Railroadiana Items In Your Collection

I've collected a lot of stuff over the years. Most of it very heavy. Most of it I've never got around to setting it up to display. Although, we're going to move to a new home soon. I have plans of setting up my signals and switch stands, finally. I have crossing signals, block signals, switch stands, hand and switch lanterns. Here's an example of signals I own. 

Nice memento Hot Water. That's awesome.

Picked up this piece of National Currency awhile back - the bill is the pre-1928 size 

Cross posting from Real Trains forum...

Last week I picked up a builder plate at an antique fair outside London.  From what I have been able to determine it is from an early group of Baldwin narrow gauge locomotives shipped to England during WW1.  The locomotives designated 10-12-D.  These were tank engines with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement.  They were used to shuttle supplies to the front lines in France.  Couple of Wikipedia articles:

•  Wikipedia: Baldwin Class 10-12-D
• Wikipedia: War Department Light Railways

 Appreciate any additional or corrected insight others might be able to share.  Piece looks authentic; but wouldn't be upset if a copy given what I paid.

NJCJOE posted:

Railroadiana......my other hobby. I collect anything used by the railroad including lanterns, signs, tools, lamps, signals, paper and other hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, very impressive!

I have a couple of original RR advertising posters, and this is my favorite, a rather optimistic and misleading GWR poster from 1904. Mine is framed and hangs in my dining room, but I don't have a camera or smart phone to photograph it, so I've posted an image from the web. It's about 3 feet x 4 feet and always generates questions and conversation.

gandydancer1950 posted:

NJCJOE posted:

Railroadiana......my other hobby. I collect anything used by the railroad including lanterns, signs, tools, lamps, signals, paper and other hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, very impressive!

Impressive is an understatement, Jo Where do you find all this stuff all's I've got is a few date nails I would like to find a really clean at a lake switch Lantern if I could find one in a fair price.

Joe Gozzo

Here's another poster I found in an antique store in Maine about 40 years ago -- Currier and Ives.

Hey Joe, if you ever want to sell that Worcester sign, I bet I know someone who would be interested

Paul

Paul,

I sold the Worcester sign back about 7 years ago. Sorry.

Most of my items are found at auctions, flea markets and antique shops. Ebay and Craigslist used to be fruitful but not much anymore. The railroadiana show in Gaithersburg, Md. also has provided a bunch of these items over the years.

Now, who's coming over to help me move this stuff to the new house?

How about some lamps today?

I really like seeing some of these item people find related to railroads. As much as I would love to be able to get some of the bigger items to put outside. I don't think my wife would let me, I think having one or two 1:1 size signals would be fun. I think it would be interesting to fine items from the New York Central Railroad, since it went through the city/town where I live. One of the buildings that was used by the New York Central is still Standing. Though I don't think it is in the best condition. There was another railroad that ran North-South in my home town, though I can't remember what that one was. I believe that that building is also still standing, can't remember what it is though. 

Edit: As much as I would love to be able to find old items in our house we own it would have been quite possible given our house was built in 1927. It was at one point converted to a Duplex then back to a single family home. The only items I have seen are some glass bottles in a closet in the basement, haven't really been up in the attic, though my wife has and says nothing is up there.

Anybody have anything new?

Here is a CRR of NJ conductor's box.

Here is a PRR double sided coach sign.

After our move everything is all over the place, including some of my lamps.

Here's a few I have.

John-

I have gotten rid of most of my RR stuff. Traded a lot for  old Lionels !!  One item I did keep is a round tin cup with PRR embossed on the bottom. A tin collector told me it was hand made and old.

Just got a tri-color track walker lamp.  It's British, and I usually only collect American, but it looked neat.

http://www.jeffpolston.com/trackwalker.htm

Here is a railroad conductor's lantern marked E.S. GRANT.

I recently bought this 1947 PRR-issued NY Harbor map showing all railroad facilities in the NY/NJ metro area.

Tom 

I have an NS railroad lamp and an old brake wheel. Not sure how old the brake wheel is.

A Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines station sign I sold a few years ago.

Most of my stuff is transit-related and mostly headsigns.

