@pd posted:I saw a number of the standard gauge versions at York, Allan, but no O-gauge. In October there'll be twenty of them...just the way it works.
PD
You are likely quite right! In the meantime, I have a couple of friends who will also be on the lookout for them.
Who doesn't love a 408e?
Sunrise
@Sunrise Special - WOW! What a color display, a std gauge "girl's train" super. Thanks for posting
Don
Don McErlean
Hey Don......sent you a couple of E-mails......did you get them???
Peter.....Buco Australia.
@Buco- NO I have not received them. my e-mail again is: dpmcerlean@gmail.com
Don
Thanks for that Don (Don McErlean).....yes, it is the same E-mail address I have sent the last two messages to. Maybe check your "junk mail", but I'll send you another one just in case.
And here is the result of Fatman's efforts to have me replace two of my lost childhood Matchbox cars!!
I am grinning from ear to ear Fatman!!!!
Thank you for your sleuth work finding these little beauties....they have taken me on a long trip down memory lane!!
Now back to tinplate trains.....I got an E-mail from Buco Spur O GmbH in Switzerland last week (my favourite trains), advising they are about to release a new anniversary freight car to celebrate the company's 80th year producing original O gauge Buco tinplate trains......I've already told them to set one aside for me.
A photo of some (by no means all) of my Buco tanker cars...and two of the Buco transformers to run them.
Just some of my Buco 301 loco's....there are also 304 & 314 model loco's as well, of which I have a large collection. The boys in Switzerland reckon I have the largest collection of operating Buco O gauge trains outside of Switzerland....in the words of Forest Gump,,,,,I don't know about that!!!
Anyway, the other news was they (Buco Spur O GmbH) intend to sell the company, as they are all getting old and want new blood to take it over, and carry on the tradition of making genuine lithographed tinplate trains, using the original stamps and presses.
Kinda got the impression they were sounding out their regular customers (me for one) for expressions of interest, but in reality there is no way I could entertain the idea financially, let alone pack-up everything and move over to Switzerland to live......I'm a fourth generation Queenslander, and we don't go anywhere!!!
We will have to wait and see how things pan out for them, but I would hate to see the last O gauge tinplate train manufacturer call it a day!!
Peter.....Buco Australia.
@Buco posted:Thanks for that Don (Don McErlean).....yes, it is the same E-mail address I have sent the last two messages to. Maybe check your "junk mail", but I'll send you another one just in case.
And here is the result of Fatman's efforts to have me replace two of my lost childhood Matchbox cars!!
I am grinning from ear to ear Fatman!!!!
Thank you for your sleuth work finding these little beauties....they have taken me on a long trip down memory lane!!
Now back to tinplate trains.....I got an E-mail from Buco Spur O GmbH in Switzerland last week (my favourite trains), advising they are about to release a new anniversary freight car to celebrate the company's 80th year producing original O gauge Buco tinplate trains......I've already told them to set one aside for me.
A photo of some (by no means all) of my Buco tanker cars...and two of the Buco transformers to run them.
Just some of my Buco 301 loco's....there are also 304 & 314 model loco's as well, of which I have a large collection. The boys in Switzerland reckon I have the largest collection of operating Buco O gauge trains outside of Switzerland....in the words of Forest Gump,,,,,I don't know about that!!!
Anyway, the other news was they (Buco Spur O GmbH) intend to sell the company, as they are all getting old and want new blood to take it over, and carry on the tradition of making genuine lithographed tinplate trains, using the original stamps and presses.
Kinda got the impression they were sounding out their regular customers (me for one) for expressions of interest, but in reality there is no way I could entertain the idea financially, let alone pack-up everything and move over to Switzerland to live......I'm a fourth generation Queenslander, and we don't go anywhere!!!
We will have to wait and see how things pan out for them, but I would hate to see the last O gauge tinplate train manufacturer call it a day!!
Peter.....Buco Australia.
Great finds and collection! @Fatman is quite the enabler, isn't he?
What is the official Buco website? I did several searches and couldn't find one.
@Buco posted:
Anyway, the other news was they (Buco Spur O GmbH) intend to sell the company, as they are all getting old and want new blood to take it over, and carry on the tradition of making genuine lithographed tinplate trains, using the original stamps and presses.
Kinda got the impression they were sounding out their regular customers (me for one) for expressions of interest, but in reality there is no way I could entertain the idea financially, let alone pack-up everything and move over to Switzerland to live......I'm a fourth generation Queenslander, and we don't go anywhere!!!
We will have to wait and see how things pan out for them, but I would hate to see the last O gauge tinplate train manufacturer call it a day!!
