Brian Liesberg posted:
That is awesome Brian! I always wanted one of those but never had the space for one. Thanks for sharing!
I saw it on Trainz for $300 and couldn't resist. Need more than trains on a train layout 
Jagrick posted:A smaller airplane but still uncommon. Have been looking for this for years as it is often missing off of the Lionel desk item. Now to clean it up
What's the story with the miniature Lionel streamliner? That's pretty neat.
This is a paper clip tray Lionel put out/had made in the 1930's. They also made a paper weight depicting a 402 for the 25th anniversary (I have one of those as well). I have reproduced the Lionel streamliner as above from pewter and now will do the same with the airplane.
I thought I would share a technique I am using to clean brass plates and brass journals. The brass identification plate on my new old switch tower was tarnished, rusty and hard to read. Sorry, I didn't take a closer picture of the before.
I removed the plate and cleaned it. See how it turned out!
The "Lionel" was not even readable before. To clean this, I started with some old Tarnex I had around on a paper towel. This didn't do much on its own, but it is an important start. Then, I sprayed the plate with WD40 and used a Scotchbride pad to lightly work the dirt loose. The WD40 loosens the tarnish that the Tarnex activated. (I'm making this up.
I have no idea why it works.) I don't use much pressure. I was afraid the black lettering would come off, but it is all still there. I alternate the steps until the plate is clean. Then I wipe it off an reinstall it.
This works with nickel journals too, but for those I use fine steel wool.
George
Attachments
samdjr74 posted:Brian Liesberg posted:That is awesome Brian! I always wanted one of those but never had the space for one. Thanks for sharing!
Agreed! It's the full-size pre-war version of the MPC era by Mattel "Vertibird"
John Smatlak posted:O Gauge Guy posted:sncf231e posted:
O Gauge Guy posted:This arrived yesterday to enhance the enjoyment of my weekend. All of my pre-war tinplate is either Lionel or Marklin, and I’ve never been greatly excited by Hornby. However here in Australia Hornby dominated the market, so there’s lots available. I saw this signal box / switch tower and just had to have it! It’s actually closer to a local prototype.
I managed to straighten a few corners that were bent. It looks like the roof has been removed at some point as one of the tabs is not inserted into the slot. Now I have to decide whether to risk removing the roof again to fix the loose chimney and clean the inside.
Guy
Since it does not have a hinged roof this looks not like a prewar version (No 2E Signal Cabin), but like a postwar version (No 2 Signal Cabin) which was made with this orange roof colour from 1955-57. It is a nice accessory anyway, but as you can see on my (green roofed) version it does not like the sun.
Regards
Fred
Thank you for this helpful information Fred. Yes, the sun is doing some damage. I've seen these with a red roof, a green roof and a blue roof - also an aqua-cyan roof, although maybe this one was faded. From a 1935 and 1956 catalogue:
The holiday weekend provided some time to check another project off the list- adding a light to my Hornby Signal Cabin. Not sure if Hornby ever did this with this particular accessory, but the lever frame inside needed lighting! The socket and wire were secured in place with bits of hot glue, so it is easily reversible should a future owner of the piece not want to have it. For more details on the lever frame inside, see my post of 8/7/18: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...16#80551019625758116 Now I just need to find the tower operator figure to go inside!
I recently acquired some of the correct type Hornby supports for the throw rods; these kept the rods in place parallel to the track. Note also the gent inside the tower.
Attachments
Images (1)
I decided I could not leave this Std Dorfan outfit behind today. Great casting on the outside, but has some issues inside. Won't know how serious till I open it up.
Steve
Attachments
Images (1)
my new toys
KCS SD70MAC 81148
N&W Y6B 20-3072
N&W J class 20-3142
Attachments
Images (3)
John Smatlak posted:John Smatlak posted:O Gauge Guy posted:O Gauge Guy posted:This arrived yesterday to enhance the enjoyment of my weekend. All of my pre-war tinplate is either Lionel or Marklin, and I’ve never been greatly excited by Hornby. However here in Australia Hornby dominated the market, so there’s lots available. I saw this signal box / switch tower and just had to have it! It’s actually closer to a local prototype.
I managed to straighten a few corners that were bent. It looks like the roof has been removed at some point as one of the tabs is not inserted into the slot. Now I have to decide whether to risk removing the roof again to fix the loose chimney and clean the inside.
Guy
Since it does not have a hinged roof this looks not like a prewar version (No 2E Signal Cabin), but like a postwar version (No 2 Signal Cabin) which was made with this orange roof colour from 1955-57. It is a nice accessory anyway, but as you can see on my (green roofed) version it does not like the sun.
