Dirt Cheap Trains & Accessories

Nice work Arnold.

Note here for those that like to scratch build that Northeasten Scale Lumber Company should be back up and running by mid October.

Lou N

Has anyone done the following: repaired and/or restored old, broken and beat up trains and accessories bought for very little money that now run well and are beautiful collectibles?

If so, you can post them here and tell what you did to make them that way.

I have bought broken accessories and paid someone else to fix them. For instance, this water tower with the operating water pump inside that did not work when I bought it, and is now one of my favorite accessories:

Here's a better picture of the Lionel #31 water tower:

I enjoy a thousand dollar locomotive as well as the next guy/gal but under the table finds are my true first love when it comes to train collecting. I get the greatest kick from finding two or three or more pieces in poor repair and taking the best from each to make a near excellent piece for the layout. On occasion I may end up with parts to make a second to sell cheap to a friend. Most of my operating accessories are from under the table finds.   j 

Love under the table prewar junk. Picked up a 252 engine with a broken frame (motor mount broke/missing) and bad wheels for $20.00. It was apart and all there. The frame took me about a year to find as the 252 had two different frame types. Still have the engine and it is slated to be overhauled this winter

Arnold, That water tower is a #38 and is a really rare and valuable accessory.  I love that #38 water tower and have a couple on my layout.

Carl C posted:

Arnold, That water tower is a #38 and is a really rare and valuable accessory.  I love that #38 water tower and have a couple on my layout.

 

 

 

 

 

I stand corrected, thanks Carl.

Incidentally, the problem with it when I bought it was the tubing inside was blocked (like an artery blockage for a cardiac patient, LOL), and the motor for the pump was frozen figuratively.

My train doctor repair guy substituted new tubing, maybe aquarium tubing, and somehow unfroze the motor.

To avoid having the tubing becoming blocked again,  I now use distilled water, and run the accessory at least once every other day for at least a few seconds. Works like a charm.

I have to say, those in this hobby that can turn junk into treasure are the ones I most admire. Maybe that is because it's something I have little natural talent in doing.

A couple of times, for an easy fix, I did succeed in fixing something that didn't initially work, and I was euphoric when I did so.

Once I bought a Postwar Dispatch Board at a train show.  This accessory is something that I always wanted as a child, never got and never even asked for, maybe because I consider it to be one of the dumbest, grossly out of scale accessories ever made. It should be inside an even more gigantic train station, not sitting on the train table outside the station.

Anyway, I got the Dispatch Board dirt cheap, and when I got it home and hooked it up, it didn't work. I took it apart with trepidation, because when I've tried to fix other train related items in the past, sometimes I've made them worse.

This time, when I took it apart, I removed a lot of dirt, grime and debris, including a couple of dead insects! Then, I sprayed a tiny bit of WD40 in the mechanism, and Voila, it worked!

Here it is:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I have to say, those in this hobby that can turn junk into treasure are the ones I most admire. Maybe that is because it's something I have little natural talent in doing.

A couple of times, for an easy fix, I did succeed in fixing something that didn't initially work, and I was euphoric when I did so.

Once I bought a Postwar Dispatch Board at a train show.  This accessory is something that I always wanted as a child, never got and never even asked for, maybe because I consider it to be one of the dumbest, grossly out of scale accessories ever made. It should be inside an even more gigantic train station, not sitting on the train table outside the station.

Anyway, I got the Dispatch Board dirt cheap, and when I got it home and hooked it up, it didn't work. I took it apart with trepidation, because when I've tried to fix other train related items in the past, sometimes I've made them worse.

This time, when I took it apart, I removed a lot of dirt, grime and debris, including a couple of dead insects! Then, I sprayed a tiny bit of WD40 in the mechanism, and Voila, it worked!

Here it is:

I still have mine from when I was a child when it came out (My wife says I m still a child).

Replace the man in the late 80's and it still works. Great item!

I see from your Profile, RonH, that you like resurrecting the dead, bringing Frankenstein trains back to life.

And I'm sure there are others on this Forum that are very good at that and love doing it. Bravo to all of you that do!

I thought of changing the title of this Post to "Resurrection Monday," the idea being to discuss the broken junk bought on a Sunday train show that was fixed and brought back to life on Monday. What do you folks think?

Concerning the Postwar Lionel Operating Dispatch Board, IMO the charm of it is the green color of the Board, the giant blue man, the way the accessory lights up, and especially the way the giant man runs back and forth as the name of the arriving/departing trains change.

Maybe I also love it because of its goofiness.

