Buy anything cool lately?

Two new AMT aluminum pass cars, Diner and Indian scout. I think these are later production 

with the blue windows and plastic or nylon fixed couplers. I am also showing pic of another

Indian scout I have, clear windows and fixed die cast couplers. While I was handling them

it seemed the older one was heavier, so I weighed them. Sure enough, the blue window one

was 28.7oz, the clear window one was 35.2oz. So newer extruding technology or just saving

material costs? Or both? I did see a pic online of another Indian scout with Pullman plates. I bought

these two because I thought the Indian Scout had a different window configuration than mine. 

Turns out the AMT cars have different configurations on each side of the car.

STYRENE......

Not very exciting but will move my signal project along.

hey, if it's exciting to you.......

I have been doing a bit more research into the AMT aluminum cars. I have noticed the following so far I think.

First generation, extruded aluminum, diecast operating couplers, smooth polished roof

Second generation, same except for fixed diecast large couplers

Third generation, same except for smaller fixed diecast couplers

Fourth generation, same except for blue windows and small fixed nylon or plastic couplers

Another iteration that I do not know where to place yet is the ones with the fluted roof

instead of the smooth roof.

I think a lot of you guys know more than me, so please help me out here

John

Man, in the last couple weeks I got a boat load of new stuff. Freedom Train and UP excursion train finally arrived. Beautiful cars. It helps my dealer cherry picked my cars as he pulled every one out of the box and Inspected them. I”LLC post some videos later

Bought Greenberg's Standard gauge book, finally. I think that is cool.

Two more GG1s for my fleet.  #4866 in silver with red stripe.  Bought brand new from an Ebay seller.  I haven't seen a locomotive packaged as well as this one was, from the factory.  Bits of cardboard and foam in every nook and cranny you can imagine.  #2332 also from an Ebay seller needed some work to get it operating.  Maybe an electronic E-unit as the ancient one works but could work better.   The catenary is my experimental prototype.  I took a cue from another member, whose name is lost in that space between my ears.  More photos to follow in a new thread about my catenary build. 

Matt, Great videos of your passenger consists!!

Dan, Great looking GG1s!

Thanks Mark, they don’t get out much but the people movers are my favorite 

Picked this up this week. MTH Premier.

This WM scale NE caboose by Lionel

New MTH RailKing Boston & Maine RS-3 arrived from Mr. Muffin's Trains this week. Took it over to my Dad's to run on his layout. Beautiful engine.

Just bought a new Lionel Legacy B&O NW2 Diesel for my small 5'x6' bedroom layout.

Ralph, The perfect caboose!!

James, Love RS-3 in any paint scheme!

Bill, Looking good, B&O!

Bought a new solder gun

When I came home this was on the door step

Maybe its got something in there I can solder together or tin.

Bought this MTH Premier Nickel Plate set from Stockyard Express three weeks ago. It’s a non cataloged set the Blue Arrow City Of St Louis, Consist is 1950 vintage. I was test running on my unfinished layout.

STE

Very handsome train!!

Things have been busy lately with my sons tee ball,  so not much train work. 

I did but a bunch of Model Power people tonight though,  including some that light up.  Got themfor half off, so I splurged. 

New In The Box

York was great. Prices were soft and counter offers & haggling was encouraged. Too bad I don't need much of anything since I'm already up to my eyeballs in train stuff.  I did pick up a few items that caught my eye though.

It was simple - I wanted a white tank car with a black band around the middle and voila!  I like these MTH Premier 8K tank cars,  They're scale yet they'll go well with scale or semi scale stuff and handle any sort of curves. 

This MTH C&O box car to replace an old die-cast Lionel version I have.  This unit is much more detailed and oh so much lighter. The Lionel version feels like it was made from depleted uranium  (it's so heavy)!

This C&O Troop style baggage car by Atlas O. For $30 new in the box I couldn't resist!

Amtrak 70' ribbed 2-car (coach & baggage) set plus another coach.  3 cars all together. 

Go to see what's new and stop and talk to some people I wanted to see as well. It was all good. 

Ralph M posted:

York was great. Prices were soft and counter offers & haggling was encouraged. Too badI don't need much of anything since I'm already up to my eyeballs in train stuff.  I did pick up a few items that caught my eye though.

In my opinion (subjective, of course,) as a former vendor at York and as a hobbyist with a basement full of layout and trains in storage, what you stated, Ralph M, is where I theorize the entire hobby is headed, including all the hobby-shops, manufacturers, shows and meets, etc.

