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Occasionally Chris Lonero will bring one of his Lionel Corp tinplate locomotives to my home.  They are beautiful.  Last year I purchased the MTH  (Lionel corp) New Haven tinplate box cab and the cars.  I told myself that will keep me happy.  When at York each year I keep looking at tinplate more than I want to.  A few days ago, Chris came over with a tinplate steam engine.  What a thrill to see this engine looking like an old classic (new condition) running down the track smoking, chuff sounds, and announcements.  I am hooked and it is all your fault Chris.

 

I will buy the modern Lionel Corp (MTH) trains only, as they are a work of art.

Last edited by Marty Fitzhenry
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Originally Posted by Marty Fitzhenry:

Occasionally Chris Lonero will bring one of his Lionel Corp tinplate locomotives to my home.  They are beautiful.  Last year I purchased the MTH  (Lionel corp) New Haven tinplate box cab and the cars.  I told myself that will keep me happy.  When at York each year I keep looking at tinplate more than I want to.  A few days ago, Chris came over with a tinplate steam engine.  What a thrill to see this engine looking like an old classic (new condition) running down the track smoking, chuff sounds, and announcements.  I am hooked and it is all your fault Chris.

 

I will buy the modern Lionel Corp (MTH) trains only, as they are a work of art.

 

 

Marty. Your tital had me worried before I read it.  I said;OH GOD. What did I do now!?   Welcome to the shiny side my friend.  You will have to post pics of the new tinplate when you get more.  And you will definitely get more! 

 

  

Last edited by Chris Lonero
Originally Posted by Marty Fitzhenry:

Jeff, I may not cross over as I have no use for the old tinplate.  I want the new tinplate Mike makes.

I have both and run mostly Mike's stuff but every once in a while I pull out something original. I ran some dorfan cars behind a well cleaned 259 at Steve's with it running well at 10 volts and 1/2 amp draw. I agree with the sounds and smoke on the new stuff since it is very addictive.

I have a nostalgic tinplate train, and every once in awhile I think about running some of the modern MTH tinplate too. The Lionel 153 is a good runner. The cars were junkers I bought at a swap meet for $20. They were once green, but now they are orange with maroon trim.

 

I want to get two more 607 Coaches to go with this beauty.

 

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Sorry guys, hate to rain on this shiny side love fest, but I prefer my tinplate a little on the toasty (dark?) side. Original steel with some hard earned patina, chips, scratches and even rust.

Trains old enough to get mail from AARP.

Trains that have lived through at least one childhood and survived to tell about it! LOL

Now you have done it, Chris will be posting daily pictures of these things just for you.  

 

I also think tinplate is really a work of art, the colors are just outstanding. The accent trim is also outstanding. I also only like the new reproductions. So far I have been able to resist due to budget and regular O gauge purchases, but I am getting caught up on the regular O gauge trains now and the next step is...well...my two favorites are the O gauge Boys and Girls sets.

 

The standard gauge is amazing too, but space is limited. Some of those sure would be nice to have though.

Last edited by rtr12

Originally Posted by Sidewinder:

Could Chris be the "Yoda" of tinplate? "Come to the shiny side, you must".

 

Seriously, in the short time I've been on this forum, Chris' tinplate photo's have always stuck out in my mind. I look forward to more.....

 

Joe: that Blue Comet is really sharp! 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if I'd go that far!  

 

 

I've picked up the occasional vintage set here and there for 35 plus years, but this year was my first purchase of a MTH/Lionel Corporation set......The red Presidential set...and I bought it right after I saw Chris's photo, same photo that is posted in this thread, looks like I have to pass the blame onto you too Chris   Heck of a way to meet, accusing you of something so cool!
 
I think no matter what you're into, it eventually leads to the other, if you collect the old, you'll most likely make it into the modern eventually, if you collect the modern, you're bound to get hooked on the old sets eventually. It's all great far as I'm concerned! What a wonderful tinplate world we live in!
Last edited by mtj54
Originally Posted by Allan Miller:

I would likely part with just about all of my other O gauge before I would part with my tinplate O, all of which is recent issue from MTH/LCT

Funny you would say that Allan!  3 summers back I did exactly that - I sold my entire 'O' gauge "collection" (9 PS2 engines and 98 pieces of rolling stock) and replaced it all with 2 tin-plate (new LCT ones) sets.

 

I too blame Chris and Joe!!!!!!!!!!!

 

- walt

 

 

Ben, I have always been a Pete Carroll fan.  He is a great guy.  I like him more for his play calling.

 

Ben, call me I have something for you that will make your day.

 

On a serious note, I never realized how many of you heavy hitters were tinplate fans.  Thank you for your comments.  And to think I was going to put all the blame on Chris.  I would love to see a tinplate GG-1 in scale size.  Possibly someone could help me with a bit of information.  At York in the Orange hall a tinplate dealer sets up across from Vince.  Does anyone know his name or dealership?

 

Over the last few years I have had an opportunity to work on MTH tinplate both O and standard.  I have always been amazed at how well it is built.

 

thanks guys,

Last edited by Marty Fitzhenry
Originally Posted by Old Uncle Al:

I just hope Lionel is wise enough to keep/allow MTH to continue to make these fine models! There is NO going back for me!

Yes indeed! I also hope they continue this for some time to come. I still have some regular O gauge to catch up with before I can afford any! It would be a shame if they did not continue this agreement.

This is what happens when you get bit by the tin bug.  I set up my dad's No10 set first week of January.  We've grown since then.  Size does matter.  And in my world, I don't put age before beauty, but it is an integral part of the beauty.  I want my standard gauge over eighty years old, all original, and running like a big, beautiful, burly, colorful, musclebound switch watch.  And they still do.

 

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Just my observation:  The Scale or near-scale part of three rail is growing. 

 

The other end of the spectrum, the extreme toy-like but nostalgic Tinplate area is growing.

 

But in between, Post War and MPC, which are not scale....nor are they pure toys....seems to be fading somewhat.  It almost seems like this segment is caught in the middle somewhat.  If you enjoy Post War or MPC, great.  There's still much enjoyment to be had.

 

But when you're at York or other shows, the Tinplate area has a lot of action as do the newer trains.  But Post War and MPC are somewhat dead at times.

 

Again, one man's coffee is another man's tea.....and this hobby has something for everybody.....which is fantastic.

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