I know Halloween 🎃 just passed but I thought I would share anyway. I picked up the Lionel - Smoking 57' Mechanical Reefer with sounds back in September. The graphics are pretty cool and it smokes really well. It is a real eyecatcher on the layout. I also got just a simple blue office shack made by Lionel too.

NS1975, I really like that blue. That’s a color we don’t see a lot of on our layout buildings. It really stands out.

I bought a few things at the METCA Train show. There will be some videos on my YouTube sometime soon.

My brother in law bought his first O gauge train set and track but he needed a transformer. I found a brand new Z-1000 for him on FB marketplace for a great price. When I went to pick it up, the guy was selling a lot of items and I ended up buying some rolling stock 🤣🤣

Two CP Coil Cars and a GTW Gond w Load - Heavy Industry in the Northern Mid-West 1970s

Always wanted one of these. Now I got one! My first pre-war other than a few accessories.

@June posted:

My dad was stationed at Port Hueneme before heading to Vietnam. I'm trying to track down this Lionel TCA Seabees car for him for Christmas.  Wish me luck.

June,

  Although my dad was in the Army (Go Army, Beat Navy!), my father-in-law was in the Navy...I may have found one for you. My email is in the profile.

Tom

I recently picked up a nice, boxed PW 299 Code Transmitter Set with insert and instructions, a PW 410 Billboard Blinker w/box, 2 PW illuminated LTC's, a PW 6464-425 New Haven box car and a PW 262 Highway Crossing Gate.

I got 5 out of the 11 in the group of Lionel O Gauge Passenger Cars from the 70's in the Milwaukee Road colors in 1 group, then bought 1 more Passenger Car to make it an even 6 car group.

Then bought a Lionel Lines 64173 caboose.

Won a Southern Railking 4-6-4 Hudson Steamer from Cabin Fever Auctions . (Thanks)

It is PS2 with a bone chilling fantastic sounding whistle.  I absolutely love it.   Fantastic service from Shipping Saint as well.  I also picked up the six car older Crescent set from them and cannot wait to fix it up.  Love the Southern green color.  Running Conventional for now.

John

Picked this Lionel Pacific up last weekend. Made in the early 2000s when Lionel was making, what I consider, some of their best built engines. It came with a big Pittman motor, Odyssey Cruise, wireless tether, continuous fan smoke, but two chuffs. By replacing the two lobe cam with a four lobe made from scrap along with a second micro switch we get four puffs and chuffs. Total investment a few hours time and a 50 cent switch. Also added the deck plate, cab curtains, and shortened the drawbar.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Picked this Lionel Pacific up last weekend. Made in the early 2000s when Lionel was making, what I consider, some of their best built engines. It came with a big Pittman motor, Odyssey Cruise, wireless tether, continuous fan smoke, but two chuffs. By replacing the two lobe cam with a four lobe made from scrap along with a second micro switch we get four puffs and chuffs. Total investment a few hours time and a 50 cent switch. Also added the deck plate, cab curtains, and shortened the drawbar.

Pete

Nice work Pete.     Swa where others were disappointed with the two chuffs but you worked it out.   

Outstanding 👍

Well I have been looking forward to posting this item.  It is a little out of my normal lane, but I could not resist buying it.  I know we have some "subway" fans so I hope this will please them especially.  Back Story...My wife and I took a cruise down the Rhine river in October, it had been postponed 3 times due to various countries COVID restrictions so we finally made it.  We stopped in the very scenic Alsace Town of Colmar, France which is right on the boarder between France and Germany and went into the town for a tour.  Colmar by the way is the home town of the sculptor Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty.  Anyway, as is typical of me, while many folks are admiring the beautiful architecture, I am on the lookout for toys and trains.  Well what do I find but a toy store that amongst all the dolls and such has a very small collection of train toys.  One of which is in fact a 1/43 scale replica of the modern trams that you see all over Europe.  So for about $30 US I got myself a 0 - scale model of a modern city tram.  Pictures follow.

