Tinplate photos 📸 and videos 📽

@George S posted:

I finally picked up an Ives 122. This one is a bit unusual as it has a Lionel frame and Ives trucks and couplers.

Here it is next to the one I made.

 

 

George

George,

I don't know a lot about Ives, but the tank car you picked up on a Lionel frame, with Ives trucks and couplers is likely a transition piece, as I believe that is a Lionel tank also.  I know that after their bankruptcy, there were a lot of transition items, with the tank cars being one of the more unusual ones.  There is also a version that comes with a Flyer frame, the Lionel tank, and Ives trucks and couplers.

NWL

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

George,

I don't know a lot about Ives, but the tank car you picked up on a Lionel frame, with Ives trucks and couplers is likely a transition piece, as I believe that is a Lionel tank also.  I know that after their bankruptcy, there were a lot of transition items, with the tank cars being one of the more unusual ones.  There is also a version that comes with a Flyer frame, the Lionel tank, and Ives trucks and couplers.

NWL

Yes, it is a transition piece. Most of them use Lionel tanks on Ives frames. The earliest ones had blank brass plates. This must be one of the later ones. At one point they didn’t even bother using Ives couplers or trucks. The only difference between those and a Lionel 815 was the Ives plates and the color.

George

My layout for the museum this year is done, so helping my buddy Bill with his std gauge layout. A little snapshot.

Steve

A hundred years ago kids and their parents set up their tinplate toy trains on the floor to have fun running them. This Lionel Interurban and trailer dates from about 1913. and maybe it ran on the floor a century ago. It's still running today!

A Prussian tinplate passenger car made by Darstaed in Switzerland around 1980. Those cars where made under supervision of Marcel Darphin, a famous collector of scale models, by the Swiss manufacturer Twerenbold. The cars are all metal and very heavy, they are of very high quality and are not easy pieces to find. They must not be confused with actual Darstaed brand who re used the name and produce British models.

Have a nice weekend,  Daniel

Lionel's 252 pulling 600/2600 series cars.

Window display at the museum starting to come together

Steve

Speaking of transition era...

Here is an American Flyer 3211 caboose next to an Ives 121 caboose. Notice the resemblance?

I repainted the red on the Ives, because the paint had wrinkled. I left the roof original. Interesting, Ives made a completely different 121 with a Lionel 2817 body. The green colored 121 is rare.

George

Here is a follow up to George's Caboose photos.

The two cabooses borrowed from:

American Flyer

And Lionel

Until the bankruptcy I don't think Ives ever had a 9" caboose in their O gauge line.

Northwoods Flyer

@Greg J. Turinetti posted:

Here is a follow up to George's Caboose photos.

The two cabooses borrowed from:

American Flyer

And Lionel

Until the bankruptcy I don't think Ives ever had a 9" caboose in their O gauge line.

Northwoods Flyer

Do you have the second one in green?

George

George,

I wasn't aware that there was one in green.  The only mention I have ever seen of it was on eBay where the seller wanted an astronomical amount for it.  From the photos that were posted I thought it was not a legitimate variation

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

Edit:

I just checked the Ives website and there is a green variation, however the comment is that because it is all Lionel except for the plates it could very easily be put together.

There is also a special order red, white and blue variation shown.

To help get over not going to York this October I recently purchased, at a Saturday morning packing up price, from a forum member this traditional City of Denver Locomotive, 3-Car Streamliner Passenger Set. Couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

@Greg J. Turinetti posted:

George,

I wasn't aware that there was one in green.  The only mention I have ever seen of it was on eBay where the seller wanted an astronomical amount for it.  From the photos that were posted I thought it was not a legitimate variation

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

Edit:

I just checked the Ives website and there is a green variation, however the comment is that because it is all Lionel except for the plates it could very easily be put together.

There is also a special order red, white and blue variation shown.

That’s what is strange about the whole transition era. Nobody knows for sure. Ives was slapping stuff together. That red, white (cream) and blue one is very attractive, but I don’t value one-offs to the extent that one would cost. The green one on eBay only had Ives plates on one side and Lionel on the other. Ives could have ran out of parts, but who knows. I like the green version of the caboose, but it doesn’t do me much good with Lionel couplers.