The first four photos show one that was sent to me at work by a transit agency that we sold some used buses to and I programmed the signs for them (one of my jobs at the agency that I worked for).  When they were finished with the buses, I asked if I could get one of the signs, I said that I would be willing to come up to remove one but they said that it was no problem for one of their mechanics to do it. About a week later this package showed up:

These were purchased directly from SEPTA in Philadelphia:

The 1   TURN BACK  came from the agency that I worked at and was given to me when the last of the 1980 Flexible buses were retired. The Washington Metro   Vienna  sign was purchased at the Gaithersburg Railroadiana Show many years ago:

The  CONSHOHOCKEN ROAD EXPRESS  sign came from a Red Arrow Lines Norristown line car bullet car, it is my second favorite sign (not pictured is my first, the sign from a 1947 Greyhound "Silversides" coach. The FORT McHENRY  sign is from Baltimore Transit bus #1607:

My other signs gathered together for packing for my move:

A modern color sign that I programmed (and wish that I had one! ):

My B&O Freight Station Sign:

Tom 

Very cool sign Tom.

Here is a sign I used to have that had a similar construction. The one above the PRR sign.

Joe,

   Thanks. Both of yours are nice, too. Weren't you supposed to move at some point? If it happened already, what was it like to pack up your "museum?" 

Tom 

Yes, we did move to Pennsylvania. Stilling moving the hardware though. Going back for another load tomorrow.

I did get my first sign planted.

Here is a NYC bell that I restored for a friend of mine.

If its easier to send the B6 bell to New York, I would find a home for it! 

Tom 

WE had a bell just like that at our farm summer place after WW II.  Sat outside the back door. Small game hunters, a bunch from Pgh, infested the place every fall and eventually stole it. I had a bunch of RR things but just have two PRR tin cups now. One very old.

Alot of really cool collections, love the signs, switch lanterns and crossing signals.

I don't recall if I posted these elsewhere in this long thread, but I'm sorry if I have...

Original timetables (1934 and 1943) from the ET&WNC, along with a 1943 train order and a timecard from the RR:

Original builder plate off a WW2 army flatcar (found in Belgium):

Some original ET&WNC stock certificates are along the back wall:

I have a large amount of various items from the 1940s, as well as a few builder plates off various equipment. over the doorway as you leave the layout room, there's also an EMD plate from the very month in which I was born.

I also have a line on a switch stand that I think I can get for not much money...

Two more signs in their new home.

I'd be worried about such signs in the back yard, as I have known a couple of guys with them who'd had them taken right out of the yard. One guy even had an entire working RR crossing signal (wiring and all) uprooted one night when he was away. I always wondered who would steal that...

In case I messed this up I try again.  Anyone know more or less how this was used?

Wow, I didn't know railroads use Enigma machines!

Misc..

With all this discussion and the great artifacts shown, does anyone out there have a Great Northern Ry. caboose marker made by Dressel? I am looking to pair mine off for display purposes in my GN wood caboose located on display in North Freedom at the Mid-Continent Ry. Museum. Thanks.

I have a Milwaukee switch stand that I welded the arm in the up position and attached to it mailbox another of my favorites is the Mitch Marcovitz painting of the Milwaukee 261 autographed.

Dick

Jeff,

You still haven't found a mate for that lamp?

As the National Vice President for the Railroadiana Collectors Association (RCAI); I would be remised if I didn’t encourage all of you to check out our organization on the web: www.railroadcollectors.org or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553694474718552/

I am 36 years old and obviously one of the youngest in this hobby. We would welcome new members and interest from anyone that collects timetables, locks/keys, lanterns, signals and all points in between. I’m very encouraged by the interest in this thread. Our organization has been around since 1971 and by far the primer group on the collecting of railroad memorabilia and antiques. We welcome all to our group! 

Chad,

Thanks for the info, as if never heard of the group before. I'm checking out your site right now.

CNJ 3676 posted:

 

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have railroadiana of any type in their collections. Pictures of your items would be great if you can manage it. 

I'm not big into collecting railroadiana, so I had to look around a bit.  I have three PRR kerosene lanterns, one with a red globe; a PRR tin drinking cup (not one of the modern repros); a brass PRR lock (switch lock?) with key and two freight car builder's plates.  Sorry, I don't have photos of any of them.

