Switcher Saturday August 21, 2021

@Steam Crazy posted:

Melgar, I think the salesman's name was Honest Ernest.  You know how hard it is to pass up buying a train you have wanted for a long time?  I felt the same when he said "have I got the cars for you"!  I couldn't resist buying them.  I wonder if they will start?

John

I know exactly that feeling when it comes to train-buying. But, Studebakers are notorious for burning up starter motors... Does your blue one have a big scratch on the right front fender? Suspicious...

MELGAR

MELGAR & JOHN - glad to to hear that you both wasted no time in getting to Smith Brother Autos.!  Sounds like you purchased the right cars for you MELGAR at a "real steal." LOL!    One for you and one for the Mrs.?  

Sounds like Honest Ernest may have given you and John the old "twofer" sales pitch ...  As he has revealed the "twofer" sales technique to Fast Freddie, a former sales associate of his who is now doing time in the state pen for "crafty salesmanship" himself.  The technique is: Honest Ernest ( H E ) sells the same make, model, color car  to two people.  The first customer, Mel, drives off with his new Studebaker.   The second customer, in this case John, is told that the car will have a "few" miles on it because it was a demonstrator.  He gives John a real good deal only if John pays cash up front.  John has to leave the dealership to go to the bank to get that much cash.  Meanwhile Honest Ernest phones Smurkey Bottoms, a sort of low life who hangs out at the pool hall, to go steel that white Studebaker parked behind the family business near the railroad station.  Then drive the car up to the dealership and park it in the rear of the building.  Meanwhile,  John returns to the dealership with the cash. (  Unknown to Mel old H E has kept a set of keys for himself. ) H E has the paperwork drawn up and ready for quick signature.  While John signs the paperwork H E slaps on a bootleg set of tags, makes sure to remove any stuff from the car belonging to Mel, shakes Johns hand, and waves John off goodbye.  He then pays Smurkey $100.00 cash.  Then H E leaves town as fast as possible.  

Honest Ernest who drifted into town very recently was hired only this week.  He answered a newspaper  add  place by Smith Brothers Autos for new sales personnel.  

The Smith Brothers, Luden and Vix, can surely cough up the cash to replace your Studebaker Mel and repair that fender too.  Btw - did either of you stop over at Whipple's Drug Store and try the ice sundae with Whipple cream?    

Btw- do keep in mind all this takes place in 1950.  

Pat, Absolutely hilarious!!!! 

John, Your comment about Honest Ernest reminded me of a used car dealer that cracked me up so that I still remember his signs.  In 1976, I moved from here in Butler County Pennsylvania to Richmond, Virginia.  Right on West Broad Street just outside of Downtown was "Mad Man Dapper Dan The Used Car Man" in neon lights.  Below the name it read "would give them away but my wife wouldn't let me".  I just looked it up on the internet and found a 1955 photograph of a smaller location, but with the same sign.   Also there is a painting with 1970s cars and the sign.  I resisted the temptation to post the picture since that is against the rules.

I bought my '73 Plymouth elsewhere! 

@trumpettrain posted:

The Smith Brothers, Luden and Vix, can surely cough up the cash to replace your Studebaker Mel and repair that fender too.  Btw - did either of you stop over at Whipple's Drug Store and try the ice sundae with Whipple cream?    

Btw- do keep in mind all this takes place in 1950.  

If I'm ever in Patsburg, Jahn's Ice Cream will be my first stop! I'm ordering the kitchen sink of course!

I think we have finally discovered what Patrick "Trumptrain's" greatest talents really are. Keep up the good work, Pat.

To conclude on a slightly more pertinent note, I'm posting a photo of a switcher - without further comment...

But - thank you gentlemen.

MELGAR

My newest purchase...a older MTH Lehigh Valley RS3

Bob, I love RS3s

Well  John, Mel, and everybody ... all is well that ends well.  Thanks to the astute, vigilant, fast acting crew of Patapsco and Back Rivers number 146,  who spotted Honest Ernest down at the yard ... and by quickly notifying  the sighting in to the Yard Master ... who in turn called the police ...  Honest Ernest was brought to justice early this evening.  Of course he first tried to flee the scene by stealing an old Lincoln which in turn caught some PD lead.  Here officer B. Fyfe make the arrest.  

