Buy/Make Anything Cool Lately (Tinplate Version)

Got a nice AF 545 steamer the other day and added the tender.  Looks good, behind is my 559.

Dennis Holler posted:

terry hudon posted:

alittle wheeling and dealing and its mine,,,,truly a great piece ,I purchase a set awhile back just to get the operating track,,,i have never seen one for sale,,,now I just have to wire the track !

That darned track section is harder to find than the cars!!! The 492 baggage car track section ain’t easy either but I have a couple of those. I will have to get some repro guns for my armored car at some point. Yours is nice and clean!!

Could you guys post up some pics of these track sections? Some of us may have one and not even know it.

great looking steamer Dennis!

Here you go!! Be happy to trade some stuff if you have a couple!!  Thanks Dave!

I think and S gauge action car piece could be modified to work as well. Difference is postwar S the car contact was on the truck so the track contact is offset. These are centered because the car contact in centered too.

nope...wish I did. Maybe someone else will.

Seems like it wouldn’t be that difficult to make one.

George

Dennis Holler posted:

Here you go!! Be happy to trade some stuff if you have a couple!!  Thanks Dave!

I think and S gauge action car piece could be modified to work as well. Difference is postwar S the car contact was on the truck so the track contact is offset. These are centered because the car contact in centered too.

here is my other one ,,just like yours,i have never seen the mail pickup car or the track

These that I have I actually bought the track lots they where in when I spied them. I knew what they looked like and so I noticed them. I’ve seen the action car piece by itself get bid up to $30-40 I think. Not me though, only if there is a bunch of other stuff in there as well lol.

Added a Std GG-1 project to the mix.

Steve

Steve, I knew missing the meet would mess us up; you outbid me on the gg1. I'm glad it was you that got it! Eric

POC914NUT posted:

Steve, I knew missing the meet would mess us up; you outbid me on the gg1. I'm glad it was you that got it! Eric

Hopefully I can get the motors working. They look much more solid than my other GG-1. Between you me and Bill we have a good collection of dead GG-1’s

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Added a Std GG-1 project to the mix.

Steve

Steve, Did you buy that one without the lead trucks?

Saw it on ebay - might be some work to finish it out. Shell looks nice though.

Jim

Jim Waterman posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Added a Std GG-1 project to the mix.

Steve

Steve, Did you buy that one without the lead trucks?

Saw it on ebay - might be some work to finish it out. Shell looks nice though.

Jim, yes this the one from eBay last week. It’s going to my buddies house so I won’t get my hands it for a few days. I already have one with 3 cars but both motors are pretty bad. The motor castings on this look fair so hopefully I can make one run decently. I may take the worst shell and remoter it with a build a loco type if there is enough height.  That should give one I’m comfortable running.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Jim Waterman posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Added a Std GG-1 project to the mix.

Steve

Steve, Did you buy that one without the lead trucks?

Saw it on ebay - might be some work to finish it out. Shell looks nice though.

Jim, yes this the one from eBay last week. It’s going to my buddies house so I won’t get my hands it for a few days. I already have one with 3 cars but both motors are pretty bad. The motor castings on this look fair so hopefully I can make one run decently. I may take the worst shell and remoter it with a build a loco type if there is enough height.  That should give one I’m comfortable running.

Steve

Steve, I repowered mine with a pair of NWSL G gauge 4 wheel power trucks, similar to the ones that are in the USA or AristoCraft diesels. The front and rear axles match up with the side frames, if you run it fast, you don't see the missing center axle. It runs nice and smooth. Had to make longer axles and reuse the worm wheels, but it's a nice runner and no worry about the cast frames going away. Some of these McCoy based drives were really bad.

I won a Lionel 14532 Century Club II PRR AA Sharknose and matching 24510 B unit  on eBay two weeks ago. Problem was It did not come with the original boxes and I was concerned about crushing the antenna on the A units.  Several years ago my granddaughter had a very nice box that her school supplies came in and I asked if she could get more boxes like it.  The next day when I picked her up she had 4 more and 4 more the next day. These boxes are very sturdy and just large enough to store an ABA set of diesels or a mid sized steam loco.   You may be able to find similar boxes at a elementary/middle school near you.  Attached photos of the box and the partitions I added.          j

New control panel for my prewar Christmas layout. My dad's switch controllers and knife switches. Eventually some label, name plates and more appropriate bulbs. I debated incorporating a prewar rheostat but decided against it.

cool

Got another Prewar Flyer set on the way. Can't wait for this one to show up!

