LIONEL TCA 15" aluminum passenger cars make excellent donors for paint projects because of their inexpensive cost (~$50 delivered on ebay), and the variety of shells: baggage, combo, RPO (uniquge among 15" aluminum cars), diner, coach, vista dome, full dome, observation ( unique skytop lounge style with interior).
Bought six of them (4 brand new which is irrelevant for my purposes) for $30 ea. from a custom painter who had about a dozen more. These are inventory, as are the two offset vista domes recently purchased, for a UP project that is months away from starting. Meanwhile, I'll have some empty boxes to move.
AND, I bought the Nginerring MARS lights for my NP F-3s. and a gyralight for an observation car. No bargain, but I avoided a shipping charge.
Very pleased with the shopping experience.
