In lieu of going to the Allentown train show yesterday I stopped at a local antique store, hoping that I wouldn't find anything. Unfortunately, I stumbled upon what turned out to be my first 3 tinplate purchases.
This 603 Pullman car. This is the worst-looking side, so pretty good to my unschooled eye. No rust on the bottom of the car or couplers. I guess it's the original box, but the end flaps are mostly gone so there's no number.
An 807 Red caboose. Again this is the worst side. No rust on the bottom and only a little rust on the couplers.
This is the worst-looking side of this "804 Alum." car. I tried to gently clean it with a soft towel but only made it worse. The black chassis and journals are perfect. I guess I could paint the body but then it's just really old so maybe I'll leave it and call it "weathering." I paid $21.25 each for these three cars which I thought was not bad.
Only other thing I didn't expect is that on each of these cars the wheels are loose on the axle. What I mean is that on the inside of the axle the wheels are stopped by a little nub on the axle, but the wheels slide outward on their axles. I know they're stopped by the rail itself but should I glue the wheels in place on the axle?
John
Welcome to the wonderful world of prewar tinplate! 