A nice $20.00 pick up at today’s TTOS meet. A Forney hopper that has been re gauged for G so I’ll need to swap wheels and axles to get it back to STD Gauge.

Steve

WILL, great little prewar type control panel! Did you make this out of wood? Or is it tin? Really like the look of it with vintage knife controls and switch controllers! 

like the way it is in the corner pocket of the board.

leroof.

Send more photos of any updates on it. Thanks.

Warning- Lionel purists- turn away! At the TTOS meet today I found this snappily repainted A-A New York Central 2333 Lionel F unit pair. They had a decided "old school" look to them, with a lot of very nice hand striping work, which I'm guessing was done many years ago. I also didn't have any of these earlier pre-Magnetraction F's, the others I have being the 2343 and 2344. All these early Lionel F units were so nicely done that no doubt many hi-railers repainted them more to their liking. In this case the "Built by Lionel" label, the GM insignia, and the gray trucks were dispensed with, presumably to create a more "prototype" appearance. Some photos on the layout including a few of them alongside my Lionel 763-E semi-scale Hudson, enjoy!

Will posted:

New control panel for my prewar Christmas layout. My dad's switch controllers and knife switches. Eventually some label, name plates and more appropriate bulbs. I debated incorporating a prewar rheostat but decided against it.

 

Hi Will:

Great little control panel!! Are the switches original or new? I'm looking for reliable vintage looking knife switches and other Prewar Lionel switches.

Thanks, Michael

Leroof posted:

WILL, great little prewar type control panel! Did you make this out of wood? Or is it tin? Really like the look of it with vintage knife controls and switch controllers! 

like the way it is in the corner pocket of the board.

leroof.

Send more photos of any updates on it. Thanks.

Leroof, yes it is wood with a good old Rustoleum satin green finish. The knife switches and switch controllers are my Dad's original Lionel, and the bulb sockets are from old signals. Needs some cool number plates and if I can find a Lionel plate for under the controllers. Like I said, I thought bout a step transformer and rheostat, but decided on my ZW. So the "dispatcher" can control this little panel and the engineer the throttle.

This may also get a little fence or wall around it. The layout will eventually get a Lionel logo and molding trim. It is in the spirit of the 1920's catalogue layouts. I'll post photos along the way. At this point it will be next Christmas before it is finished.

BTW anyone using 012 switches is in for a masochistic experience. I think I took one apart about 20 times.

Will

Lirr Fan1 posted:

Will posted:

New control panel for my prewar Christmas layout. My dad's switch controllers and knife switches. Eventually some label, name plates and more appropriate bulbs. I debated incorporating a prewar rheostat but decided against it.

 

Hi Will:

Great little control panel!! Are the switches original or new? I'm looking for reliable vintage looking knife switches and other Prewar Lionel switches.

Thanks, Michael

All original from my Dad. The switches are a 012s, a nightmare to get working with the tiny wires from the solenoids which are always breaking. It took 4 switches to make 2 and the chrome motor cover is def a bit rust pitted. It was tempting to just have loops and no switches.

One of the wraps I made for my Christmas trains this year. The basic car bodies were drawn in MS Paint and imported into MS PowerPoint for lettering. With a little editing, this can be reprinted turn this Marx Pennsy boxcar into a New York Central Pacemaker car. The reddish brown Jerusalem & Northern gondola wrap can easily be changed to Norfolk & Western and reprinted as well.

change a Pennsy car into a Central???? Not sure of that's even leagal......you just might get some coal in your stocking....

Plain heresy! 

Tom 

MNCW posted:

Plain heresy! 

Tom 

"change a Pennsy car into a Central???? Not sure of that's even leagal......you just might get some coal in your stocking."

Hey, I could make it Penn Central ya know.

Pay no attention to those black helicopters circling your house.....

...or something like another Spanish Inquisition (ala Monty Python). 

Tom 

Was stunned to find this at Sunday’s TTOS meet, new in the box. 

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Was stunned to find this at Sunday’s TTOS meet, new in the box. 

Steve

some days the star's just aline,it is a beauty 

The box probably isn't nearly as exciting as what is inside...lets see it already! Lol

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Was stunned to find this at Sunday’s TTOS meet, new in the box. 

Steve

Wow!! Wonder why they sold?!  True find for sure!

Joe Gozzo

Trainlover160 posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Was stunned to find this at Sunday’s TTOS meet, new in the box. 

