York not the best for tin-plate options

walt I agree,usually this has been the case,,and yes I did a "haul" from sidetrack love those people,got the American flyer red presidents set,,they didn't have the loco in ps3 at the show but they called the store and its on the way now,,so at least I have the cars and I bought the crane car for the o girls set,,i even thought that the mth booth was poor,,the standard on a table,,,plzzzzzzzzzz,but guess fall isn't their "big" time anymore,but I still like the day I drive over and back the same day, terry

Walt,

 

Tinplate is sort of a "niche market within a niche market" if you will.  I actually think Standard Gauge Tinplate is an untapped market at that -- especially for those of us who've been around O-Gauge for awhile and might need something completely different yet still stay within the same hobby.

 

Don't get me wrong... I still love O-Gauge hi-rail.  And I consider myself trending toward the scale side of the market segment without getting bogged down in rivet-counting.  As I said in another thread yesterday, I'm fine if Atlas-O ever decides to re-run its CZ cars in different paint schemes.  They're CZ cars are so terrific, I'd be ecstatic to see them offered again in different roadnames and wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it.

 

But getting back to tinplate... York is definitely NOT tinplate heaven -- especially if you're visiting dealer halls.  I tend to only visit dealer halls, and this year time restricted me to only visiting the Orange Hall.  But perhaps the member halls might have given you a bit more to look at in terms of tinplate.

 

SideTrack Hobbies is primarily a "Standard Gauge tinplate store" at York amidst a sea of O-Gauge dealers.  And I think it's a great strategy that works for them.  Rather than bring along O-Gauge stuff that every other dealer brings along, they stick with product that gives them a great way to stand out from the pack -- especially when we know that everyone is just looking at $ signs.  From a dealer's perspective, I'm sure it's no fun knowing that somebody is gonna walk 6 feet across the aisle just to save $5 on the same product you have on display... and not even think twice about doing that.  It must get very old very quickly.

 

I didn't make it over to the Purple Hall this time, but I think Nicholas Smith Trains usually has a large Standard Gauge tinplate booth there as well as the "main booth" in the Orange Hall (with regular O-Gauge product).

 

Aside from those two well-known dealers, I don't see a lot of new tinplate at York.  JusTrains is also over in the Purple Hall.  And while they sell tin-plate online, they don't typically bring much if any to York.

 

David

 

 

 

But Walt, we are there.   And we're not boring. 

also,,sidetrack did have a nice bunch of tinplate o,,and I like the fact they put take the time to print out the picture of the product,,,speeds up the buying process for us more number challenged,!

Allan, I couldn't agree with you more...  very well-stated.  Captivating is the right word.

 

Most of us can trace our toy train enthusiasm back to nostalgia as kids.  But Standard Gauge Tinplate pre-dates that time for me by several decades.  As much as I love to create a scale O-Gauge empire, I must confess I'm captivated by the charm and whimsy of Standard Gauge Tinplate trains as well -- especially the passenger sets!!!    Unfortunately, Std Gauge Tinplate places an even heavier burden on funds and real estate than the O-Gauge stuff.    Oh well... everything in life has its costs.

 

David

York is not a mecca for new tinplate but I did get a couple of standard gauge Celebration series cars from Side track and got a nice deal on an O gauge steamer from another dealer in the orange hall.  Just trains had probably more tinplate then most people knew about. I think they should have taken the time to put pictures on their boxes like Side track does. The boxes were so poorly marked we got frustrated  trying to read outer shipping boxes so we left.

walt,

If you are still looking for some other O tinplate,Brady's in Greensburg has some on display and probably more in storage. 

Norm

I went over to the tinplate side several years ago and it quickly became apparent that York is not the place to stock up. As noted Sidetrack is pretty much the main player (btw, Sidetrack has plenty of O tin, not just Standard gauge).

 

So, Walt, here are some other dealers where I've had good success purchasing tinplate. There are many others but these will get you started:

 

Ready to Roll Trains

JR Junction

Western Depot

Sidetrack

Train World

 

I saw a couple good deals at York on new traditional tinplate. The first was an unopened new old stock Red Comet Set for $400.