NJCJOE posted:

Jeff,

You still haven't found a mate for that lamp?

Hi Joe:

Nope! I still haven't found a mate to that Dressel. It has to be tagged for the GN, and there just seems to be nothing out there. I'm glad I found the one, but.......Oh well, maybe some day.

Jeff

Jeff,

You'll find one. Plenty of lamps, but no round top Dressel GN Ry lamps.

Living near Chambersburg I have read about and studied the Cumberland Valley RR. The old main is right down the road.  An antique dealer has a CVRR lantern-$455  !!  No thanks.

Starting to get some of the hardware set up at the new house.

More progress.

No trespassing sign from Lanesboro PA before the track was ripped. D&H survey marker from Jermyn PA near Jermyn transfer. RS-3 #4063 Alco Builder's Plate (traded to Alco in March 1965.  D&H Sesquicentennial Plate.

This isn't an official railroad artifact, but I thought I'd put it here just the same. This mailbox was a gift to my Dad 40+ years ago and he never used it because he always had a P.O. box. Last week I decided it's time to use it. This is one mailbox that only a train nut can appreciate. 

John

BlueComet400 posted:

This isn't an official railroad artifact, but I thought I'd put it here just the same. This mailbox was a gift to my Dad 40+ years ago and he never used it because he always had a P.O. box. Last week I decided it's time to use it. This is one mailbox that only a train nut can appreciate. 

John

Good fun, John!  I just hope it fairs better than my mailboxes here in New England and the evil snow plows.  I've got a couple of retired mailboxes set aside for creating an amusing engine house vignette -- and, yes, complete with "flag" signals :-).

Tomlinson Run Railroad

Tomlinson, our last mailbox fell victim to the snowplow. I sure hope this one doesn't look like an easy target. I put the new post in high enough so the plows should clear it. We will find out soon enough. 

John,

That mailbox is awesome.

Thanks Joe! It's nothing compared to the goodies in your yard but fun just the same. 

BlueComet400 posted:

Thanks Joe! It's nothing compared to the goodies in your yard but fun just the same. 

Hey, that's how it starts......with just a mailbox.

Got another switch stand out.

PRR bell originally off an E2-A Atlantic then used on a B6-SB switcher.

Joe,

  Don't forget to list that B6 bell in your will for me!  

Tom 

sorry Tom...I'm already down for the bell

Go away...God already blessed you with a Road Runner.  

PRR K4s Bell, #5389

NJCJOE posted:

Got another switch stand out.

I guy down the street has offered to sell me a switch stand, a more modern BN one with just the metal direction sign on top but for a very good price. I could easily move it to where I am as it's very close by (and I have a trailer way bigger than I'd need to move it), but my wife was not overly enthused about the prospect of having it, as it'd have to go outside like this...

You just tell her that it is abstract garden art.

Tom 

BlueComet400 posted:

This isn't an official railroad artifact, but I thought I'd put it here just the same. This mailbox was a gift to my Dad 40+ years ago and he never used it because he always had a P.O. box. Last week I decided it's time to use it. This is one mailbox that only a train nut can appreciate. 

John

A friend is a lineman and has this mailbox:

This is probably not train related but the name is interesting. 

Added some more to the yard.

Bill DeBrooke posted:

This is probably not train related but the name is interesting. 

Bill,

You might be interested in this if you have not seen it: http://www.skipjackmarinegalle...ine-instruments.html and https://educators.mysticseapor...ifacts/taffrail_log/ 

It was a mechanical (nautical) device that was dragged through the water to calculate the vessel's speed. 

Tom 

MNCW posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

This is probably not train related but the name is interesting. 

Bill,

You might be interested in this if you have not seen it: http://www.skipjackmarinegalle...ine-instruments.html and https://educators.mysticseapor...ifacts/taffrail_log/ 

It was a mechanical (nautical) device that was dragged through the water to calculate the vessel's speed. 

Tom 

Hey thanks for the info.  I had no idea what it was.  Now if I start collecting ships I will be all set.

NJCJOE posted:

 

These were white originally? I've seen repros and supposed originals, but they're all yellow when they're painted. Maybe that's due to what we think of crossing signs today (as stop signs were yellow for many years but many don't know that).

what is this sign for Joe? haven't seen it before.