I mean, how much stuff is enough? I think that is why we have come to value the personal interactions so much. Our hobby used to be a hunt for stuff, an adventure of acquisition, with barely any interaction with other hobbyists on their quests for more stuff.

However, nowadays, we have the stuff, and it is the people who have come to count the most to us.

If I am wrong, please, enlighten me. Anybody?

FrankM, Layout Refinements,

and Moon Township, USA

Moonson posted:

Ralph M posted:

York was great. Prices were soft and counter offers & haggling was encouraged. Too badI don't need much of anything since I'm already up to my eyeballs in train stuff.  I did pick up a few items that caught my eye though.

In my opinion (subjective, of course,) as a former vendor at York and as a hobbyist with a basement full of layout and trains in storage, what you stated, Ralph M, is where I theorize the entire hobby is headed, including all the hobby-shops, manufacturers, shows and meets, etc.

I mean, how much stuff is enough? I think that is why we have come to value the personal interactions so much. Our hobby used to be a hunt for stuff, an adventure of acquisition, with barely any interaction with other hobbyists on their quests for more stuff.

However, nowadays, we have the stuff, and it is the people who have come to count the most to us.

If I am wrong, please, enlighten me. Anybody?

FrankM, Layout Refinements,

and Moon Township, USA

I agree completely Frank. But in addition I believe two other factors contribute. First, the internet has allowed us to connect with many other hobbyists that we would never have met prior. An example would simply be you and I.  Most likely we would have never shared ideas, photos, comments, etc. without it. It has brought us all closer. Second we hobbyists are getting older and I believe as that occurs we place a higher value on friendships. Our lives intersect through trains and we want to share each others experiences. It's a safe place which gives us comfort.  Simply, the circle of life!

Excellent points, Gandydancer!

And I have often wondered and marveled over what the results would be if forums such as OGR were to shut down and cut us all off from one another. We'd be guys standing in our basements or some backyard shed playing alone with our trains, which is a bit like where I started back in 1995. At that time, the local hobby store was the single venue for socializing with other (local = limited pool) train enthusiasts, in addition to the occasional show or meet. The magazines helped, but these electronic connections are profound, IMHO.

FrankM

Moonson posted:

Excellent points, Gandydancer!

And I have often wondered and marveled over what the results would be if forums such as OGR were to shut down and cut us all off from one another. We'd be guys standing in our basements or some backyard shed playing alone with our trains, which is a bit like where I started back in 1995. At that time, the local hobby store was the single venue for socializing with other (local = limited pool) train enthusiasts, in addition to the occasional show or meet. The magazines helped, but these electronic connections are profound, IMHO.

FrankM

Couldn't agree more Frank!

Yes, there comes a time when Enough is simply enough, but We all need Light, so, I bought some extra lights from a friend on the Forum...They work fine. Thank you Al B.

My Lionel home layout is a L-shaped (16x19 feet) layout covered by green carpeting and enhanced with many buildings, action accessories, and mini-scenes with O-scale figures. It's not a "high rail" layout because I wanted it to look like the basement layout I built as a youngster in the 1940s & 50s with a lot of help from my dad.  I recently created a scene near the MTH Country Church with perimeter fencing, tombstones, and a Pastor presiding at a memorial service along with the family of the departed one at the gravesite -- complete with a coffin ready for internment.

To complete this scene, I bought a black 1934 Studebaker hearse from Die-Cast Direct online -- a perfect "fit." It was delivered promptly. I added some O-scale figures in and around the vehicle for realism.

Of course, the trains are the "stars" of a layout, but figures and accompanying features can be "supporting actors."  Mini-scenes add "life" to a train layout -- as passengers at a depot, workers at industries, pedestrians in a neighborhood, and kids at play in a park. Several manufacturers of O-scale figures offer realistic -- even whimsical or humorous -- products. Someone stays up at night thinking-up that stuff.

Mike Mottler  (ritrainguy)

Mike M.,

The new 1930s hearse is very nice for completing your scene, but I also like the car dealership and diner peeking out in your backgrounds :-).  My kinda town.

Tomlinson Run Railroad

A few weeks ago I bought a yellow marx santa fe stock car. I have never been all that interested

in stock cars, but it was yellow which I had not seen and it was very reasonable. Then just recently

I saw two more in different colors, brown and tuscan. So I bought them. This makes three

Marx stock cars, does this make me an official stock car collector now?

