Buy anything cool lately?

Received a package Tuesday containing an MTH Alco UP C628.   It’s a Railking scale engine with photo sound 2.0 and new in the box.   I found it using MTH’s product locator and was surprised, happy, and a bit lucky to find one available since this locomotive in UP livery was released December of 2002.  This model has been resting on the shelf for the past 18 years.
In 1973 the Missabe was looking for motive power to help handle the upturn in taconite shipment brought on by an improved economy.   The DM&IR was a big supporter of Electro-Motive Division power but they could not deliver new locomotives until 1975.  So, the Missabe went searching for a temporary solution and found ten Union Pacific 6 axle Century series Alco C-630’s that were in good shape and reasonably priced.   They kept the basic livery colors, painted out the UP markings, blocked out the first number of their original four digit designations, and added simple block letters here and there, to identify the new owner as, the DMIR.   I have always liked the look of the UP and it’s massive locomotives, and now I have a good reason to see it on my layout.   I fondly remember, as a youngster, traveling out west to Denver and occasionally chasing some big steam along the route.   It's now lashed up to assist my two SD24’s, one of which is non-powered.
The #2901 will become DMIR #901.   I have some detail parts on order, need to find some maroon alphabet decals or dry transfers, add foot boards to the pilots, and move the horn back over the roof vents (DMIR placed them there to prevent them from freezing up in winter).   I also plan to convert it to a C630.  This will require some fabrication/modification to the venting on the hood bulge, just south of the cab.   For now, it will run as a C628.   Nice to have a new project in the wings!  
In the meantime, everyone keep on posting, good health to all, wash your hands, don't touch your face and stay on TRACK (of course, that means all 3 rails!).

Cheers, Dave
PS:  Another great diversion to help weather this storm:  Visit the Lake Superior train museum, one of my happy places:

https://www.youtube.com/playli...CSI4bn_W7nWrhgXlwtLu

They have produced over 60, 5+ minute vignettes highlighting the history of railroading in the north country of middle America.   Enjoy!!!

Dave, great shots and I LOVE that video!

Not for the layout, but nice additions for the train room:

First was a gift.  An enameled, cast iron spittoon with N&W on it.  Very heavy.  Need to remove the felt off the bottom someone added.

Next is an example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Made a dump run today and noticed something familiar on top of the trash compactor.  Grabbed it as fast as I could.  It’s a Adams & Westlake railroad lantern.   The glass is unmarked, but the metal brim is stamped M.C.R.R.  Can’t believe what some people throw away.

I brought this home from Norfolk Va saturday. 

I bought some more shelving from Glenn Snyder.  I had my handyman come and install them.  Spent some time organizing things as well.

One of my local train shops just got in a huge collection of mint MPC era stuff. Being a prewar guy I suppose the colorful nature of those years appeal to me. But they did have the complete Powhaten Arrow. Nice and never ran still in the boxes. Unfortunately some less then ideal storage has a left a few issues it is otherwise a very beautiful set. They had the Southern Pacific Daylight set but I had just missed it. 

I know I am really late to the party but I picked up my first LionScale 50' boxcar today. I can see where they cut corners to save money in the production but overall it is pretty nice. The trucks run very smoothly and I like the rotating bearing caps. I don't remember seeing anything LionScale in the latest catalog by Lionel (2020 Vol. 1), are they still making this product line?

I ordered from Stockyard Express 2 Premier half tracks with machine guns.  MTH has hit a home run with these.  Videos soon.  Thanks Clyde for shipping them so promptly!!!

Got this Williams LV Dash 9 off ebay for a pretty good deal, It was new and had never been run. Funny thing both motors were loose on their mounts and all gears were dry as a bone. Has trueblast plus (with no vol. control) I was going to use it for parts for another project, but as always, it seems to nice to strip for parts...  Jeff

A Bachmann Heisler with DCC and some San Juan Car Company Trucks and brake wheels/staffs for the narrow gauge; 

@Postwarman posted:

Got this Williams LV Dash 9 off ebay for a pretty good deal, It was new and had never been run. Funny thing both motors were loose on their mounts and all gears were dry as a bone. Has trueblast plus (with no vol. control) I was going to use it for parts for another project, but as always, it seems to nice to strip for parts...  Jeff

 

Jeff, I can't see the photograph you included.

