I went to the TCA train meet at the NC State Fairgrounds (Raleigh) today. Both the number of booths and attendance were as low as I have seen them, but that was not unexpected give the bad weather. Still, I met five people from the forum and had a great time.
I made quite a haul, too. I was looking to supplement my stock of vehicles to convert to 'Streets and did very well, as the photos below show. All were bargains in my eye. The NIB Union Pacific flatcar in back cost more than everything else put together and I paid less than the price new in 2006 for it. In particular I got three ERTL 1950 Chevy truck cabs, two a matching set of PIE piggybacks. I plan to repaint the two red cabs UP armor yellow and pair them with the two piggyback vans from the flatcar, substituting the PIE trailers on the flatcar (lower photo) I plan to power both with the two can motors (left side) in the photo: the motor will go in the trailer powering trailers axle, pushing the cab: in intend to use the entire Ertle assembly, including the frame with its gas tanks, and only change the wheels to metal 'Streets wheels and add pickups, etc. The green Chevy, a lionel van, I will fit to a standard 'Streets chassis but hopefully able to fit a larger motor, with a flywheel, into the box. The two Joel models (cab over Volvo trucks) I will butcher to get the cabs and various pieces for 18 wheelers. The others stuff is pretty worn but I will use it all in time, I've no doubt.