Steve

Wow!! Wonder why they sold?!  True find for sure!

Joe Gozzo

The guy has been selling for months. It was mostly his dads collection. Tons of great stuff, luckily it’s stuff I already have. Sure wish he had the cars to go with it.

Steve

POC914NUT posted:

The box probably isn't nearly as exciting as what is inside...lets see it already! Lol

Maybe Friday Eric. Neuro tomorrow an IVIG on Thursday plus getting the place ready to host a layout tour on the 27th. Maybe I’ll run it at the Jan SW meet.

Steve

Not exactly tinplate but it is going on my Standard Gauge layout so I guess it counts. I bought this Hubley 494 at a train show recently for $12.00. The cab was white and red and the dump bed was green. The paint was chipped and worn. I redid it in Almond, Blue and Black, now it looks as good as new ( and I like the colors better).  After seeing wjhat these go for On that auction site I'm almost tempted to list it and make some money.

Last Sunday I went to a train show in Montvale NJ.

Did my rounds and saw this 253 with a price tag of $45.00.
The engine looked to be in rough shape as the pick-up needs to be replaced, wheels need to be replaced and one frame shell mounting tab is broken off. Plus it needs new headlights whistle and new brass trim on the top.
Replacement wheels and pickup are around $55.00, so for $45.00 is was not worth it plus the wheels were so swollen I could not spin them. Now here the wire comes off the field it was all gummy with this black go, thought that the motor may be bad/burnt too. Any way, as I made my way doing several rounds within two hours , I noticed that the dealer was dropping the price $45/$40/$35/$25 then $20. When I saw it listed at $20.00, I asked him if he would take $15.00 and he did

Once home, I took it apart cleaned the black goop of which was some type of old electrical tape. Un-soldered the old wire and soldered some new wires to the motor, spread the wheels a little so it would spin and tried it with power, it ran and the motor does run good.
I have a bunch of new wheels and will re-wheel it will get a new unassembled pick up (from Henning's) and apply the old badge (after I remove it and clean it) to it.
The reversing switch is good.
Now all I need is a donor 253 chassis/frame.
The fun part is the hunt and I m sure that there is one out there.

Question on the motor brush and springs, the brushes in this motor do not have a slot on the top but there is a hole on the side of the brush where the spring goes in, is this typical? I have not seen this before.

Ron,

The brush spring is common for that motor and might be original. If reusing the old parts be careful to get the brush aligned as it was. They sometimes wear unevenly to the commutator face and won't make good contact if rotated 180. If you need an old frame let me know, have one around somewhere.

John

POC914NUT posted:

The box probably isn't nearly as exciting as what is inside...lets see it already! Lol

I think I will need an engineering degree to unpack this animal😱

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

POC914NUT posted:

The box probably isn't nearly as exciting as what is inside...lets see it already! Lol

I think I will need an engineering degree to unpack this animal😱

I 've got an engineering degree.  Send it here and let you know if it's any fun

What a beauty Steve. Lots of patience and a thick towel as there are several screws. My 408e came like this.

Enjoy!

Joe Gozzo

John H. Shetler posted:

Ron,

The brush spring is common for that motor and might be original. If reusing the old parts be careful to get the brush aligned as it was. They sometimes wear unevenly to the commutator face and won't make good contact if rotated 180. If you need an old frame let me know, have one around somewhere.

John

Thank you John, people like you are what makes this forum great!

John Smatlak posted:

Warning- Lionel purists- turn away! At the TTOS meet today I found this snappily repainted A-A New York Central 2333 Lionel F unit pair. They had a decided "old school" look to them, with a lot of very nice hand striping work, which I'm guessing was done many years ago. I also didn't have any of these earlier pre-Magnetraction F's, the others I have being the 2343 and 2344. All these early Lionel F units were so nicely done that no doubt many hi-railers repainted them more to their liking. In this case the "Built by Lionel" label, the GM insignia, and the gray trucks were dispensed with, presumably to create a more "prototype" appearance. Some photos on the layout including a few of them alongside my Lionel 763-E semi-scale Hudson, enjoy!

And here are a pair of videos of the repainted Lionel NYC F3's running on the layout tonight, enjoy!