I'm guessing it is for a grade crossing, to give 2 longer blasts of the whistle and then two shorter ones.

Tom 

MNCW posted:

I'm guessing it is for a grade crossing, to give 2 longer blasts of the whistle and then two shorter ones.

 

Tom 

 

Not sure when that was printed or where it came from, but public grade Crossings are two long a short and a long.

That was a Pennsy Rule Book, circa 1920's. 

Tom 

thanks Tom...shoulda known that

NC Joe - Inquiring minds want to know - if you use the handle on that switch stand and throw it does your truck automatically go into the garage instead of stopping at the end of the garage apron like it is in the photo? 

Steamer posted:

 

what is this sign for Joe? haven't seen it before.

That is an early crossing whistle sign from the NC&StL in Tennessee. 

Robert S. Butler posted:

NC Joe - Inquiring minds want to know - if you use the handle on that switch stand and throw it does your truck automatically go into the garage instead of stopping at the end of the garage apron like it is in the photo? 

That's an interesting idea. I may have to work on that. 

A few more items.

Nice PRR collection. Thanks for sharing.

p51 posted:

NJCJOE posted:

 

These were white originally? I've seen repros and supposed originals, but they're all yellow when they're painted. Maybe that's due to what we think of crossing signs today (as stop signs were yellow for many years but many don't know that).

These signs came painted black on white as well as black on yellow.

The information that came with this light said it was 'South Shore Line, Chicago'.

.

I had a few PRR calender's.  All of my trains are gone, but I still have the calender's.

Nice looking stuff guys.  I did add a Dressel switch lantern to my collection, its in pieces right now, awaiting funds to replace the missing lenses.  I really want a steam engine oscilating Mars light (like on NKP Berkshires ect) one of these days.  Could care less about a standard headlight, I want the flashing Mars light.      Mike the Aspie

p51 posted:

NJCJOE posted:

 

These were white originally? I've seen repros and supposed originals, but they're all yellow when they're painted. Maybe that's due to what we think of crossing signs today (as stop signs were yellow for many years but many don't know that).

Here is a copy of the PRR standard drawing for these signs. Right above the title block it states that the sign shall be painted black on white.

Looks great, Joe! What's going on in that huge new basement?

John

NJCJOE posted:

p51 posted:

NJCJOE posted:

 

These were white originally? I've seen repros and supposed originals, but they're all yellow when they're painted. Maybe that's due to what we think of crossing signs today (as stop signs were yellow for many years but many don't know that).

Here is a copy of the PRR standard drawing for these signs. Right above the title block it states that the sign shall be painted black on white.

Thanks for the info! I assumed it might have been different back in the day (like for example as stop signs were yellow and not red for many years), good to know how they're really supposed to look.

I espically like to collect beacons from the top of locomotives.  Looking for the strobe off a DM&IR SD9/18, Amtrak strobe ect.   If anybody comes across one that needs a home, I have a nice shelf looking for them.  

BlueComet400 posted:

Looks great, Joe! What's going on in that huge new basement?

 

John

Nothing yet. The basement still needs to be finished. It's probably going to take a couple of years before I can get to serious work down there. Plenty to do in the meantime.

Bill DeBrooke posted:

The information that came with this light said it was 'South Shore Line, Chicago'.

Looks like it!

It is pretty neat when you can identify an item from an exact location or piece of equipment, like the headlight above.

Here is my Erie Lackawanna headlight and the MU it came off of.

PRSL station sign.

A couple of NS blankets.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Picked up a Seaboard Air Line Railway police badge.

I managed to get one of these reproduction 42" high animated displays years ago. The lantern lights, and his arm swings, via a D battery.

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

It's an early Legacy Bluetooth prototype 

  Good luck finding the right monitor cord to use it  

I have this French (SNCF) conductors lamp. It can show red or white, by turning the knob at the front, and is powered by a large battery with the switch at the top.