Does anyone know if they have seen this Dispatch Board inside a big model of a train station (maybe Grand Central or Penn Station) on a layout, and when you peak inside the station, you can see the dispatch board operating? That would be so cool.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I see from your Profile, RonH, that you like resurrecting the dead, bringing Frankenstein trains back to life.

And I'm sure there are others on this Forum that are very good at that and love doing it. Bravo to all of you that do!

I thought of changing the title of this Post to "Resurrection Monday," the idea being to discuss the broken junk bought on a Sunday train show that was fixed and brought back to life on Monday. What do you folks think?

Thank you Arnold, there are a lot of us (types) out there. Making something out of old stuff is the best, plus it helps keep the people selling replacement parts in business. I will be posting on your “Resurrection Monday” post. Great title and a lot of fun. Love seeing other people’s work.

Arnold, do you have a operating news stand? Don't see one on the layout. Don

Yes, Don, it was given to me as a Christmas gift in my childhood, and was one of my mother's favorites. Here it is:

That's funny, it was my Mom's favorite also. Don

K line farm house with smoke unit so smoke comes out of chimney, that was inexpensive to the best of my recollection, which I got either at a local hobby shop or train show 15 to 20 years ago:

And this HO switch tower was dirt cheap:

I find used HO structures tend to be cheaper and can look pretty good on an O Gauge layout if they are placed at least a few feet away from the observer, providing forced perspective. 

Arnold

Well another great topic, Arnold!!

I have repaired some operating accessories.  I have four that I bought and have parts, just not the time to fix.  Actually I have two 364 log loaders, a 397 coal loader, and a gantry crane.  I have two MTH F3 A-B-A sets that I am going to combine into good ones.  On one someone did a marginal job on a repaint and repair of cracked shells, but the 4 motors run fine.  I want to take the motors out of one A unit to put in a great looking set that has only one powered A unit and one non powered.  The other two motors and wiring are to go in a BL2 that someone repainted, but stripped making it non powered.  I got the BL2 and one of the log loaders for nothing.  The other items were at low cost.  Chances are I won't get to these until I retire, but that won't be long.

Mark, Your list keeps growing for when you retire! LOL

Yes Mike, I had better retire soon or I will run out of time to do it all!  LOL

How about a homemade turntable that cost $10. 

Good topic and Arnold I know you know about my topic below is about a dirt cheap layout but others may not.  My topic below that has dozens of inexpensive train items like homemade cars, kitbashed coaling station, automated log loader, inexpensive round house etc.  The whole topic is making a dirt cheap 027 layout and items and cars for the layout.

The topic below has a homemade $10 roundhouse too.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

There are tons of trains to buy at bargain prices. The prices of all hobby items are dropping due to the changing demographics of those that participate in those hobbies.   Go to a car, antique or train show and you will find bargains galore. Fact is that Millennials just don't have interest in hobbies.

Years ago, you had to make your own....dirt cheap, lots of time and effort, lots of balsa wood that was left over from a huge box that had everything you needed.  I still have that box that my father bought in the 50's, and there's still lots of wood in it.

The original placement, on the old attic layout....

Some you had to build and modify because the Lionel or MTH models are just too big to fit....

Others, like the mall suggested by Chugman, are just too cool not to be built...this one wasn't that cheap, but way under $100.  Needed 1/4 inch foam board, hot wire for cutting, shiny stick-on clear paper for the store fronts, photo paper for the pics, LED's for the lighting behind the store cut-outs and underneath the roof.  Also, that theater is just a disguised speaker box for the sound system in the big room.  Haha, you can see the huge wires that lead to it.  The Miller Engineering signs make it cool.

Jerry

Arnold, your post reminded me to fix my original dispatch board yesterday.  Hadn't run it in 25 years.  Forgot how to wire it, but, Lionel's wiring diagram is wrong.  Lead 1 is ground, and lead 3 is hot.  Took it apart, and hooked it up to a separate power source.  Motor was very loud and very weak.  Stretched the spring to the vibrating thread, rewound it a few times, no change.  A tiny bit of WD-40 did the trick.  Replaced the bulbs with S130's.  Tied the #90 button wires together for the video.

Also, picked up this Hot Dog accessory cheap.  It fits and works perfectly.

Jerry

I always enjoyed buying "lots" off ebay (almost always Lionel postwar cars and accessories), fixing stuff up, keeping what I liked, and reselling the rest.  Ended up building my collection like that and often making a profit on top of what I kept as well.  This kept me into the hobby during college and when I was in my first two apartments where I didn't have space for a layout.  Currently everything is in storage again, but I have been selling a collection for a friend so no buying at the moment.