Regards
Fred
Thank you for this helpful information Fred. Yes, the sun is doing some damage. I've seen these with a red roof, a green roof and a blue roof - also an aqua-cyan roof, although maybe this one was faded. From a 1935 and 1956 catalogue:
The holiday weekend provided some time to check another project off the list- adding a light to my Hornby Signal Cabin. Not sure if Hornby ever did this with this particular accessory, but the lever frame inside needed lighting! The socket and wire were secured in place with bits of hot glue, so it is easily reversible should a future owner of the piece not want to have it. For more details on the lever frame inside, see my post of 8/7/18: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...16#80551019625758116 Now I just need to find the tower operator figure to go inside!
I recently acquired some of the correct type Hornby supports for the throw rods; these kept the rods in place parallel to the track. Note also the gent inside the tower.
That switch tower you put the light in is one of the coolest buildings I've seen. Thanks for showing it off. By the way , adding a light to it was a great idea. I too would have done the same. illuminating the switch leavers was a must .
Jagrick posted:
This is a paper clip tray Lionel put out/had made in the 1930's. They also made a paper weight depicting a 402 for the 25th anniversary (I have one of those as well). I have reproduced the Lionel streamliner as above from pewter and now will do the same with the airplane.
you can see how the 2 cast pegs on the airplane fit in the holes on the 752
Attachments
Images (2)
I couldn't resist- it's actually a floor toy, but a great looking piece- such great colors and proportions! Made in Japan, not sure when but I'm guessing 50's or 60's.
Attachments
Images (2)
Jagrick posted:This is a paper clip tray Lionel put out/had made in the 1930's. They also made a paper weight depicting a 402 for the 25th anniversary (I have one of those as well). I have reproduced the Lionel streamliner as above from pewter and now will do the same with the airplane.
you can see how the 2 cast pegs on the airplane fit in the holes on the 752
Very cool! Had not seen this one before.
John Smatlak posted:I couldn't resist- it's actually a floor toy, but a great looking piece- such great colors and proportions! Made in Japan, not sure when but I'm guessing 50's or 60's.
That's pretty wild...almost looks like it fits the track...And...there is a siren.
Fendermain
Oh man that screams "bash me into a runner". I'd be almost hoping it was just a repop if I got it cheap
Yes, that has to run ! Very cool.
John Smatlak posted:I couldn't resist- it's actually a floor toy, but a great looking piece- such great colors and proportions! Made in Japan, not sure when but I'm guessing 50's or 60's.
John - did you chuck a couple of Bild a Loco motors under this beast? Will it clear the Hellgate?
Jim
Jim Waterman posted:John Smatlak posted:I couldn't resist- it's actually a floor toy, but a great looking piece- such great colors and proportions! Made in Japan, not sure when but I'm guessing 50's or 60's.
John - did you chuck a couple of Bild a Loco motors under this beast? Will it clear the Hellgate?
Jim
LOL I hadn't thought of converting it, but that would be pretty neat. And yes, it does clear the Hellgate Bridge. I shall have to keep my eyes open for a lesser quality one for conversion experimentation, this one is just too minty. A photo of the bottom is included below.
Attachments
Images (2)
Thanks for flipping it over. Its design doesnt make for an easy conversion as you might hope. Tight to wheels&gauge, connects to the shell via tabs and a step in front of the cab is there at the porch, for a start. I think it might be harder to go Build a loco than floating the porches prototypically. With the cab raised up an 1/8th" to clear the porch step things look promising though. A set of top and bottom bolster plates with pivot rivet sitting between cab and truck. ..reuse the tab and slot system on your pivot plates. 2rail carpet drive? Or even driveshafts, 2r to 3rflanges. Those side frames and faux wheels can hide a lot if you could get them swinging.
On the box lid there is a white makers mark. Could you get a better shot of it? (I like logo aspect and scroll the old Japanese lists sometimes just to look at them.)
I don't collect much tinplate but I've always wanted a wind-up train and found this AF set at the DuPage train show. The seller said it was "The Rainbow" set but my (limited) research indicates that the tender and coaches are not correct, and it does not have an observation. Either way it's cool enough for me. It barely runs at all on the original track, and on my O54 circle under the tree I can only get it to go around 2 1/2 times on 4 1/2 turns. Once it stops it still has 2 turns left on it. I did apply a drop of oil to the wheels on the coaches which helped a lot. I also picked up a station stop and water tower.