Here is the box that caught my eye...note that it clearly states that the scale is 1/43 however the rest of the features are described in French so thank goodness for the pictures.  I did note that the box says the toy is for those 3+ years of age or older ...I guess at 77 I am qualified although my wife might not agree

Here is a side view showing the two sets of side doors.  Note also that their is a full interior.  The two center roof areas in grey contain large opening hatches that allow you to "populate" the inside if you desire.

The highly streamlined front end (or rear end for that matter). The operator (1 person) sits behind that large streamlined windshield.  Except for entering and leaving stations there did not seem to be many lineside signals so it appears the operator has a good deal of discretion in operating the tram once they get track clearance.

Another front quarter view showing the opening doors.  The station platforms are raised to the height of the door so there is only a small step to get in or out.  Fares are sort of on the "honor" system.  You buy a ticket (or more commonly a multi ride pass) and you are required to keep that on you and show it to an "inspector" should one appear.  Failure to have a ticket to show the inspector results in a hefty fine - so the incentive is to buy your ticket (which costs nearly nothing anyway).

This view shows the scale of the model.  It is about 16" from end to end about 17" over the couplers.

Well that is my "cool" purchase recently.  I have not figured out how to integrate this into my layout so I expect it will be shelf display for the time being.  It does have flanged wheels and very detailed trucks so modifying it to run on the track is withing the realm of possibility maybe even powered if you could find a small motor.

Best Wishes

Don

That is a beautiful model, Don. I hope you can figure out how to run it on your layout.

This is my new Lionel Vision Line Southern Pacific GS-6 #4460! I actually got this a couple week’s ago, but had to send it in to Lionel to have a binding issue fixed with the drivers. Turns out it needed a new motor and got it back after just nine days!

Artie-DL&W:  Thanks for your complement.  I agree that it will be a challenge to get it integrated with the layout , but that's part of the fun anyway.

best wishes

Don

@Craftech posted:

Won a Southern Railking 4-6-4 Hudson Steamer from Cabin Fever Auctions . (Thanks)

It is PS2 with a bone chilling fantastic sounding whistle.  I absolutely love it.   Fantastic service from Shipping Saint as well.  I also picked up the six car older Crescent set from them and cannot wait to fix it up.  Love the Southern green color.  Running Conventional for now.

John

Cool!  Exactly what I've been looking for.

@Don McErlean posted:

Well I have been looking forward to posting this item.  It is a little out of my normal lane, but I could not resist buying it.  I know we have some "subway" fans so I hope this will please them especially.  Back Story...My wife and I took a cruise down the Rhine river in October, it had been postponed 3 times due to various countries COVID restrictions so we finally made it.  We stopped in the very scenic Alsace Town of Colmar, France which is right on the boarder between France and Germany and went into the town for a tour.  Colmar by the way is the home town of the sculptor Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty.  Anyway, as is typical of me, while many folks are admiring the beautiful architecture, I am on the lookout for toys and trains.  Well what do I find but a toy store that amongst all the dolls and such has a very small collection of train toys.  One of which is in fact a 1/43 scale replica of the modern trams that you see all over Europe.  So for about $30 US I got myself a 0 - scale model of a modern city tram.  Pictures follow.

Here is the box that caught my eye...note that it clearly states that the scale is 1/43 however the rest of the features are described in French so thank goodness for the pictures.  I did note that the box says the toy is for those 3+ years of age or older ...I guess at 77 I am qualified although my wife might not agree

Here is a side view showing the two sets of side doors.  Note also that their is a full interior.  The two center roof areas in grey contain large opening hatches that allow you to "populate" the inside if you desire.

The highly streamlined front end (or rear end for that matter). The operator (1 person) sits behind that large streamlined windshield.  Except for entering and leaving stations there did not seem to be many lineside signals so it appears the operator has a good deal of discretion in operating the tram once they get track clearance.