Peter.....Buco Australia.
The photo above got me looking for and finding the Buco website this morning. Hmmm......
@jhz563 posted:The photo above got me looking for and finding the Buco website this morning. Hmmm......
What's the URL? Searching for Buco gets a bunch of articles and posts, but not the company's website.
Morning Mallard4468:
Here is Buco's web site https://buco-gmbh.ch
Received a response E-mail from Priska (Mrs Buco) this morning....yes they are "getting out", and want someone else to continue the tradition.
You will note that most of the items listed for sale in their web store are now sold out, and it appears there is no plans at present to produce replacements, even though they appear to sell very well.....very strange!!!
I have a heavy heart, as this is the O gauge train set I started with, way back in the mid 1950's when I was but a boy of 5yrs old. Been collecting it for most of my life. It's like Lionel and American Flyer is to you guys.
Peter.....Buco Australia.
@Buco posted:Morning Mallard4468:
Here is Buco's web site https://buco-gmbh.ch
Received a response E-mail from Priska (Mrs Buco) this morning....yes they are "getting out", and want someone else to continue the tradition.
You will note that most of the items listed for sale in their web store are now sold out, and it appears there is no plans at present to produce replacements, even though they appear to sell very well.....very strange!!!
I have a heavy heart, as this is the O gauge train set I started with, way back in the mid 1950's when I was but a boy of 5yrs old. Been collecting it for most of my life. It's like Lionel and American Flyer is to you guys.
Peter.....Buco Australia.
Thanks for the URL.
A toy train company that is selling well but has no clear succession plan. I think I've seen this movie...
LOL ! Very happy you grabbed them Peter @Buco 
Job well done and I hope Sue is not too mad at me !
Bummer about Buco-GMBH 
Are we sure you couldnt be convinced in a Half yearly commute to Switzerland ... you could winter there ( our Summer) and escape the Queensland humidity and tourist season Bonus!!!
I reckon you should go for it ( and then I could get free trains lol )
It looks a very lovely place on Google maps !
Nice and secluded warehouse in a lovely valley in the mountains !
Well tinplate fans I have a long post for today. Afraid I can't be much help to Buco (Peter) and his beautiful Buco trains, but perhaps I can hold your interest in some UK trains, likely of the 1950's. This is a Brimtoy set of unknown date, but the tender shows "British Rail Ways" (written as 3 words interestingly) and the "lion and Wheel" symbol which makes the set post nationalization hence 1948 or later. Anyone with further data, please post as it would much interest me to have the background.
Athough the top of the box says "Brimtoy" this lower symbols appears to advertise Wells toys with the name "Welsotoys" which is unfamiliar to me. However I liked the saying "Toys for Girls / Boys" and loved the detail on the steam engine illustrated.
Of course as is typical of the era when one opens the box the train is not quite what is pictured on the lid 
. However this set is complete including a circle of track + a short section of straight to make up for the width of the included road crossing. I also have the key (yea yea!!). Loco, tender, and 2 coaches plus the road crossing make up the contents.
Here is a close up of the included road crossing. Classic UK gated crossing.
Here is that mighty locomotive. An 0-4-0 without drive rods plus a very nice 4 wheel tender with simulated coal pile. The "Lion and Wheel" symbol on the tender is clear in this picture. The loco is numbered 5060 on the boiler front and under the cab windows.
Here is one of the two coaches. It is numbered 5060 B and I have no idea what the designation "B" might indicate (again if anyone has information or a comment please send in)
Here she it full up and departing. The curved track is elevated on the outside to help help prevent de-railing at speed and uses a slight ramp in the sleepers to elevate the outer rail.
So there it is tinplate friends, my "new" Brimtoy set. I purchased this from the UK and waited some weeks for delivery but the price was modest and I just love it. The condition of the trains themselves are near perfect, the box well not so much.
Best wishes
Don
Haven't participated for awhile on the Forum. Not even sure I'm posting in the correct box. But I did want to share with the tinplate fans some of my more recent Kibri and Marklin stations. I'm now up to 48 stations! Lew Schneider
A great collection, Lew...thanks for sharing.
Nice set, Don. Looks to bein remarkable condition!
PD
@pd Thanks PD appreciate the comment.
Don
My grandfather's 1102 set from 1926/1927 returns to action (with a 1108 baggage added to the consist):
The 1096 is currently a poor runner...another trip across the workbench likely in the next few weeks.
PD
@pd-Great job in bringing Grandfather's train back into service. She sure looks great!