Last time I built a layout, family members were surprised to see quite a bit they "didn't remember' from before I went to college such as a postwar Lionel 2046, barrel ramp, magnetic crane, rotary beacon, forklift platform, industrial water tower, handful of semaphores and block lights, operating cars such as the staked log dump car, poultry car, track cleaner car, gang car, some odds and ends rolling stock, and about a dozen 022 and 042 switches.

I love all these inspiring stories about trains and accessories purchased, made or fixed dirt cheap, and layouts built dirt cheap.

Choo Choo Charlie, your Post about all the fun things on your 1950s 027 layout is awesome.

Dennis, I agree that it's a buyer's market, especially for Postwar or used equipment that needs some work.

Jerry, you have done a great job making or modifying structures on your layout, and congratulations on getting your Operating Dispatch Board working again. 

AXP889, it sounds like trains have been good to you financially, because of your desire and ability to "fix stuff up." My wish is that you will be running your trains on your own layout once again real soon.

Bravo to all of you!

Arnold

I don't know what what everyone defines as "dirt cheap" but if you are into scale sized 3 rail O I have a suggestion. I've found that buying older stuff (I.E. TMCC, PS1&PS2) is the way to go for scale locomotives at an affordable price. I've found some 90's TMCC locomotives NIB for 1/3 of MSRP, and some PS2 stuff with a couple hours run time, especially stuff that has had PS3 reissues, for about the same price.

Arnold, yes, not a side business or anything, but enough to keep my hobby budget going.  Some of the trains come out for Christmas every year, but high on my list for when looking for my next place is a good sized basement or attic

Yeah, I fall into this category for sure....

$50 shipped

Bunch of shells $11

Won this stuff with a $1 bid on ebay + $25 shipping nice Kusan alco

Won this as only bidder for $39 plus $25 shipping.  Three sets, one a 2055 steamer, one 2035 and a prewar 249E set... plus some Marx stuff as well. Tenders have steps and marker jewels made it too.

Two Flyer sets $49

Two AF 545's and a ton of parts pretty cheap $50ish I think

All this junk came from Ebay by the way and several I was the only bidder.  It's not for everyone but hey it sure is fun...

$20 shipped

More or less $200 for all of the above trains..  6 plus sets plus another bunch of engine's etc.....I love projects...

Lou1985 posted:

I don't know what what everyone defines as "dirt cheap" but if you are into scale sized 3 rail O I have a suggestion. I've found that buying older stuff (I.E. TMCC, PS1&PS2) is the way to go for scale locomotives at an affordable price. I've found some 90's TMCC locomotives NIB for 1/3 of MSRP, and some PS2 stuff with a couple hours run time, especially stuff that has had PS3 reissues, for about the same price.

Lou, That is exactly what I do.  I had HO trains for too many decades to be satisfied with postwar or semi scale trains.  My only engine I bought new was a RailKing Scale RSD5, for less than $300 including shipping.

Dennis LaGrua posted:

... Fact is that Millennials just don't have interest in hobbies.

Or the money to pay for them.  Neighbors are paying $1200/mo on their student loans.

Lou1985 posted:

I don't know what what everyone defines as "dirt cheap" but if you are into scale sized 3 rail O I have a suggestion. I've found that buying older stuff (I.E. TMCC, PS1&PS2) is the way to go for scale locomotives at an affordable price. I've found some 90's TMCC locomotives NIB for 1/3 of MSRP, and some PS2 stuff with a couple hours run time, especially stuff that has had PS3 reissues, for about the same price.

I've picked up two Williams Brass K4's, one for $75 and the other for $139.  Also managed to buy a Lionel prewar semi scale 0-6-0 227 switcher for $125....  They are out there...if you spend enough time looking... and I probably spend too much time looking.....

Mallard4468 posted:

Dennis LaGrua posted:

... Fact is that Millennials just don't have interest in hobbies.

Or the money to pay for them.  Neighbors are paying $1200/mo on their student loans.

True, Both our daughters and their husbands are saddled with student loans, but they were able to buy houses in the $60,000s here.  Old houses in town are cheaper than renting around here.  My wife and I both paid cash for our education working at under $2 per hour way back in the dark ages.

Dirt cheap used HO buildings I bought for peanuts scrounging at LHS, and inexpensive homemade hard shell mountain, both at a distance:

I think because buildings and mountain are set back, a few feet from the front edge of the layout, the cheap HO buildings look good on an O Gauge layout. What do you think?

Arnold

HO structures work great in the background of an O Gauge layout.  They make it look like there is more distance!

Mark Boyce posted:

HO structures work great in the background of an O Gauge layout.  They make it look like there is more distance!

And they also make the mountain just behind them look bigger, which is a good thing.

Those with very deep O Gauge layouts can even have loops of HO and N scale track and  trains in the distance.

