Unique Arts Trains: Missing Pieces?

This car just jumps right off the page and I would consider it a work of art in the toy train world. It made me think of modern reproductions of tinplate and the lack of this sort of lithographic art and I imagine the answer is cost due to the several passes of paint colors on the metal..to imprint the image. I suppose the Flynn's New Marx was the last time this was successfully accomplished. A wonderful piece..and I imagine the cost of an original is sky high.

This one is made of PVC tubing with decals made from images of the original.

Wow! I didn't even realize it was not an original. Would you tell/show us how you did it, please?

I don't have a step by step for the cattle car but I do have one for the circus car which is the same except for the decals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJcyHf73VVw

Okay this post and the next post are pics of an original instruction sheet for a UA #600 windup set with the benny the brakeman caboose.  Its a big sheet so in order to see it I had to take a couple pics.  This first pic is at the top of the sheet it shows by set # on the box what type of layouts were possible per your specific set number.  They go from the #400 set that is just a basic loop to the #600 set that has the loop or the larger figure eight and usually was a nicer set with more cars etc.. 

JEFF

Alright second post here is a pic of what is needed to make benny swing out and back automatically while the train is running on your layout.  First I need to say that my #600 set was boxed and all pieces are in excellent condition but im missing the two small track clips needed to make benny swing out and back.  Anyways there are two small track clips that need to be secured on curved sections only on the inside of the track only for him to work correctly.  So that is why he has the metal arm sticking out is to grab those metal track clips.  Enjoy!!

JEFF

Has anybody got a video of Benny the Brakeman operating? I don't think I've ever seen one.

Hey Bill, I dont know if anyone does or not and even if they have the set and the clips they most likely would not know what they were used for.  You dont see UA wind up track to often but keep your eyes peeled because you never know.  I f there are any vids out there I have not seen them.  If I had the clips needed I would post a vid for you guys.  I do have originally individually boxed sections of track and also the figure eight section of track and ive looked a million times over but no clips. 

JEFF

Here is my boxed passenger set.

I never liked the red plastic hood on the diesel so I painted mine.

A home brew Rock Island caboose to run with the diesels.

One of the hardest Unique Art pieces to find, a functional power house with the handle.

I'm very happy I found this post when I did and helped to resurrect it. I've learned a lot in a few short days here.

As soon as I can figure how to post a picture I'll post what's left of my set box. It's set #400 which was the 742 and tender, the caboose, 8 sections of track (which I didn't get) and the "transformer", which in this case is the wind up key! There was a bonus with the boxed hopper and the boxed Jordan passenger car. Both are complete with price tage from Hanes!

The box is red with a real nice drawing of the engine. I'm still trying to find another red box on the Internet, but I can't find one. 

I replaced the flint in the engine and she sparks like a champ! 

Nick

Thank you. That was great, but the "decals made from photos" needs a little more explaining, please. Did you scan the original and print it out?

pictures from the internet. I used PaintShopPro to enhance and size the images.

Here is my clockwork #500 set with the figure 8.

Steve

Looks fantastic steve very nice original set.  Also for those who dont know the #742 windup motors are originally riveted in place inside the engine shell.  If you notice screws bolts or other fasteners then you know it has been at least messed with and is no longer original.  From there you can look to see what else has been modified.  That is one part I wish I could change about the #742 engine.   

JEFF

I must say that pricing for Unique Art pieces are all over the board. Have seen the 3905 silver boxcar for as little as $15.00 or as expensive as $100.00+. 749 and 750 transformers are a tough find too. Actually got one from Steve and found the other shortly afterward on toytrains.info. One advertiser there has a few Unique pieces for sale. Vienna Station also has some pretty regularly. I bought a boxed #1950 set from Vienna about a year ago for a very reasonable price that included a cattle car.

What a great thread and a lot of info here for folks that were needing it....this forum is wonderful!!

Alan