John Smatlak posted:

John Smatlak posted:

Warning- Lionel purists- turn away! At the TTOS meet today I found this snappily repainted A-A New York Central 2333 Lionel F unit pair. They had a decided "old school" look to them, with a lot of very nice hand striping work, which I'm guessing was done many years ago. I also didn't have any of these earlier pre-Magnetraction F's, the others I have being the 2343 and 2344. All these early Lionel F units were so nicely done that no doubt many hi-railers repainted them more to their liking. In this case the "Built by Lionel" label, the GM insignia, and the gray trucks were dispensed with, presumably to create a more "prototype" appearance. Some photos on the layout including a few of them alongside my Lionel 763-E semi-scale Hudson, enjoy!

And here are a pair of videos of the repainted Lionel NYC F3's running on the layout tonight, enjoy!

Thanks for sharing.  The distinctive growl of early F3s is quite pleasant to me.

Fendermain

John Smatluck, very nice layout, I like the multi era multi gage involvement plus a Leleand (MTH?)  monorail, the NYC F3's are fantastic! Nice find.  As Fendermain points out the growl is distinctive.

the multi level application with bridges are very interesting to me.

thanks for the photos.

Leroof 

Proud owner of a prewar LNER British 0-4-0 windup set!!

Great gift (to myself) just before Christmas. Sorry but kiddo's won't be touching these beauties till well into their teens that's for sure (lol)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Ariel 

Elgaucho posted:

British 0-4-0 windup set!!

 

Ariel 

 

German?

Regards

Fred

SNCF231E - Yup - Bing for the English market.

It just so happens that this afternoon, I picked up a mint boxed Atlantic Coast Line F3 dummy "B" unit to run with my "South Wind" AA unit. (Just like the PRR did from time to time.) I also was perusing shots of that train last week on the web and I saw an EMD PRR unit with no striping  at all, which makes me feel a great deal better about my bare-bones Williams set which is plain Tuscan Red with only lettering on the sides. The second unit had the wide stripe on it. Both units must have been painted in a cost-cutting era. (1:00' = 1:00' and O guage... Not the wide stripe) I will post pictures when I make up the consist. I doubt there was ever enough traffic to need an A-B-A from Chicago, but...

(Sorry I got this in the wrong section, but that wind-up is something else. One wonders just how it made it through all the years in such wonderful condition. Enjoy!)

sncf231e posted:

Elgaucho posted:

British 0-4-0 windup set!!

 

Ariel 

 

German?

Regards

Fred

Yes! Bing was German.. but this set was for the English market (London North Eastern Railways) Happy Holidays!!

My time since the 23rd has been less "tin-centric", especially after a lost ebay auction for a station. Was at a shop yesterday that had oodles and oodles of prewar Lionel and Flyer, in both o and standard, but that wasn't what I was looking to buy at the time. I did pick up these two tinplate beauties though:

In the one "building" of the shop, it was tinplate and HO- a lot of standard gauge. Found this Flyer 515 sitting there in good shape and, well, I had to bring SOME tin home.

The Bridge that the American Flyer coachis on is made by Kiri(see the 2nd photo below).  Ironically, the maker of the station which I lost out on in that auction and a company I was going to post a thread about asking for some more info because I still know very little about Kibri. This bridge was made late40s, early 50s. I really like the underside, which I assume are supposed to imitate clouds.

Kibri logo w/ "Made in West Germany" underneath.

The gray stone house wih the tank and 3 soldiers came a little over a week ago. 1 of 6 different dioramas Corgi made in 1:50 scale. Came with the tank and the soldiers, which are spun diecast. Picked up the Dinky toys horse van in a . junk box at a local antique dealer.

Another picture of the Corgi Diorama. Detail and scale is just great. Can't wait to integrate it into my layout.

Finally, another piece that came around the same time. While AMT isn't anything like the first 2 items posted their obscurity and Jack Ferris's pioneering nature made me decide to post this as well. The Santa Fe Obs. car. 2 more cars and I'll have completed the Santa Fe set.

LOVE that it came with the box. The obs car itself wasn't that expensive butI would've paid a little extra for a flapless box that's as beautiful as this one. I'm not a box kind of collector, but it's a different type of item and the box has that "charm to it", well, read above. Also, this is my first AMT coach with a fluted roof.

As I type this post, I regreat not picking up any tiplate yesterday . Specifically a No. 153(?) green NYC electric loco or a lake shore gondola. 

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

POC914NUT posted:

The box probably isn't nearly as exciting as what is inside...lets see it already! Lol

I think I will need an engineering degree to unpack this animal😱

Steve...Be very careful of the handrails on top. They really are for decoration only... O/W this is a beauty!  I dont buy many modern pieces, but this one is a must have!

