Any Vintage HO Collectors Here?

I have this Gilbert train set which I think might be called vintage h0? I found and bought this in Belgium; I wonder how it ever arrived there.

Regards

Fred

I was reading this thread again and there is some really super stuff here.

I posted this item in the weekend photo thread awhile back but I thought I'd include it here as well as I think the piece qualifies as "vintage" HO. This is the Rivarossi built model of the Krauss-Maffei ML 4000 which was introduced in the AHM product line in 1964. Despite the very limited numbers of the prototype locomotives built, the model enjoyed a long production run into the 80s. A gift from my grandfather, the ML 4000 was the very first HO locomotive I owned. My original model did not survive my childhood but I was fortunate enough to finally acquire a nice boxed example complete with paperwork to replace it a few years ago.

Bob

Gilbert used to sell a 220V transformer so some sets must have made their way over.

Among some ancient Tenshodo brass steam I have a C&NW 4-4-2 and a CSPM&O 0-6-0.  I also have a factory painted (gold) A & B Globe unpowered A & B diesel set.  They have been knocking around in a box for decades.  If anyone wants them make offer including shipping and I'll consider it.    Odd-d

I found this vintage  freight car kits:

The boxes have Made in Japan printed and the couplings  look like Tenshodo. I do not know when these kits were made, but surely some time ago. No trucks included in the rather small and flat boxes. I am going to try to build these kits.

Regards

Fred

I have a lot of vintage HO, but have not always photographed it.  Here are some of my more interesting pieces. 

Not truly vintage, but the HO and N Bachmann Metroliners were really well done for the time they were released.

What I believe to be a Walthers tin side kit of a 60' commuter car.

Early Penn Line 60' passenger car that is all cast.  I have a set of these.  Later Penn-line and then Varney versions were plastic.

The rarest HO locomotives in my collection.  3 George Stock GG1s of which one is still in the original kit box. 

Walthers HH-660 circa late 1940's or possibly prewar.  I don't know for sure.

Hobbytown E7s hand detailed and hand painted for NYC.  I have the A and B powered and each has a DC-90 Pitman motor.  While it's a little rough, I have not redone the set to honor the original modeler.

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Japanese brass electric of unknown origin.

Varney cast F3 that I custom painted for my Uncle who is a Varney collector back in 1996.

Brass PRR N6b.  I believe circa 1960's.

Brass Mack Railbus.  Another 60's item I believe.

Not a vintage train, but my all time favorite model for electric trains.  Love the separate throttle and brake settings.  Pretty realistic and requires practice when using the momentum switch!

I have many vintage trains including an athearn band driven NH F7 unit, and a few AHM C-Liners in B&O and NYC paint. All but the NH f7 have been restored. I also have several of the old IHC Budd RDCs.

Is there any interest out there yet in early HO?  I collect and run only early HO mainly early Varney and early Mantua. My main rule is pre-plastic, but I do have some as in all the Lindberg line and early Revell too. Also have a number of plastic 1950’s and 60’s Mantua of stuff that I had as a kid. I’m not out to collect all early plastic Mantua but just enough of the items I remember. I really love the prewar Varney and prewar items as the Megow line of built and kits of their freight cars. Love all the Model Die Casting line of metal locos and freight cars. I build old wood kits of cars anything early vintage HO back when everything had to be built from kits. In to Penn Line, John English, Hobbytown of Boston. Winton, Tiger Valley, Barr Nixon, Cary, metal Athearn, Ideal, and on and on. Any other vintage nuts out there. Let’s talk.... Martin

I love the vintage HO items on this post-very nostalgic.

Anybody enjoy old Marklin HO? The examples below are from the 50's and 60's and they still run like new.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Walthers HH-660 circa late 1940's or possibly prewar.  I don't know for sure.

 

I hvae one of those body shells and had started to assemble it with a modified Athearn chassis and drive. The unfinished project still awaits my attention.

Mr. Winslow. I appreciate HO Marklin as I’ve seen some at train shows but I never got in to foreign models except some metal German Fleischmann of American equipment. I’ve read that HO started in Europe way back in the 1920’s but I’ve never even seen pictures of any of it. Would be great if someone had information on that first stuff. I look on eBay all the time and find some really great items (in my opinion) of some really early American items and 9 times out of 10 the owners have no idea what it is. Usually in sad shape too but most items can be restored to acceptable condition.