Don
Attachments
Images (4)
dmestan posted:I don't collect much tinplate but I've always wanted a wind-up train and found this AF set at the DuPage train show. The seller said it was "The Rainbow" set but my (limited) research indicates that the tender and coaches are not correct, and it does not have an observation. Either way it's cool enough for me. It barely runs at all on the original track, and on my O54 circle under the tree I can only get it to go around 2 1/2 times on 4 1/2 turns. Once it stops it still has 2 turns left on it. I did apply a drop of oil to the wheels on the coaches which helped a lot. I also picked up a station stop and water tower.
Don
At York I picked up an 8 wheel rainbow set.
Steve
Attachments
Images (1)
Enjoying my recently arrived Bing for Bassett Lowke "George the Fifth" O gauge clockwork loco. It's quite a nice runner- makes two full laps around my O gauge circuit on a single wind. The tender looks great with it, but it appears to be from another engine as both the engine and tender have "pins" instead of one having a slot to hook them together. My other question was, what is the middle spring-loaded lever? The outer push/pull rods are forward/reverse (reversing lever) and stop/go (brake lever). Shortly after posting this I found a scan of an instruction sheet on the internet so I have edited the post; the answer apparently is that it is the Setting Lever (aka "Restarting Lever") intended to work together with a special track section to permit the loco to not only stop via trackside setting, but also to restart once the trackside lever is released. After seeing the sheet I realized I have one of these track sections, so I'll give it a try.
Some photos and a brief video included below. The video includes one of my other clockwork pieces, an Orbor stationary power plant with bucket loader. Enjoy
Attachments
Images (4)
Videos (1)
The middle lever is to be used with a brake rail to stop and restart the train; see the description here:
https://www.classicogauge.net/....php?f=19&t=1260
Edit: After writing the post I saw you had found out already.
Your tender is a Basset Lowke (not by Bing) one; I assume it is from a Basset Lowke compound 4-4-0 (which might be a clockwork or electric one). Here is a picture and video with a correct tender:
Regards
Fred
Attachments
Images (1)
sncf231e posted:The middle lever is to be used with a brake rail to stop and restart the train; see the description here:
https://www.classicogauge.net/....php?f=19&t=1260
Edit: After writing the post I saw you had found out already.
Your tender is a Basset Lowke (not by Bing) one; I assume it is from a Basset Lowke compound 4-4-0 (which might be a clockwork or electric one). Here is a picture and video with a correct tender:
Regards
Fred
Fred- many thanks for the info on the tender and the levers. The linked site is great! Much appreciated.
Jagrick posted:Couldn't help myself, got another 5D test set this last weekend. Now I can keep one in shop and display other with the rest of test sets.
Love it Jagrick! Would love it more if I knew how to use it!👍
Joe Gozzo
Pick this restored AF 561 Whistling Billboard and control box off of the bay. Awesome restoration/Custom Paint.
Joe Gozzo
Attachments
Images (2)
John Smatlak posted:Jim Waterman posted:John Smatlak posted:I couldn't resist- it's actually a floor toy, but a great looking piece- such great colors and proportions! Made in Japan, not sure when but I'm guessing 50's or 60's.
John - did you chuck a couple of Bild a Loco motors under this beast? Will it clear the Hellgate?
Jim
LOL I hadn't thought of converting it, but that would be pretty neat. And yes, it does clear the Hellgate Bridge. I shall have to keep my eyes open for a lesser quality one for conversion experimentation, this one is just too minty. A photo of the bottom is included below.
Modern Toy Company from the logo, probably early 1960s
In the same vein- the mystery standard gauge subway car. It's a wind-up toy, which coincidentally does have flanged wheels with standard gauge spacing, but the trucks don't swivel, so it's basically a floor toy. It's certainly neat looking, and as an added bonus has lights (battery powered) both front and rear. See the photo of the logo (YM?)- I'm hoping someone will recognize the maker. This is definitely a candidate for conversion to operation!
Attachments
Images (6)
Made some banana plug adapters for both my ZW-L and ZW.
Steve
Attachments
Images (2)
DMESTAN - your set is a Rainbow. The 1927 version did not come with an observation. As for an exact match with respect to car lithography - I wouldn't worry too much about that. I've seen a number of boxed Rainbow sets over the years. Sometimes the litho treatment of the cars in the box match the catalog cut and sometimes they don't.
Catalog cut for 1927
For example - the set below was boxed and the set label was "Rainbow". The car frames were consistent with the 1927 time frame but except for the engine and the fact that one of the passenger cars is blue (wrong window configuration - according to the catalog) and the other does share the window treatment and the color orange with the other car you would have to squint pretty hard to convince yourself that the catalog and the box contents are the match.
Attachments
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Made some banana plug adapters for both my ZW-L and ZW.
