6464s Continued

Interesting question Turtle:

I run mostly passenger trains, but I do have two “collections” that fit the 6464 type of collecting.

The first was the MTH Railking Auto Carriers, the style with two levels. I have all of them from the first issue until the next 35 or so cars. After that I decided to stop as the train was way too long and costly to keep going. At this point I think (lost track) it would take about another 10-15 units to complete the set.

The second and more interesting is the Lionel PS-4 Flat with Trailers. I do have all but one issue, the Polar Express version. I passed on that because it did not fit with the others IMO. At this point I would like to pick one up, but not at the inflated prices that I see them being sold for.

The thing that both of these have in common is they look really neat traveling the layout as one large unit train. Colorful, uniform and its fun to see the reactions when I run these at shows with our club. Dads almost always try to ID each of the cars as they roll by.

Charlie

I am primarily an operator.  However, my collecting affliction extends to:

MTH Bobber Cabooses. Just like the look and various road colors.

MTH Ore Cars. Can haul 50 - 60 of these guys with no issues. Great road colors also.

MTH All-Door Box Cars. I like the unique style.

I like the looks of these units and have every one, in each of the categories I listed, that MTH has ever made. In the Bobbers and Ore cars category, I have many duplicates.

Joe

Good topic....

I've said this before... and it bares repeating here... the Lionel postwar 6464 were "collectable" because there was a finite number of them (30 or so) that made the goal of collecting them all achievable.  Atlas-O reefers were all set to become the modern-day 6464 collectable, until Atlas-O overproduced them AND came out with so many -- some available only through special runs, clubs and such -- that folks lost interest in them (from a collectability standpoint).  For the longest time, the very first run of 40' reefers were commanding premium prices in the marketplace... until Atlas-O re-ran those paint schemes.  And I think that REALLY ended the "collectable" phase of those reefers.  They're still very popular, and you can't beat the colorful appearance of a long string of these in a train headed up by a spectacular steam loco.  I just don't think anybody out there will say they're "collecting them all" though.  I could be wrong, and it wouldn't be the first time. 

I'll second Charlie's interest in the Lionel PS-4 flatcars w/piggyback trailers.  Lionel has spread out the production of these over nearly 10 years now -- yet there's still a relatively finite number of them that makes acquiring them all still an achievable goal.  I like modern intermodal rolling stock, and these piggyback rolling stock make a wonderfully colorful yesteryear train that complements modern-day container cars quite nicely.  I have them all (2-packs and individuals) thus far, and would continue the collection if Lionel were to produce more.  But honestly, I'd probably only purchase new road-names at this point.  Having each and every one of them is not a goal of mine these days.

Same can be said for Lionel's 57' Mechanical Reefers.  I'm not a super big fan of enormous rolling stock, because they eat up a layout's real estate too quickly -- unless you have a club layout like the NJ HiRailers!!!    The 57-footers, however, are a nice compromise that gets the larger scale look onto your roster without overwhelming things.  So I enjoy the 57' Mech Reefers for that reason, and I have all the ones Lionel has produced thus far.  However, like I said with the PS-4 piggybacks, I would probably only purchase new models if the road-names were different than those produced to date.  Variety of road-name/color-scheme outweighs the need to "have each and every one ever produced", IMHO.

David

I actually refer to my trains as an Assortment rather than a Collection.  I do have most of the modern era 6464 cars because I love to run long freight trains and having 60+ boxcars to choose from means I get lots of variety.  I also have assortments of exploding boxcars (post war and modern) and MTH RailKing Canadian theme cylindrical hoppers.  That is just rolling stock.  I also have a large assortment of scale NYC steam engines from MTH, Lionel, K Line, Williams (brass), Weaver and 3rd rail.  I recently found to my surprise that I have 12 Hudsons and all of them are different.  And don't get me started on UP engines.  I have steam, diesel and turbines in numbers that are just ridiculous!

I am not the only one in my family with the accumulation bug.  My wife has more china cups than she can ever use and my sister has so many unicorns she has had to dedicate 2 rooms in her house to them.

Rolland

Since I started this post, I may as well tell you all what I "collect'-anything PRR ( especially electrics and diesels); a bit of the hard coal companies-LV and the Reading; some Maine RRs-B&A especially; GG-1s ( PRR, PC, Conrail, Amtrack, NJT, etc.;all Lionel 6465s, 6464s and 6464 types including K Line boxcars of that size; FM Trainmasters;  Lionel Trolleys; Lionel oil derricks; K Line die cast chassis tank cars; MTH die cast tank cars, boxcars and reefers; Lionel flat cars with piggyback trailers; Lionel and K Line 16 wheel die cast flat cars with loads; Corgi buses. Obviously I have been doing this for years and years, but still seem able to find new "things" which interest me. 

turtle7 posted:

... Obviously I have been doing this for years and years, but still seem able to find new "things" which interest me. 

