Post your non-O scale stuff here!
A friend dropped off a box of these freight cars and asked if I knew of this company and what value the cars may have. There are about three dozen individual cars, some in kit form and some built, and a dozen 3-car reefer kits unbuilt. Almost everything is boxed, some unopened. The company was in La Mesa, CA but long gone. Would appreciate any info I can pass along. RICH
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Well Train Miniature models were around probably in the 1970's as I recall. I bought them and built them and when I converted to O scale 2 Rail I sold off about a dozen on eBay. They were still in unbuilt condition and brought as much as they were when new...3-4 dollars each as I recall. I don't know what else I can tell you about them. But they will still find interested buyers on eBay.
Bob
They made a lot of freight car kits at one time. They were a step above the old Athearn "blue box" kits. Really nice products back in the 70's and 80's, but pretty basic and plain by today's standards. I think Walthers might have bought them out, but not sure. Value today is probably not more the $10.00 each. Maybe less.
Jeff
Walthers bought the Train Miniature line back in the 1980's if memory serves me correctly. They are no long producing them.
Rusty
Thank you Bob, Jeff, and Rusty for that info. As I check over some of the cars they're actually pretty decent looking especially the billboard reefers, although they have toy type couplers. Thanks again.
They made a few different type of cars that added some variety to a consist. Detail was decent for a shake the box kit.
Jim McC
Hi Jim. I agree. There were reefers, box cars, gondolas, and stock cars in the box. A couple of flats and a few MOW cars too unboxed so I'm not sure if they're Train Miniatures. RICH
I saw a few T.M. cars for sale, at a big train show in the Dallas area this weekend. Many were still unassembled, in the box. Prices ranged from $7.00 - $10.00/ car. Saw lots of their billboard refers.
Thanks Jeff, you're price estimate was exactly right. RICH
In our old hobby shop, we carried TM kits and they sold pretty well. They did seem a step up from the Athearn of the time, probably in between Athearn and Roundhouse.
I remember the boxes we first had were sepia and red with brown lettering, and the top had a freight scene as artwork. Later on, before they went out of business (and I think Walthers did buy them, as memory serves) they issued kits in plastic snap top boxes that had clear lids and beige bottoms that had compartments for the car body and chassis, with a lower compartment that held the trucks, weights, etc.
I have to look at our old store stock - I'm sure there are still a bunch there!
Bought some for three bucks each.
Hey Tommy. If they are new it sounds like an excellent deal. RICH
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