York Finds, Deals and Deals that got away

I got a kick out of the guy in the Orange Hall selling the $20 Menard's cars for $40-$50 bucks a pop. Not sure how he did on that. 

I saw several great rolling stock deals in the member halls...several I seriously considered grabbing but opted not to. A little bit of regret is sinking in for one of them. Just Trains gave me several great deals on buildings and rolling stock. 

Nassau Hobby had their Model Power figures for $5 for a package of 6. Great deal, I got a couple. 

I was also really tempted to buy one of those oil tanks from the guy in the orange hall. I was interested in the small one but the price was a bit high for my tastes. A fellow National Capital Tracker member has several of them and I've always admired them. Maybe next time...

Another fellow Tracker got his first Standard Gauge train set....he is very excited and I am just as excited to see it in person and see it run in the future. 

I think OGR member "James from Va" got the best deal and wasn't even there! He asked me to pick up a set of 6 mint in box MTH Railking Santa Fe passenger cars. I think he said he paid $150 for all of them. They are sitting in my train room and will give them to him tomorrow but I'm tempted to keep them and get a Santa Fe engine....they are REALLY nice. Unfortunately, I have a conscience and am honest....

I received a message about a fellow who purchased a brand new in the box 1990 Lionel Scale Hudson w/o the display case for $300.00 cash.  If I recall correctly these were going for over $1200 at the time. 

My biggest, and least expensive, and probably trivial find, but a thrill, was to find a

Hallmark 1936 GMC pickup (sure hope they make a Chevy for that year or 1937).

In the Orange Hall I found several RMT RDC's priced right (after finding one in

another hall, same price).  I decided I better go back to pick up another while still

in the Orange Hall. I walked every again aisle and could not find them!  And it was just

a half hour or so since I'd seen them.  So I hiked all the way back across the fairgrounds to a member hall to pick up another one, and there he still had several. These are much better power chasses for gas electric kits than the no longer made Bowser components, which also can still be found commonly.

I kick myself for paasing up Charles Ro having a WM F unit(s) at a great price. maybe another time (lol)

  came across many folks who seemed real upset if I offerd just a bit lower that the asking price; and there were those who were real fun to haggle with. i mean that in a nice way...I could see they too loved the banter we were exchanging, and i gave them the $$ without insulting them. a few said " you threw me a fair counter offer and now I have some $$" !  that is a lesson to all

This is the best deal I ever got. New 400E $120. The guy was getting out of standard gauge and he was basically giving his stuff away. I should have bought it all.  He    had  3 electric engines which the people right behind me bought for 95 new. lionel classic passenger cars for 25. I thought there was something wrong with my eyes . John

I was eyeing some Santa Fe baggage cars at RPO Trains. The thought came to me that MTH had made the Amtrak 40th Anniversary locomotives, but not the train (there were licensing issues over the use of older paint schemes). I already had the locomotives:

I thought, "well, the Anniversary train consists of three baggage cars, a sleeper for the crew, and an Amfleet food service car for the gift shop". If I got the baggage cars, I could easily remove the Santa Fe nameplate, acquire a similar sleeper down the line, and a loose Amfleet food-service car in one of the non-prototypical paint schemes (would be nice to have AMTK Phase III versions of the above, but beggars can't be choosers). All that would be left would be to add Phase III striping (the even-sized red/white/blue stripes) and print out "Amtrak 40th Anniversary" logos to stick on the baggage doors, along with "Display Car" and "40th Anniversary Store" signage. Voila! an O-Gauge Anniversary Train.

But there was a problem. I came on the York bus, and with what I had previously bought, my hands were full and the bus wouldn't re-open for purchase storage till 11am, and it was just before 10. So I lugged my purchases around the Orange Hall till maybe 10:30-10:45 or so, and headed back to RPO, thinking "well, they hung around all day Thursday, maybe they're still there"

"The First Law of York" struck again...somebody had bought two of the three cars. Oh well, I knew it could happen.

I mentioned this to the dealer later that day, and he said he could have put them aside for me, then after I described what I was going to do went through his stock to see if he could assemble a similar set of cars, then had a brainstorm. RPO Trains buys up MTH's excess production samples, assembly-line errors/rejects and overages, so he had undecorated shells and trim parts for all the cars. All they need is silver paint and striping+logos, which I can do myself. Just give them a couple of weeks to recover from York, and I may well be able to assemble the train in one shot.

So while I missed a score at York, I got a line on something even better

---PCJ 

I went to York not looking for anything in particular, and picked up a few little items, but when I got to Vince's Trains I stopped in my tracks. I saw an engine that I had been looking for since it came out in 2004: the MTH Pennsylvania H-3 1187. It was a little higher than I wanted to pay, it was early in the meet, and I knew it had been there in spring as well (and I couldn't afford it then, after all the stuff I bought lol), so I decided to keep walking around. I came back around 1 and talked to the guys, who discounted it nicely, so I bought it. I had already planned to do this, but the man I dealt with suggested that I get a new battery for it or a BCR, because of the item's age (which I thought was great; showing that they care about the customers). Well, I took it over to the BCR booth and plopped it down on the counter, to make sure I got the right one.