George

@George S posted:

That’s what is strange about the whole transition era. Nobody knows for sure. Ives was slapping stuff together. That red, white (cream) and blue one is very attractive, but I don’t value one-offs to the extent that one would cost. The green one on eBay only had Ives plates on one side and Lionel on the other. Ives could have ran out of parts, but who knows. I like the green version of the caboose, but it doesn’t do me much good with Lionel couplers.

George

Several years ago Bertoia auctioned a Flyer bodied 121 caboose that was yellow & brown.  Here is an image from that auction.

I recall the item selling for big money, but don't recall the details.

Steve - the window display really looks cool.  I can't make out the consist but I have a similar one made up of a Lionel 384E 2-4-0, 332 baggage/mail, 337 pullman, 338 observation...also in the red/cream color scheme.  Unfortunately its been years since I had enough space to run it.  Who knows, maybe this Christmas if the "G-scale" trains stay in the box.

OK fellows, I admit I am about to commit a "bending" of the rules.  This item is NOT tinplate, but it is clearly in support of toy trains and of European origin.  Since most of the expertise in European trains seems to post here, I am going to show it to you.  It was advertised as a "Holland" train station and it is from the region of the Netherlands where I and my wife who accompanied me, often traveled for business.  It is one of our favorite parts of the world.

As you can see its a simple trackside passenger shelter labeled for Utrecht with direction signs for Eindhoven and Amsterdam.  It is clearly a "factory" made product as far as I can tell due to the finishes and construction.  It however carries no manufacturer's label (which may have come off during its life).  It looks in finish very much like some US made wooden toy ware in terms of how its made, finished, and the materials.

To get a sense of size, here is the item held in my Grandaughter's hand.  It is clearly in the range of O scale although I doubt it is "scale" at all but its about the right size for an O gauge train.  The roof clears my O gauge passenger cars and extends far enough over the tracks that it would provide shelter to boarding passengers in case of rain.  So its reasonably well sized although I doubt it has a scale prototype.

Since we traveled to this area a reasonable amount, still have friends in Amsterdam, and are going back (COVID permitting) this May, I just could not resist.  If anyone has seen something like this and /or  may know when it was made or the manufacturer I would most certainly like to know.

Thanks everyone and sorry its not tinplate.

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Steve - the window display really looks cool.  I can't make out the consist but I have a similar one made up of a Lionel 384E 2-4-0, 332 baggage/mail, 337 pullman, 338 observation...also in the red/cream color scheme.  Unfortunately its been years since I had enough space to run it.  Who knows, maybe this Christmas if the "G-scale" trains stay in the box.

OK fellows, I admit I am about to commit a "bending" of the rules.  This item is NOT tinplate, but it is clearly in support of toy trains and of European origin.  Since most of the expertise in European trains seems to post here, I am going to show it to you.  It was advertised as a "Holland" train station and it is from the region of the Netherlands where I and my wife who accompanied me, often traveled for business.  It is one of our favorite parts of the world.

As you can see its a simple trackside passenger shelter labeled for Utrecht with direction signs for Eindhoven and Amsterdam.  It is clearly a "factory" made product as far as I can tell due to the finishes and construction.  It however carries no manufacturer's label (which may have come off during its life).  It looks in finish very much like some US made wooden toy ware in terms of how its made, finished, and the materials.

To get a sense of size, here is the item held in my Grandaughter's hand.  It is clearly in the range of O scale although I doubt it is "scale" at all but its about the right size for an O gauge train.  The roof clears my O gauge passenger cars and extends far enough over the tracks that it would provide shelter to boarding passengers in case of rain.  So its reasonably well sized although I doubt it has a scale prototype.

Since we traveled to this area a reasonable amount, still have friends in Amsterdam, and are going back (COVID permitting) this May, I just could not resist.  If anyone has seen something like this and /or  may know when it was made or the manufacturer I would most certainly like to know.

Thanks everyone and sorry its not tinplate.

Don

Don

it is a 390 and the larger 300 series cars.

Steve

Thanks Steve...regardless it looks GREAT!  Thanks for the info

Don

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

Several years ago Bertoia auctioned a Flyer bodied 121 caboose that was yellow & brown.  Here is an image from that auction.

I recall the item selling for big money, but don't recall the details.

Yes, that’s the “red, white and blue” special order. Big money would be expected, especially in that condition with a box.

George

@George S posted:

Yes, that’s the “red, white and blue” special order. Big money would be expected, especially in that condition with a box.

