Buy/Make Anything Cool Lately (Tinplate Version)

Hello Daniel,

I don´t think it´s Bing. The station truck from Bing is marked mostly and cutted out longer. Your truck looks more like Carette.

Bing 14119

Carette 647/41

Arne

Hello Arne,   I have never sought of Carette.... maybe you are right again.... here are some better pictures, sorry for the condition, I bought it many years ago and never done anything with, now it will be done.

Daniel

Daniel,

I don´t have the Bing 14119, but the 14118 has the same frame. Wheels in the middle outside of the frame and Bing trademark on bottom.

Arne

Well, I cannot compare with Daniel and Arnie and their Bing/Carette accessories but here is something that might be a little unique.  I saw this fellow, all alone at auction for a very reasonable price and could not resist.  I have been "collecting" signals of various types recently and this little fellow just needed a new home with friends of his kind.  He is somewhat of a mystery, although I am sure some others on this thread will be able to ID his manufacturer.  Unlike the American Flyer signals I have posted recently this guy has a square, cast base vice the round dish stamped base.  However the rest of him looks much like the AF semaphores I have collected.  I suspect he is also missing his "hat" the top piece at the top of the mast but I don't have any way to verify this.  The mast and base are brown and do not appear repainted while the "flags" are lithographed sheet steel and fastened to the mast with a single rivet.  The presence of a second hole in the flags near the "lights" suggests he may have had a link mechanism at one time as well.  Anyway here he is:

Best wishes everyone...good hunting!

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Well, I cannot compare with Daniel and Arnie and their Bing/Carette accessories but here is something that might be a little unique.  I saw this fellow, all alone at auction for a very reasonable price and could not resist.  I have been "collecting" signals of various types recently and this little fellow just needed a new home with friends of his kind.  He is somewhat of a mystery, although I am sure some others on this thread will be able to ID his manufacturer.  Unlike the American Flyer signals I have posted recently this guy has a square, cast base vice the round dish stamped base.  However the rest of him looks much like the AF semaphores I have collected.  I suspect he is also missing his "hat" the top piece at the top of the mast but I don't have any way to verify this.  The mast and base are brown and do not appear repainted while the "flags" are lithographed sheet steel and fastened to the mast with a single rivet.  The presence of a second hole in the flags near the "lights" suggests he may have had a link mechanism at one time as well.  Anyway here he is:

Best wishes everyone...good hunting!

Don

Probably made by Fergussen for Ives.

Steve

Wow that was fast Thank you Steve. I do have an Ives crossing warning with a similar square cast base that I had forgotten about. Thank you for the information.

Don

Bing Kalkwagen Transition

  I recently managed to get the earliest version of the 4 wheel Bing Kalkwagen. This version is hand painted complete with lime dust weathering and has both operating roof hatches and side doors.

   So now I have a lineup - embossed and hand painted with operating roof hatches and side doors, embossed and hand painted with operating roof hatches only, no embossing, lithographed car with operating roof hatches...and in every case - lime dust weathering.

@Don McErlean that’s a nice Fergusson semaphore with a decent base- I’m used to seeing them with the simple cylindrical metal bars that form a circle- very cool.

@Robert S. Butler that’s an awesome achievement to have completed that beautiful Kallwagen- handpainted cars are works of art as someone and I discussed at a train show today.

I’ll continue with the Euro theme in this post. Here are some later Bing cars I bought recently:

Got this PRR off eBay- immaculate condition

GBN embossed logo andwhats left of a red “Made In GERmany” stamp on the bottom

from today’s train show a Tucherbier car. Please note I bought this as a historical piece and is something I never saw before- I do realize it is controversial. From what I learned today, the symbols on the Bing freight wagons were meant to inform the buyer what type of goods that the wagon carried- with the exception of the English market.

also picked up this book! Very happy to have obtained it, what a great reference. It proved its use within the first 10min of browsing through it!

more to come!

As for American Tinplate purchased today- I never, ever would’ve thought that I’d come away with what I did:

two weeks ago I completed the 1700 series of 4 Ives freight cars, i quipped how I wanted to get the 1600 and 1500 series next with the exception of the stock car due to the price. Wouldn’t you know it, within the first 25min of the show and for a buck and a dime- I walked away with...