Hi Mark,

   Try this..

Jeff

Jeff, That’s much better!!!  Thank you!

Mark, your welcome. 

Picked this up. Needs boards, motor, driveshaft, and paint. A MTH Premier Santa Fe 2900 class Northern. Going to end up as road number 2903, because I've seen 2903 several times at the Illinois Railway Museum. I've got PS3 boards and a roller bearing 9434 Pittman motor for it already. 

From Dixie Union Station, MTH Armco coil car.

Hi Bill, Couldn't see an email address for you in your profile, was wondering about your connection to Kodak? I worked for Eastman Kodak for 16 years started in 1982. Have been collecting Kodak cars when I can find them. I have the Kodak Park unlicensed K-line set, some KMT Kodak cars and Weaver tank cars. Noticed your 44 tonner and The Hopper. Email in my profile if you want to chat.

Thanks,

Jeff

For reasons I don’t understand, ever since the pandemic got going, I haven’t been down to the layout in spite of have plenty of time on my hands. Unfortunately, that hasn’t kept me from buying all sorts of stuff!!! Well, the boxes having reached critical mass, I finally had to unbox and test everything... so here is a litany of my recent purchased (in light of the times, I’ve tried to spread my spending!!!):

First, I picked up a Lionel 2-pack of Long Island 21” passenger cars and an FA-2 Cab Car from Charles Ro to go with the LIRR C-420. Looks like the LIRR is testing some equipment in a bid to get a contract to run trains on the Pocono - New York City run if it is ever restored!!!

Next up, I got two Atlas Canadian Pacific bulkhead flat cars. Other than I really like the CP, I didn’t have any of this type car (and Micro-Mark was having a great sale). 

By the way... anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of load these cars carried???

Next, I’ve wanted to put together a work train for a while (I’ve had a TMCC crane for a few years), so I picked up three Lionel NYC cars from Grzyboski’s - the tool car, bunk car, and kitchen car. I must say, it was weird calling in an order and having it delivered instead of just driving over and picking them up.

I must say, the detail on these cars is very nice, although some of the couplers are rather stiff. Also, while I have enjoyed the various sound cars, the chatter from the kitchen car is rather inane and annoying!!!

Next, I picked up three MTH cars from Mr. Muffins which I found in one of his frequent e-mails (if you don’t get them, I’d highly recommend signing up). First, a Pan Am boxcar. Having worked at 27th Street and Park Avenue South for over 30 years, I fondly remember the Pan Am symbol high up on their building at Grand Central...

And because I love the D&H (and NY!!!)…

And just because it is very striking...

Next, I picked up the CP FA-2 set from Nicholas Smith. As I’ve said, I like the CP, and especially this paint scheme (the first “set” of trains I purchase on my own was the Maple Leaf Limited in ‘81 with a SD-24 in the same scheme). This is a rather interesting set - the AA units are both powered... I am so use to having only one powered unit. I also got the SuperBass B unit. They are striking to say the least.

Finally, and this was a present, so I technically didn’t buy it, is another of the NYC Subway paintings I’ve been commissioning for the last few years. All the others were strictly based on the actual tile work from a number of the original stations in the subway system, but this one is something of a fantasy...

I’ve gotta stop buying stuff. Said no one ever!!!

Critical mass for sure, Paul!  Everything looks great!

I picked up this Lionel PS-5 gondola recently. It is for the Algoma Central Railway, which is in Northern Ontario, Canada. I know it is just a basic gondola with no load included but I am very happy to have it on my layout for no other reason than it just appeals to me.