Lionel route 66

Not currently on the layout but I have the UFO Cafe and the Hindeburger.

Marty, I hope all of those vehicles are four wheel drive!

Really took a shine to the Route 66 Evans Auto-Loader offerings, so I bought two of each of the 2000 6-19489 NYC and 2001 6-29414 PRR when they were offered, one to run and one as treasure.  Thought the Route 66 automobiles were a clear step up from the Postwar sedans (and the PWC reissue).  Inexplicably, perhaps, shied away from the Route 66 flatcars.  Maybe because I never saw automobiles on flatcars?  Saved these excellent pics from the defunct Train Buddies website to admire instead.  Those guys took some great pics.  Miss their enlightening newsletters, too.

I have the Dinosaur Gas Station, the Hindenburger Cafe and the UFO cafe.  They add a bit of whimsy to the layout!  And the grand kids think they are fun as well.

Rolland

I have the UFO Cafe - a great addition to the layout.  I did have the Dinosaur Gas Station - but sold it due to space limitations.

I also have the full set of the "Route 66" auto carriers.  Wouldn't part with those.  Ever.  

hobby-go-lucky posted:

Really took a shine to the Route 66 Evans Auto-Loader offerings, so I bought two of each of the 2000 6-19489 NYC and 2001 6-29414 PRR when they were offered, one to run and one as treasure.  Thought the Route 66 automobiles were a clear step up from the Postwar sedans (and the PWC reissue).  Inexplicably, perhaps, shied away from the Route 66 flatcars.  Maybe because I never saw automobiles on flatcars?  Saved these excellent pics from the defunct Train Buddies website to admire instead.  Those guys took some great pics.  Miss their enlightening newsletters, too.

 

I love these. You're right, Train Buddies were the best photographers of O-Gauge stuff on eBay. 

Lionel has always needed to resume this series!

Ah, yes, Bobby Stricklin and Lee Garrett (aka Trainbuddies) were a class act.  Bought a lot of stuff from them at trainbuddies.com and on eBay.  They offered full sets of all ten of those Route 66 flatcars for sale to their Trainbuddies Mail Car readers at one time.  Wish I had taken them up on the offer, because as Dave Robinson points out, the opportunity was/is finite.  RT, I envy you; know where to find me if you ever change your mind!

What, me worry?

Funny how this subject was brought up, I just purchased a sealed in the box Hindenburger Cafe at the Greenbergs Train Show in Wilmington Delaware

I recall the names. Did they "move on", pass on, or just drop out of De Bay sales ?

These are such great fun!  I have "enhanced" my "UFO" cafe. Seems to be a "stop over" for other flying Saucers.

Going strictly from memory because I did not save the electronic Mail Cars after I read them, but my best recollection of the farewell edition is Bobby shuttered the website, stopped selling on eBay as trainbuddies, and ceased publication of Mail Car when Lee passed away.    

What, me worry?

Alfred E Neuman posted:

Going strictly from memory because I did not save the electronic Mail Cars after I read them, but my best recollection of the farewell edition is Bobby shuttered the website, stopped selling on eBay as trainbuddies, and ceased publication of Mail Car when Lee passed away.    

What, me worry?

 

Whoa! Need to make some corrections to that TrainBuddies info.

Bobby lost his wife Louise to complications from Alzheimer's disease several years ago. At that time, both he and Lee closed the TrainBuddies accounts, and transferred the remaining for-sale stock to his friend Dana -- check out autobodympc3 on eBay, and you'll notice the familiar TrainBuddies "cloud" background to many of the listings.

I'm happy to say that both Bobby and Lee (still alive!) continue to be active in the hobby, enjoying their collections.

TRW

Unfortunately, the UFO Cafe and Hindenburger weren't great sellers, so the series of accessories ended with them.

Designed but never produced were the Auger Inn Cafe and Wigwam Motel. If I remember correctly, you can see a screened image of the Wigwam Motel in one of the background photos in either the 1999 Volume 2 or 3 Lionel catalog.

TRW

PaperTRW posted:

... check out autobodympc3 on eBay, and you'll notice the familiar TrainBuddies "cloud" background to many of the listings.

 Is that when Dana Rossow added the "3" to his eBay member id?  Sold me a number of not so easy to find NIB items as autobodympc.  Did he also sell on his own autobodympc.com website?   

PaperTRW posted:

Alfred E Neuman posted:

Going strictly from memory because I did not save the electronic Mail Cars after I read them, but my best recollection of the farewell edition is Bobby shuttered the website, stopped selling on eBay as trainbuddies, and ceased publication of Mail Car when Lee passed away.    

What, me worry?

Whoa! Need to make some corrections to that TrainBuddies info.

Bobby lost his wife Louise to complications from Alzheimer's disease several years ago. At that time, both he and Lee closed the TrainBuddies accounts, and transferred the remaining for-sale stock to his friend Dana -- check out autobodympc3 on eBay, and you'll notice the familiar TrainBuddies "cloud" background to many of the listings.

I'm happy to say that both Bobby and Lee (still alive!) continue to be active in the hobby, enjoying their collections.

TRW

Hey, I was close.  Remembered somebody dear to Bobby had passed away.  Thanks to TRW for the correction, apologies to all for the misinformation, condolences to Bobby and there's a Mark Twain quote for Lee.

What, me worry? 

PaperTRW posted:

Unfortunately, the UFO Cafe and Hindenburger weren't great sellers, so the series of accessories ended with them.

TRW

True but try to find one at a decent price now.  They are hard to find and usually command a hefty price.  've had the UFO Cafe for a while but just picked up the Hindenburger last year and paid a bit for it but a price I was comfortable with.

I think they lost ompf  as the retro "fad" lost it's wind in other retail genre. But they remain great pieces representing a lost Americana.

Ebay has several Dino Sinclair cafe for sale $228.00 and up

They are a neat series of items and there was also a proposed Texaco station that made it as far as a concept drawing that would have been incredible if produced. 

Derick, you don't have any pictures of this Texaco gas station do you? I'd like to see them.

Another line I miss is the Hobo scenes.  The water tower w/ harmonica music, campfire, etc.  These are some very cool items.

MartyE posted:

Another line I miss is the Hobo scenes.  The water tower w/ harmonica music, campfire, etc.  These are some very cool items.

Another series "for the ages"!    I have several of the hobo features plus, of course, Lionel's operating outhouse.

Now, if Lionel had only included sound effects on that one.  

MartyE posted:

Another line I miss is the Hobo scenes.  The water tower w/ harmonica music, campfire, etc.  These are some very cool items.

Someone's bucking for Lionel to make a John Steinbeck or Woody Guthrie series by connecting the Route 66 and Hobo product offerings.  Some 1920's - 30's era automobiles would be very compelling.

What, me worry?