Moonson posted:

Excellent points, Gandydancer!

And I have often wondered and marveled over what the results would be if forums such as OGR were to shut down and cut us all off from one another. We'd be guys standing in our basements or some backyard shed playing alone with our trains, which is a bit like where I started back in 1995. At that time, the local hobby store was the single venue for socializing with other (local = limited pool) train enthusiasts, in addition to the occasional show or meet. The magazines helped, but these electronic connections are profound, IMHO.

FrankM

Frank,

You are right on with your perspective. I have seen many life long friendships that grew out of model railroading. The hobby is changing with the times whether we like it or not. Those of us over 50 may not like it but there is nothing we can do about it. Enjoy the commeraderie here and anywhere online you find it, people are still people and good people will find good friends in any medium.

Mike

Got a couple boxcars coming in the mail... gonna put together a collection/train of a bunch of boxcars in as many different road names/colors as I can...

Finally bought a #990 Legacy

gandydancer1950 posted:

Moonson posted:

Ralph M posted:

York was great. Prices were soft and counter offers & haggling was encouraged. Too badI don't need much of anything since I'm already up to my eyeballs in train stuff.  I did pick up a few items that caught my eye though.

In my opinion (subjective, of course,) as a former vendor at York and as a hobbyist with a basement full of layout and trains in storage, what you stated, Ralph M, is where I theorize the entire hobby is headed, including all the hobby-shops, manufacturers, shows and meets, etc.

I mean, how much stuff is enough? I think that is why we have come to value the personal interactions so much. Our hobby used to be a hunt for stuff, an adventure of acquisition, with barely any interaction with other hobbyists on their quests for more stuff.

However, nowadays, we have the stuff, and it is the people who have come to count the most to us.

If I am wrong, please, enlighten me. Anybody?

FrankM, Layout Refinements,

and Moon Township, USA

I agree completely Frank. But in addition I believe two other factors contribute. First, the internet has allowed us to connect with many other hobbyists that we would never have met prior. An example would simply be you and I.  Most likely we would have never shared ideas, photos, comments, etc. without it. It has brought us all closer. Second we hobbyists are getting older and I believe as that occurs we place a higher value on friendships. Our lives intersect through trains and we want to share each others experiences. It's a safe place which gives us comfort.  Simply, the circle of life!

 

Very true.  I was a lone wolf from the time my uncle moved away taking his American Flyer trains with him the summer before I started first grade, to when I bought my first train set (a Tyco HO F7 set) when I was about 12, through until I got on the internet in the late '90s.  I did not interact with any other modelers until on early e-mail groups.  By that time I was over 40.  It is amazing how many friends I have met through this Forum, and met in person at shows and meets.  I ran into many of you on my second trip to York that just finished up.

Since this is Buy Anything Cool, I will comment now with better photographs to follow tomorrow.  I got a practically new Premier Western Maryland F3 ABA which I researched to find was cataloged in 1995.  It has a new BCR and very little run time in a like new box from a great Forum member.  Also I got a NIB 2013 catalog Premier Western Maryland FA-2 ABA set with an add on B unit at an amazing price!!  Also I got a great deal on the WM 2-bay hopper, and finally found a 1950 era dump truck.

As far as how much is enough, I actually now have one less engine than I had a couple months ago.  When I got into O gauge, I used a much more laissez faire approach than I had in HO.  Then I only bought my favorite roads, B&O, WM.  After about 5 years into O gauge, I realized, I really wanted to focus on a couple roads with a layout based on a particular region.  So, most the "odd ball" engines have been passed on to others who will appreciate them more than me.

BTW, my house as I was preparing to leave for York on Thursday, April 19th.

Found this today at Half Price Books, for $15 and author signed!

I added a new twist to an old Lionel accessory.

https://youtu.be/Ru38Qz_fOYU

Mark Boyce posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Moonson posted:

Ralph M posted:

York was great. Prices were soft and counter offers & haggling was encouraged. Too badI don't need much of anything since I'm already up to my eyeballs in train stuff.  I did pick up a few items that caught my eye though.

In my opinion (subjective, of course,) as a former vendor at York and as a hobbyist with a basement full of layout and trains in storage, what you stated, Ralph M, is where I theorize the entire hobby is headed, including all the hobby-shops, manufacturers, shows and meets, etc.

I mean, how much stuff is enough? I think that is why we have come to value the personal interactions so much. Our hobby used to be a hunt for stuff, an adventure of acquisition, with barely any interaction with other hobbyists on their quests for more stuff.