The Walthers HH-660 is really great in my opinion. Love that lead. I have two and a half of them. One runs great, one is a basket case in process of being rebuilt and pieces of another. They do show up on eBay now and then. I want to paint the good one but then you can’t tell it’s lead unless you try to pick it up. I’ll probably just leave it raw. I just love the crude factor of back in the day folks would have thought it to be a good scale model because there was nothing better. I think it came out just after the war. If anyone has evidence that it’s pre 1942, let me know.

I collect some  Ahm and Athearn sets but I primarily collect Tyco RTR sets that were made between 1955 and 1968.

Below is a picture of my 1957 T-10 set which is considered to be one of the tougher sets to find.

And also my TYCO clock that was available to authorized service stations.

Hey Don, I share your love of vintage Maerklin:  I was re-bitten by the train bug while stationed in Berlin back in the ‘80s and since then, it’s been quite a journey.  While my collection of pre-war O gauge has grown quite a bit since then, I still return to the Maerklin — and it takes up a lot less space!

Bob:

Just LOVE seeing pics of your fabulous collection of stuff! It's like stepping into a hobby shop back when I was a kid: Goodies everywhere... but not a dollar to spare!

Andre

@Varneynut posted:

Is there any interest out there yet in early HO?  I collect and run only early HO mainly early Varney and early Mantua. My main rule is pre-plastic, but I do have some as in all the Lindberg line and early Revell too. Also have a number of plastic 1950’s and 60’s Mantua of stuff that I had as a kid. I’m not out to collect all early plastic Mantua but just enough of the items I remember. I really love the prewar Varney and prewar items as the Megow line of built and kits of their freight cars. Love all the Model Die Casting line of metal locos and freight cars. I build old wood kits of cars anything early vintage HO back when everything had to be built from kits. In to Penn Line, John English, Hobbytown of Boston. Winton, Tiger Valley, Barr Nixon, Cary, metal Athearn, Ideal, and on and on. Any other vintage nuts out there. Let’s talk.... Martin

I have a decent collection of Varney, but between my uncle and my father they have every postwar piece ever made when they did most of their collecting in the 80's and 90's.  My uncle started collecting in the 60's actually and his layout hasn't changed since I was a small child which goes back well over 40 years.  He still runs it .... with Penn Line power.  He was never a fan of the running capabilities of the Varney drive although he has plenty.  Also zinc rot caught up with a few of his items being in a PA basement.

They also have their share of pre-war Varney, Penn Line, English, Hobbytown, MDC, Mantua, Athearn, and Lindberg pieces.  My dad also has several Tenshodo locos from the 60's.  Decent runners.  I have a Tenshodo FT B, a Tenshodo GP7 and an Athearn rubber band powered F7 all painted for CNJ even though none of them are prototypically accurate.

About that Penn-Line power he is currently running with.  He picked up some at an Allentown show about 5 years ago.  The GG1 (the original 4917 in Tuscan 5 stripe) and the K4 run like clockwork.  So smooth with no modifications.  Goes to show that these older locomotives can be great runners when I don't build the kit.  My Bowser K4 needs new drivers as they all oxidized and a little work to get it to run smoother.  Admittedly it has been a while since I've had HO anything out and running though. 

@taycotrains posted:

I collect some  Ahm and Athearn sets but I primarily collect Tyco RTR sets that were made between 1955 and 1968.

Below is a picture of my 1957 T-10 set which is considered to be one of the tougher sets to find.

And also my TYCO clock that was available to authorized service stations.

 

 

 

 

Wow...  99 bucks was a pretty good piece of change back in 1957.

Pretty fancy packaging for an HO set.  Was the T-10 some kind of presentation or commemorative set?

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

Wow...  99 bucks was a pretty good piece of change back in 1957.

Pretty fancy packaging for an HO set.  Was the T-10 some kind of presentation or commemorative set?

Rusty

Yes that was a lot of money for a HO set ! 

It was a catalog set that offered 2 train operation and it came in a fancy wood box...but the price was way out of range for the average buyer...so that’s why it’s kind of rare.