I got one of these a few years ago and was impressed by packaging. In the 'old' days just heavy cardboard, and were not shipped as far I guess

The super 381 was a packaging monster as well

Just got back from a four hour round trip to pick up a couple of sets of trains.  The main reason I got them was the Prewar Flyer 572 loco and tender and associated set, 1941's #4131.  Also came with a later Pikemaster set, a 9B transformer, and a nice clean Lionel 2037 loco in the box.  Road Trip baby!  Chicago traffic was nice for once!!  Top picture was from the seller and the rest are minutes after I got back home and let the dogs out lol

nice score Dennis!

I guess this falls under the "make" part of this thread - This arrived in the mail today and, much to my delight, my diorama picture was selected for the cover photo.

In case you are wondering - here's what the diorama looked like from a different angle (this is a pretty poor picture of the setup.  Somewhere I have much better shots but, at the moment, I can't find them).

  One thing I like about putting together a set for a diorama is that I get to take a page out of the Hollywood playbook - if the camera can't see it then I don't care what it looks like. 

beautiful shot!

almost finished assembling/ restoring the Lionel prewar set No. 297W.....

Robert S. Butler posted:

I guess this falls under the "make" part of this thread - This arrived in the mail today and, much to my delight, my diorama picture was selected for the cover photo.

In case you are wondering - here's what the diorama looked like from a different angle (this is a pretty poor picture of the setup.  Somewhere I have much better shots but, at the moment, I can't find them).

  One thing I like about putting together a set for a diorama is that I get to take a page out of the Hollywood playbook - if the camera can't see it then I don't care what it looks like. 

 

 

Sam, got mine today and knew at first glance it was your photo! You are a magician. It’s really beautiful. Thanks for what you do for the hobby. 

Georgea

George and Dave - thanks for the kind words - I'm glad you like the picture.

Robert,

  Nice job on the diorama and the photo used for the cover. Nice amount/level of realism! 

Tom 

Agreed, that is a lovely photo.

This may be a little too high-rail for the tinplate forum, but I built this turntable for my layout. I started this years ago, but just finished some major pieces now that I am building my layout again.

George

well, you made it, it is cool, so I think it'll be OK. take another pic with some tinplate on the track and you'll be covered!

It's a very nice turntable George and considering how expensive the big ones can be if one purchases a ready made one, it's even better!!

George I think your new layout is fantastic and the turntable will be great.  But then my layout is a complete anomaly as it is tinplate with scenery.  Perhaps I should name it THE ANOMALY.     

Fendermain posted:

George I think your new layout is fantastic and the turntable will be great.  But then my layout is a complete anomaly as it is tinplate with scenery.  Perhaps I should name it THE ANOMALY. 

Cool! The Tom Snyder version. This is the direction I am heading.

Joe Gozzo

Fendermain posted:

George I think your new layout is fantastic and the turntable will be great.  But then my layout is a complete anomaly as it is tinplate with scenery.  Perhaps I should name it THE ANOMALY.     

I really like it Fendermain

Trainlover160 posted:

Fendermain posted:

George I think your new layout is fantastic and the turntable will be great.  But then my layout is a complete anomaly as it is tinplate with scenery.  Perhaps I should name it THE ANOMALY. 

Cool! The Tom Snyder version. This is the direction I am heading.

Joe Gozzo

Yes Joe.  That is exactly were I get my inspiration.  Tom was a great promoter of our hobby and I am drawn to his particular vision of it.  If I ever get to NJ I would love to see that layout.

Fendermain

In the spirit of “The Anomaly” does anybody incorporate Plasticville buildings into their tinplate layouts. I ask since I built my tinplate layout these past few months with a Christmas theme incorporating Department 56 buildings. Now I’m thinking of the next direction. I could buy some other non-winter Department 56 buildings, and am always on the lookout for more reasonable price tinplate cottages, villas or stations to incorporate.  I have these plasticville buildings sitting in storage and could run my PW items on the outer 072 loop, which would certainly make the tie in. 

Thoughts??? Any PICs of your “Anomaly”

green painted plywood,Plasticville,tinplate track and trains....doesn't get much better...

Well, my power pole will have a more tinplate look. I copied the arm of a Lionel #60 telegraph pole.

George

Where can I find some pictures/info on the Tom Snyder layout?