However, nowadays, we have the stuff, and it is the people who have come to count the most to us.

If I am wrong, please, enlighten me. Anybody?

FrankM, Layout Refinements,

and Moon Township, USA

I agree completely Frank. But in addition I believe two other factors contribute. First, the internet has allowed us to connect with many other hobbyists that we would never have met prior. An example would simply be you and I.  Most likely we would have never shared ideas, photos, comments, etc. without it. It has brought us all closer. Second we hobbyists are getting older and I believe as that occurs we place a higher value on friendships. Our lives intersect through trains and we want to share each others experiences. It's a safe place which gives us comfort.  Simply, the circle of life!

 

Very true.  I was a lone wolf from the time my uncle moved away taking his American Flyer trains with him the summer before I started first grade, to when I bought my first train set (a Tyco HO F7 set) when I was about 12, through until I got on the internet in the late '90s.  I did not interact with any other modelers until on early e-mail groups.  By that time I was over 40.  It is amazing how many friends I have met through this Forum, and met in person at shows and meets.  I ran into many of you on my second trip to York that just finished up.

Since this is Buy Anything Cool, I will comment now with better photographs to follow tomorrow.  I got a practically new Premier Western Maryland F3 ABA which I researched to find was cataloged in 1995.  It has a new BCR and very little run time in a like new box from a great Forum member.  Also I got a NIB 2013 catalog Premier Western Maryland FA-2 ABA set with an add on B unit at an amazing price!!  Also I got a great deal on the WM 2-bay hopper, and finally found a 1950 era dump truck.

As far as how much is enough, I actually now have one less engine than I had a couple months ago.  When I got into O gauge, I used a much more laissez faire approach than I had in HO.  Then I only bought my favorite roads, B&O, WM.  After about 5 years into O gauge, I realized, I really wanted to focus on a couple roads with a layout based on a particular region.  So, most the "odd ball" engines have been passed on to others who will appreciate them more than me.

BTW, my house as I was preparing to leave for York on Thursday, April 19th.

UMMM...Mark- Didn't you just send me a WM 2 bay covered hopper?????

Nice score- those fireball's look sharp. Can't wait to see them on your layout.

Finally had a sunny 60 deg day on LI yesterday!

gandydancer1950 posted:

Moonson posted:

Excellent points, Gandydancer!

And I have often wondered and marveled over what the results would be if forums such as OGR were to shut down and cut us all off from one another. We'd be guys standing in our basements or some backyard shed playing alone with our trains, which is a bit like where I started back in 1995. At that time, the local hobby store was the single venue for socializing with other (local = limited pool) train enthusiasts, in addition to the occasional show or meet. The magazines helped, but these electronic connections are profound, IMHO.

FrankM

Couldn't agree more Frank!

Frank and Gandy- you both make excellent points. As a kid I had a large HO layout that I shared with my Dad. He had a moderate collection of tinplate that was reserved for Christmas duty. My cousin and uncle were into trains also  (Flyer), so I had a small support group (aka- enablers) around me. Beyond that my friends were not really into model trains the way I was. One of our LHS was Trainland in Lynbrook. I used to love to go there and wander the aisles and dream about all the cool stuff on the shelves. Today, I can be writing this while I'm watching an auction on ebay in another tab on Firefox. The beauty of the internet and this forum, is that we can connect with each other across the country (and world) which only enriches our hobby experience further.

So my point is that yes the hobby is changing as we all get older. I only got back into the hobby seriously a couple of years ago and I already have a basement full of stuff and a attic full of empty orange and purple boxes. I have not been to York yet but I hope to one day soon. Now- gotta continue my hunt for a WM switcher.......

The intervention is working, one day at a time.  It’s been 44 days and 7 pages that I haven’t “Bought anything cool lately”.   

TedW posted:

The intervention is working, one day at a time.  It’s been 44 days and 7 pages that I haven’t “Bought anything cool lately”.   

Tell the truth Ted. The CEO took your credit cards and closed your paypal account after she saw the bills from the Christmas layout build.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

The intervention is working, one day at a time.  It’s been 44 days and 7 pages that I haven’t “Bought anything cool lately”.   

Tell the truth Ted. The CEO took your credit cards and closed your paypal account after she saw the bills from the Christmas layout build.

Bob

     Now, to figure out how to handle those BTO’s from last September...  Oh, that’s right, the CC number is on file.  MMWWWAAAAAHHAAAHHAA!!!