Regards

Fred

Just got this, a unit photo of a railway operating unit, from 1943

Camp Jesse Turner, Arkansas

Company C, 748th railway operating battalion. The unit was sponsored by and manned to a great deal by the Texas & Pacific RR.

p51 posted:

Just got this, a unit photo of a railway operating unit, from 1943

Camp Jesse Turner, Arkansas

Company C, 748th railway operating battalion. The unit was sponsored by and manned to a great deal by the Texas & Pacific RR.

awesome!  never knew there was such a unit

Garrett76 posted:

p51 posted:

Just got this, a unit photo of a railway operating unit, from 1943

Camp Jesse Turner, Arkansas

Company C, 748th railway operating battalion. The unit was sponsored by and manned to a great deal by the Texas & Pacific RR.

awesome!  never knew there was such a unit

There were several RR Operating Battalions (ROBs) in WW2, falling under the Military Railway Service.

Most went to run trains in Europe or the Pacific. Many of these men were railroaders already and just swapped their denims for wool or HBT fatigues and handed rifles and helmets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/..._%28United_States%29

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

I came across the case that held this item.  His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo.  I suspect he worked for the katy.

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

I came across the case that held this item.  His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo.  I suspect he worked for the katy.

I think it is a morse tape printer.  A search of those terms reveals images with similar mechanical internals- the motor, linkages, mechanical keyboard, etc.  Are there any holes on the sides where additional items could be connected?

Garrett76 posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

I came across the case that held this item.  His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo.  I suspect he worked for the katy.

I think it is a morse tape printer.  A search of those terms reveals images with similar mechanical internals- the motor, linkages, mechanical keyboard, etc.  Are there any holes on the sides where additional items could be connected?

I don't believe it is a printer.  There is no tape and no apparent place for tape.  I believe typing converts to Morse Code.  I don't really see how it could receive the same.  But, I could be wrong.

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Garrett76 posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

I came across the case that held this item.  His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo.  I suspect he worked for the katy.

I think it is a morse tape printer.  A search of those terms reveals images with similar mechanical internals- the motor, linkages, mechanical keyboard, etc.  Are there any holes on the sides where additional items could be connected?

I believe typing converts to Morse Code.  I don't really see how it could receive the same.  But, I could be wrong.

Youre right. Several machines were made to do this from the 40s to the 60s. The Codetyper was the best known.

I've never before seen one with such early keys, though.

This is a Southern Railway wall lamp I picked up at an antique shop.  Not sure when or where it would have originally been used.

jstraw124 posted:

This is a Southern Railway wall lamp I picked up at an antique shop.  Not sure when or where it would have originally been used.

The name, 'Southern Railway Co.', was created in 1894.  Sometime after that I presume.

p51 posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Garrett76 posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Bill DeBrooke posted:

I have had this piece for some time.  I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated.  There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer.  The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.

I came across the case that held this item.  His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo.  I suspect he worked for the katy.

I think it is a morse tape printer.  A search of those terms reveals images with similar mechanical internals- the motor, linkages, mechanical keyboard, etc.  Are there any holes on the sides where additional items could be connected?

I believe typing converts to Morse Code.  I don't really see how it could receive the same.  But, I could be wrong.

Youre right. Several machines were made to do this from the 40s to the 60s. The Codetyper was the best known.

I've never before seen one with such early keys, though.

I think it's an early portable teletype sender (vs sender & receiver/printer in one unit)  As noted they used Morse code which eventually became converted "automatically" to a printed tape of words pasted onto a telegraph sheet where previously it was decoded and typed by hand.  There are a few versions but it didn't come into existence as a funtuonal idea until the early 1900s nor regular use until the 1920s.  There were only about a half dozen makers of these early machines; I think a telegraph equipment site might be the place to begin a good search.

Anybody have anything new?

Here is an Erie caboose lamp I picked up a few months ago.

I want this:

A GG1 horn.  Leslie 200. Off of GG1 4810:  

My Grandad's PRR railroad lantern:

He was a Telegraph  Operator on the Pennsy:

This photo taken by his brother in his tower, c. 1910

Ensley Tower near Dents Run, Pa.

Lew

moed321 posted:

I want this:

 

Where did you see that?

This showed up today.

Big Jim posted:

This showed up today.

No photos but I have the Thunder on Blue Ridge lp.

Picked up this interesting little booklet at an estate sale last weekend - only $5.00.

