Good Ole Days Thread made me feel Nostalgic

Malcom

Beautifull as usual, love your standards.  Any extra All Nation Boxcars to sell?  One or two.  Just got a Kemtron Wabash Mogul, need to get some cars.

Mike P

Nice Malcolm,

The AN outside braced cars are my favorite, because they look better built than the injection plastic ones and are inexpensive compared to the brass ones. Like the Mainline Models kits I've built, the added details really help them stand out.

Now I'll have to get mine in the building queue.

That is sweet!

years ago, walking along at a train meet, I glanced down and saw a poor, forlorn Lionel steamer in a parts box under a table. I picked it up and saw that someone had slapped on a coat of dismal black paint. I could barely make out 2056 on the cab. It was made the year I was born. It had obviously led a rough life. I started talking to the guy. He told me to look through the box for a tender. I found it (2046W; also dismal black). I bought them both for $25 or so. I got the whistle working. That encouraged me to tackle the engine. Once I cleaned and lubricated the motor it took right off. I spent a year or two hunting original parts - side rods, main rods, valve gear, a smoke unit. The better she looked the better she ran. Both marker lights were broken off the top of the smokebox front. That gave me an idea. I took it to John Myers of Pottstown, who painted her as Reading T-1 2124, the 4-8-4 on the first Iron Horse Rambles. He spliced two 1666T tenders to make a long, graceful Reading T-1 tender. I installed a Lionel air whistle with a Dallee relay. This little beauty won a blue ribbon in Fantasy category during the first TCA Standards Committee Restoration Contest a while ago. Even with Premier and RailKing Reading T-1's available from MTH, she is among my favorites. She shows what a little TLC can accomplish. Deep down, I feel she appreciates me. She runs like a Hamilton watch.

Malcolm you never stop impressing.  Great work.

Malcolm,  

I agree with the others, your work is impressive.  Your backdrop looks great too.

Your work just amazes me, brother! Any ideas how to clean the drool off my keyboard?

Blessings.

Looking forward to your paint job, Malcolm.

Although I'll miss your standout detail.

I too, love outside braced boxcars. Alas, my sole Atlas Pennsy will have to do for now.

In 1976, I had a several month long assignment in England.  I brought with me the AN kit for a single sheath boxcar and a few hand tools to work with during my off times.  The car was painted and lettered after I returned to the US.  It is still going strong on the layout.

Charlie