Tinplate photos 📸 and videos 📽

Arne, that's a fabulous signal bridge and a great restoration!

"Great Hauler - Its power is surprising, being greater of course than No. 33. It will haul one dozen or more trail cars. The controller and the greater pulling power are easily worth the difference in price, between this and No. 33."- Lionel 1917 catalog. I found this nice No. 38 at a show last year sitting on the table all alone waiting to be adopted and put back into action. It needed motor service, a good cleaning, new brushes and epoxy reinforcement for the original fiber commutator ring. It's a common piece but one that has charm and is fun to run.

WOW! ALL great artifacts! Especially liked Leroof's cookie tin bakery with that bell and Daniel's CR Lux Eclair set! Honorable mention to Steve for that nice little McCoy set with the black steamer and little cars!

Overlooked JKE's hospital car and figures in a well-staged scene! Mea culpa!

Shuco in Germany has a nice selection of old timer cars that makes a nice match with standard gauge trains.  Size in not bad with a lionel 124 station and the biggest models. The Ford T is from the time where you could choose your car color between blak and black.....

Daniel

NICE! Is that a vintage Shuco model?

@Tinplate Art posted:

NICE! Is that a vintage Shuco model?

I think it is from the fifties sixties but my knowledge about this is very limited... I just find it is nice and bought it, 20euros was correct so... it came home with me... Daniel

A fair price for such a nice model! :-)

A Google search of the modern Schuco line revealed only 1:32 and 1:18 models and curiously no 1:24 items!

@Fatman posted:

.. Everyone knows Erector and Meccano , but in the late teens and 20's Frank Hornby in the UK  had a bit of competition from W. Butcher and Sons of Blackheath, London who created the Primus Engineering Construction sets , and also made a Gauge 1 clockwork locomotive set !

( again its the HISTORY of stuff like this that gets my juices flowing   )

Those No. 5 & 6 sets must have been impressive if they were too heavy to mail !

Felt it was my mission to re-unite these two items bought recently on the Bay. Still have to add a key and track and find a suitable box to glue the original remnants to.

got the Fandor 12510 gondola with stake racks and chains, have only seen this gondola before without stakes

Scott, I love the trees and greenery that this layout has gained along with all the lighted houses.  Those smaller details really bring the whole thing to life.

What engine do you have at the lead of those red passenger cars on the mid level?  I assume those are 710 series cars,  though I can't be totally sure.

Looks great to me- Jhz563

@FRENCHTRAINS posted:

S

Daniel

Love that little Model T coupe. Is it all metal ?

@G-Man24 posted:

Love that little Model T coupe. Is it all metal ?

Yes, all metal except lamps, radiators and rubber tyres. This kind of car is easily available through eBay in Europe. Some of them are pricey and some other less; they have a clocwork system.

Well Frenchtrains if you are going to have a Model T to go along with your Lionel Standard Gauge - how about trying for one that was made about the same time as your Lionel Trains?....for instance something like this Bing version...

Meanwhile...back in the world of passenger trains, I finally managed to get a Flyer set with #1107 lithographed wood sides to go with my #1107 lithographed steel sides

Wood

Steel

@jhz563 posted:

Scott, I love the trees and greenery that this layout has gained along with all the lighted houses.  Those smaller details really bring the whole thing to life.

What engine do you have at the lead of those red passenger cars on the mid level?  I assume those are 710 series cars,  though I can't be totally sure.

Looks great to me- Jhz563

Thanks, the second level is a Standard Gauge 42 radius track. The engine is a 10E pulling 300 series cars. MTH use to sell that as a standard gauge starter set.

Scott Smith

Hello Tinplate Fans, I am a little late for the weekend but decided to post anyway.  My inputs this week are a little weak, it has been a slow period for my tinplate acquisition I am afraid.  Although Robert S. Butler, Jim O'C, and Daniel continue to post really neat trains, many of which I have not ever seen before...thank you!!   I do have an Ives #114 station on the way which I will post when received.  For today, I have two miscellaneous cars that I am using just to fill out some of my collection.  Not rare especially but missing from my display.