Google is your friend........Tom McComas did a tape on it, IIRC The New Jersey HiRailers have the layout now.

This is more like it. 

George

Steamer, thanks for the inspiration. That’s one of the many great things about tinplate being a toy train focused hobby....just about anything goes.

Steamer posted:

Google is your friend........Tom McComas did a tape on it, IIRC The New Jersey HiRailers have the layout now.

Great video

Steve

Perfect George!

George S posted:

This is more like it. 

George

George, very nice job on the turntable.

Who made the tinplate powerhouse above the tender?

Tom

MNCW posted:

George S posted:

This is more like it. 

George

George, very nice job on the turntable.

Who made the tinplate powerhouse above the tender?

Tom

Yours truly. That’s my personal replica of an Ives STD gauge no. 201 powerhouse. It is paper-plated tin.

George 

Rich Wiemann posted:

Steamer, thanks for the inspiration. That’s one of the many great things about tinplate being a toy train focused hobby....just about anything goes.

Exactly Rich! Your layout is great! 

I’m mixing in some ceramic buildings with tin painted and litho. I will need to have at least one plastic building, because I have a Woodland Scenics theater with animated marquee that I love too much to leave off the layout. Also, my Atlas engine shed is plastic, but I painted the roof gloss enamel to mask it. I will also use Lionel plastic tunnel portals. I am considering painting them with enamel, but haven’t found a color that would look right. I may use an eggshell house paint.

George

Dennis Holler posted:

Just got back from a four hour round trip to pick up a couple of sets of trains.  The main reason I got them was the Prewar Flyer 572 loco and tender and associated set, 1941's #4131.  Also came with a later Pikemaster set, a 9B transformer, and a nice clean Lionel 2037 loco in the box.  Road Trip baby!  Chicago traffic was nice for once!!  Top picture was from the seller and the rest are minutes after I got back home and let the dogs out lol

Nice pick-ups @Dennis Holler ! Gotta love the pre or post Christmas train hunt road trips. Love that 1941 Flyer set- that's 3/16 scale on o-gauge, correct? The green gondola/sand car and the 434(?) caboose were both part of my first prewar AF purchase. I later went back for the box car and log car.  My sand car is about 9.5 inches though, it definitely isn't in proportion to the white box car, caboose or log car. Regardless, gotta love prewar Flyer! Especially pre-war s-scale on o-gauge flyer! I think this is the first time I've seen the engine with the set- what a beauty!

Great haul on the whole my friend!! 

George S posted:

MNCW posted:

George S posted:

This is more like it. 

George

George, very nice job on the turntable.

Who made the tinplate powerhouse above the tender?

Tom

Yours truly. That’s my personal replica of an Ives STD gauge no. 201 powerhouse. It is paper-plated tin.

George 

George,

Ahh...it took me awhile to figure out you posted your powerhouse build details another thread! I don't think you posted it on this thread, but could be wrong. Thanks for the good-working search feature on the Forum. I knew I had seen it before:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...76#82100772784412876 

Great work on that George. 

Tom 

Rich Wiemann posted:

In the spirit of “The Anomaly” does anybody incorporate Plasticville buildings into their tinplate layouts. I ask since I built my tinplate layout these past few months with a Christmas theme incorporating Department 56 buildings. Now I’m thinking of the next direction. I could buy some other non-winter Department 56 buildings, and am always on the lookout for more reasonable price tinplate cottages, villas or stations to incorporate.  I have these plasticville buildings sitting in storage and could run my PW items on the outer 072 loop, which would certainly make the tie in. 

Thoughts??? Any PICs of your “Anomaly”

First, beautiful layout  @Rich Wiemann ! Like the wreath on the loco- very nice touch!

This year I didn't change my layout around(add Santas, reign-deer, ice-skating rink, snow, Winter houses on the "mountain")  to get into the season, unfortunately.

Regarding your question about plasticville- Absolutely. I have a section that's totally "non-scale" and 80% p-ville, but that's another story. For my main layout, while I've tried to "move away" from plasticville towards 1.) scale structures(mth, lionelville, woodland scenics, menards, etc...), 2.) postwar Lionel and Flyer(minicraft) and 3.)tinplate- there's still a good amount of plasticville on my layout incorporated near the aforementioned structures. But it's all a matter of perspective. Below are some pictures of my "hodgepodge" of accessories:

On the left(starting from the trailer): Hafner Glen Ellyn station, Bing station, plasticville platform, Ives water tower. On the right(starting at the police car) a prewar American Flyer station across the road from a plasticville motel, then a K-line platform, a narrow Bing platform in front of that, then my plasticville farm

Postwar Lionel platform, behind that is a modern Lionel shed, in the middle a KBN Goods Shed, plastic Lionel Tower(which I sometimes interchange with the plasticville tower), across the tracks is the farm

Opposite view of the picture from above

Very plasticville-centric here. Right next to the hotel, on the right, you see a litho'd wood roof- if you look in the first picture that's a tin "ranch" which i actually a bank that was my Grammy's.  

