@lionelflyer posted:This came in a collection I bought recently (there are 6 of them). I've never seen these before. They are all metal and Standard or G Gauge but there are no markings on them. Does anyone have an idea as to the manufacturer? The cross posts are crimped to the metal pole. They seem to be very nicely done.
American Flyer
@Mallard4468 posted:Beautiful work - will fit in nicely with a Christmas display of tinplate or postwar trains. Nice use of (I assume) scrubbing pads for the shrubbery. Would enjoy seeing some details regarding materials and finishing techniques.
Thanks very much. I wanted to make a few of these that were closer to O-scale in size, as most of the ones I made earlier were much smaller, similar in size to the ones made shortly before and immediately after WWII. Construction was pretty straight forward using matt board. I took a picture of a house in the neighborhood and used that as inspiration. Working out the roof dimensions and angles was a bit of a trick, but once I got that to work, it got easier.
Basically built and painted in three pieces - the roof(s), the wall structure, and the base, completed in that order. I attached the main roof to the wall structure using some 'L' shaped strips, the porch roof with a piece of matt board across the back. Porch posts are basswood and matt board.
Windows were designed using MS Excel, then printed on vellum paper using my HP inkjet printer. I glued the roof(s) to the house, then glittered the the combination using Mod Podge and coarse glitter. When that was dry, I cemented in the windows. The vellum paper is a bit wonky when you glue it down, but it shrinks and grows taut after thirty minutes or so. It works well.
The base is made from a USPS Priority Mail corrugated box. I ship and receive a fair amount of stuff, so there's always some of that laying about. USPS corrugated is highly recommended; it's thin, yet very strong. I just cut out a section, bent tabs along the edges, than glued them down in the form of a box lid. I used another, thicker, piece of non-USPS corrugated as the form for the bottom of the house. The fence columns are cut from 1/2-inch square basswood strips topped with a piece of matt board. The hedge, as you guessed, is doubled-up scouring pads. After painting the base white, I then glued the house onto the base. I scenic'd the base using more glitter, then let the whole thing sit for a few hours to cure.
Here's a few other pics in process:
That's about it...let me know if you have any other questions. Always a fun project (although it takes forever).
PD
@pd posted:Decided to make some new buildings for the annual Christmas display. Here's the first one, a "four-square" from the 1920-1940 timeframe, loosely modeled after a neighbor's home:
Very nicely done and will look great for a Christmas themed display. Looking forward to seeing any additional homes in your new neighborhood.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to my favorite flea market. I found this prewar tender #2689W. This morning I opened it up to find a clean inside. I applied a little oil and headed to the train building. It has a strong whistle and like most this age, the motor is too noisy. When i tried the rear coupler it worked! Not bad for $5.00 plus tax.
Bill
@Nation Wide Lines posted:American Flyer
Nationwide, thank you very much. I was able to use that information to trace these poles to probably being AF 209. I assume they are AF Wide Gauge since they are HUGE when compared to postwar Lionel telegraph poles. I am still a little confused as there seem to be different styles of 209 poles but hopefully I can figure it out with a little more research.
@lionelflyer posted:Nationwide, thank you very much. I was able to use that information to trace these poles to probably being AF 209. I assume they are AF Wide Gauge since they are HUGE when compared to postwar Lionel telegraph poles. I am still a little confused as there seem to be different styles of 209 poles but hopefully I can figure it out with a little more research.
Yes, they appear to be a late 209 pole with double cross arms. Some of the 209s came with only a single cross arm, but basically looked the same, possibly a bit shorter.
Here is a photo of the single and double cross arm 209s as well the triple cross arm 210
@lionelflyer posted:This came in a collection I bought recently (there are 6 of them). I've never seen these before. They are all metal and Standard or G Gauge but there are no markings on them. Does anyone have an idea as to the manufacturer? The cross posts are crimped to the metal pole. They seem to be very nicely done.
They are American Flyer Prewar #209 made from 1928-1932 Normally Dark Red or Green.
Got this great old Lionel Standard Gauge #9E at the 8\3 auction from the good folks at Stout Auctions in Indianapolis. It is a really nice all original example and looks good on the front of these original 500 series freight cars!