Steve
I had enough spacers to complete the ZW-L, but had to order another pack for the ZW. Guess they’re out of smaller boxes.
Steve
Attachments
Images (1)
I didn't buy or make it, but I got the Lionel No.85 racecars for Christmas.
Attachments
Images (1)
George S posted:
Santhion City Palace all the way from Hungary.
Replica Ives 200 Powerhouse made by yours truly.
George
Fabulous George!
Nothing as exotic as all this neat stuff but did buy a few things yesterday in West Virginia at a small shop full of "Good old Boys". A guy had a Lionel logging set, box looked new but from the Michigan era, I think. Had a steam tank engine, a Forney with 3 dumping log cars & caboose. I wanted it but he wanted to sell more so I ended up getting two pretty nice Lionel 2034s. After I hit them with CDC solvent they run good. Still have to clean them & lube. No sure what I will do with them. The Forney looks new, has smoke and a"whistle" plus traction tires-a first for me. I have some funky On3 freight cars with Lionel trucks on them and maybe an old passenger car on the rear as a caboose. I got a nice red caboose with the set. Went to a much bigger antique mall and bought two pre-war Lionel Standard gauge signals. One a semaphore. WE ate a good meal at a Cracker Barrel anticipating a nap when we got home but that didn't happen. A water line by the oil furnace sprung a leak spraying water all over. It is an oil-fired boiler and a hot water heating system. Called plumber who came right away and it was fixed in 30 mins. Amazing. The young man knew what he was doing.
Logging and Michigan was once like bread and butter.
Not being defensive, but very much curious Jim; likely just a fluke of words that can be read various ways but... Is there anything wrong with items from Mich.? (" it is what it is ", good or bad...just curious if it is bad for a reason.)
(I finally removed that tender from my 4x9. Now it's running on a carpet central 
(thanks again )
A fluke of words. Just dating the time it was made. They are nice engines. Got them CHEEP! From what I have read on logging, a lot of loggers from Pa. went to Michigan and beyond when Pa was cut over.
And once Michigan was pretty much clear-cut, they went North and West.
I figured it was an origin ID, but had to ask.
Gramps worked some of the remaining camps in the summers as a teen in Canada and Mich UP from 1926 till about 31 or 32 when he landed a full time steel mill job "down south" here in Detroit where he was schooled.
George S posted:Got this for a tinplate harbor scene that I am planning. It’s missing a couple of parts, but it works.
George
Nice find George
nice George!
She needs a Popeye figure
samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse 
)
Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I thought the figures were Bob McCoy and Bob Jr. I can't find any online reference to back me up right now. I think it is a western style, long overcoat, not a lab coat. The farming and western themes match some of the other McCoy train themes. The characters can certainly be described as whimsical!
George
George S posted:Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I thought the figures were Bob McCoy and Bob Jr. I can't find any online reference to back me up right now. I think it is a western style, long overcoat, not a lab coat. The farming and western themes match some of the other McCoy train themes. The characters can certainly be described as whimsical!
George
In the book From A Chicken Coop to Model Trains, it says the #45 hand cars were made from 1980 to 84, then again in 1987. The figures were all hand painted, so no two were exactly alike. No reference to the figures being patterned after anyone.
Steve
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:George S posted:Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I thought the figures were Bob McCoy and Bob Jr. I can't find any online reference to back me up right now. I think it is a western style, long overcoat, not a lab coat. The farming and western themes match some of the other McCoy train themes. The characters can certainly be described as whimsical!
George
In the book From A Chicken Coop to Model Trains, it says the #45 hand cars were made from 1980 to 84, then again in 1987. The figures were all hand painted, so no two were exactly alike. No reference to the figures being patterned after anyone.
Steve
Knew I could rely on you Steve! TCA Western says something similar. Not sure where I saw the reference to one of the figures being Bob McCoy.
George
Reminds me of "Hell on Wheels "
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:George S posted:Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I thought the figures were Bob McCoy and Bob Jr. I can't find any online reference to back me up right now. I think it is a western style, long overcoat, not a lab coat. The farming and western themes match some of the other McCoy train themes. The characters can certainly be described as whimsical!
George
In the book From A Chicken Coop to Model Trains, it says the #45 hand cars were made from 1980 to 84, then again in 1987. The figures were all hand painted, so no two were exactly alike. No reference to the figures being patterned after anyone.
Steve
Steve,
Arno had several of these hand cars in his collection and you are absolutely correct, no two were painted the same. As I recall, not all the figures were the same either.