Here's a great example of a scene of different structures and accessories. To the left of the tubular tracks is an dictator run area while to the right is a "free zone. Behind the Plasticville roadside diner the dictator's army(Diecast Corgi 1:50 scale truck and soldiers) patrol the border area to prevent people from escaping. On the far side, there's a watchman's shanty/guard shack(prewar Bing ), a guarded, barricaded entrance to a pedestrian bridge(Marx), and a  plasicville lubritorium next to the guarded bridge entrance. Finally, on the left side of the diner, a Deli supplu truck drops off food for the dinner while some suspicious, wealthy gentlemen driving Mercedes meet up to eat and talk...

Prewar consist: Ives gondola, Kraus-Fandor Box Car, Marklin Baggage car. Immediately behind that are 3 structures- Freight Station(repurposed into a troops transport station-Postwar Lionel), Rotating beacon(pw lionel), and a Harbor Junction Freight station( PW Flyer  by minicraft). Please ignore the flamingo in the back ground

Some people might think it looks terrible. Sometimes, I think portions look terrible(which I quickly rectify), but I like it and Ithink I've struck a good balance on making things work such that I can run prewar, postwar or modern on my layout and any inconsistency with the scenery and my consist is minimized. I hope I answered your question, at least somewhat, and that these pictures are helpful to you as you move in that "other direction". You already have plenty of great tinplate structures that aren't winter-themed and I'm sure even a couple of your Dept. 56 winter buildings could play a multi-seasonal role. I'd say givethe plasticville a try- it can't hurt. And, like you said, keep on the look out for those bargains!

Best of luck!

Steve

StevefromPA posted:

Dennis Holler posted:

Just got back from a four hour round trip to pick up a couple of sets of trains.  The main reason I got them was the Prewar Flyer 572 loco and tender and associated set, 1941's #4131.  Also came with a later Pikemaster set, a 9B transformer, and a nice clean Lionel 2037 loco in the box.  Road Trip baby!  Chicago traffic was nice for once!!  Top picture was from the seller and the rest are minutes after I got back home and let the dogs out lol

Nice pick-ups @Dennis Holler ! Gotta love the pre or post Christmas train hunt road trips. Love that 1941 Flyer set- that's 3/16 scale on o-gauge, correct? The green gondola/sand car and the 434(?) caboose were both part of my first prewar AF purchase. I later went back for the box car and log car.  My sand car is about 9.5 inches though, it definitely isn't in proportion to the white box car, caboose or log car. Regardless, gotta love prewar Flyer! Especially pre-war s-scale on o-gauge flyer! I think this is the first time I've seen the engine with the set- what a beauty!

Great haul on the whole my friend!! 

Thanks Steve, yes all 3/16ths O. 

@stevefrompa  https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/member/stevefrompa thanks for your detailed and informative response. I would say that your layout is a well balanced mixture of manufacturers and eras. I plan on giving the plasticville a try, its not going to cost me anything, so I have nothing to lose.

@GEORGE.S https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/member/george.s  your last response about the Atlas building painting the roof with enamel reminded of one of your previous posts that showed that. I can apply the same method to some plasticville to make more of a tinplate look.  

Here’s another example of creating a tinplate look with plastic.

I needed another STD gauge bridge. I had an LGB girder bridge. All it needed was a little paint. I put it in my paint oven, and it’s dry, but it will need to cure another day before I can install it.

George

George S posted:

Here’s another example of creating a tinplate look with plastic.

I needed another STD gauge bridge. I had an LGB girder bridge. All it needed was a little paint. I put it in my paint oven, and it’s dry, but it will need to cure another day before I can install it.

George

Excellent work.  That will look sharp on the new layout.

