Happy FEF!
Your collection of pre-war stuff is impressive Don.
No pre-war in my collection but this one is close. One of the first engines I bought when I got back into the hobby. Mostly original, except for a liquid smoker, and runs great.
Happy FEF Friends, Happy Railroading Everyone
Good entries so far for today. Amazing scenery work there LeapinLarry.
For my FEF, I will take you on my commute to/from work that I did yesterday.
First, in the AM, the southbound Tri-Rail at Pompano Beach being pulled by a recently rebuilt F40PH #810 that still has the blue primer paint on it (6:48a)
Then the connecting Metrorail at the Transfer Station to continue the journey to Downtown Miami (7:51a)
Time to go home, so its the Metrorail north from Government Center (5:34p)
Then the Tri-Rail at the Transfer Station (6:00p)
And to finish it off, the "Tail" end of my Tri-Rail as it left the Pompano Beach station for points north. Another rebuild with blue primer, this time it was a F40PH-2C #807 (6:55p)
Happy Railroading and Happy FEF!!!
Here’s a friends first run 4014 Big Boy running down the track, it’s a Wow. Happy Railroading Everyone
@leapinlarry posted:Here’s a friends first run 4014 Big Boy running down the track, it’s a Wow. Happy Railroading Everyone
Wow!!! Did you set off the smoke detectors??? 
I have the 4012 from the first run and absolutely love it (but I don’t use smoke)
The PRR Lindbergh Atlantic.
Very nice Ralph! The Pennsy consolidations have always been a favorite of mine.
@Don McErlean posted:Well F.E.F fans, its that time again. Here on the east coast its about 0900 so I guess I will start off. First, RSJB18, WOW that is some machine! Quite a monster, thanks for showing it to us...!
My offering today continues my thread of pre-war American Flyer (so called "Chicago Flyer") that pre dates the Gilbert take over and the move to Connecticut. Here she is, the American Flyer "type X" (by Greenbergs nomenclature) . She is from 1932-33 and is different in details from the type 401. Her boiler is die cast vs sheet metal to begin with and her valve gear is much more realistic. She would likely have been more expensive at the time, an interesting trend as the Depression deepened and we move towards 1932. A feedwater heater is simulated on the top of the boiler front. Many of these were made by Worthington Corp ... the home of my first mechanical engineering job!! The green running board stripe is in fact "factory" and her brass and copper trim sure makes her fancy.
Well best wishes for a great weekend...that's my F.E.F input for today!
Don
Hello Don, Thanks for your post of this little beauty.
Could you make a brief video of it running and post it here for all of us to enjoy and appreciate?
Thanks!
Happy Front end Friday everyone!
Mark B., no the smoke detectors didn’t go off, but we filled up my train room with smoke, and lots of Noise… Here are some other pictures of Will’s 4014 First Run VL Big Boy… I have the original 4014 Big Boy, however it’s on the shelf. Lionel has really improved their smoke units…. The Big Boy in the video earlier belongs to Blair, this was his first test run of this fine Locomotive. It worked out of the box. Wow. Also, the Southern Pacific GS Lionel train belongs to Will, I am just honored they are operating on my layout here in Tennessee. The GS4 #4449 is so nicely painted, the cars by Lionel 18 inch aluminum, so beautiful. Enjoy the video. Happy Railroading Everyone 
Don McErlean, you’ve done it one more time, posting a beautiful picture of an American Flyer, type X steamer, older than most of us?, the so called Chicago Flyer, a cool name. The years of manufacture are important because even though America was suffering from the great depression, this beautiful toy was well made. Copper and brass trim, a green side stripe, amazing for the times. Again your class 101, a bit of history on American Flyer is well received. Thank you very much. TnkMarx, that’s a huge track laying or ballasting machine, Wow. RSJB18 Bob, now that’s a huge Green Machine, a huge generator, awesome, CAPPilot, that’s a beautiful lineup of PENNSYLVANIA Steam power, great picture, thanks for posting, PRRronbh, Ron, that’s a great looking 2-6-6-6T, Steamer, looks right at home on your shelf, very nice. Quarter Gauger 48, those pictures in your train room, or in your den, look great, they make a real statement of your interest in Railroading. Beautiful. Great pictures everyone and I wish you a great weekend. Happy Railroading Everyone 
@leapinlarry posted:
Larry:
As always, your layout is superb. I love the video. Though I am a PRR junky, I also love the NYC Hudson. They exemplify the classic American steam locomotive. Your Hudson is beautiful and you video is great!!!!!