Bob Nelson
Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I get it, not very "train" related I guess for the two guys but they are fun to watch, the coat looks like an old west style coat but it has a purpose to cover the hinge in his hips. The passenger is drinking milk, eating a sandwich and has a banana in his lunch box. His head goes back and forth as it goes around the track. I'll try to get some better pictures this weekend
navy.seal posted:Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:George S posted:Adriatic posted:samdjr74 posted:I bought this little guy as a Christmas present to me. It's one of two McCoy pieces I really want to get my hands on, the other is the Wapid Wabbit
Best part is, it runs great! Just needed a little lube
A very cool piece. I like the figures though I find them curiously "random". Like there is a story to go with it I don't know about... like what's the passenger got... milk and crackers? And whats up with the "lab coat"? ... A pharmacist and a guy with milk of magnesia? Nice whimsy, but the figures seem almost out of place to me.
I think a cowboy hat on the standing figure might have me thinking western trenchcoat, but I only see lab coat right now. (not sayin' I'm not jealouse
I thought the figures were Bob McCoy and Bob Jr. I can't find any online reference to back me up right now. I think it is a western style, long overcoat, not a lab coat. The farming and western themes match some of the other McCoy train themes. The characters can certainly be described as whimsical!
George
In the book From A Chicken Coop to Model Trains, it says the #45 hand cars were made from 1980 to 84, then again in 1987. The figures were all hand painted, so no two were exactly alike. No reference to the figures being patterned after anyone.
Steve
Steve,
Arno had several of these hand cars in his collection and you are absolutely correct, no two were painted the same. As I recall, not all the figures were the same either.
Bob Nelson
Funny thing is years ago I was talking to Arno about them. He told me they were always a little "quirky". When I got this one the front wheels were seized up from rust and the motor smoked. A little lube fixed it but I can see it as somewhat fragile.
Robert S. Butler posted:DMESTAN - your set is a Rainbow. The 1927 version did not come with an observation. As for an exact match with respect to car lithography - I wouldn't worry too much about that. I've seen a number of boxed Rainbow sets over the years. Sometimes the litho treatment of the cars in the box match the catalog cut and sometimes they don't.
Catalog cut for 1927
For example - the set below was boxed and the set label was "Rainbow". The car frames were consistent with the 1927 time frame but except for the engine and the fact that one of the passenger cars is blue (wrong window configuration - according to the catalog) and the other does share the window treatment and the color orange with the other car you would have to squint pretty hard to convince yourself that the catalog and the box contents are the match.
Thanks for the info Robert!
So do you think this is a 1927 set?
Don
I’ve always admired AF tinplate coaches (look similar to Hafners) but never quite understood why the locomotives are “smaller” in scale to their coaches.
Hafner locomotives are at least the height of the coaches (That’s just a personal preference)
They’re all beautiful to look at
Ah ha! , So the randomness was planned!!
I'm not sure what that means exactly 
But all the logic I need I guess 
Nothin' trumps a "one off" 
A recent acquisition of some fairly elaborate Bing O gauge tinplate to go with my Bing (for Bassett Lowke) George the Fifth 4-4-0 clockwork loco- three Pullman cars for the British market, fitted with flip-top roofs and dining car interiors. They are 12" long and I have two "Rosemary" and one "Plato". One of the "Rosemary" cars has a very interesting cloth curtain inside that the other two do not. Does anyone know if these curtains were original to the dining car interiors (perhaps someone made it themselves)?
I also recently acquired a copy of the 1972 book reprinting Bing's catalogs 1866-1933. From page 258 (1927 catalog), my new cars appear to be the 10/559/0 Speisewagen (Dining Car). Also on page 243 (1926 catalog) is the Bing "Mercury" Train, set 3710/02 being a George V 4-4-0 loco / tender and "two Pullman dining cars fitted with chairs and tables, each running on two dour-wheeled bogies, and with doors to open". Some images are attached from these catalogs. And by the way, this nice person put a scan of the Bing 1926 catalog online at: https://www.fulltable.com/vts/t/tcat/bing/a.htm
Comparing these cars to other photos of similar cars on the internet I note that they may originally have had passageway diaphragms that clipped into the hole above the train door. Also, some similar cars have spring-loaded buffers whereas these are plain.
Any additional info would be welcome. I'll make a video of them running behind the loco and post that as well.
Underside of "Plato":
And here is the pic of a similar "Plato" Pullman, but with diaphragms and spring-loaded buffers:
Attachments
Images (12)
Hi John, nice set of cars. To answer to some of your questions I will say at first that there is many variations around those cars. They may be founded with different type of couplers, die cast and brass but I have never seen spring loaded buffers, they are certainly non original, we must be careful with pieces coming from great Britain, many of them have been altered by modelers. Couplers may be drop link or automatic for the latest ones. Here some examples from my collection, sorry bad picture quality.