 

The best deal was an Armored Motor Car Outfit. Sidetrack Hobbies had them for $275. Guess what my wife bought me for Christmas?

 

Since I run DCS and also traditional tinplate with an emphasis on Marx, York is never a boring experience for me.

 

I felt the quantity of tinplate was very light this time around. I was surprised how sparse it was.

If not York, then what venue besides on-line has a better tin-plate offering?

None that I am aware of (in terms of meets or shows with items for sale).

Allan: you might be pleased to know that Imperial Trains is willing to bust up the Electric Set (I don't want the 50W trannie or the track) so I might (probably??) get it since I'm thinking my Blue Comet won't be back to me in time for this year's Christmas layout and just having the Christmas set won't be enough train for me.

 

I HAVE to have trains running, that's why I'm panicking about my Baby Blue Comet issues.

 

- walt

Don't panic, Walt, it will all work out for you and I'm confident you'll like the world of tinplate O.

 

I bought one of my 254Es with the set and bought the second locomotive as a separate item.  Would buy more if they come out with some different liveries (I also have that same engine in the Lionel orange and blue).

Eddiem: whether you see this first or the email, I was told just last night that Imperial Trains has the Orange and Blue electric, in a set.  It's a passenger set.

 

Imperial Trains (the last that I called): 724-695-7552

 

- walt

Tinplate is something you have to seek out.  You may also want try the Train Room in Hagerstown and Nicholas Smith.  Just trains does  have tinplate at York, however it  is poorly labeled and in the back of their space.

Scott Smith

 

 

I stopped at Just Trains but only saw conventional sets.  I tried to look very carefully in their booth since some here said that they have a small selection that they bring to york.

 

If the brought command sets, I missed them.

 

So far I am liking working with the people at Side-Track Hobbies.  I also have 3 shops relatively close that carry nice tin-plate options (Brady's, Mercer Junction, Imperial)

 

- walt

don't forget, York is a TCA sponsored event.

and remember TCA stands for

Toy "Collector" Assco.

and most people collect pre and post war trains,

so consequently dealers that come to York to sell

are going to have older trains instead of new.

Have you been to York popi - and I'm not asking this to create some sort of contentious reply, so don't take it that way, OK?  I ask because a LOT of dealers and hobby shops set up in at least 3 halls and always have NEW product.

 

- walt

I have to agree with Walt. 

 

Most DEALERS come to York to sell NEW... most MEMBERS come to York to sell OLD or USED.

 

I prefer the Dealer areas of the Orange, Brown and Purple Halls.  But I do try to cover as much of the member halls as time allows.  Lots of great items to look at and look for!

 

Ed

 

       

Although York is run by the TCA's Eastern Division, dealers attending want to maximize the time and resources they put into the meet.  That being the case, pre- and post-war -- along with today's tinplate offerings as well -- take a distant back seat to newly produced O-Gauge trains.  Members may bring old stuff, but not many if any dealers.  Been that way for as long as i've been attending York since the early 1990's.

David

A lot of the folks here will use modern MTH tinplate locomotives but use a mixture of new and excellent+ condition original freight/passenger cars. A lot of times you can't tell the difference and many times you can get good quality originals for the same or less than new. Its an option, plus would expand your availibility a bit without sacrificing modern day operation.

 

Peter

Walt,

If you would like I could loan you some proto2 tinplate for the season.Let me know.

Scott Smith

Just keep in mind that tinplate--old and new, and whether O gauge or Std. Gauge--is a small niche within a niche, so it's kind of obvious that you won't find a whole lot of it at York or any other meet, although the combo of old and new is certainly more prevalent at York than just about anywhere else.

 

The new MTH/LCT tinplate is pretty much made-to-order, just like so many other higher-end things in O gauge these days, so you have to know what's coming and be ready to strike while the iron's hot.  That's part of the challenge and the fun as far as I am concerned.

