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The railroad I model had passenger trains to twin massive rayon mills in Elizabethton, TN. I had an employer badge for one for the timeframe I model but just got one for the other today from ebay.

They're tiny, the smaller one is just a little bigger than a small lapel pin, about an inch across. I can't imagine this would ID anyone from more than two or three feet away!

20211117_121455-01-01

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@leapinlarry posted:

Here is my new diesel engine, I think Lionel did a nice job on this colorful SD70Ace UP version of a Joe Biden presidential themed engine. The 46th president of the USA. Check out the colorful decorations. Happy Railroading Everyone 55B2FB70-DC61-4A4A-88E5-56DF30534AA5

Very nice looking diesel. I've been a fan of the patriotic paint schemes since the middle 70's.

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

French Tram box

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.

French Tram side view

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.

French Tram extended front quarter

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).

French Tram side w doors open

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

French Tram side w ruler

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

Don, I'm sure if you start a thread about getting this beauty under power and include pictures of the trucks, underside and interior if you can get it opened our wonderful forum members will come up with a way to get it running under it's own power.

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. 

French Tram side view



Smart that you bought it then, as I bet you wouldn't be able to find one online later.

That's a really neat looking model/toy. I'd have bought one had I seen one when my wife and I were in France in 2018...

p51 Thanks for your comments  and coach joe, you are right about likely getting help here on the forum but I am not confident of my own skills.  Merlin, the minimum radius is not specified but my guess is that it will not make sharp turns.  In reality many of these are articulated to go around corners but this model is a solid frame.  I would guess it might make 072 but unlikely to make 0-31 or 0-27 but I have not really given it a full try as yet.

Don

p51 Thanks for your comments  and coach joe, you are right about likely getting help here on the forum but I am not confident of my own skills.  Merlin, the minimum radius is not specified but my guess is that it will not make sharp turns.  In reality many of these are articulated to go around corners but this model is a solid frame.  I would guess it might make 072 but unlikely to make 0-31 or 0-27 but I have not really given it a full try as yet.

Don

Don, I know that length will run fine on 072 as I have quite a few cars that length. Probably would run on 054 but could be tight! LOL

Leroof - I understand your feeling and we do have some members on the "Tinplate Photo's and Videos" site that in fact have displayed trains that match the pre 1900 (or close) time period.  If you don't review that posting in the "Photo Albums" section of the forum you might try it.  Me I have one truly vintage item, a Lionel standard gauge box car from about 1912 and that's about as far back as my collection goes.  That box car was a gift from a colleague at NASA and it always made me smile to think of getting a toy from the days of fabric and wood aircraft and the Wright brothers from a friend at NASA in the space rocket business.

Best wishes, Happy thanksgiving

Don

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