The curtains in you car are originals, I have the same thing in different models in o and I gauge. Bing have made some elaborate models with completely equipped sleeping cars with curtains and beds, they are often lost now. Here is another example on a smaller series of cars, end of BING production in 1930 and without markings as they where made for different countries so standard models.
BING has also offered diaphragms for their passenger cars, tey are similar to Marklin ones but I still have to find some.... Sometime they are available in Germany on the Bay.
Very best, Daniel
Attachments
Daniel- many thanks for this info and the related photos. And interesting that you mentioned some late production Bing cars not having end markings, one of the two "Rosemary" cars is exactly that way- otherwise identical to the older one but no logo on the ends. And regarding the passageway diaphragms, I do see them shown in a few illustrations of coupled cars in the Bing catalogs, for example here in 1927 (page 267 of the book). None of the individual car illustrations appear to show them. Thanks again
Attachments
Images (1)
THis afternoon I went to a local "antique" store(I was the oldest thing there) but a dealer has recently been buying trains. Spotted a brand new looking Lionel 2065, one of my favorites. A nice discount made it a good deal. I have 3 others but this new one ha been use very little. I might sell her a few of my lesser one. Fun day.
FRENCHTRAINS posted:Hi John, nice set of cars. To answer to some of your questions I will say at first that there is many variations around those cars. They may be founded with different type of couplers, die cast and brass but I have never seen spring loaded buffers, they are certainly non original, we must be careful with pieces coming from great Britain, many of them have been altered by modelers. Couplers may be drop link or automatic for the latest ones. Here some examples from my collection, sorry bad picture quality.
The curtains in you car are originals, I have the same thing in different models in o and I gauge. Bing have made some elaborate models with completely equipped sleeping cars with curtains and beds, they are often lost now. Here is another example on a smaller series of cars, end of BING production in 1930 and without markings as they where made for different countries so standard models.
BING has also offered diaphragms for their passenger cars, tey are similar to Marklin ones but I still have to find some.... Sometime they are available in Germany on the Bay.
Very best, Daniel
And here's the next question- how do you get a wheel/axle set out of one of the Bing 1920's O gauge trucks? I'm used to being able to widen up the truck frame enough to slip one end of the axle out (either by some gentle bending or disassembly), but I've discovered you can't do that with these. I removed the side frame from the truck with some further loosening of the tabs (this one was already loose at the old solder joint between the bolster and the side frame), but the ends of the axle appear to be captive inside the little O gauge axle box on the side frames. Do they have a collar on the end of the axle?
I need to straighten one bent axle, hence my interest. Some photos attached, along with a video of the Bing clockwork train running with the other two coaches.
Attachments
Images (4)
Videos (1)
Hi. I’m the new guy.
I went down to a local thrift shop to buy a pair of pliers. For some reason I can’t really explain, I bought a caboose. I didn’t need a caboose because I didn’t have a train. A few weeks later, I found myself back at the shop buying a flatcar that I had not noticed before. Then I went on eBay to get a reproduction lumber load so that the flatcar stakes wouldn’t flop around. They were flopping around. While I was already there, on eBay, it didn’t seem unreasonable to get a locomotive and some track. I went back to the thrift shop for the tranformer and now they’re going ‘round and ‘round. I now have a complete train set, everything I need. Except... I compulsively just bought a little depot, for that passenger car that’s probably still at the thrift store. THEN, I’ll be done, right? I mean, I can stop any time I want. Right? I still need a pair of pliers.
Attachments
Images (1)
Here they are, going ‘round and ‘round:
nope....there's no hope for you now..... and welcome!
I can't wait to see what follows him home when Phillip finds out they make pairs of track pliers 
John Smatlak posted:FRENCHTRAINS posted:
And here's the next question- how do you get a wheel/axle set out of one of the Bing 1920's O gauge trucks? I'm used to being able to widen up the truck frame enough to slip one end of the axle out (either by some gentle bending or disassembly), but I've discovered you can't do that with these. I removed the side frame from the truck with some further loosening of the tabs (this one was already loose at the old solder joint between the bolster and the side frame), but the ends of the axle appear to be captive inside the little O gauge axle box on the side frames. Do they have a collar on the end of the axle?
I need to straighten one bent axle, hence my interest. Some photos attached, along with a video of the Bing clockwork train running with the other two coaches.
Nice video John, your cars are perfect with the 440. Restoring Bing cars of that series is sometime painful... I have also had some difficulties and it seems that the bogies where not intended to be removed.