 

I have had no problem finding very nice (contemporary) O gauge tinplate, as my collection of about 30 engines and a lot of rolling stock and accessories amply demonstrates.  With the exception of the large 256 locomotives, which I really like, I tend to prefer the smaller stuff, even in O gauge, and could have a significantly larger collection if I went for everything in contemporary MTH/LCT O gauge that is available now or has been made in the recent past.

Peter: you know what scares me about buying older stuff???  At least until I become more educated, that is.

 

I've learned that there are differing heights of the couplers!!  I'd hate to buy something that I liked and find it doesn't mate with me LCT couplers!  So I think I'll stick with new, which pretty much guarantees a match, hopefully!

 

- walt

Thanks for that amazing offer Scott!!  If I don't have my new Baby Blue Comet by this coming Wednesday I will call Side Track Hobbies and find out why the delay.

 

The 2nd set that I have on order - Al "guaranteed" I'd have it before Thanksgiving, so he BETTER be right!!!!  I have 28 people coming for my annual 'train party' on December 7, with 12 kids, as it sure would be nice to have a train running!!

 

The reason I can't accept you offer is that with electronics in these things being susceptible as they are to damage, I don't want to take a chance of damaging your engine(s).  Especially on Dec. 7 when 12 kids will be playing/interacting with the layout.

 

But thanks, again, for that amazing offer.

 

- walt

Allan: fortunately for me I plan on being VERY selective since I don't plan on obtaining too many pieces.  I might buy one add-on car for my Blue Comet set and I most like will buy a few, a limited few, freight cars when I get my Christmas freight set. 

 

At least that's my plan as of today!!!!

 

- walt

It's an open offer if you change your mind. I have a couple of traditional trains you are also welcome to use if you would feel better using those.

Scott Smith

Yeah...  That's what they all say...

 

So far I've been able to resist the siren song of tinplate, although I had a brush with it in the '80's.

 

Rusty

Right you are about that, Rusty!  Once the bug bites, resistance is futile!

Yes, coupler heights do vary on different series but hopefully there wouldn't be too much difference beween an original and a LCT of the same series that it wouldn't be compatible. Once you get into this more you can explore futher down these lines.

 

Peter

I got a growing pile of AF O-gauge myself. I think Walt will have a harder time of this especially since he was used to many more (would't be surprised if any guests clamor for more)...just can't see him stopping at 2...

Peter

Looks like Side Track Hobbies did a pretty good business at York....and don't forget, they are one of our forum sponsors with a banner above which goes directly to their website.  There is a "Sale Items" place to click on but right now it looks like there is nothing listed after York...but I'll bet you'll find something soon!!

 

Alan

With latch couples, don't worry about height. Just bend them to the proper height. Buy a spare coupler if you are worried about destroying something. I do not have any box couplers.

Right now, being still new, I don't know what qualifies as being a 'latch coupler'.

 

My LCT couplers have a 'hook' on the end that opens downward.  The coupler 'bar' doesn't look like it could be bent.  I'm terrible at words, but let me describe the 'bar' this way: Comparing it to a 1"x6" piece of wood, the 1" side would be on the top and bottom and the 6" side would be on the sides.  Now, translate that to a metal coupler and you can see why I said they don't look bendable.

 

But I have much to learn.

 

thanks

 

- walt

Greetings fellow tinplaters,

 

I did find a Lionel 1685 Ives Transition coach to go with my recently acquired 1687 observation.  I know they won't win any beauty contests, but they certainly are original and are examples of the all-red and vermilion cars.  Not easy to find in original super condition. Fortunately the prices I paid for the two cars were quite reasonable.

 

Lew Schneider

Box couplers have a plastic piece on top shaped like a box. You lift it up to uncouple cars. A latch coupler is all metal. A liftable piece (the latch) from one coupler fits over the point of the other coupler, To uncouple, you lift both latches and separate the cars.

Walt,

 

Lionel tinplate latch couplers:

 

 

 

tinplate hook couplers:

 

 

 

Box coupler hoods should be diecast and the will also couple to latch couplers.

Roland