Switcher hero guys!!  The vigilant and astute crew of number 146.  

Fine job #146 gents!  Officer Fyfe keeps his one bullet in his shirt pocket I presume.

Patrick, are you selling the Brooklyn Bridge?  I'll buy it!  If MELGAR wants it, I'll beat whatever he offers!

John

PS MELGAR, Yes, the blue Studebaker has a scratch on the right front fender!  The white one has a dash plaque that reads "Built for MELGAR"!

@Steam Crazy posted:

Patrick, are you selling the Brooklyn Bridge?  I'll buy it!  If MELGAR wants it, I'll beat whatever he offers!

John

PS MELGAR,

Yes, the blue Studebaker has a scratch on the right front fender!  The white one has a dash plaque that reads "Built for MELGAR"!

Sorry John,

I've learned my lesson and am not bidding. I spent all my train money on those TWO STUDEBAKERS (no less). I can't even afford another O gauge locomotive model right now. So I'm staying away from bridges. But tunnels - maybe.

My thanks to officer Fyfe and the crew of #146. It looks like that was a nice Lincoln before it got pummeled with lead.

At this point, I'm rather dubious about what Patrick will dream up for next Saturday...

MELGAR

Wow, miss a little, miss a lot.  Looks like you guys had a great weekend.  All this car talk has me a little misty eyed this morning.

The folks you are seeing here are Edwin and Pearl Kolacz.  These are my grandparents.  the picture below is how I remember them.  We lost Grandpa in 2001 (before the whole **** world fell apart), and Grandma passed in May.

Below is their wedding picture and I have to say they looked great!

So how is this relevant to this weekend's Switcher Saturday? Well they were originally farmers, in South Bend IN.  Grandpa also worked for Studebaker until they closed up shop.  The grand story is about how one time Grandpa accompanied a certain Mr. Andretti on test run of a Studebaker Avanti from South Bend to Reading PA and back.  Supposedly routinely hitting 90 mph! Anyway, after Studebaker stopped the South Bend operation Grandpa sold the farm and moved to MI, where he retired out of Ford in 1980 as a Production Manager.  Despite Grandma's passing at the end of May we just had her service at the beginning of August because of Corona virus related delays.

So with that in mind I couldn't help but think of them when reading this weekend's thread.

Bob, thanks for keeping things going this weekend.

Just to keep things switcher related - here's a Studebaker labeled Alco from the MTH website - I don't think they will mind.

Have a great week everybody.

Neat story about your grandparents Mr. Z. Sorry about the loss of your grand mother.

Happy to help out always!

@jhz563 posted:

Wow, miss a little, miss a lot.  Looks like you guys had a great weekend.  All this car talk has me a little misty eyed this morning.

The folks you are seeing here are Edwin and Pearl Kolacz.  These are my grandparents.  the picture below is how I remember them.  We lost Grandpa in 2001 (before the whole **** world fell apart), and Grandma passed in May.

Below is their wedding picture and I have to say they looked great!

So how is this relevant to this weekend's Switcher Saturday? Well they were originally farmers, in South Bend IN.  Grandpa also worked for Studebaker until they closed up shop.  The grand story is about how one time Grandpa accompanied a certain Mr. Andretti on test run of a Studebaker Avanti from South Bend to Reading PA and back.  Supposedly routinely hitting 90 mph! Anyway, after Studebaker stopped the South Bend operation Grandpa sold the farm and moved to MI, where he retired out of Ford in 1980 as a Production Manager.  Despite Grandma's passing at the end of May we just had her service at the beginning of August because of Corona virus related delays.

So with that in mind I couldn't help but think of them when reading this weekend's thread.

Bob, thanks for keeping things going this weekend.

Just to keep things switcher related - here's a Studebaker labeled Alco from the MTH website - I don't think they will mind.

Have a great week everybody.

Wonderful story and photos of your grandparents.   So sorry for your loss.

Postwar Studebakers were an avant-garde automotive design - by Raymond Loewy, stylist of the PRR GG1 and the streamlining of K4s #3768.

jhz563 - The family photos are treasures.

MELGAR

I’m sorry for your loss.  Great photographs and story.

JHZ, sorry for your loss.  The family photos are priceless.

John

Some switchers at the club.