I have in the spare part section an extra bogie with the cover axle lost and here is the solution, a round collar at the end of the axle, you are right. Easy to remove when the cover is not on the bogie but at first you will need to move the two tabs, top and under, of the main frame bogie. look at the pictures it's maybe better to understand.
Good luck with your fixing. Daniel
Attachments
Philipp posted:Hi. I’m the new guy.
I went down to a local thrift shop to buy a pair of pliers. For some reason I can’t really explain, I bought a caboose. I didn’t need a caboose because I didn’t have a train. A few weeks later, I found myself back at the shop buying a flatcar that I had not noticed before. Then I went on eBay to get a reproduction lumber load so that the flatcar stakes wouldn’t flop around. They were flopping around. While I was already there, on eBay, it didn’t seem unreasonable to get a locomotive and some track. I went back to the thrift shop for the tranformer and now they’re going ‘round and ‘round. I now have a complete train set, everything I need. Except... I compulsively just bought a little depot, for that passenger car that’s probably still at the thrift store. THEN, I’ll be done, right? I mean, I can stop any time I want. Right? I still need a pair of pliers.
A common situation.... just need to buy another car and after another...... then don't miss to buy your pliers they are very useful when you have some restoration to do....
There is not yet a medical treatment known, sorry for you. Daniel
Adriatic posted:I can't wait to see what follows him home when Phillip finds out they make pairs of track pliers
Wait... what? Do I need track pliers too?
Philipp posted:Adriatic posted:I can't wait to see what follows him home when Phillip finds out they make pairs of track pliers
Wait... what? Do I need track pliers too?
No, you can get by with other pliers and tools. Just focus on buying more track and trains for now.
I still don’t own track pliers. I use my needle nose, cutting and regular pliers depending on what track repair I am doing. It’s worked so far.
George
John, here is another BING sleeping car from the very end so 1930-32, it is stamped with a serial number on the side and the German eagle. The inside shows the curtains and the beds removed. All original car.
Daniel
Attachments
George S posted:Philipp posted:Adriatic posted:I can't wait to see what follows him home when Phillip finds out they make pairs of track pliers
Wait... what? Do I need track pliers too?
No, you can get by with other pliers and tools. Just focus on buying more track and trains for now.
I still don’t own track pliers. I use my needle nose, cutting and regular pliers depending on what track repair I am doing. It’s worked so far.
George
No, you don't necessarily NEED them; "a golden hammer"
I use blunted top cutters, etc. just as often.
You could spend a lot on the "right" tools if you choose to, and some jobs do require them, but many thousands of folks "make due" daily as well.
John Smatlak posted:......the next question- how do you get a wheel/axle set out of one of the Bing 1920's O gauge trucks? I'm used to being able to widen up the truck frame enough to slip one end of the axle out (either by some gentle bending or disassembly), but I've discovered you can't do that with these. I removed the side frame from the truck with some further loosening of the tabs (this one was already loose at the old solder joint between the bolster and the side frame), but the ends of the axle appear to be captive inside the little O gauge axle box on the side frames. Do they have a collar on the end of the axle?I need to straighten one bent axle, hence my interest. Some photos attached, along with a video of the Bing clockwork train running with the other two coaches.
You might want to anneal the axle box tabs with a soldering iron to prevent a snapped tab while bending.
Adriatic posted:John Smatlak posted:......the next question- how do you get a wheel/axle set out of one of the Bing 1920's O gauge trucks? I'm used to being able to widen up the truck frame enough to slip one end of the axle out (either by some gentle bending or disassembly), but I've discovered you can't do that with these. I removed the side frame from the truck with some further loosening of the tabs (this one was already loose at the old solder joint between the bolster and the side frame), but the ends of the axle appear to be captive inside the little O gauge axle box on the side frames. Do they have a collar on the end of the axle?I need to straighten one bent axle, hence my interest. Some photos attached, along with a video of the Bing clockwork train running with the other two coaches.
You might want to anneal the axle box tabs with a soldering iron to prevent a snapped tab while bending.
This is very good advice. I never broke a tab when doing this. It seems to make the metal "younger" and more pliable.
George
Arne posted:The Bing diaphragms are attached at the top and bottom, they are complete different to Marklin.
Arne
Arne- very nice, thank you for sending these photos. That really "makes" the set, I'll have to find one of these! Were these different from those offered by Hornby? Some photos from the internet of what is described as one from Hornby, as well as some reproductions (I do not have any). Thanks again.
Attachments
Images (4)
MMmPhilipp posted:Hi. I’m the new guy.