Here... here... I think many of us can relate to that statement.  Just when I thought I was done with traditional-size rolling stock, I found myself drawn to Maynards WWII boxcars.  Those -- along with Lionel's new WWII series of boxcars and uncatalog'd Coca-Cola boxcars -- will make a beautiful train that will honor my Dad's service in WWII.  To complement that on the scale side, I've also been quietly picking up scale rolling stock such as the LCCA "Support Our Troops" boxcars (at reasonable prices), along with Weaver flatcars with medical supply trailers, and Atlas-O's soon-to-be-delivered "troop series" cars.

David

I've said this before... and it bares repeating here... the Lionel postwar 6464 were "collectable" because there was a finite number of them (30 or so) that made the goal of collecting them all achievable.  Atlas-O reefers were all set to become the modern-day 6464 collectable, until Atlas-O overproduced them AND came out with so many -- some available only through special runs, clubs and such -- that folks lost interest in them (from a collectability standpoint).  For the longest time, the very first run of 40' reefers were commanding premium prices in the marketplace... until Atlas-O re-ran those paint schemes.  And I think that REALLY ended the "collectable" phase of those reefers.

Well said.
As far as overproducing and intentionally making items hard to get: Lionel did the same thing.
I started out purchasing all the billboard reefers (like 9860) as they came out, with the idea of having them all. But then Lionel started putting some of them in sets, with no official separate sale. If you wanted the car, you had to buy the set or hope that some dealers were breaking up sets. I quit buying them, and thinned out those I already had.

Obviously I have been doing this for years and years, but still seem able to find new "things" which interest me. 

Another me too. We collectors have to have something to look for.

"I actually refer to my trains as an Assortment rather than a Collection"

And today I refer to myself as an accumulator rather then the collector I once was.    The difference today,  I have no reservations or second thoughts to unload anything at anytime.   Especially true when something better comes along... 

Joe

I collect locomotives, passenger cars and rolling stock with flanged wheels.

What, me worry?

Like Rigatoni, I collect MTH bobber cabooses (plus a couple of Atlas (1970s) and AHM two-rail versions from which the MTH shell appeared to have been designed.

Chrome. I only have two, both RIP Generals. One is modified to double head, but don't think I can say no to that shiney of an engine or car. Stainless and aluminum fall in just under chrome. I think there are three Generals a Berk, Hudson and the Burlington locos. Know of more?

On the same General train,(& others lol), lighted passenger cars. After really pursuing the year round running of my trains, I realised the I missed my Grandfathers passenger trains running at night most.  I had one then, 5 sets now, 2 shine silver (SF & Crusader home brew) one shines gold (RIP set) another is Ç&O baby Madison's in a yellow daylighter scheme (for lack of better name) and tuscan Broadway limited streamliners are at least classy.

I run the General team with passenger & freight mix and a bobber at the end too. The older look appeals to me. After I manage baywindow, drover, and transfer crummies I'll likely only buy bobbers and occasionally work cabboses.

Finally rockets and space stuff. I have three launcher cars. One since I was a kid. My Gantry and launch base from then and the vertical launcher and rocket delivery car, and missle delivery car at least survive as flat cars, the special parts broken off.

If I could wrap my wallet around it, I'd also go foR 1 of every critter and GG-1. (the first portion of my Gramps collection to be completed was all the GGs, then critters, then Generals, then Berks. An e-x Hudson would have finished things off 100% for steam. He had all the FMs and most of the rest of the pw diesels too.

He was only missing a few odd boxcars. I know, and always knew, I'd never equal that collection, but at least I got to experience it first hand.

I am not familiar with the term "critters". What are they?

In NC critters are animals who run at night.

CW, Any time you ask a question about anything I have to think twice I've got it right lol, But a RR critter is any of the very small maintenance of way and yard locos. Oh and trolleys. In the post war era, this wasn't too hard, except for the oddball variations.

I've been collecting Lionel PS-1 boxcars. Got about 72 of em and don't have this years yet but it should be easy to catch up. They are in a display case but several years ago when I reached a total of 50 I put them on my layout all in one train and ran them for a few minutes.