I haven't had a chance to install the BCR, and my layout is a mess, so for now, quick cell phone photos will have to do:

Looks like some of you scored some real nice finds!

Indeed the first law of York or anywhere else for that matter is, if you see something you've been looking for decide decisively right then.  If its affordable buy it.  But don't regret if it's gone if you decide to come back later.  Just keep on trucking as something better may come along.

A year ago I was given some old freight cars.......it was part of a set from 1957..... Well, I finally found an engine in reasonable condition. I got some Helium tanks for the flat with   pipes and BandOB graciously sent me some red canisters.......now the set is relatively back together.

A very colorful set......oh the stories these cars could tell!

Peter

Saw this sign at Lionel Customer Service in Ohio back in 2013. Saw it next at York last Thursday. Will be hanging next in my train room tonight.

I bought a 4 car GGD heavyweight set plus baggage & combine for $200.

MTH tuscan 5 stripe scale GG1 in proto 1 for $185. Always wanted this engine as I can  remember as a youngster waiting at the Elizabeth, NJ station and this engine came through there at full speed with all its might and wind!

A #124 prewar Lionel City tinplate station for $70.

SJC, The fellow who was selling the oil tanks told me he is retiring. So next springs York may be his last. He will be trying to reduce his inventory then so you may get a deal then. I know I'll be looking for him. 

I got two great deals this York.

On Thursday, I scored 4 Pecos River boxcars for $100.  Back in the day you could see these from $45-60 a piece.

On Friday, I bought 4 MTH Premier gondolas with junk loads for $110.  Usually you see these for at least $40-45 individually.

George

Good to know, thanks. However, I may not attend the Spring York due to a family vacation. While the Ritz Carlton in Puerto Rico is appealing, I'll miss York if I'm not able to attend. Worse comes to worse, I'll ask a friend to grab one for me.

I scored a Lionel Legacy SD 70 in BNSF Pumpkin Scheme from Nassau Hobby.

Michael I saw the PRR H3 and it caught my eye, I have the same engine with Pennsylvania across the tender. A great little engine!!!

What a fabulous York!!.  One of the best I've attended during the past 30 years or so.

On Wednesday I bought a Minitoy Public Service trolley.  I've had the Rapid Transit version for many many years, and was always looking for the Public

Service at a reasonable price.  And there it was.

I came with some very specific wants, and lo and behold within the first 10 minutes Thursday I found my #1 target --the Lionel 2226W tender in excellent condition for a very reasonable price.

Next was a very nice Karl Bub station from the 1930s at a super price.

Then came a Bing C/W electric outline locomotive from 1930 to add to my collection of

Bing steam outline C/W locos.

Perhaps the most interesting purchase was a plastic O scale Trolley Bus with Mexico

City colors and a Zocalo destination sign.

By Thursday evening I had to make an emergency run to the bank ATM.  A hint to the

wise.  Don't use the ATMs at show. Their fees are high and they have a $200 limit. There is an excellent bank at Highland and Market St which will give you all you need

at a better fee.

On Friday I had plenty of money in my pocket, but couldn't find my next target --a Williams Illinois Central F-3.

But I was able to pull off one of my famous swaps plus a bit of cash and ended up with

a beautiful HO scale Kiwi metal station.

But the most fun I had was seeing old friends--some of whom I hadn't seen for years.

I hope to  come to York next year, but at my age you never know.

lewrail (see my new website at www.lewrail.com)

Almost all of the above were purchased within the first hour (the trolley was found in

the "Holidrome" show the day before).

I was getting a bit nervous and 

What a fabulous York!!.  One of the best I've attended during the past 30 years or so.

On Wednesday I bought a Minitoy Public Service trolley.  I've had the Rapid Transit version for many many years, and was always looking for the Public Service at a reasonable price.  And there it was.

I came with some very specific wants, and lo and behold within the first 10 minutes Thursday I found my #1 target --the Lionel 2226W tender in excellent condition for a very reasonable price.

Next was a very nice Karl Bub station from the 1930s at a super price.

Then came a Bing C/W electric outline locomotive from 1930 to add to my collection of

Bing steam outline C/W locos.

Perhaps the most interesting purchase was a plastic O scale Trolley Bus with Mexico

City colors and a Zocalo destination sign.

By Thursday evening I had to make an emergency run to the bank ATM.  A hint to the

wise.  Don't use the ATMs at show. Their fees are high and they have a $200 limit. There is an excellent bank at Highland and Market St which will give you all you need

at a better fee.

On Friday I had plenty of money in my pocket, but couldn't find my next target --a Williams Illinois Central F-3.

But I was able to pull off one of my famous swaps plus a bit of cash and ended up with

a beautiful HO scale Kiwi metal station.

But the most fun I had was seeing old friends--some of whom I hadn't seen for years.