Call me what you will,but I have NEVER bought ANYTHING NEW for this hobby,otherwise I could not be in it. 

There are more used trains than ever to choose from,and with some knowledge and lots if patience,things can be brought back to life and made operational again.

*I did recently purchase 16 pcs. of "088" ROSS track new,*-because I could not find it used,and wanted to run some of these bigger radius engines I had purchased for $400.00, compared to $1,500-$2,000 when they were new. All of the rest of my ROSS track have been purchased used,and each piece has been patiently went over,ties and spikes retightend,and rail ends made back into "T" shape.I even use OLD ENGLISH furniture stain to make the finish of the ties new again.

These examples of Engines are usually in PRISTINE condition,because they have not really been used much,(If at ALL)and they are handled like the investments they are.Well taken care of,and not even out for display 90% of the time.I get those locos,and run the daylights out of them,as most of the time they have not touched speeds over 25 smph!!!!!!!  -UNTIL I GET AHOLD OF THEM!!!! 

I buy passenger sets or freight cars that have wheelsets missing,are scratched up or otherwise imperfect,which most of the time can be fixed by "weathering" or putting graffti over a scratch.

When there is a "NEW: release of an engine,I wait for it to hit the secondary or thirdondary? market,when then I will purchase it for pennies  on the dollar!!! I buy rolling stock or engines,that "need TLC",I then give them that "TLC" and enjoy them probably more than the original purchaser did!!!! 

-I love Collectors!!!I love buying from them the most.The guys who keep them like a hobbyshop keeper,tucked away in their boxes,and in the perfect,climate controlled enviroments.They keep them the pristine shape they bought them in,while they TALK about building that layout,keep buying,keep talking about building a layout,keep buying....keep talking,,,keep planning...

I have a dear friend who I have went at with every angle I can think of,to at least put an oval of "072" up and run some of his stuff,there always seems to be an excuse,I believe inside he WANTS to run his trains,but is afraid of destroying the value of them if he does.I have offered to PERSONALLY travel to his state,HELP HIM tackup the bench work,help him lay the first pieces of plywood down,but for some reason I think it's just never going to happen.

 In fact, Most of my "JOLLYS" in this great hobby come from finding a fantastic piece for pennies on the dollar,getting it home, figuring out why it does not operate as expected,making that fix,(Often with the help of other great people here on the Forum),and lubing it up and running the tar out of it. (Now if I could only find PARTS for some of the MTH stuff that needs repair!!!)

And while I do not have any VISIONLINE or any lf the latest MTH rehashes,I LOVE this hobby,I still spend Plenty of money on it.Ask my wife.It still costs a considerable amount of money to participate in,but paying $2,000.00 for a model of a locomotive will NEVER be part of it for me.

Kenny , I greatly enjoyed reading your inspirational Post.

I totally respect and admire those of us  who have the mechanical ability, knowledge and skills to "bring trains back from the dead," as Kenny said.  A hobbyist that can do that save a lot of money; make money by buying something cheap, fixing it, and selling it at a profit; and make more money fixing trains for those, like me, whose mechanical ability is very limited, or fixing trains for those who do not have the time or desire to fix their own trains.

I love the idea of turning lemons into lemonade regarding trains and all aspects of life.

Arnold

Arnold, Great Thread indeed, and with so many train enthusiast buying as if there is no Tomorrow, planning their Dream Layout, which many times never comes into reality, their trains are still new, many never out of the box, and selling for 1/3 to 1/4 of the purchase price.....Yes, as Kenny, and Dennis and others have said, the deals are out there, for all makes,  both for Pre-War, post war, and modern era Lionel TMCC, Legacy, MTH and K-Kine, Weaver, Atlas O, LGB, Hafner, Marx, Piko, Mantua, Older Bachman, AC Gilbert, and other brands.  What is happening in our Wonderful Hobby, the older Collectors are passing away, leaving a wife, or their children to dispose of these, “Toys”, not knowledgeable about there actual value. The market is flooded with simply many trains to choose from. Yes, at the shows, many deals are under the table, rare finds, reasonable prices... It’s, in a way very sad, many of my good friends in the hobby have serious health issues, getting up there in age, or passed on to their Heavenly Home.  Our manufacturers are Offerring many new nice features, very highly priced, do, in my opinion to minimum productions, low orders.... Example, the last Brass Hybrid, Sante Fe Heavy Mikado..125 total production.   Also, an example of families disposing of trains, see the Freedom Train from 2003....It’s really a great time in the hobby to buy those dream engines that were at one time, Expensive....

Well said, Larry!!  You have certainly made a dent in the overflow of great models available from all eras.