Buy/Make Anything Cool Lately (Tinplate Version)

A while back I picked up an O gauge Flyer Hudson loco (1680/4680-1681 Type XII) with a sheet metal "flat top" fluted-roof (Type XI) tender. I just found a set of the 6-axle streamliner cars (in chrome) Ca. 1938-39 to go with it. I've always liked these cars, but have noticed they're hard to find in good condition. This particular set is a little played with, but overall has a quite satisfactory appearance. The celluloid window inserts (with the blue window shade stripe) are happily still in good shape, which is a really nice feature.

Looking at examples of this set owned by other collectors, and photos on the internet, the Hudson I have apparently does not have the correct tender for the sets with the chrome cars. The Greenberg American Flyer Prewar O gauge book, page 210 discusses "sets with chrome cars"- the No. 20 and 321 sets in which these chrome cars were paired with the Hudson came with the Type XII tender, which has a coal bunker and 6-axle trucks. The 6-axle trucks make sense as they match the cars, although a tender with the flat top roof (instead of the coal bunker) would match the profile of the passenger cars. I'm still digesting the info on page 72 re: the tenders. More info would be welcome.

Still need to get the headlight working on the Hudson, but in any case this set has a mighty roar going around the layout, some photos and videos attached for your enjoyment.

looks great John!

Did a little bit of "dealing" yesterday. Traded my two Lionel 2034s, that I paid $20 for,to a antique dealer for a 2025e that needed a little help. Cleaned & lubed her and she ran but the smoke unit is gummed up. The rear truck is missing so right now it is a 2-6-0. Had to make & put a drawbar, too. Runs nice. I have another 2025 with the aluminum stack.

Double dipping with another thread a bit here but I’ll go into more detail and show some more pieces 

Bing Southern Railways present to myself

Fleichmann postwar 405070 with 1970s Britain’s deTail Scots Guard. Soldiers underneath, unsure of nationality but they look cool as do the porters(even if they’re not tin lol!) found the 2 wind up cars up in Pop’s attic on Christmas

My pop made this Gulf Oil tower for my dad in the 70s. I’d previously been using the green platform as a landing pad and then I found the Gulf tin on Christmas when exploring Pop’s attic

disxlaimer: layout under construction 

I’m have a few Modern Marx prototypes-shop samples. Marx was very good about identifying these. I have passed on a few due to no markings or tag. Our forum friend Robert Butler has tons. Here are a few of my recent arrivals. 

Steve

I love this one. Royal Canadian, I don’t think it was ever produced.

Marx Trains would begin fit checking as parts were being made, often using original Marx parts while waiting for their parts to be made. This was a learning opportunity for them to verify fit as their parts became available. This one is a fully functioning Modern Marx loco, but it has original Marx side plates.

Not sure about this one. The boiler is obviously a 8401 Marlines Loco, but the side boards are from the very hard to find gray PRR 8271. No factory markings or tag, so no 100% sure this is a factory piece. Due to the uncertainty, I've passed on a few others with no markings, but this one caught my fancy so I bought it anyway.

StevefromPA posted:

Double dipping with another thread a bit here but I’ll go into more detail and show some more pieces 

Bing Southern Railways present to myself

Fleichmann postwar 405070 with 1970s Britain’s deTail Scots Guard. Soldiers underneath, unsure of nationality but they look cool as do the porters(even if they’re not tin lol!) found the 2 wind up cars up in Pop’s attic on Christmas

My pop made this Gulf Oil tower for my dad in the 70s. I’d previously been using the green platform as a landing pad and then I found the Gulf tin on Christmas when exploring Pop’s attic

 

disxlaimer: layout under construction 

Neat stuff. The soldiers are awesome and fit right in. Some of those can be pretty valuable. 

George

A 13 year search just came to an end.

Steve

Tease!

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

A 13 year search just came to an end.

Steve

 Now I'm hearing the final jeopardy song playing in my head

Joe Gozzo

Trainlover160 posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

A 13 year search just came to an end.

Steve

 Now I'm hearing the final jeopardy song playing in my head

Joe Gozzo

It’s one of three version of the first boxed set produced by Marx Trains (modern)

Steve

It's ok Steve, you can open it, put the fear and anticipation behind...and open that puppy!......the outer box at least...