1677 Ives Gondola

1678 Ives Stock Car(missing door handles

And immaculate Ives 1680 cream tanker

had to buy the Box car and caboose too, as it was a set. I just can’t believe I was able to score this set- I love it.

A seller whom I recognized sold me this LIonel 248 Box Cab at a fantastic discount. Runs beautifully and is in pretty good shape although the “Lionel” is fading away

Samemeet, two years ago, I skipped on a 1651E Lionel Ives Lines Box cab electric- an engine that I’ve always wanted. Been kicking myself ever since. Well , Same seller had it this time around and we worked out a deal.

Frame is in great shape. Body has some scratches. Anyway, love this buy. Plus- it’ll look nice heading my 1600 freights!

plate on the bottom, as you can see it’s missing a shoe

My new boxcabs

Between these and other things I bought, most likely my most successful show ever!

Very nice

Well here is the latest addition to my layout which is a sort of kit bash / purchase / make kind of item that I think is worthy of noting.

This is a Weeden Model 702 Steam Engine from the 1930's which I bought at a flea market.  But what does one do with such an item when it was clearly missing stuff.

I kit bashed the Weeden to turn it into an operating accessory "Steam Generator"!!  First, it was missing the Stack.  A bottle of Hotel Shampoo was re-purposed for the stack and painted black.... a perfect fit.  Then I attached a Mabuchi motor and ran solid core wires to it to simulate conduit going to the motor.  And contemplating it further I decided to add a light bulb to the unit.  On the Layout it is powered with a DC power supply and a variable potentiometer.  Turn the knob and it comes on, turn it up higher and the bulb gets brighter, just like a generator should!  Alas, it runs a little faster than I had hoped, despite putting a larger pulley on the "driven" sprocket.... looking to kit-bash it a little further with a lower rpm motor that I can scavenge from somewhere.

Looks brilliant, Paul. An innovative, repurposing of an old piece, made to look like it fits right in. That's great.

Here, nothing so sharp. In the process of getting the layout repowered and cleaned up, I came to the realization that two-thirds of the collection rarely, if ever, sees any track-time, with much of it packed away in plastic tubs. Finally decided to cut way back on the random acquisitions and focus instead on completing a few sets. I'm sure some odds-n-ends will still find their way home, but for now, there's a bit of focus.

Along those lines, picked up this Flyer 411 for a late 1930s set I've had for a few years, sans caboose:

Needs some polishing to remove some label or tape residue, but otherwise seems suitable.

PD

I found a used Trackman SG-2000 for sale and snapped it up. These track cleaning cars were made in most popular gauges around the year 2000, they made them for several years than a fire burned down their factory, and the founder passed away.

I like these because it uses no fluids,  just a solid heavy steel plate, with adjustable pressure on both ends, and a easy to replace welding pad to scrub the railhead, with no messy or flammable fluids. I had one in O gauge and it worked very well. I forgot they made a standard gauge version. I am running this with 200 series cars, and the latch coupler height is perfect.

Here is a picture, and a movie. I added it to the work train, so the work train is doing real work now.

Picked this up while on vacation in Cape Cod last week in a junk type antique shop.
Not sure if they are American Flier or Ives?
Maybe someone could help me with the manufacture and years they were made.

Price was right also got two LGB figures

I believe they are Hafner.  Here's a picture of the contents of the Hafner #1100 Station set.  The only difference I see is your warning sign looks to be embossed brass and not painted.

Addendum: A check of some of my Hafner references indicates the warning sign was also made with black letters on a gilt background which may be what you have.  The estimated timeline for the accessories would be late 1920's to mid-1930's.  I do have one reference which is a reprint of Hafner catalog from 1924-1926 and the accessories illustrated in catalog are Bing items so "late" 1920's would probably mean 1928 or later.

Thank you for the information Robert. The sign lettering is not embossed but painted.

Here's a 'wish I owned it' - this was hand made probably in the late 30's or so, all brass soldered construction, uses 2 Ives electric motors, he built the extended mechanisms using 3rd unpowered axles. Wiring was shot, parts missing, needed pilots and most of all the two lead trucks that I 3D printed as smaller versions of my GG1 parts.  Windows all slide open and had levers to raise the pantographs. Hand painted lettering. A pretty good model of the New Haven EP3 box cab from that era. I don't usually do repairs, but a good customer and when I saw it, I just had to bring it to life.