Drove down to Halethorpe yesterday morning to pick up a lot I acquired from an estate sale. A 1930's era Lionel set that's been completely repainted by the previous owner, it's probably worth about the thirty bucks I gave for it:
My understanding is that this set was received new back in the day (a couple cars added subsequently), then refurbished by the original owner decades later, perhaps in the 1960's. It had been sitting in a nice dry attic for the last 30-40 years after the original owner's passing. Virtually zero collector value in this condition, but epic provenance.
Plan to service the locomotive, replace any missing parts (loco pilot truck, lumber stakes, brake-wheels, etc.); otherwise it'll be left as is. Someone took a lot of time to "restore" it to their taste; far from me to undo it.
It'll need a new home.
PD
That is a great set and a GREAT story!!! Congrats.
Built a slightly modified version of Hal Carstens' "suburban station" that appeared in the April 1953 issue of Toy Trains magazine:
Quite a few modifications (station platform base, platform roof dimensions, roof graphics, and a few others), but basically true to HC's plans. These were drawn as "cut-outs", including all of the graphics preprinted, along with decent instructions. This one has a nice narrow profile, so it will fit in a number of tight spaces around the layout.
PD
I picked these up the other day for $10 each for winter projects.
While not "cool" yet, I think they will be when I'm done with them.
Examples of what I've done in the past with passenger cars in similar condition; the grey & maroon passenger cars seen in the middle of this blog entry: PreWar Standard Gauge Upstairs, PreWar O Gauge Downstairs (warrenvillerailroad.com)
I plan on "restoring" the caboose to an orange and blue Lionel Lines special
@Lionelski John, Nice finds. Good luck. I like the looks of that caboose as it is, although I am not into Standard Gauge! 
Tom
Relettered an MTH 814R refrigerator car. The Christian Brothers have a winery, but the Society of Jesus prefers a more manly drink. The location of the brewery is a real place with a lot of railroad activity.
817 caboose with LED marker lights. Evans Designs 5 MM red leds.
A junker 2820 searchlight car with a new wooden deck, lettered for Elgin Joliet and Eastern. Assigned to KOFC - Hershey's Kiss on Flat Car - service.
We soldered all of the broken tabs on the body's end-caps on the 253, then repainted with some dark green (Scalecoat #2079 BNSF Green); replaced the broken pantograph and the missing headlamps, then reinstalled all of the original trim. Polished up the frame:
Ready for another 95 years of service.
PD
A 763W tender with a postwar drawbar. Coupled to an LTI Reading T1 4-8-4. The T1 pulls 14 prewar 800/2800 series cars without trying hard. Taking water at a Lionel 30 water tower.
I bought this two faced 381E for $300.00 from Trainz.
Low miles
Here is how it looks now.
Scott Smith
@scott.smith posted:I bought this two faced 381E for $300.00 from Trainz.
Low miles
Here is how it looks now.
Scott Smith
I bought its twin six months ago.
Steve
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:I bought its twin six months ago.
Steve
What did you do with your faded glory train?
Scott Smith
@scott.smith posted:What did you do with your faded glory train?
Scott Smith
Run it. It has a story to tell.
Steve
@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Run it. It has a story to tell.
Steve
What's the story? Displayed in the sunlight too long I assume?
@PRRick posted:What's the story? Displayed in the sunlight too long I assume?
That’s my assumption also. From the same collection I got a set of Stephen Girard cars that were faded to blue on one side.
Steve
My pick up at todays meet.
Steve
Some new and some never shared until now. Also, hoping someone can help Me identify the first two!
This is a piece of American Flyer prewar track with an accessory activation clip. There’s some on eBay in standard gauge. Anyone know the product number for this?:
The eBay listing states it’s for signal activation. Also curious as to how it worked? There’s a late prewar track piece similar to this but the “activation strip” is on the side of the and perpendicular to it
got this Standard gauge Lionel observation a few years back and have had trouble finding info regarding it(although I’ve finally seen some similar ones on eBay). “The Lionel Lines” Observation. Earlier standard gauge truck. Is this a restored prewar piece, Lionel classics, Tinplate Traditions?