George

I checked my Bertoia catalog and it is described as a tan car having a red roof with gray coupla roof, so not quite sure of it being a "red, white, and blue" car.  I recall seeing it in person at the auction and it was more of a yellow color than white.  The car sold for c. $3,500 at that auction in 2007.

NWL

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

I checked my Bertoia catalog and it is described as a tan car having a red roof with gray coupla roof, so not quite sure of it being a "red, white, and blue" car.  I recall seeing it in person at the auction and it was more of a yellow color than white.  The car sold for c. $3,500 at that auction in 2007.

NWL

Yes, that is the more accurate description of the colors. I couldn’t guess the price. That is higher than I would imagine, but it seems like it had enough authentication to it’s originality. There are only a couple of these that are known. My issue is that the color scheme is relatively easy to reproduce.

George

A short update to the Bub elevated railway. Seven of the eight posts are ready. Hope the last Bub baseplate arive this week.

Arne

Hello again everyone.  I decided that to make up for my posting of a WOODEN Holland train station, I better post some tinplate !  But before that, let me say thanks to Daniel for posting the Darstaed passenger cars from Switzerland ! COVID permitting, wife and I are traveling to Bern this May so maybe I might encounter these trains.  Rich Wiemann, beautiful City of Denver train, great find.  Arne your work on the Bub elevated is really progressing beautifully.  I hope you post some pictures of it operating when you are done.  NWL, George S,  and Greg I am now as confused as ever about the infamous "Ives Transition Cars " of about 1932 or so.  I have several that ultimately transitioned into the Lionel line, but had not seen those that used Flyer bodies...Oh well at $3500 for one caboose I expect I will never have to worry about them (LOL)!!

From me today, much more modest fare.  I pulled out some Chad Valley rolling stock this week.  These tankers were new to their line in 1949 (ref  Michael Foster's book, "British Toy Trains", Book 1).  I will admit to being a "tanker fan" because of the many different liveries that were used by the various manufacturers.

Anyway here are my Chad Valley tanker wagons:

This is the 10074 Model C.V. Dairies tanker. A single dome with lithographed ladder, note two color lithography on ladder to give a "3D" appearance .

This is the 10075 Model Motor C.V. Spirit Tanker.  A two dome but with no ladder

IAW Foster's book, both tankers were new to the Chad Valley line in 1949.  They had simple bent hook and eye couplings.  He mentions that later versions of these cars had black or nickel long link couplings.  They are obviously 4 wheel with no journal boxes, have metal wheels, and are both about 4-5" long.  I have several CV freight wagons, but am still on the lookout for a CV locomotive...oh well that is what makes us collectors...its all about the search!

Have a safe and happy week

Don

Hello Don, I hope you will find something for your collection in Switzerland.  Manufacturers from that country have realized many nice models, just be prepare to "Swiss prices" sometime they are extremely high...  Sorry about your wooden train station, I have never seen one and do not know who made it, nice piece and rare find, congrats. 

All my best wishes, Daniel

The PRR Congressional rolling past the Hellgate bridge.

Steve

Daniel :  Thank you for the advice, I will keep my "franc's" handy!!!  Thank you for the compliment on my train station, its just one of those things that wonderful memories of the area its from made it too hard to resist.

Don

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

Several years ago Bertoia auctioned a Flyer bodied 121 caboose that was yellow & brown.  Here is an image from that auction.

I recall the item selling for big money, but don't recall the details.

I just bought an overpainted AF 3211 that I plan to restore. I got a good price, and it's already been messed up pretty good. So, I will try to match this color scheme. I plan to keep the AF trucks and couplers on it. It has all the trim except for the circle windows on the ends. Maybe I can find some brass eyelets that will fit those. I don't know how the plates will clean up or if they are even there. There is a heavy coat of red on them. The journal boxes and other trim all has paint on it too. Hopefully, it will clean up nice and I can share with everyone.

I am having the most trouble matching that yellow/tan/white paint color. Rustoleum has an Antique White and an Almond that seem closest. I read that this color was used on other American Flyer cars, or maybe they meant Ives cars. Anyone have any ideas? The picture on the Ives Society website makes the color look darker and more tan in color.

The roof looks like a good match to Krylon Fusion Matte Ink Blue. I used Rustoleum Colonial Red to match the red on my Ives 121. I am happy with that match.

