I attended a local train show this weekend and was present to see my friend land the "Deal of the Day"...or century for that matter. A vendor had 2 large cardboard boxes filled to the brim with Gilbert engines and an assortment of other train related items. Everything was dusty and dirty, all mixed together, and none of the engines were paired with their respective tenders. The vendor (who usually sells only O gauge stuff wanted to unload everything at one time. My friend and I examined everything mentally keeping track of what was and wasn't there. The vendor said, "Give me $200.00 for everything" to which my friend immediately countered with $175.00 for all. Done deal.
Now to the best part. In the boxes were 8 Atlantics, 3 Pacifics, 2 Hudsons, 1 K-5 and 1 KC Jones. But.....of those 15 engines there was a 21105 with aluminum wheels...classified as NRS, a 1946 Hudson 322 NYC SIT, a 322AC Hudson from 1950-1951. (Later my friend tested all the engines and all ran with a little cleaning and oiling with the exception of a 300 that was fully rusted but may be able to return to life.) The rest of the stuff in the boxes yielded two extra Hudson tenders, two Atlantic and two KC Jones tenders. But the Gilbert goodies weren't over yet. At another table we found another O gauge seller wanting to unload all the S gauge stuff he had on his table. Result? $15.00 for 11 Flyer cars, gondolas, flat cars and boxcars... all good runners. We sold off a Lionel Milk car platform from the box remnants to a willing buyer for $5.00. For the entire lot my friend's average cost per complete engine and tender was $12.67.
And one more item I had never seen. Another buddy found a pair of specially made (Maybe 40 sets?) of AC Gilbert turnouts that were constructed to create a reverse loop without any other hardware needed. All I could see that was different about them was at least one of the rails had a cut in it (air gap? fiber pin?) and possibly some special wiring inside. Pair of these went for $25.00. If anyone has further information about these specially made turnouts please post the info.
So, you never know when the S gauge "Angels" will shower you with goodies at great prices!
Mark