I hope to  come to York next year, but at my age you never know.

lewrail (see my new website at www.lewrail.com)

My 13 year old son and I made our first trip to York last week.  

Got to the show on Friday and was pleasantly surprised to find parking lots full, lots of people strolling around, nice weather, and lots of 0 gauge trains and supplies.

We arrived about 9:45 am on Friday hoping to miss the initial lines to get in door. We "accidently" started in the Orange Hall....it was our goal all along but never saw it labeled "Orange Hall", just happened to be the first door we went in that day.

Pleasantly surprised to discover the majority of items in the Orange Hall were really nice.  

Started in the right hand corner of the hall and quickly my son purchased a military caboose.   Across the aisle were lots of neat diecast cars and I spotted a Fred Flintstone mobile that we scooped up.   Never seen one in 1:43 before and it will find a home on the layout close to the Jokermobile and Mystery Machine.  

Vince's Trains was next.   Wow, did he have a lot of nice things.  Got to talk to Vince for a few minutes, super nice guy and wish him the best of luck.   My son liked a Burlington diesel and we both saw some nice NY steamers but decided to hold off before we spent all of our $$$ less than 20 minutes into the show. Those items were gone when we returned Later that afternoon but we did purchase an item from Vince.

On to other booths, Lionel and Williams displays were nice.   Williams had a neat little layout running their 4-6-0 Circus steamer when we saw it.   All people at Lionel were very nice and said hi to Scott G. and his son even though I had never met him before but recognized him from the forum.  

Bought a few Lemax carnival items from EHobby tools, admired the amazing buildings that were displayed at numerous booths including the OGR booth and said hi to Alex M.

Saw Harry H.......some of those buildings were true works of art.

Also met another gentleman, can't remember his name but he had done intricate  passenger cars interiors with people, plates, candles that lit up, etc.   Very cool. 

The benchwork people with their power lift was tempting too.  

Made it about halfway through before stopping for lunch at concessions.  

Finished up and made our way to the other halls to check out the layouts and more trains.    Trying to make it through the blue/silver hall (If that sounds right) at about 4:40 and some dealers were closing up but we met a nice man named Leon and picked up two MTH engines right before the hall closed.   My son had wanted a NYC Hudson or a Blue Comet but also had his eye on the UP Flag diesel.    We ended up with two of the three and made one last trip in Orange Hall before leaving.    Son got two PRR passenger cars (one a vista dome with people) that he had wanted for his Turbine train.

Overall we were quite pleased with the experience.   Lots of nice people, lots of items to look at, some good deals to be had (we should have gotten the Model Power People and the WM F Diesel sets that we saw in the back of the Orange Hall next to MTH booth.  I did get 3 RMT "Wally" engineer figures for $2 total which are great for sticking in engines that don't have figures.  Also bought an inexpensive tram for use with our carnival/amusement park.   Might repaint it but first will populate it with people.

Here are a few pics of some of the items we took home......

I only had three things on my list that I was really looking hard for.

But as always I am open to the visual suggestion of properly displayed merchandise and a smooth talking dealer.

I got two cars that I found interesting.

One was a Central Of Georgia 6-19279 boxcar which is a remake of the 6464-375  postwar version.  I thought it was supposed to have silver or white lettering like this and a dark reddish brown body.  I really didn't pay much attention when I bought it.

After I got home I realized that the one I bought has red letters, and a fairly red body, not the dark red/brown I was used to seeing.

I still like the way it looks.

Second one I got was a UPS Operating boxcar.  I had one at home and thought I would like to get a second one.

Here is a picture of what it turns out I had at home.

What I found at York turned out to be this very rare red door version.  (I made up that red door version stuff, although it does have red doors that are painted brown.  Look over the delivery man's shoulder and you can see the inside of the door behind him.

Probably not prototypically correct but I like the way it looked.

I wasn't looking for a brand new 3370 Sheriff and Outlaw body or a Santa Fe freight F3 body, but I love those cars so I picked them up as well.

What I was looking for was a Santa Fe or Southern Pacific engine in the Kodak color scheme.

I only found two.  This one

And this one.  I apologize if you had one there and I missed it.  I was looking for the Lionel ones as well.

What I did not find, but was sorta looking for was:

Lionel 58599 UP Hopper

Lionel 17643 NKP bay window caboose

Lionel 28225 SP SD40

Lionel 28502 SF GP-9

Lionel 24556 UP B-unit

Lionel 28519 Northern Pacific GP-9

Lionel 52348 Sheriff and Outlaw

Lionel 17279 Ontario Northland Boxcar

Lionel 17276 Cotton Belt Boxcar

I did find a

Lionel 19345 CN Hopper, but at about twice the normal price so I passed.

So my total list is still unfilled. 

But the Kodak engines were at the top of my list, so I am happy.

I didn't expect to find everything at York, but there is no better place to look.

P.S.  when I got home and unloaded I realized that nothing "got away" from me.