impossible to replace so I'm holding on to it .

Here are the production quantities (courtesy of the C&LS website via waybackmachine.org)  It looks like 125 pcs total.

F.M. Demonstrator - T.M.-1 or T.M.-2 $1750.00 ea. Qty. 19 pcs. total
S.P. Black Widow - engine #4812 or #4815 $1700.00 ea. Qty. 16 pcs. total
Pennsylvania w/ Antenna - engine #8699 or #8703 $1650.00 ea. Qty. 16 pcs. total
Virginian Phase 1b - engine #51 or #67 $1700.00 ea. Qty. 10 pcs. total
Virginian Phase 2 - engine #69 or #73 $1700.00 ea. Qty. 10 pcs. total
Prices do not include shipping. Please reserve with $250 deposit and circle your choices. Semi finished models are $1475 ea. They are;
Jersey Central - Phase 1 or 2 Qty. 8 each phase.
Reading Phase - 1 or 2 Qty. 4 each phase.
Lackawanna or Erie Lackawanna - Phase 1 or 2 Qty. 10 each phase.
F.M. stock model - Phase 2 with dynamics and steam gen. Qty. 10 ea.
As you can see quantities are small, so do not hesitate or you may miss out.

Here is the link to the website (includes photos)

http://web.archive.org/web/201...fairbanks-morse.html

Simon

Simon -> That's good news for anyone looking to buy one of these. 

So in the end it looks like 125 painted and 75-125 unpainted.

I'm inclined to agree with you Simon.  Very few importers would understate their inventory.