I do have an early TYCO set in the box with the 0-4-0 switcher with slope back tender and freight cars and bobber caboose. Neat thing is they all have old loop couplers. It says T.Y.C.O. on the tender.  Anyone know what year they went from loop couplers to NMRA couplers? I don’t. I’d take a picture but the set is good and buried in my spare bedroom.

I collect Marx HO from the 1950's and 60's.  have re-amassed my child hood trains. But am now still going after more when I see them!

Maybe not quite in the spirit of this thread as most of my Tyco and Gilbert HO are long gone. I even had a few Strombecker wood and paper kits with wooden wheels. My oldest brass engine is from 1958. Imported by MB Austin. Its been stripped of its crude detail which has been replaced with Cal Scale and Kemtron parts. also features real glass windows. Rebuilt in 1972.

Pete

I have some and pick some up every now and then.  I have some older Marklin ho and then a good bit of older American ho including Mantua, Tyco, AHM, Athearn, Varney, Bowser, American Flyer, and a few others as well.  No where to run any of it now lol

Hmsjr, I had a Marx H0 set in the box a few years ago. It had the 4-6-2 Pacific loco. I never got around to try running it but at least it was metal. A friend who collects Marx just had to have it and it wasn’t my thing so he bought it. Great to have seen it though.

@Varneynut posted:

I do have an early TYCO set in the box with the 0-4-0 switcher with slope back tender and freight cars and bobber caboose. Neat thing is they all have old loop couplers. It says T.Y.C.O. on the tender.  Anyone know what year they went from loop couplers to NMRA couplers? I don’t. I’d take a picture but the set is good and buried in my spare bedroom.

Loop and hook was used until 1956 ....1957 was the  first year.

Maybe that Marx locomotive was not a Pacific but probably a Hudson.

Here is one of my athearn sets...

B&O F units (rubber band drive) with some familiar looking cars that Lionel once produced.

Cool thread!

I think I was a freshman in high school when  I remember walking canal street NYC from west to east and back again looking in brick a brack electronic shops et al.  I was particularly intrigued with a small shop that had a display case area in their shop. In it contained several treasures. The ones that caught my eye were  the different shade copper cases that housed the model rectifier transformers. Edison NJ? Yeah I had been there! There were two different ones with pulse power and one that had momentum control. There was a third one that was pictured above post the cab control one!  This was three times more expensive than the regular transformers the double throttle one was about the same price as the hand held one. I bought the Basic one I could afford. It was a strong copper color. I was always interested in looking at Rivarossi locos and passenger equipment. I had a streamlined NYC Hudson and a couple of heavyweights one green, one grey. I also had a TEE loco euro passenger  set Made by Lima. Cheap and ran well! No layout, but ran them on a friends plywood set up (stored under his bed!)

Thanks for posting your photos of Vintage HO great packaging with cool artwork of that era! 

Dennis Holler:

I love seeing your vintage HO stuff, too! You has some REALLY cool stuff that you've acquired over the years. Shame that you have no where to see it run at the time being. I'm sort of in the same boat upon have decided to go ahead and indulge and acquire some Postwar 3-rail, both Marx and Lionel: No where to run it, really. Oh well... it's cool stuff and fun to look at, smell, oogle, etc.

Bob:

'Nuther great set. BIG set, too! (9 cars, caboose and A-B set of power!)

Andre

@taycotrains posted:

Here is one of my athearn sets...

B&O F units (rubber band drive) with some familiar looking cars that Lionel once produced.

I thought it was the other way around, Athearn producing some HO for Lionel.  Still, it's fun to see these old sets "in the flesh" as it were.

I recall Athearn inadvertently re-releasing the Erie gondola back in the 80's with the Lionel Circle L logo still on it.

Rusty

@laming posted:

Dennis Holler:

I love seeing your vintage HO stuff, too! You has some REALLY cool stuff that you've acquired over the years. Shame that you have no where to see it run at the time being. I'm sort of in the same boat upon have decided to go ahead and indulge and acquire some Postwar 3-rail, both Marx and Lionel: No where to run it, really. Oh well... it's cool stuff and fun to look at, smell, oogle, etc.

Bob:

'Nuther great set. BIG set, too! (9 cars, caboose and A-B set of power!)

