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Many years ago I attended an auction scheduled by the TCA during York.  I'm not sure, but I think it was the first time (and possibly the last time), the TCA held an auction at York.  There were two Harlan Creswell Liberty Lines engines for sale including a black 600E and a green BiPolar.  New to the Standard Gauge hobby and as a Milwaukee Road collector, I really wanted to own the BiPolar but I hadn't a clue as to what it would sell for at auction so I didn't bid on the 600E when it came up for bid first.  That was fortunate as the bidding on the BiPolar nearly cleaned out my cash but when bidding closed I was the owner of the rare Liberty Lines BiPolar locomotive below.

Liberty Lines BiPolar

Had I known at the time how rare 600Es were, I would somehow have found the cash to buy the 600E too. 

Bob Nelson

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  • Liberty Lines BiPolar
Last edited by navy.seal

Hi Carey,

I do not have any other pictures from Harlan. The ones he sent me were his way of marketing in 1993.

He made no mention of freight cars at that time to me.

By the way, for those that might be interested, the illuminated State Baggage Car I purchased cost $420 including shipping back in 1993.

Harlan's masterpieces were not inexpensive, but they were truly works of art by a master of his craft.

Ken

Last edited by LIRR Cannonball

I purchased a green and copper #5302  600E at the Purple Hall at York in April 1993. I felt like I had just purchased the Super 381 from the Lionel Archives. I quickly learned about Harlan Creswell and wrote to him, asking for information about the 600E. I had a number of questions to ask him and included a SASE. He wrote on my letter and scratched his brief answers on it and sent it back to me, with little useful information. He also sent me an order form, and 3 photos just like Canonball received from Harlan as well.  I have attached the letter with his reply, and the order form he sent me.

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  • 3 Harlan Creswell photos he sent to me May 1993
  • LibertyLines Order Form
  • Letter to Creswell 1993 asking about the 600E: Strange answers, says they were built 1978-82, quantities unknown!

Hey GirderandPanel,

GREAT CRESWELL PICTURES!

I think Harlan had his quirks as we all do in some way or another. You can tell by his curt answers to your inquiry that he was not one for words.

I wish he had sent me a copy of his offerings like the one he sent you.

Below are pictures of a letter Harlan sent me & also his invoice for the Baggage Car I bought from him.

Also a picture of his advertisement in the TCA Interchange for his Baggage Cars.





Hey Bob - navy.seal - how about that Milwaukee Road BiPolar in the picture.....!!!!

Ken



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  • mceclip0
  • mceclip1
  • mceclip2
Last edited by LIRR Cannonball

Hi Carey,

Thanks for posting the freight car pictures.

This is the first time I have ever seen these cars. My guess is it will also be a long time before I see others.

It looks like the gondola has Flyer trucks.

I wonder if Harlan would let a car out of his shop with those trucks or if his trucks were replaced somewhere along the way?

In any event I appreciate all the sharing of information on the wonderful creations of Harlan Creswell.

Ken

I purchased a green and copper #5302  600E at the Purple Hall at York in April 1993. I felt like I had just purchased the Super 381 from the Lionel Archives. I quickly learned about Harlan Creswell and wrote to him, asking for information about the 600E. I had a number of questions to ask him and included a SASE. He wrote on my letter and scratched his brief answers on it and sent it back to me, with little useful information. He also sent me an order form, and 3 photos just like Canonball received from Harlan as well.  I have attached the letter with his reply, and the order form he sent me.

Fantastic!  A tri-color Harlan BiPolar!  I wonder who has it?  Maybe it's me.

Bob Nelson

Last edited by navy.seal

Have you all seen the one-of-a-kind Liberty Lines brown baggage care for sale on Ebay right now?

eBay item number: 225883321087

411 Baggage Car labeled Railway Express, in a dark brown paint, seems a tad darker than the State Set brown. I have never seen the baggage car in brown, but usually in the 2-tone green that is more common when it surfaces for sale. Guy is asked $2000 !!

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  • Liberty Lines Brown Railway Express 411: One of a kind?

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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