Like the 3 legged pig, you don't want to finish it all at once

Ok, the box has been opened. The set I received is the 10251 C on top. I got the M in 2006 and the S in 2008. Been a long search for the C. These were the first boxed sets produced by Marx Trains, done in 1995.  The Rock Island set is commonly called the White Set. The difference is the special white hopper, only available in these sets. M is Monon, S is SOO and C is C&O. The WP boxcars came in four road numbers and were used randomly.

My experience is the M is the most common, followed by the S and the C being the rarest. Only a total of about 200 sets were made.

Steve

,

That......is a really nice set Steve. Congrats on the long wait!

beautiful set!

John Smatlak posted:

A while back I picked up an O gauge Flyer Hudson loco (1680/4680-1681 Type XII) with a sheet metal "flat top" fluted-roof (Type XI) tender. I just found a set of the 6-axle streamliner cars (in chrome) Ca. 1938-39 to go with it. I've always liked these cars, but have noticed they're hard to find in good condition. This particular set is a little played with, but overall has a quite satisfactory appearance. The celluloid window inserts (with the blue window shade stripe) are happily still in good shape, which is a really nice feature.

Looking at examples of this set owned by other collectors, and photos on the internet, the Hudson I have apparently does not have the correct tender for the sets with the chrome cars. The Greenberg American Flyer Prewar O gauge book, page 210 discusses "sets with chrome cars"- the No. 20 and 321 sets in which these chrome cars were paired with the Hudson came with the Type XII tender, which has a coal bunker and 6-axle trucks. The 6-axle trucks make sense as they match the cars, although a tender with the flat top roof (instead of the coal bunker) would match the profile of the passenger cars. I'm still digesting the info on page 72 re: the tenders. More info would be welcome.

AF Celluloid tends to stay better than Lionel.  Thankfully! Greenberg book is correct. The ribbed top tenders were 1936-1937 and the Die cast tenders with the Chrome cars came out in 1938 (4 car set) and 1939 (3 Car set). The ribbed top came with the green cars with black 4 wheel trucks and belly pans. Note that the stripe on the tender is similar to the green cars...

After my doctor’s appt today I stopped at a local antique mall. Went there with the intention on picking up some toy soldiers and at least checking for any new trains one of the stands might have when I stumbled upon this...

tag also said “loco runs and light works”. So I got my first Ives train! 3250 loco. At the price, even if it didn’t run, I couldn’t pass it up. 

Gave it a little TLC before putting it on the track and removing the body- and it runs! Makes it around the track fine the motor is really growls and creates a bit too much o-zone smell. Upon removing the body,The inside was incredibly dusty(all the coils had a thick coating of dust), I used some compressed air, toothpick, and q-tips- but it’s still making that noise and smell. I don’t plan on running it a whole lot since almost no restoration has been done(besides a new bulb), the wheels are cracking and it’s 94 years old with original parts it still works. The wheels aren’t the problem, so maybe when I’m feeling better I’ll take it apart and remove all the crap that’s probably causing the smell. Nonetheless, incredibly happy with this find.

I've found a decent amount of good deals at the antique shops. That Ives looks great! Love to come across one. nice find.

@Steamer thank you! Tons of antique shops in my area, this one is more of a “marketplace” that has a bunch of stalls and the vendors either specialize in one or two areas or have a hodgepodge. Regardless, when I saw that just sitting there(after spending a lot of time looking at prewar flyer electric outlines the last 2 days), my jaw dropped.

After reading up more on the forum and looking at the original 1925 manual, gave the new stamped metal can some oil and viola! No more sparks or rumbling, runs great. I think the heavy stamped metal noise threw me off a bit(concussion has messed with my eyes and hearing). Will post some pictures and/or a video later

An ode to pre and early postwar tinplate, and their couplers- “why can’t we be friends”

Featuring:

Ives Railway Lines 3250

American Flyer Lines “American Railway Express” 1205

American Flyer Lines 3000

Bing Southern Railway Freight car

Bing Deutsche Reichsbahn Baggage Car 10/565

Lionel Lines Passenger Car 1690

Fleischmann 45070

Marx Northern Pacific Hopper 554

Marx New York Central Caboose 20102