Andre

Thanks Andre,

I used to have this little 4x8 section on my main layout set up with the Marklin ho, then took that up a few years ago and put down American Flyer S in the same 4x8 spot.  It's tempting to set up a 4x8 or some size of table in the other room that I could set up different trains and easily put them away so I could put up these various scales and styles  that I can't really run as it is.

Dennis,  that last photo pretty much sums up our collective appreciation for this hobby, regardless of brand, scale, etc:  there’s something about a train that always brings a smile!

1955 TYCO RTR set T-1003 “power pack” included...This set was well played with but is in amazing shape and includes all the paperwork and uncoupling strip !

@taycotrains posted:

Bob:

Cool little set! That engine appears to be very detailed? Also, that bobber caboose mold might have gone on to become an AHM property?

Question: In the above list, is Missouri also listed? If so, in Kansas City, MO is there a "Spotlight Model Railroad" listed?

Some really great memories were created for me at Spotlight beginning in the mid-60s.

Andre

@laming posted:

Bob:

Cool little set! That engine appears to be very detailed? Also, that bobber caboose mold might have gone on to become an AHM property?

Question: In the above list, is Missouri also listed? If so, in Kansas City, MO is there a "Spotlight Model Railroad" listed?

Some really great memories were created for me at Spotlight beginning in the mid-60s.

Andre

I will check the Missouri listing on that sheet Monday Andre ...I’m away from that set at the moment.

Thanks for your willingness, but promise me you will not make special effort to do so. When/if it's convenient is fine. IF it doesn't happen... it's absolutely no big deal. Just an idle curiosity on my part.

Promise?

Andre

Bob:  That is the same set I have that I mentioned earlier. Same exact box. 1955 the year I was bored. 65 years ago. Do you have any sets earlier than this?

@Dennis Holler posted:

I have a later unassembled Athearn kit of this car. Unfortunately, it is missing one of the sprung Bettendorf trucks.

@laming posted:

Thanks for your willingness, but promise me you will not make special effort to do so. When/if it's convenient is fine. IF it doesn't happen... it's absolutely no big deal. Just an idle curiosity on my part.

Promise?

Andre

oh no it’s not a big deal ! That set is in my basement ...but me and my camper are in Gettysburg...be back Monday ! I’m on a furlough from my job so I figured I’d get out of town for awhile ! Lol !!!

@Varneynut posted:

Bob:  That is the same set I have that I mentioned earlier. Same exact box. 1955 the year I was bored. 65 years ago. Do you have any sets earlier than this?

Not as far as TYCO goes....I believe the Little Trains Line of RTR sets started in 55. 

I guess my oldest HO set is this 1953 or 54 Hobbyline set. I bought it because I like the locomotive.

Bob:

As long as it's quickly accessible when you have the time once home. Thanks.

Your latest set: Wow... for the mid-50s HO, that is a nice looking FM switcher!

Andre

Bob:  That’s a neat little set. I’ve known of that little Fairbanks- Morse locomotive but doubt I’ve ever seen one. That’s a rare item.

Polks  had their own line of HO? 
I know back in the day in NYC they had a floor dedicated to model trains. 
I was into racing cars upstairs on their track. 
What HO did they produce? Any pictures of items or artwork?

Here are some of my “loosies”...

Tyco bobber collection (still missing a lot of them )

Bad picture of a really nice MIB Varney switcher 

More loose red box TYCO stuff in a display case .

Now that’s a TYCO collection. Do you collect Mantua too?

@Varneynut posted:

Do you collect Mantua too?

Not as a rule unless you consider these later Mantua kits ...these were purchased just yesterday at Don Carvers train shop in Gettysburg.

I have very little pre 1955 Mantua...just some early kits .

Like most of us (I suppose), my introduction to scale model trains was in HO scale: I gave that up a long time ago, but still pick up a few odds and ends as the opportunity or mood strikes. Here are a few of my "vintage" HO items.

First is a Mantua Pacific, along with the paperwork and what's left of the poor box:

This model has the enclosed gearbox and runs really well; instructions are dated "5/52".

Here are a couple of newer versions, with direct gearing; plastic cab, pilot and tender body:

The older kit is dated "12/67": the newer is "12/71"...

