Dorfan Passenger Cars

Go for it! I change out couplers all the time. 2 of my Lionel/MTH engines has an Ives coupler and the other has an American Flyer coupler.  I agree; I like the passengers in the Dorfan cars too.

I have two sets of them myself and I really like them. They are my favorite passenger cars in the smaller size. Don't you have an Ives 1134?  Dorfan used Ives engines and just put the Dorfan name on them.  Change the front coupler on the lead passenger car and you're in business. If you get them I don't think you will be disappointed.

John.

John,

 

I no longer have the 1134.  Probably the worst strategic move I've made since being in this hobby.  I'm kicking myself in the behind as we speak.  What color do you have? I'm pretty fond of the Cream/Red.

 

Sunrise

Straight from the pages of E-Bay.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dorfan-3930-Croc-repro-/181213851378?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2a312feef2

I have the blue set with matching engine and I have the cream and red set you mentioned without an engine. I'm looking for a Dorfan repro electric in the "Floridian" paint scheme to match this set. The cream and red set is one of the best looking color combinations in standard gauge IMHO.

John.

The reproduction Dorfan engine made by "Collector's Models" is actually a decent locomotive.  I have a green one and use it to pull Dorfan wide gauge freight, all with Dorfan couplers.  

 

 

 

 

I have the reproduction cream and red Dorfan locomotive.  It is a good and reliable runner.  The workmanship is excellent.

 

The only trouble I ever had with it, was that I had to buy it twice:  I paid for it once when T-Reproductions was supposedly selling them, and the from Collectors Models. 

 

I have still not forgiven T-Reproductions for continuing to lie to me, over the phone, to just wait a little longer and I would get my locomotive. 

 

Either way, the engine is very nice.

I tried researching Collector's Models and couldn't come up with much, as far as I know they didn't make any other tinplate train reproductions, so I was puzzled by this.  If I understand you correctly, are you saying that T Reproductions commissioned Collector's Models to make the Dorfan 3930 croc repro?  If so it begins to make some sense.

 

 

Hojack,

 

T-Reproductions advertised the locomotive sometime about 2003 (we were running a layout on the floor at the TCA Convention in Ontario, CA-I saw one on another layout and inquired about it).

 

I contacted T-Reproductions and gave them a credit card number to purchase one.  It did not show up.  I called again, the guy at T-Reproductions assured me I would get it.  I made multiple calls to him, each time I was assured I would get it.  I do remember he complained about his supplier, but none of the detail.  I did not stop the credit card purchase, as I had been assured that everything would be fine (repeatedly)

 

Eventually, I got a letter from an attorney, stating that T-Reproductions had gone bankrupt. 

 

When the locomotive was advertised in CTT, I called about it.  The people selling it at the time (Collectors Trains, if memory serves), stated that they were the manufacturer, and had been stiffed by T-Reproductions.  They were selling the locomotives for a much lower price than had been advertised by T-Reproductions.

 

I may have gotten some of the detail wrong, but essentially, that is what happened. 

 

I don't know how far back one can research forum posts, but there were several of us that got stung by this, at the time, and posted about it.

 

Even with all of that going on, it is a very nice locomotive.

RAK, thank you for that background info, as I say I have wondered about what seemed to be a "one off" by "Collectors Models".  Sounds like I missed all the agony, I picked mine up very reasonably, and it's a strong runner.  It's a nice way to be able to enjoy the Dorfan crocodile design, since all the originals basically self-destructed.  I would say that visually, it may be just a tad on the small side next to the Dorfan freight cars, but being Standard Gauge, it doesn't bother me.  It's a fun engine.

 

Actually, Sunrise, this engine might be better scaled to the passenger cars.  I think it would make a good combination with the MTH reproduction passenger set.