Another front quarter view showing the opening doors.  The station platforms are raised to the height of the door so there is only a small step to get in or out.  Fares are sort of on the "honor" system.  You buy a ticket (or more commonly a multi ride pass) and you are required to keep that on you and show it to an "inspector" should one appear.  Failure to have a ticket to show the inspector results in a hefty fine - so the incentive is to buy your ticket (which costs nearly nothing anyway).

This view shows the scale of the model.  It is about 16" from end to end about 17" over the couplers.

Well that is my "cool" purchase recently.  I have not figured out how to integrate this into my layout so I expect it will be shelf display for the time being.  It does have flanged wheels and very detailed trucks so modifying it to run on the track is withing the realm of possibility maybe even powered if you could find a small motor.

Best Wishes

Don

This is very special Don   I never saw one of these on a layout and I can't wait to see it flying down the rails on yours.  🤓

Thank you for your comments Dallas

Best wishes

Don

Found some good reading material at today’s WB&A TCA Meeting - Western Maryland Railway Company Rules and Instructions Governing…well, just about everything. Effective September 28, 1952.

Just got back from the Boeing train show in Kent, WA.

Not a bad haul for fifty bucks total! The K36 book alone normally retails for 80...

Arrived this PM from N. Lima Trainworks:

The UP shells (observation and combo cars pictured) will become cars with the addition of frames, trucks, and interiors; and, be painted in Northern Pacific Raymond Loewy livery for the new North Coast Limited underway (note the baggage car in process) since the sale of my 25+ year old set to a club member.

The silver passenger trucks are for a Texas Special train currently underway.  Their bulb holders will be removed and replaced with @gunrunnerjohn's designed modules and LED strip lighting.

The three frames with underbody detail will be used for the NP NCL cars under assembly.

The seats will be used for the two vista dome interiors on the Texas Special train; and, the rear doors and insert will be used for the NP NCL (with a Tomar Industries drumhead) and inventory.

Very pleased with the service received from N. Lima Trainworks which permits me to undertake these projects.

Nice, Carl!

@Don McErlean posted:

Well I have been looking forward to posting this item.  It is a little out of my normal lane, but I could not resist buying it.  I know we have some "subway" fans so I hope this will please them especially.

I have to say, that's not something that pops up everyday, pretty cool!   Now you just have to get trucks under it so you can run it on the rails!

Great buys everyone, Don McErlean, that’s a beautiful tram, subway, and looks to be very modern and streamlined, great purchase. Dorfj2, now those are beautiful boxcars and very colorful and unique, Angela Trotter Thomas is a fantastic artist bring us beautiful memories of the past, painting pictures of Lionel favorites in awesome settings, Wow. Pingman, you have a nice bundle of passenger car bodies, other parts which in the end will look great. P51, nice find on the books, and memorabilia. Happy Railroading Everyone.

@dorfj2 posted:

That is so awesome!

I want to buy one, but when I put the SKU in the TrainWorld website, it crashed.

Did a search of their website and came up with 2138240/. Is that the same car (SKUs don't match, but that was the only Angela Trotta Christmas TrainWorld car that displayed.

Finally unboxed this beauty, a METCA exclusive

Yesterday at Allentown, I had two eggs over easy with bacon and toast (hold the home fries).  Thanks Chuck.  Then I got:

An MTH wood sided caboose that I’ve been looking for to go with my LC+ P&R camelback.

A covered hopper in the LV snowbird scheme.  This Lionel model has some very nice brake line details.

A Weaver LV snowbird caboose.  Unfortunately, I already have the same road number on an MTH version of this caboose.

A 6456 LV hopper.  I pick up one of these at just about every meet I go to.

An NYC covered gon.  NYC is not one of my favorite roads, but I liked the look of the covered gon.

An MTH RK Reading boxcar in Crusader paint.

A few crusty passenger cars (603 and 604) to go behind my crusty 152 loco.

And sadly, probably the last transformer I will ever buy that was reconditioned by Harry Lutz.  Harry passed away recently.  Great guy.  I’ll miss seeing him at meets.