George

@George S posted:

I just bought an overpainted AF 3211 that I plan to restore. I got a good price, and it's already been messed up pretty good. So, I will try to match this color scheme. I plan to keep the AF trucks and couplers on it. It has all the trim except for the circle windows on the ends. Maybe I can find some brass eyelets that will fit those. I don't know how the plates will clean up or if they are even there. There is a heavy coat of red on them. The journal boxes and other trim all has paint on it too. Hopefully, it will clean up nice and I can share with everyone.

I am having the most trouble matching that yellow/tan/white paint color. Rustoleum has an Antique White and an Almond that seem closest. I read that this color was used on other American Flyer cars, or maybe they meant Ives cars. Anyone have any ideas? The picture on the Ives Society website makes the color look darker and more tan in color.

The roof looks like a good match to Krylon Fusion Matte Ink Blue. I used Rustoleum Colonial Red to match the red on my Ives 121. I am happy with that match.

George

I think your color will be off, if you paint the roof blue, as the Bertoia catalog calls it a gray colored roof.  I know that gray will be a difficult color to match, as there are many variations of gray colors.

I recall the color looking more yellow/tan in person, when I viewed it at the auction and I would suspect the roof is a darker gray color.

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

I think your color will be off, if you paint the roof blue, as the Bertoia catalog calls it a gray colored roof.  I know that gray will be a difficult color to match, as there are many variations of gray colors.

I recall the color looking more yellow/tan in person, when I viewed it at the auction and I would suspect the roof is a darker gray color.

The roof is the same color as the regular Ives 121. It does look gray, with a blue tint. This Ink Blue is very gray. If it doesn’t match, I’ll keep trying.

I’ll keep your observation of the yellow in mind as I try to match to body. Lighting in these different photographs tends to change the color.

George

Hi guys, just catching up on posts since mid-August. So many goodies to drool over. I think I like the box for that Ives caboose almost as much as the car. Great example of art deco packaging!

Contemporary tinplate--especially new-in-box--is quickly becoming as scarce as hen's teeth, so I have pretty much jumped on anything I find that suits my needs, interests, and desires. I am still in the process of unpacking and setting up things following my move to a new home last month, but did manage to place a small part of my contemporary O gauge tinplate motive power collection in a couple of the recently mounted display cases down in my new OGR office/lounge/train layout room. I was too lazy to remove the Plexiglas fronts, so please forgive the reflections.

@Allan Miller posted:

Contemporary tinplate--especially new-in-box--is quickly becoming as scarce as hen's teeth, so I have pretty much jumped on anything I find that suits my needs, interests, and desires. I am still in the process of unpacking and setting up things following my move to a new home last month, but did manage to place a small part of my contemporary O gauge tinplate motive power collection in a couple of the recently mounted display cases down in my new OGR office/lounge/train layout room. I was too lazy to remove the Plexiglas fronts, so please forgive the reflections.

Those are some nice ones! It feels like the contemporary tinplate era went by so fast!

George

Here is a video of a run tonight....there is a little plastic involved but oh well..

Added a few shelves to display up to show some of my bigger STD Gauge locos.

Steve

WOW Steve!

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

OK, trying something new.  I created a youtube channel so I could upload video content.  The test video is about 30 seconds long, but my aim is to create longer videos in the future.  So here are a couple of prewar American Flyer items running around the track.

NWL

I must gush a little and say that I love this video!!! Watching it over and over, like on a loop. Found myself actually straining/tilting my neck to see what is coming around a corner! Well done. Looks like there is more original AF O I definitely need to get!

@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Added a few shelves to display up to show some of my bigger STD Gauge locos.

Steve

Hope you have a stop to prevent the door from hitting the pilot on the 4-6-6-4!

@Mallard4468 posted:

Hope you have a stop to prevent the door from hitting the pilot on the 4-6-6-4!

The layout curves out so the door hits the edge of the layout first.

Steve

@Jim Kelly-Evans posted:

A hundred years ago kids and their parents set up their tinplate toy trains on the floor to have fun running them. This Lionel Interurban and trailer dates from about 1913. and maybe it ran on the floor a century ago. It's still running today!

I like your tag line quote from Hertz.

@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Added a few shelves to display up to show some of my bigger STD Gauge locos.

Steve glad you added new shelves, can never have enough display space. However, I’m not sure about your display selection choice. Maybe the “Sorta Standard Gauge” RTR units would have been a better choice....LOL. Not really, those are some handsome units and rightfully should be admired on a daily basis. ENJOY....