I have some other stuff I can show, but I'll have to dig it out.

Mark in Oregon

Mantua’s earlier diecast Mikado and Pacific’s had the enclosed gear called power drive. They really did run nice and Mantua even brought it back later for higher priced locos. Early versions had swinging bell on top front of smoke box, metal pilot and cab and the tender was eight wheel with no coal load. All came as kits in the early days with no paint. Nice items to have in a earlier HO collection.

The TYCO car I liked the best was the Derrick car which as far at I know was never a Mantua item. I have three different roads but they are hard to find and usually broken.

@Varneynut posted:

I’ve read that HO started in Europe way back in the 1920’s but I’ve never even seen pictures of any of it.

The first HO set has been often credited to the European tin-plate manufacturer Bing.  In 1922 they introduced the "Table Top" railway where the track gauge was 4mm.   However, it was later classified as OO Here is a link:  https://www.brightontoymuseum....y:Bing_Table_Railway  

Technology improved and later 3.5 mm to foot was established as the official HO standard.

In the United States, George Stock was one of the first to produce HO scale starting in 1930 and he produced kits of mainly PRR prototype locomotives until the early 50's.  These are extremely rare to find.  As shown in one on my previous posts I have been lucky to find 3 of his GG1s over a period of about 12 years and I know of at least 6 in existence.  The steam locomotives are hard to identify.  

Thanks so much Jonathan, for the history and the link to the museum.  I’ve been googling for quite a while and not finding much. It’s nice to know the early history and how it all started. Martin

Atlantis Model company of NY announced they have bought a large lot of tooling (molds) that includes Varney and Adams, both of which did HO plastic kits. No details but might be interesting. 

Here is a early Mantua brass and diecast 4-4-0 Belle of the Eighties, which came unpainted in kit form. Design started prewar but production was only post war. It runs quite well.

And here is a Varney lead boiler (not die cast) 0-8-0 heavy switcher and rare Varney wood and paper slope back tender. This locomotive kit came as a 2-8-0 Consolidated but one could use a Varney step pilot, not use the pilot truck, and build the special tender. This one was modified by the original builder by removing original sand dome and replacing with two after market domes. Note the front one is missing but I have found another. The prewar version of this boiler is cast brass, not lead and being a Reading RR locomotive had the flared out wide Wooten firebox for burning anthracite coal. Varney learned most modelers around the country did not like that firebox so post war was changed to vertical side version. This one runs very good and will pull anything.

Two of the same above. Here’s another and better one of the Mantua

I still enjoy thumbing through some of the classic publications of that era:

@Don Winslow posted:

I still enjoy thumbing through some of the classic publications of that era:

"Of such things dreams are made of."

Rusty

Andre ...your probably gonna hate me but do you remember the Lindberg service station dealer floor plan I told you about 5 or 6 years ago ....the one for 200 dollars ? Well I found another one today and it’s perfectly mint ! and it was only 75.00 dollars...I guess I’m a Lindberg collector now.

I like HO's but I'm not a HO collector. Because I'm partial to GG1's,  I did collect all the GG1's AHM came out with in the yellow and blue boxes w/papers, including the limited edition ones. Total in all is 12.

Wow Bob! You did GREAT!

Mad? Nope... but certainly in awe at the condition of that service center set!

I've seen one similar on eBay for something like $400... but never would I spend such on a set.

Did you find that on eBay? If so, shame on me for not checking for Lindberg stuff for a few days!

Andre

Hello all ..nice thread of old HO ....Vintage HO is a fun place to play ...$$$ go a long way   here area a few link to action packed videos of Vintage HO in action 

lets start at the beginning .