I went down to a local thrift shop to buy a pair of pliers. For some reason I can’t really explain, I bought a caboose. I didn’t need a caboose because I didn’t have a train. A few weeks later, I found myself back at the shop buying a flatcar that I had not noticed before. Then I went on eBay to get a reproduction lumber load so that the flatcar stakes wouldn’t flop around. They were flopping around. While I was already there, on eBay, it didn’t seem unreasonable to get a locomotive and some track. I went back to the thrift shop for the tranformer and now they’re going ‘round and ‘round. I now have a complete train set, everything I need. Except... I compulsively just bought a little depot, for that passenger car that’s probably still at the thrift store. THEN, I’ll be done, right? I mean, I can stop any time I want. Right? I still need a pair of pliers.
Yeah, you definitely need a pair of pliers for working one the trains 😎
FRENCHTRAINS posted:John Smatlak posted:FRENCHTRAINS posted:
And here's the next question- how do you get a wheel/axle set out of one of the Bing 1920's O gauge trucks? I'm used to being able to widen up the truck frame enough to slip one end of the axle out (either by some gentle bending or disassembly), but I've discovered you can't do that with these. I removed the side frame from the truck with some further loosening of the tabs (this one was already loose at the old solder joint between the bolster and the side frame), but the ends of the axle appear to be captive inside the little O gauge axle box on the side frames. Do they have a collar on the end of the axle?
I need to straighten one bent axle, hence my interest. Some photos attached, along with a video of the Bing clockwork train running with the other two coaches.
Nice video John, your cars are perfect with the 440. Restoring Bing cars of that series is sometime painful... I have also had some difficulties and it seems that the bogies where not intended to be removed.
I have in the spare part section an extra bogie with the cover axle lost and here is the solution, a round collar at the end of the axle, you are right. Easy to remove when the cover is not on the bogie but at first you will need to move the two tabs, top and under, of the main frame bogie. look at the pictures it's maybe better to understand.
Good luck with your fixing. Daniel
Daniel- thank you for the reply. I would agree- it appears the wheel/axle sets were not meant to be removed. One axle did remove itself while I was working on it and I found it had a slightly different axle end than in your photos, this one appears to have a groove cut into it and that snaps into a corresponding opening inside the axle box, although perhaps it is just very worn. I was however able to straighten the bent axle with some pliers once I had the extra length exposed by removing the side frame from the bolster (of course it was the other axle, not the one that fell clear of the frame). That was more than enough fun for me, so I have now attempted to put it all back together with some epoxy to try and keep the bolster/side frame connection together. We'll see how that works. Thanks again!
Attachments
Images (1)
I nabbed the blue af machinery car,,long time to find this,,,now have both
Attachments
I got the Pullman from the thrift shop. They were having a sale, spend $10, get $5 off something else, so the light tower was free. Who doesn't like free?
The observation car and depot came in the mail today. The depot is about the size of one of those parking lot coffee huts you see everywhere anymore.
The crossbuck came from my roommate. We will call her 'the enabler.' It must be about 20-25 feet tall.
I kind of like that everything is in less than pristine condition.
Attachments
Images (2)
picked up a Marx PFE boxcar
Attachments
Images (1)
George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
George
Those are the coolest cars EVER!
Especially the taxi.
It would have been sweeter with syrup, eh?
But then again you wouldn't want it CP-ing out. 
George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Micky needs a crowd of children... Why? Because he.. likes-um!
Adriatic posted:It would have been sweeter with syrup, eh?
But then again you wouldn't want it CP-ing out.
A sticky situation all around! 🍯
And I see what you did there!
Adriatic posted:George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Micky needs a crowd of children... Why? Because he.. likes-um!
Is the Mickey Pridelines?
Joe Gozzo
George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Great fine George!
Joe Gozzo
George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Great fine George!
Joe Gozzo
Trainlover160 posted:Adriatic posted:George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Micky needs a crowd of children... Why? Because he.. likes-um!
Is the Mickey Pridelines?
Joe Gozzo
It’s a TCA piece, probably made by Pride Lines.
Steve
Found this sign in an Antique Store. The guy had the as part of a Lionel set, that was way over priced. Came home and found them on the bay! Always nice to find something you never knew existed.
Joe Gozzo
Attachments
Images (1)
They are Marx. Came in many sets with auto couplers.
Steve
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:Trainlover160 posted:Adriatic posted:George S posted:Bought some Paya replica automobiles that are a good fit for Standard gauge.
Micky needs a crowd of children... Why? Because he.. likes-um!
Is the Mickey Pridelines?
Joe Gozzo
It’s a TCA piece, probably made by Pride Lines.
Steve
It commemorates the 1995 TCA National Convention that was held in Seattle. It was listed as Pride Lines when I bought it. There is a similar Donald Duck that I may try to find.
George