Nice pile of stuff Bob.  I looked at the transformers, but I really have no use for another one, so I had to pass.  I would have bought the Reading Crusader boxcar if I saw it.

I picked up this Weaver U25b engine. It is a special run but still nice. Can't believe it was just 3 blocks from me. John

I have no need for the transformer either.  But I have an A and a Z that Harry reconditioned and figured I would get something closer to the middle of the alphabet.

@Pingman posted:

Arrived this PM from N. Lima Trainworks:

The UP shells (observation and combo cars pictured) will become cars with the addition of frames, trucks, and interiors; and, be painted in Northern Pacific Raymond Loewy livery for the new North Coast Limited underway (note the baggage car in process) since the sale of my 25+ year old set to a club member.

The silver passenger trucks are for a Texas Special train currently underway.  Their bulb holders will be removed and replaced with @gunrunnerjohn's designed modules and LED strip lighting.

The three frames with underbody detail will be used for the NP NCL cars under assembly.

The seats will be used for the two vista dome interiors on the Texas Special train; and, the rear doors and insert will be used for the NP NCL (with a Tomar Industries drumhead) and inventory.

Very pleased with the service received from N. Lima Trainworks which permits me to undertake these projects.

Nice project. I'm sure you know this but the smooth sided aluminum TCA cars Lionel made in the 90s are great candidates for these repainting projects. I did up a set in the early red and silver SP Golden State scheme. I think the most I've ever paid for one on those TCA cars is $25-30.

Nothing from me guys, But I wanted to say what great buys you all are getting! Maybe someday I will have something new to share! LOL

Mike, don't worry.  It's that season. There's still time. I did something stupid yesterday,  I had my dates wrong and showed up 2 weeks early for a local train show.   Lucky it was  fairly close by..8-)

Jeff

I bought a new [to me, anyway] truck and it had a receiver hitch. After a couple of out-and-back trips to retrieve my trains from storage, I rewarded myself with a receiver cover. Got this from an eBay seller for $75, but it's cast aluminum. The head is about 4 1/2" square and it has two positions for the pin if you want it to stick out 2" further.

The guy also makes couplers and boxes for 1 1/2" scale trains (Kadee's on steroids). This one looked better than the one offered in a railroad catalog and was more durable than the plastic ones. I don't think I'll paint it. I also bought a locking pin so it doesn't walk away.

Mike, I have one of those, from a different maker, they get some double takes. I sprayed mine with rust colored primer.

Jeff

@Lou1985 posted:

Nice project. I'm sure you know this but the smooth sided aluminum TCA cars Lionel made in the 90s are great candidates for these repainting projects. I did up a set in the early red and silver SP Golden State scheme. I think the most I've ever paid for one on those TCA cars is $25-30.

Thanks.  Yes, the TCA cars are great donors and I have eight for a Great Northern Empire Builder project though I haven't been as good a shopper price-wise as you.

The UP cars' advantage is having interiors, frames and trucks which I previously purchased from NLT.

@AGHRMatt posted:

I bought a new [to me, anyway] truck and it had a receiver hitch. After a couple of out-and-back trips to retrieve my trains from storage, I rewarded myself with a receiver cover. Got this from an eBay seller for $75, but it's cast aluminum. The head is about 4 1/2" square and it has two positions for the pin if you want it to stick out 2" further.

The guy also makes couplers and boxes for 1 1/2" scale trains (Kadee's on steroids). This one looked better than the one offered in a railroad catalog and was more durable than the plastic ones. I don't think I'll paint it. I also bought a locking pin so it doesn't walk away.

Put a locking pin on that sucker if you want to keep it!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Put a locking pin on that sucker if you want to keep it!

I did. The chrome barrel-shaped thing to the right is the locking pin. It's actually easier to work with than the non-locking (cotter pin style) hitch pin.

Matt, That thing needs some serious "weathering"!