Bing made for American market ..1924-28   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv-G73UJnQQ

George Stock  PRR B6  switcher  1936 ...running past the Stock E6 of 1935 ( first commercially made HO engine ...in America 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXBBqtyUkV8

Mantua's first engine the Reading Consolidation  1938-40  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ShOisaVNw

1938 Gilbert set ..given as a gift Christmas 1938 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNA8rGyZZI

Post war Varney Pacific 1947 /8 pulling a string of pre war Varney streamliners 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFepZh4MTcE

Penn Line T1  pulling a string of American Beauty cars 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GuUgDXszxU

Cheers Carey 

I don't collect HO at all but when I was in high school I had a large collection of Tenshodo trains. I did lawns and other garden stuff around the area to raise a little money. The guy across the street from our house had a HO layout in an extra bedroom. He was in the Air Force and had been stationed in Japan for a couple of years. I spent a lot of time watching his layout run though I still loved my Lionel. Instead of money he offered me Tenshodo trains. All were still in their boxes and I don't think ever run. He said he had way too much to ever run. I had no idea what they were worth but I loved the paint jobs on these trains. I ended up with a passenger set, many f-3s and a great looking huge electric Great Northern. I didn't have a transformer but an old car battery worked well with snap track on the floor for a layout. When it was time to go to college I sold everything, a box full of Tenshodo for $20. Wish I would have kept them just to display. Don

Great videos of fantastic old HO. Love the Mantua Consolidation. I have one but is painted by previous owner. Took a long time to find a decent one. They just do not show up very often.  The footage of the Stock locos is priceless. I’ve never seen one. Thanks for sharing.

This topic is a time machine! Lol.

While reading this topic I added that years  ago (era 1968) I bought  a couple of transformers for HO. I was most interested in the item as pictured by member GG-1 4877 .it is the MRC hand throttle. Does any one know if that can be used with a current (no pun intended) DC modern power transformer  such as a Tech 2?
Also, might anyone have a good condition operating one for sale? I am still sorry I didn’t buy them on canal street!  I remember that the MRC copper transformer I bought  was used for HO and may have had a slide switch for O as well. Anyone remember that or know.

thanks.

Leroof.

Some vintage vehicles made as accessories for  HO trains.

"Hudson Miniatures , Scranton,PA

H.O. Gauge Sedan, 50 cents

Painted"

Dyna Model Products...

Penn Line semi, the trailers are usually seen as piggyback loads, I think the cabs were usually red. This one was really beat up so I painted it to match the  trailer and added an interior and windows.

-Mark

Andre.

Andre ...

Here is the dealer listing for Missouri from that set you asked about. 

Looks like about 5 places !

Hope this helps...Also to answer another question...that Lindberg parts set came out of Tommy Gilbert’s Hobby Shop in Gettysburg.

I stopped in there this weekend in my travels and got lucky !

These are, and in some cases, were, my collection of the most vintage HO. The 4 40's era Varney Streamliners were mostly rebuilt from basket cases. The Frisco Firefly however was acquired as an almost completed model needing only paint and lettering. Who ever did the mods, my hats off. All 4 of these have found new homes. Yeah, I know, should have kept them. However, the much more rare 50's era Penn Line Crusader I did and it still sits in a case. 

Beautiful streamliners. I’ve two Varneys both unpainted one a Pacific and one a Hudson. With that one the tender kit is more scarce than the locomotive. That’s the best picture I’ve ever seen of the Crusader. Yes rare indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, I collect HO trains.  I have about 25 or so brass HO locomotives made by PFM, Olympia and various others.  My cars are Mantua OP coach and combine sets (two of them) I have a few Red Ball lead cars and a few Milwaukee Road and C&NW plastic cars.  I guess I am a true collector because most of my brass HO engines have never been run or even painted.  I do belong to an HO modular club but I run new and recent engines.  Does anybody collect On30?   Odd-D

Those who might have read my posts in other sections of the forum will know I collect mainly O gauge, and pretty much clockwork , but occasionally I come across stuff I just cant resist in other scales

So in my rather eclectic "collection" I do have a few weird and wonderful HO ( or OO ) items

Newest to me is a Karl Bub Sonderklasse locomotive ... this is a marvellous little loco that has a FIVE speed clockwork mechanism !

A trio of Distler TD5000 Triebwagons ( Germany)

Trix TTR Loco and tender ( UK )

another Trix TTR combo

A Bandai 414 BC HO train set (Japan)

And its lovely battery box/controller

A Johann Hoefler set ( Germany )

A Bing Tabletop loco and tender ( first 00 loco , the pioneer of the breed ) Some will dispute this citing Mignon ( France ) etc but in my opinion this was the first "worldwide" set ...

It ran on pressed tin track ...