Fendermain

@George S very nice looking bridge! The bright red paint and just general construction really "sell it". Automatically reminds me of the steel girder prewar Lionel bridge. Something about the aerial view - you can see where the screws go and its right by where the side walk of the bridge descends down really make me think of the prewar bridge even though the Lionel prewar didn't have such a siding for people to walk along on the interior. Very nice work

@Rich Wiemann thank you for that compliment, it's much appreciated. And go for it my friend, all it will cost you is some time and that'll be time well worth it because I'm sure you'll find a couple pieces that will fit! Keep us posted!

Got this American Flyer 1097 for Christmas.

@Lionel2056 very nice! Love that engine and the colors.reminds me of a much better version of the one that Flyer made later on that was rather bare bones and litho’d- which I also love. Good Christmas present!

I usually never win anything at the monthly auction at a nearby antique mall, but pleasantly found out that I won these and a box of DC powerpacks and a few AC transformers(probably 12-14 total) fora whopping $7. The DC powerpacks include a few Lionel from the 90s, one Hobby Line 710, a Fleischmann 583(?-i think),Auroa, MRC and others. The main reason I bid on the box- a Beets &Beets Hercules toy transformer. Don't have a picture of that yet so I'll provide a stock photo for now:

My transformer comes with a light-bulb socket plug so I guess it's likely older. Just thought it was a neat piece of history and a cool looking conversation piece.

Also snagged a pair of 184 A-1 bungalows for a bit below the going rate. Pretty good condition and prewar buildings I've wanted for awhile. One has a roof that's a bit loose but it's not noticable. Considering how small these are they'll be perfect "fill-ins" for a residential area. I'd really like to get my hands on a bungalow/house with a plot someday, always thought those were really cool.

Finally, won this Marx Armed Forces training center. Bidon a lighter colored one as well but the condition wasn't as good. Sizing it up against some ofmy MTH and Lionelville structures, I think I can find a way to make it fit. It's not nearly as close to the size/scale Army HQ from Marx(likely due to the lack of an open door and interior which is clearly made for 54mm soldiers). Could absolutely see this being the HQ for my U.N. International Zone if the right pieces are around it.

Found this fun gingerbread house tin on Amazon. 

There's even a gingerbread recipe on the back!

I’ve admired the AMT passenger cars for years. Finally snagged a Santa Fe set today.

Steve

those look great Steve. I wouldn't mind getting a PRR set.

Hi Guys - new to this forum but I wanted to comment to some of the prior posts:

STEVEFROMPA:  I also like to mix my buildings and have a Menards "city block", a Lionel PW suburban station, a china (like Dept 56 but it has no maker's mark) McDonalds with the Golden Arches, a P'ville station platform and a Flyer tinplate PW tower all in the same area as my "small town" section of the layout. Partial view below. Oh...Flag Pole is Lionel from 1957 complete with original 48 star flag.

Dennis Holler :  What a beautiful Flyer PW set.   I have parts of the same set but alas no engine.  Did this set come with any other engines, my reference data on PW flyer is OK on individual pieces but awful on what came with what in sets.

Lionel2056: What a great AF prewar set, I think this one was near the start of the depression and they were trying to get their lower priced (lithographed) line in place .  Lionel did the same thing (even putting out some Mickey Mouse items- including the famous MM handcar which it is often claimed saved the company).  I have the same set, but I will admit in deference to its age I have never had the courage to try and run it, afraid the power would "fry" something.  If you run yours, let is know how it turns out and maybe then I can summon up the courage to try and run mine!

JHZ563:  Gingerbread house...too cool and what a great add to any Christmas layout.  I also picked up a Gingerbread House this year while helping at my wife's antique booth.  Its wooden and so are all the candies and decoration painted wood.  Its about 6 1/2" square, 71/2" to the roof peak and 91/2" to the top of the chimney.  Its actually a music box (wind up) but the key is hidden in the base so its not visible.  Cost was 8$ and its earned a place on my Christmas layout for next year.

Well that's about it for me today.  I wish everyone a Happy Healthy, and successful new year.  Good hunting for trains!!

Don

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

I’ve admired the AMT passenger cars for years. Finally snagged a Santa Fe set today.

Steve

 

That’s a nice start on a SF set - it’s really impressive when you get a full string with all the body styles and car names - double motor an AMT/KMT F unit, have a transformer capable of putting out 24 volts and you’re all set. If you want to run the cars, I started  a pretty lengthy how-to thread about cleaning and get the cars to roll better many moons ago (the cars are heavy, especially the one piece body castings which are thicker than the 3 piece separate sides and roof cars).