Jim

By the way, the EP3 is standard gauge.

Jim

@Jim Waterman that is very, very cool! Look at that thing zip! Great work on reviving it! Thanks for sharing!

Another item there caught my eye(actually a lot did!) Who is the maker of the McGinnis scheme New Haven? It almost looks like a 1650 repainted ?

Steve from PA: The McGinness (Red/white/black) New Haven 'EP3' (missing a pair of axles), is one I did a couple of years ago from a basket case McCoy E2 Cascade. Closed up most of the gills on the sides, replaced the second roof with the air tanks and center blister, printed new headlights, cut out the areas around the front truck and added side frames to the sad 'clowney' McCoy trucks. Printed sets of side frames for the drivers using parts of a GG1 CAD model I had (and later used for my own scale size standard gauge GG1). And made the lettering on a vinyl cutter.

Kind of sounds like a sewing machine but runs nice.  One of a kind.

Jim

I humbly acknowledge that I don't have the restoration skills of a Don Kelly or those like him. This Hafner set was given to me by a customer of my daughter Angela. It is the Hafner Overland Flyer set circa 1933. This set sold for a grand total of $3.00 and came with a figure eight of track in those depression years. Some light cleaning, lube and a slight tune up and she runs as well as she did 88 years ago...

These two wandered into my collection this week…

@Craignor posted:

These two wandered into my collection this week…

You get those at the Cabin Fever Auction? I bid on the PFE work caboose. And a number of other things, was just up yesterday to pick it all up.

Jim

Jim,

Yes, I won the work caboose and dump car seen above from the Cabin Fever auction. And in the first MTH auction at Cabin Fever I got the black 400e also seen in my video above, and a flat car with lumber.  All four items I won were received in new or like new condition and in good working order. I got them all at a good discount to what I see currently on EBay and elsewhere. I picked them all up in person.

I was impressed with Cabin Fever’s online auction format, and the ease of scheduling a day and time online to pick them up.

Cabin Fever was a good experience.

Best,

@gandydancer1950 posted:

I humbly acknowledge that I don't have the restoration skills of a Don Kelly or those like him. This Hafner set was given to me by a customer of my daughter Angela. It is the Hafner Overland Flyer set circa 1933. This set sold for a grand total of $3.00 and came with a figure eight of track in those depression years. Some light cleaning, lube and a slight tune up and she runs as well as she did 88 years ago...

A nice little set for sure, Gandy. The fact that it has survived some ninety years is tribute to those who made it and those that owned and cared for it. I like to think that some kid enjoyed having this, given by parents or grandparents using funds drawn from a tight supply during difficult times.

The low-end sets are some of the most difficult to find in nice shape. They just weren't made to last decades. Someone treasured it and took care of it, as will you.

PD

Posted this on another Forum list, but maybe you guys in this list will enjoy the monster Marklin 2523 tunnel. Wrong castle tower, but stay tuned for the replacement en route.  Lew

6 wheel 33 and 2 short hoppers painted

Found a 226E at an antique store in NY on the way home from business trip.  Have not had a chance to clean it and go through it yet as I just got home last night and will be heading back out next week I think.  But it will be a decent loco. Got it for 20% off that tag price.  Not a great deal and I did not really need it... but you know....

Fuselage transporter clears the Bridge .. Barely..https://youtu.be/2efeYqseD2w

@Dennis Holler:  Wow what a find!  that loco was made between 1938-1941, one of the few I see in these threads that is older than me!  LOL!  Great find and in fabulous condition for being some 80 years old.

Don

@Dennis Holler posted:

Found a 226E at an antique store in NY on the way home from business trip.  Have not had a chance to clean it and go through it yet as I just got home last night and will be heading back out next week I think.  But it will be a decent loco. Got it for 10% off that tag price.  Not a great deal and I did not really need it... but you know....

Dennis,

  Nice purchase. Thanks for sharing. It would be interesting if it runs before any thorough cleaning--that would be a bonus, right there.

Tom

A short quick test of a new addition. Electronics all work as they should.