Another clockwork Bing Tabletop loco , truly an amazing bit of miniaturisation at the time ... they also did produce an electric version as well

And the Loco which forced me into HO collecting LOL!

An example of a LIVE STEAM HO hand built loco from the UK ... truly a unique bit of kit

The string out the back is a wire and fibre wick which is fed into a tender containing spirit ( there is a brass tube to stop it flashing back lol )

( Continued )

a 1937 Rico ( Spain) clockwork Renfe loco and carriage

A Mettoy loco and tender from the 50's (UK)

And another ...

Triang Saddletank ...

And the Mech

And another ... ( Tri-ang )

And a clockwork diesel ( rare factory over painted export loco)

Here a Hornby , there a Hornby, everywhere a bloody Hornby !

And a Playcraft ...

Jouef ( France ) and yes .. clockwork...

Mettoy with tin track

Mettoy Spitfire with turn around track .

Jouef bakelite streamliner and track

A Bandai Aerotrain ( japan)

Rare 1949 Pyramid Trackmaster loco in box ... they sold out to Tri-ang/Rovex and the well known Jinty and N2 versions were based on it

The #748 loco was a Tri-Ang product, it came long before they bought out Hornby. The body shell had a “second life” as an electric loco, finally being dropped about 1963. They were a common item, one of the first 2-rail electric locos and still appear on eBay, from time to time. 

I had one that I inherited from my father’s layout, well into the 1970s.

It had an unusual chassis, using some parts (wheels, axles and motors) from the Jinty type chassis but with the motor “in reverse”, under the tank and smokebox for some reason. 

That photo is interesting because it shows the control rods, the reason for the unusual rear spectacle plate. 

@Rockershovel .... Ahhh so you spotted my "deliberate"  mistake LOL!

Of course you are correct ...!

amended! ( I had Hornby on the brain obviously )

Trackmaster were bought by Rovex and became Tri-Ang, not Hornby (they were separate companies at that time). 

The 0-6-2T never appeared in the Tri-Ang range, Hornby Dublo already had such a Model and Tri-Ang wanted something different. 

@sncf231e posted:

I have this Gilbert train set which I think might be called vintage h0? I found and bought this in Belgium; I wonder how it ever arrived there.

Regards

Fred

Probably in the effects of a US serviceman on a “married status” posting. There were large US military presences in U.K. and most European countries after WW2, and long afterwards, and the sheer quantity of stuff they brought with them caused general amazement. 

Here is a trolley from about 1961, maker unknown, which is the only piece I kept when selling all my collection in 2016.  It was bought at Woolworth's 5&10 and still runs perfectly.

Also from the same era a Rivarossi Consolidation with the motor in the tender, which is a replacement due to disastrous zinc pest in the original.  Lastly, an assortment of industrial diesels and a custom painted Rivarossi caboose.

An assortment of old Athearn, Tyco, Marx, Revell, AHM, and a couple I can't remember.

Hi again. Here is a cast brass or bronze prewar Varney boiler to the 2-8-0 Consolidation. Note the early flared Wooten firebox. This loco along with Varney’s 4-6-2 Pacific were the first locomotives they put out . It first came out in February 1938  and according to the Greenberg book was changed to vertical sided firebox in 1939 and also changed to lead for economic reasons.  So that is not a very long production run. It’s based on a Reading RR class I-10 loco. I’m still looking for the prewar chassis etc. to complete this one. I have several complete later versions. It has diecast smoke box front and added details, power reverse, tanks, etc. 

Wow...that's a real piece of history there...

Mark in Oregon

1958 T5805 “The Mighty Mikado Freight Set”

This blue box set was the most expensive set available in the TYCO line up for 1958... $49.95  

Bob, that was a lot of money in ‘58.

Here is some 1960 Tootsietoy HO vehicles. They are all diecast except for the wheels. There is also a Caddy, Ford convertible, and a tow truck. Still available on eBay.

Do you mean 'vintage collectors' or 'collector of vintage cars': either way I qualify!

Some of my 'vintage' freight cars: mostly metal Athearn, Varney and wood Silver Streak/Ambroid freight cars:

Look for post dated 10-15-18:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...66#81396265019066466

Date 4-29-19 post:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...71#84072378339859071