This one showed up Monday.

I have no idea why they put it on there, but, the last track says it is a cab ride inside a Niagara. What a disappointment that track was! That makes two Niagara recorded tracks that I have that were disappointments!

Here is my 1965 EMD builder's plate, and a Paul Strang photo of the locomotive it was mounted on, Rock Island GP35 #309. The plates were mounted on the cab sill directly under the locomotive's unit number.

Gage to check wheels to comply with Interchange Rule 41.1.c

Passenger car repair track foreman's keys

From 7811 which was built for the Santa Fe and later ran with AMTRAK.

John in Lansing, ILL

Now if I only knew what these came off of?

My D&RGW Timetables. I am missing '61.

We rode the Royal Gorge in '60, '61, '62, '63 and '64. The train was truncated in '65 losing the Dome and ending the run in Salida so we skipped it.

Tin the 1960 Timetable there is a "90" notation in my Dad's handwriting in the margin between Grand Junction and Fruita. That meant, of course, 90mph.

Lew

CRR of NJ bell bottom lantern with a clear cast globe.

NJCJOE posted:

moed321 posted:

I want this:

 

Where did you see that?

I watch for PRR items on ebay and review completed auctions and saw this had sold as a BIN and I missed it.

Edmund Schwartzel 060518 posted:

NJCJOE posted:

moed321 posted:

I want this:

 

Where did you see that?

I watch for PRR items on ebay and review completed auctions and saw this had sold as a BIN and I missed it.

I would have paid double or triple for what it sold for in a heart beat!  Family is from that area, have people there now and would have loved to have had that.

1948 Operating Rules for NY Central

New Haven conductor's lamp

Rahway Valley hand-completed financial statements and track spike

Dressel switch lamp

Erie switch lock

My Grandad's railroad lantern:

He was a tower operator on the PRR.

Cross-pollination here.  His last tower was at an interchange with the NYC.

The glass is proper Pennsy though.

My Dad's brass Yale BR&P Ry lock:

My Reading Ramble lapel pin, from the Oct 23, 1960 Iron Horse Ramble:

Got another of the signs up at the new place.

Have the usual lanterns, locks, signs, etc. My Pappy got me started by giving me a pair of CRR of NJ lanterns when I was 10 and things just took off from there.

Oh my.  I've got lots of stuff.  Mostly Southern Railroad.  My favorite piece is a brass "presentation" lantern given to my father many years ago.

Bill

I've got a B&O caboose lantern, some track spikes and nuts from a 100 plus year old B&O wooden trestle which spanned Hammond Creek at the beginning  of the B&O's Patuxent Branch ( which came off the B&O's Washington Branch ).  CSX dismantled the trestle some years ago. 

Only thing I have is a New Haven Railroad coffee mug that I bought 25 years ago, which has almost completely faded. 

It now looks like a ghost NHRR coffee mug. LOL, Arnold

This item in my collection is very useful as a small anvil:

For several years we lived beside the Somerset-Johnstown branch of the B&O. One day the Sperry flaw-detector car came through and left a paint mark on the track. It must have been a bad flaw because several days later a crew showed up with a piece of re-lay rail and proceeded to replace a section of rail. They needed to cut off a bit to make it fit and I later carried off that bit they had left behind.

Found this clock last year at a shop in Adamstown, PA. It's an employees time clock for punching your time card in and out of work. Still works although the ink ribbon could use replacement.

Wanted to share my small obsession with B & O China. Been collecting for years, early Lamberton in the photos but we have another large collection of  Shenango that we use everyday. 

It aint much but its what I got; a reprint of a New York Central Poster and my railroad tin-sign collection (still growing). The big tins are reissues from recent years, but the small ones are Vintage Post Cereal tins from 1954 and 1955. They're hanging under my loft while the poster has been framed and hung in another part of my room.

And yes, we do plan on replacing the ugly push-pins soon with something smaller and less protruding, we're just having trouble finding small enough nails that can fit those tiny holes.

Just planted this in the yard. A concrete whistle post from the Lehigh & Hudson River.

NJCJOE posted:

Just planted this in the yard. A concrete whistle post from the Lehigh & Hudson River.

Should be a whole crop of sprouts in the spring!