Thanks Arnie, most appreciated. clicking on the link you supplied now!
Don
OK after lots of posts on foreign trains thought I would finish out Sunday with this picture of a Lionel uncatalogued set from 1938-1939. Contains 1717 litho Gondola, 1719 litho Box, and 1722 litho Caboose. The engine is a Gunmetal Grey, 249E which was the object of about a 2 year search and final purchase by mail from another TCA member. I can't say they are "rare" but they are hard to find. These were the "Ives transition cars" although they were designed by Lionel and my cars are marked as Lionel (although there is at least one year they were also marked as Ives - same car with just the Ives name in the same place as Lionel).
Attachments
Images (1)
Worried about my 1835E. Starting to get a little chatter from inside. Something electrical. Makes noise at slow speed. I opened it up and oiled the only thing I saw inside that rotates. I may have done more harm than good. It worked for my blue 390. I think I’m going to take him in for a tuneup, maybe Des Plaines hobby. I like this guy. I like the all black no nonsense look. He’s strong, just gets noisy, like a strain on something electrical at slow speeds and with a longer string of cars on. Nice strong whistle in his tender. Funny thing is, before this winter I hadn’t run trains in for 4 years I think, I didn’t remember this guy even having a whistle. I hear it now, loud and clear.
George recommended a CRC wash. Maybe I’ll look into that. I might ask for advice on that.
Cheers, W1
Attachments
William 1 posted:Worried about my 1835E. Starting to get a little chatter from inside. Something electrical. Makes noise at slow speed. I opened it up and oiled the only thing I saw inside that rotates. I may have done more harm than good. It worked for my blue 390. I think I’m going to take him in for a tuneup, maybe Des Plaines hobby. I like this guy. I like the all black no nonsense look. He’s strong, just gets noisy, like a strain on something electrical at slow speeds and with a longer string of cars on. Nice strong whistle in his tender. Funny thing is, before this winter I hadn’t run trains in for 4 years I think, I didn’t remember this guy even having a whistle. I hear it now, loud and clear.
George recommended a CRC wash. Maybe I’ll look into that. I might ask for advice on that.
Cheers, W1
Hi William,
I don't know the Des Plaines Hobby folks. I thought they were O Scale (two rail) guys. Chicagoland Hobby has some standard gauge now and then, and I know they have repair techs who are pretty good. America's Best in Itasca sells some old tinplate, as does Berwyn's. You might want to call around and see who feels up to it and how long they think they need it. Sometimes they just sit in the shop with no progress. Other guys say to give them a week or a few days. Some guys ship them out.
George
Hi George, I am kind of buddies with the guys at America’s Best in Itasca. I hadn’t been there for years, but did stop by last month, saw Tony, browsed for a short bit, not in the market for anything, so it was a short visit.
True story, when the economy got really rough in 2008 + 4, at least for us guys in const., it was the depression. So I advertised here on a lark, I called my company Layout Grunts LTD to start, no kidding, ended up building a $16,000 layout for a guy, bought all my gear from Tony, I made a list and got most of it all at once. That’s how I roll. With plenty of extra. From Tony, I built 3 other layouts for people, all of them being interesting and rewarding experiences. I had the gig for the Itasca train station renovation, I had a contract for a 6x9 layout for $ssss. But I backed out of the contract because I was getting divorced and well, that’s the way it goes. I also did service on the trains for a couple Bryn Mawr department stores. A lead from Tony. So we are buddies. He remembered me. The repair guy there Joe, was actually in an article in OGR one time, an article about Lionel training classes I think. So I always tease Joe about that, but it’s been a while, I’m not sure joe is back there anymore. He fixed stuff for me before. I’ll prob just go there. Sorry for rambling. Brings back memories.
It was so much fun designing layouts for each job. I was pretty handy at that. But, I never thought I could make a living out of it. But, you never know unless you try... I might try to get Layout Grunts LTD fired up again. Put the tools back in the wagon, hitch er up and go. On the side. Give Tony the business.
Have fun! W1
Attachments
Images (1)
Fred, your website is extraordinary. You guys should devote an entire thread to French trains (Maybe you have?) Not to mention English and German. It's fascinating to learn about this stuff. I have a few pieces from my Grandfather I may post for you guys to identify.
FRED's knowledge and his "e books" are very informative! He is "da man"! ☺
Thank you for your kind words 
; it is just an enjoyable hobby.
Regards
Fred
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:
Love it! What are you using for snow and the fence?
Steve Eastman: Loved your staging of the Marx Glendale Depot, I have on of these on a shelf and I can see that next year its coming down to be part of the Christmas layout!
Here is the local taxi waiting at the Big City depot to take those Christmas / New Years visitors home after they get off the train. J
Don
Attachments
Images (1)
Will posted:Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:
Love it! What are you using for snow and the fence?
I bought a couple of Marx buildings from the same eBay seller. It’s the stuff used in textured ceilings mixed in with white paint.
Steve
The "Fan Trip" Steam Engine gets ready to pull out of the hole for last weekends steam fan trip by the Savannah RR club. The tower operator just can't resist coming down to look (and he is on the clock!)
The Savannah - Atlanta express has just left the depot and is about to head into the "mountain" pass (not much of a mountain but then again this is coastal Ga!). The engineer has to slow down as clearance among the trees is really tight. Yes folks I know that the NYC never went Savannah - Atlanta, the route was for the Central RR of Georgia, but I just love my 1952 NYC F-3's and it's MY RAILROAD! 
Just a few "fantasy" scenes for your viewing pleasure
Don
Attachments
Images (2)
So Steve, I gather that is a self-contained little diorama and the snow is permanent on it? Trying to figure out what to use on my Christmas layout which is 4' x 6', would like it to be permanent but not get filthy in storage.
Not to interject, well why not, it’s a public forum right, I would suggest you put a piece of plastic visqueen over the 4x6, tack it around the edges and that would keep it clean. Light, thin, plastic works just as well, actually better, to cover to keep the dust off and will be more pleasant to your scenery and structures.
Will posted:So Steve, I gather that is a self-contained little diorama and the snow is permanent on it? Trying to figure out what to use on my Christmas layout which is 4' x 6', would like it to be permanent but not get filthy in storage.
Yes, it’s a decorated piece than can be picked up and moved.
Steve