Accidentally won this crossing, shown below, for $5 on eBay. Was surprised it was so big when it arrived, was clearly not made for o gauge.
It’s a prewar Flyer wide gauge manually controlled crossing gate. Can’t remember the product number, in kinda rough shape, missing the Flyer “plate” and some other things that had been attached to the base.
Gor these a few years ago at a flea market for $5, prewar American Flyer no. 424 rubber sleepers:
Last but not least- here’s a Bing interlocking station? I’ve seen this by Bing before, had some type of electrical functioning at one time but has been gutted now. Here’s the rear view
Uts kind of just a placeholder until I dismantle and level this part of my layout.
two terminals on the side for wires
not much but definitely some variety ha. Enjoy and help with identifying the first two items is greatly. Appreciated!
Nice finds. I think those are prewar American FLyer track activator pieces you have there used for signals and such. I have a few like that.
@StevefromPA- Steve I looked in my reference material at the #36 observation and it was made in various forms from 1912 to 1926 so between 98 and 111 years ago. Your car simply looks too perfect to be that old with original paint. In addition, of all the color schemes listed none looks like yours, the closest I could come was "...brown with green windows". So it looks like a pre-war restoration but its beautufully done and made a very handsome car. Great find!! Love the Bing as well.
Best Wishes
Don
@StevefromPA - You know, as a research type person you think I would know not to stop until all sources were exhausted. Well I got some later information on your #36 observation...The TCA reference and the Greenberg price guide reference were not wrong, just not fully complete. In 1924-1926 there was a MAROON smooth sided car however the lettering has some differences with yours. For example, My reference, the Standard Gauge book by Greenberg, states that it should say..."New York Central or New York Central Lines" over the window. In addition, it would have 500 series type 1 trucks, the most obvious visual difference is the nickel journal box covers, your trucks are (as you said) an earlier type.
Anyway, thought I would pass that along. You may have researched all this yourself and if so I apologize for double info but I didn't want to leave anything out.
Best Wishes
Don
Pretending it is about 1927 and playing with trains on the floor. Original 380 engines with 300 and 400 passenger cars. They still running well on original track too! 
Junker 816 hopper repainted as a Cancer Awareness car.
British Marx Silver Link set I pieced together from Ebay. Needs cleaning and a few parts but it gives me a reason to use some Hornby Signals I picked up a few years ago.
A few tinplate items I picked up over the past few weeks. First is a set of United States Toy Train Company passenger cars I purchased from one of the online train auctions.
Second is a set of tall metal signs that came in a "No. 80 Railroad Set" I picked up from a local show. I believe these are Fergusson signs? They even came with their original box.
-Tom
hmmm...I've never seen those cars before.
@vettekid68 posted:A few tinplate items I picked up over the past few weeks. First is a set of United States Toy Train Company passenger cars I purchased from one of the online train auctions.
Second is a set of tall metal signs that came in a "No. 80 Railroad Set" I picked up from a local show. I believe these are Fergusson signs? They even came with their original box.
-Tom
Are those items O or standard gauge? The link (below) makes it sound like they're probably O, but they look big.
@pd posted:hmmm...I've never seen those cars before.
Nor have I. Found this - http://www.tcawestern.org/usttc.htm
Picked up my first std gauge piece I have ever owned. A ratty looking 318e that has already had its chassis redone with wheels and wiring. Haggled down to $85 toward the end of the show from the marked $120. Now I need some apple green in a spray can and a couple parts. Or should I do something custom for autism with the old girl? 
@Mallard4468 posted:Are those items O or standard gauge? The link (below) makes it sound like they're probably O, but they look big.
Nor have I. Found this - http://www.tcawestern.org/usttc.htm
They are O-Gauge cars and they are definitively bigger than most of the other O-Gauge passenger cars. I can't honestly say I had heard of U.S.T.T.C. before I bought these; I just thought they looked a little unique so I threw a bid in. I was surprised a bit by the size when they arrived. They seem comparable in size to Lionel 600 series passenger cars.
-Tom
That green 318 would classify as a rat rod if it was a car.
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