Steve

Combined the bits from a Flyer 1118 and 3018 to produce a refurbished 3018:

The tank color is a bit off, but still a bit better than it was.

PD

Here is something for the "Made" category. I made this for my in progress Halloween layout from a 145. I already made one from a 45N tho, so I may put this one on the bay.

Happy Halloween!!!

Beardog49–Great work. Halloween seems so far away but I know it will be just around the corner. What loco and cars do you use for your display?

Don

Don, work in progress. Have one melted marx 900 and a couple of orange cars. The scenery is priority now.

@Dennis Holler posted:

Found a 226E at an antique store in NY on the way home from business trip.  Have not had a chance to clean it and go through it yet as I just got home last night and will be heading back out next week I think.  But it will be a decent loco. Got it for 10% off that tag price.  Not a great deal and I did not really need it... but you know....

I don't think you did bad on that price at all

Reviving 1930s Lionel 238 Streamlined Torpedo Locomotive and Tender

I have owed a Lionel 238, Loewy’s 1936 designed, torpedo streamlined body and old style metal coal tender for several years, origin unknown.  It needed a motor and I found an old Marx four wheel one from a Marx 999 that seemed to work and fit.  The Marx motor did not have the mount and two front wheels like the 999 does.

I have looked into adding a pair of wheels on the front and on the rear to make a 2-4-2 but could not come up with a something that would work but believe if I can find as mount and set of wheels from a 999 they would work.  They can be added later so for now I am going with a 0-4-0, which will run with no derailments of front or rear wheels.

I painted the engine and tender with flat darkesh gray spray primer and then covered all with clear glossy paint.  A small metal strip was labeled with L I O N E L letters and sprayed with clear.  This was installed were the original engine had a strip labeled Pennsylvania.  I decaled the engine and tender as Pennsylvania and used the side strip to show Lionel as the manufacturer not the fictitious Lionel Lines as Lionel had done.  The decals were sprayed with clear glossy paint to seal them on.

This is my tinplate train, with Marx tin plate cars,  being pulled with the new to me Lionel 0-4-0 Torpedo stream lined steam locomotive.  This is an easy pull with the low powered Marx 999 style motor in the Torpedo.

This was a fun project and is my first Torpedo Locomotive.  I now have a late 1930s streamlined torpedo loco and tender.

Charlie

Starting with 'Buy Anything Cool Lately", I believe I hit on something really neat.  I found a store with a bunch of tin, Standard gauge and O gauge, mostly old stuff but some new.  I run prewar and post war with 031 curves, so I stuck with O gauge.  I have always liked the bright colors, but held back because they were so large...But then I discovered prewar Oh Two Seven Lionel tin!  Perfect size for me and I love it.  I started buying tin recently because I think they will be great around the Christmas tree and I hit bargain prices.  Here are a few shots - the O27 sits in front of the much two large red passenger cars.  Notice my bonus item, which the wife hates (ah ha!).  So much more - wish you were all local to me

@Choo Choo Charlie  What a nice job customizing the 236 torpedo shell with the Marx motor.  These Marx 4 wheel motors are really great for that sort of operation.  I have 3 Hornby type 1 tank engines from the 1950's that were converted from clockwork to electric with the installation of the same motor...they run great.

  @Chuck242 : I noted that most of your tinplate cars are the "600" series, the printed liveries like your 655 box car are later versions than the ones with the add on number plates, but the cars are mostly the same. The couplers changed several times during the period of their production, but most of them are compatible with each other.  These cars were produced from 1935 to 1942 when the war stopped toy production.   I also run them and enjoy them.  Your  big 712 passenger cars came in red (like yours) , orange (Lionel Lines, NYC, and IC) and 2 tone blue .  The IC orange and 2-tone blue are a king's ransom, I have the NYC orange and they were modest in price.  These were typically pulled with large electric outline locomotives, like the 256 which is as large as the standard gauge #8 and was Lionel's only 2 motor O gauge locomotive until the 1948 F-3's came out. Yours look in really nice condition and are really good looking.  Here is my 256 and orange 712's just for your reference.

Chuck, beautiful lantern by the way and the stamped ATSF is a real bonus.  Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of tinplate.

Best wishes

Don