Ends of the front kind for this fine Friday! 
Happy FEF!
A HO AFT on piggyback service.
Happy 4th to all. 
I posted these before in 2019, but I'll post them again for good measure.
HappyFrontEnd Friday for the Fourth!!!
Happy Front End Friday! Here is a closeup shot from last week -
Kevin, I believe you're a NYC expatriate, does the No. 2 train have any significance or did you buy it due to the color scheme?
Ends of the front kind for this fine Friday! 
Got a few of my big engines down to run, so I thought I'd take a pic of them together.
MTH HH1 (Y3), MTH Q2, Lionel T1.
Here is a re-post of one I posted a long time ago.
Left to right Atlas B-28, K-Line L2, MTH Q2, 3rd Rail N1, and MTH HH1 (Y3)
@coach joe posted:Kevin, I believe you're a NYC expatriate, does the No. 2 train have any significance or did you buy it due to the color scheme?
Coach Joe, you are correct that I'm a Big Apple ex-pat.
When I purchased that IRT train, it just happened to be a #2 train, and this one had the close couplers. As with many of my trains, I regret selling them years afterwards and end up having to buy another one.
Regarding the #2, yes that line has a significance to me. It was the subway line that I used where I lived during the 1980s (Nostrand Avenue stop at Crown Heights in Brooklyn) and also the same train we took to visit my grand relatives in The Bronx. At the time the #2 train went to New Lots Avenue and the #3 train went to Flatbush Avenue. When I started college and shortly before we moved to "Flahridah" the #2 was switched to Flatbush Avenue.
EDIT - Come to think of it, the Nostrand Avenue/President Street stops were my one seat ride tickets to the world without having to change multiple trains > Penn Station, Grand Central and Port Authority Bus Station to points beyond; Shopping at Downtown Brooklyn or in Manhattan, college classes at Hunter College, and my job by Union Square. Same with the LIRR Nostrand Avenue stop to my relatives on the island. It was provided to me all in a platter, but I digress before it strays more off topic. 
@Amfleet25124 posted:Coach Joe, you are correct that I'm a Big Apple ex-pat.
When I purchased that IRT train, it just happened to be a #2 train, and this one had the close couplers. As with many of my trains, I regret selling them years afterwards and end up having to buy another one.
Regarding the #2, yes that line has a significance to me. It was the subway line that I used where I lived during the 1980s (Nostrand Avenue stop at Crown Heights in Brooklyn) and also the same train we took to visit my grand relatives in The Bronx. At the time the #2 train went to New Lots Avenue and the #3 train went to Flatbush Avenue. When I started college and shortly before we moved to "Flahridah" the #2 was switched to Flatbush Avenue.
Though not an NYC native, I spent 20 years there and very much appreciate your phonetic spelling, "Flahridah"! As recently as yesterday, I spelt it "Flaaaridah" and stand corrected.
Having a similar disability, I don't sell trains I just pass up the opportunity to buy when newly released, thinking to avoid unwise spending, then have to pursue my heart's desire on eBay. As the Amish say, "Too soon old, too late schmart."
Checking the PA...
Great front ends fellows and Happy Independence Day, July 4th weekend…Happy Railroading Everyone 
NYC Hudson on the ready track.
Happy FEF from SD40-2 bunch 😊
Hi everyone Happy 4th to All !! Here are some front ends for today.
Here is a red/chrome Hafner 1010 which was made beginning in the 1930's through the 1950's. This version likely from the early 50's with its "streamlined" freight train...this one on the "mantle" railroad! LOL
Here is a somewhat less grand version but also a Hafner 1010 in black and silver, likely somewhat later than the one above. She is shown on the "front porch" railroad pulling her some what more simple freight consist.
Happy 4th to everyone...best wishes to all.
Don
STD Gauge FEF for the 4th of July weekend.
@Amfleet25124 posted:Coach Joe, you are correct that I'm a Big Apple ex-pat.
When I purchased that IRT train, it just happened to be a #2 train, and this one had the close couplers. As with many of my trains, I regret selling them years afterwards and end up having to buy another one.