Don
@Don McErlean posted:@pd-Great job in bringing Grandfather's train back into service. She sure looks great!
Don
Thanks, Don. The 1096 is running poorly, but we're getting there, I think. Another upcoming trip across the workbench likely.
PD
Well tinplate fans my latest acquisition just arrived in the mail. It is an American Flyer (Chicago Flyer) #1119 cattle car. This is a 5 1/2" car that was introduced by Flyer in 1921, however the brown color scheme with the 5 panel lithographed door and green roof dates from 1925. That makes it 99 years old...and its still all there and workable. In this case, I am glad to say, that the sliding doors function well, the couplers are both in place, the wheel sets are complete and the wheels turn free. The 5 1/2 " by the way is the length of the frame and does not include the couplers. So here she is:
These 5 1/2" cars came in a number of color combinations especially in terms of roof color, however this green roof is an original color and gives no obvious indication it has ever been off. The doors slide easily so there is no distortion to the car body. The couplers are the classic American Flyer "T" shaped tab/slot. Yes, she has a bit of wear as far as the paint is concerned especially on the sides and ends but absolutely NO rust. If I am in this good a shape in 20 years (when I am 99) I will be very happy indeed!
Best Wishes
Don
A very nice Flyer stock car, Don. Those don't turn up often, so an opportune acquisition.
Here's a recently acquired Flyer 3015:
Sadly, it took a hit in packing or shipment that bent the frame (opposite side in photo). I was going to return it, but it runs well and is otherwise in nice shape. So, it's headed to the ever-expanding project pile...sigh.
PD
Some lovely stuff above .. well done Chaps!
The collecting bug has slowed down a bit for me this year, prices and postage being sky high and the fact I just have toooooo much cheaper stuff already has slowed me down a little and it seems the things I haven't got are all becoming rather expensive lol
But every now and then something pops up that begs me to free the starving moths from my wallet, it took a fair time getting here this year , but today I put in a cheeky offer on something I had not seen before outside of a book .
I love these little Miniature Tabletop Railways, first pioneered by Bing in 1922 in "00" scale , and have sets and pieces from Bing, Bub, and Distler already , but I believe this one, although not described as so, is an ISSMAYER ... The set is not in hand yet , and probably not even posted being the weekend but I knew it had to come live with me. I am certainly no expert on tabletop railways but I "think" this one is probably the hardest to find one , the fact its in its box is even better ( not sure about whether it has a lid lol .. it wasn't shown , but I was grabbing it regardless) I have never seen this set before anywhere .
Best I can find these sets were catalogued in 1924/25 in several variations but I haven't found a 3 carriage one like this variant yet.
It must have been a hilly track as it looks like it has 2 brake vans lol !
Happy 100th birthday little Issmayer and welcome to your new home ...
( as always any info greatly appreciated )
@Arne posted:New in the collection.
A Issmayer Train from the late 20s. Need a bit work.
Also new, 2 Bing freight cars from the pre-series. These were hand painted to show them to dealers in advance.
Arne
Excellent @Arne I have had this loco for a few years and it came with a G.N.R. tender , which I don't know was original to it , but I have wondered for years if it was an Issmayer , so with your confirmation I can move it from the "not sure" pile 
I check in regularly Don , just the personal flow of treasures has slowed a bit
Still here in Spirit !
Well here is a story for you from the Tinplate annals of Don McErlean...I am pursuing E-bay as I often do and I discover this American Flyer (Chicago Flyer) # 3108 tank car, in this livery it dates from 1930 (94 years ago!). A quick review of my inventory shows that (despite the fact that its not rare) while I have other tankers, I do not have this particular variation. Now comes the cool part! The seller is advertising this at auction for $1.25, that's right a buck and a quarter!! So being an engineer (and thus genetically CHEAP) I give the seller his opening bid, $1.25 and then watch the auction time out. Guess What...I Won! with my astounding bid of $1.25.
So, not perfect, but it fills a hole in my collection and it cost $1.25!! Don't know where this has been for 94 years but it looks OK, not LN for certain but then I am 80 and I'm not LN either
Best wishes
Don
Beautiful tinplate tanker Don......it is in remarkable condition considering its age (and so are you)....and the price was just right!!!!
Here is a photo of a Marx #18326 NYC caboose on my Buco layout that you may recognize. It made it home to Australia safe and sound after leaving the care of one Don McErlean in Waco Texas. Thank you very much for the kind gift!!!!
Also, thank you very much Don for sharing a wonderful meal with two homeless Australians on our recent epic road trip across your wonderful country.