Regarding the #2, yes that line has a significance to me. It was the subway line that I used where I lived during the 1980s (Nostrand Avenue stop at Crown Heights in Brooklyn) and also the same train we took to visit my grand relatives in The Bronx. At the time the #2 train went to New Lots Avenue and the #3 train went to Flatbush Avenue. When I started college and shortly before we moved to "Flahridah" the #2 was switched to Flatbush Avenue.
EDIT - Come to think of it, the Nostrand Avenue/President Street stops were my one seat ride tickets to the world without having to change multiple trains > Penn Station, Grand Central and Port Authority Bus Station to points beyond; Shopping at Downtown Brooklyn or in Manhattan, college classes at Hunter College, and my job by Union Square. Same with the LIRR Nostrand Avenue stop to my relatives on the island. It was provided to me all in a platter, but I digress before it strays more off topic.
Kevin, Sometimes it's OK to stray off topic a bit'... FLATBUSH AVE'. Nostrand Ave'... Brings back my days at PS 196'.... Nice post'...🤩
Happy Independence Day weekend everyone!
My late contribution , N&W unshrouded "J", WM BL-2, & Chessie Steam Special.
I took this picture at Spencer N.C. in 2015 ( I think)
Hi everyone, its Sunday and I have to apologize for not getting back to some of you on the post. Truth is I am on "vacation" and away from my collection visiting the east coast and so I am a little less responsive given my facilities and access to computers etc. Leapinlarry - thank you for your complement on 6/25 and thanks for showing us more of your fantastic layout.
Allegheny / Kazar - Thank you for your comments on my American Flyer Type X. As I said above I am away from my collection until the end of July, so I can't take a video at this time (I am posting via archived photos). However I will put that task into my "job jar" for when I get home and post it in this threat.
Great photos and pictures everyone
Best wishes
Don
@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:
Now you’ve gone and done it... the intersection of Flatbush and Nostrand (aka The Junction)!!! When I was in High School, I used to catch the B44 bus at Nostrand and Ave. L. During my freshman year, I had a dual pass, so I was able to change at the Junction for the Lexington Ave. subway - never tried to get a seat since the cars resembled an overpacked sardine can by Church Ave. at the latest - I’d just stand against a left side door since it first opened at President Street where I got off/fell out (I was in the last class to graduate from Brooklyn Prep). After freshman year, I had to take the B44 all the way (got off at Carroll St.). Thanks (I think) to @Amfleet25124, I was recently able to pick up a 1/43 scale bus that was similar to the type I rode to HS (though this is an air conditioned model - the 1969 - 72 versions I rode were not so comfortably equipped). Now I have to find a model of one of the earlier buses I remember as a kid with the windows that opened up and down vs. front to back... just what I need - something else to collect Here is the bus awaiting commuters at a typical suburban railroad station.
^^^^
LOLOLOL Paul
I'm a little bit younger (Erasmus Hall High School, Class of 1983) than you and Ted, but glad to bring back some memories of Brooklyn for you. Glad to see that you picked up the 1/43 Fishbowl Bus on eBay that I mentioned to you.
I rode that B44 bus many a time. Hmmmmm.... makes me wonder if I should try kitbashing the Iconic Replica buses to say routes B41, B44, and B45 to bring them closer to my heart.
EDIT - Paul, there is a current listing on eBay for a 1965 Green Fishbowl Bus that doesn't have the rear roof AC unit, so this maybe what you're looking for. Its by Hachette, not Iconic Replicas . You can thank me by a private message.
Back on topic now.
Wow, it’s FEF already, and we are into the 3rd Quarter of the year, time sure flies when your having fun…. Don McErlean, I hope your safe over near Savanah, Elsa is a strong storm, my son loves Savanah, I’m sure you’ll post another bit of Eye Candy from the past, I posting one…. Happy Railroading Everyone 
Happy FEF, Everyone! Great pics so far. Larry, great to see that Ford switcher fixed up and looking as good as new. My front end shots are of a US Army GP-20 that was requisitioned for some track cleaning duties. Hey, someone has to do it.
@Strap Hanger posted:Happy FEF, Everyone! Great pics so far. Larry, great to see that Ford switcher fixed up and looking as good as new. My front end shots are of a US Army GP-20 that was requisitioned for some track cleaning duties. Hey, someone has to do it.
How do you like that track cleaner? Been looking at one for sale and I'm ready to pull the trigger. It's missing the detail parts on top but the pads are there.
Bob
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