Peter......Buco Australia
@Buco - That Marx caboose looks great and I am glad it found a new home in Australia. It was just wonderful meeting you and your wife and sharing a meal with you both. I am glad your vacation went well and you are home safe. All the best.
Best Wishes, your friend
Don
Haven’t said hi in a while but always checking in. You guys are awesome with your collecting and knowledge, seems like you are having fun.
Sadly somewhat, but the Floor Layout Central was disbanded, tracks gone, all the beautiful trains packed away, sleeping in their boxes. I must say, I did get an appreciation once again after handling each piece, how cool it is to own almost 100 year old model trains that still run and look like new. I will always love that.
The story I got was the boss got into some sort of love triangle between he, an orange haired tarot card reader and 2 barrels of smuggled bourbon moonshine. Never heard from him again and I had to let the boys go, the FLC was no more. Best case, I got my dance floor back. And yay for that!
Cheers, W1
Somehow during all the confusion this ramshackle old station got dropped off on my dance floor. Trying to keep the guys busy and one says optimistically, it’s got the perfect patina! Ya, the roof leaks, the floor is crooked and the lights don’t work. Perfect…
I have a std gauge layout in mind and I will do it, looks like a next winter project. Got stuff to do till then. Always checking in, you guys are amazing. W1
I had posted this on another thread several weeks ago, but I thought maybe everybody would like to see it who missed it the first time, or maybe you saw it and would enjoy seeing it again.
The engine is a pre-war Marx Canadian Pacific 3000, and the passenger cars are two different sets of Modern Marx plus a MM baggage/mail car.
Enjoy!
Tom
Hey Don....just found this photo of two handsome guys outside a restaurant in Waco, Texas.
We must be twins????
Peter.....Buco Australia.
Just received this sad little Buco 301 tinplate locomotive I won on the Ricardo auction site in Switzerland. I knew it was in a bad way, so my bid reflected its condition....I got it for CHF 65.00, which is about the same amount in US dollars.
Postage was quite reasonable (about US $25.00) to get it to me, all the way "down under", here in Australia.
It has a multitude of things wrong with it......the pantographs are squashed flat, the buffers on one end are completely missing, and a "drop-link" coupler is also missing.
It only has one pick-up shoe, a section of the side windows is missing, the headlight bulbs are missing, and most of the drive wheels turn on their "press fit" to the axles.
At least the wiring and the motor itself appear to be in original condition, and a quick application of AC power from my Buco transformer had the motor spinning, albeit very slowly.
With all of its faults, I still love it, and I will start with the restoration process later this week. I have all of the genuine Buco spare parts to fully restore it to its former glory, and may even consider repainting it in a "fantasy" color scheme....I'm thinking Union Pacific yellow.....just saying!!!
Watch this space!!!
Peter....Buco Australia.
@Buco posted:
...It has a multitude of things wrong with it......the pantographs are squashed flat, the buffers on one end are completely missing, and a "drop-link" coupler is also missing.
It only has one pick-up shoe, a section of the side windows is missing, the headlight bulbs are missing, and most of the drive wheels turn on their "press fit" to the axles.
...
With all of its faults, I still love it, and I will start with the restoration process later this week. I have all of the genuine Buco spare parts to fully restore it to its former glory, and may even consider repainting it in a "fantasy" color scheme....I'm thinking Union Pacific yellow.....just saying!!!
Watch this space!!!
Peter....Buco Australia.
The condition reminds me of the classic "lost dog" poster - dog is neutered, blind in one eye, missing his tail, one ear bitten off - he answers to "Lucky".
I think a fantasy paint scheme is a great idea. I'd like to suggest South Shore (Chicago South Shore & South Bend), as that loco could conceivably have run on it. Milwaukee Road, NYC, and PRR also ran electrics.
@Buco Peter, great to hear from you again!! I really like that little Buco locomotive and it reminds me that some day I am going to have to add at least ONE Buco train to my collection. I just received a package from Australia in the opposite direction, a French Hornby "cattle car" - although the description leaves a bit to be desired. It is one of the famous WW1 era French rail cars that listed their capacity on the side...40 people (Hommes) or 8 Horses (Chevaux). Pictuture below:
Best of luck with that loco, Peter. Look forward to seeing the end result.
Best Wishes, your friend
Don
Thanks for the positive comments Mallard4465 and Don @ Don McErlean.
It's on the workbench at the moment, partially stripped and under investigation.....the "special" E-unit peculiar to Buco is not working properly......let the fun (nightmare) begin!!!!
Photos and an update will follow.
Peter....Buco Australia
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