First is a small 1515 lithographed Lionel Lines tanker, from the days of "Lionel Junior" wind up and electric sets put out near the depths of the Depression, 1933-1937. This car was offered almost to the end of the lithographed small sets, which became the initial basis for what Lionel eventually called 0-27 although newer cars from the 0-27 line were much bigger and closer to the 0 gauge line.  This is a small car primarily offered in clockwork sets although it was offered with a few of the smaller less expensive electric powered locos like the 1511.  There were other versions of this car, with and without "Lionel Lines", without the "Sunoco"  logo and with a black frame (this from Greenberg's book on prewar although I have never seen one with a black frame).  The version shown likely was offered in the middle portion of the time period 1933-37, probably around 1935-36.

Switching over to our European manufacturers, the below is a Hornby No 1 Hopper Van dating from 1954-57 in post nationalization regional livery.  This was one of the car types that made the transition to Type 50 in 1957, the primary difference being that the matte black frame became shiny black and a simulated  brake rod was added to the outside of the trucks.  Otherwise the livery, including the black data sign remained the same.  By the way, note the manual unloading lever on the side of the frame.  This lever, very realistically opens the hopper doors under the car allowing it to unload its contents, its kind of a neat addition to the play value of this somewhat plain car.  

Well, somewhat late, have a happy and healthy week.

Don

This is supposedly a piece of shiplap from the Ives building. I suspect they are somewhat common, but I’d love to know the story behind them.
TIA

Steve

That looks more like rustic V groove than shiplap.

Anyone for a train ride?

Third level ride.

Scott Smith

Originally acquired for parts, I decided to replace parts and rebuild this Boucher 2500 and bring it back into service.

@Jim Kelly-Evans posted:

Originally acquired for parts, I decided to replace parts and rebuild this Boucher 2500 and bring it back into service.

That's an amazing job.  How long did it take, and how does it run?

Jim,

That is an amazing restoration.

@Jim Kelly-Evans  Amazing is the right word!  and maybe WOW!!!   That is a beautiful job resulting in a locomotive anyone would be proud to own.

And is that a wooden steam chest?  What was the wooden piece on the small lathe for?

It's like you guys dig up a toy train corpse from the grave and bring it back to life. Very impressive restorations. Wish I had the skills and tools to do it. Arnold

Thanks for the nice comments, guys. I acquired the loco in 2012 and started work on it then. Work was interrupted when I had dual open heart surgeries in 2015. Then the project sat on the shelf for several years. The pandemic came and I was determined to catch up on projects so I finally finished it this month. The wooden part on the lathe is a cylinder that sits on top of the steam chest on each side. One of them was missing so I used a dowel and turned it on the lathe. Here's a video of the L&T running on 80" diameter original Boucher Standard gauge track:

Beautiful job on the restoration. That old track with the wood base is really neat

.

A brilliant job for sure, Jim. Don't believe I've seen a better example of restoring an historic piece. Not too many would have the skill to execute that...enjoy it.

PD

Crikey I love this thread ! where else would you see such marvellous stuff!

Loving the Bing and Schuco "trackside accessories"  and Mr JKE what can I say about that Boucher ripped from the grave .. such awesome work!

Today I have but a weird one to share which also probably fits in the "Trackside Accessory" category...

For weeks I stalked this wee fellow on the evilbay, even letting it slip by unbidden once in the hope the start price might drop a little ( although for what it was it was a fair start point ), but I had a few clockwork locos I was chasing and the dip in the budget was worrying lol ... as it turns out those other auctions were too rich for me in the end anyway ... So when this fellow was relisted at a lower price it immediately went on the "must see" list ... 2 days in seller dropped the price ... and again 2 days later ... final day dropped it yet again ... and I was for sure a fellow collector would spot it ... but thankfully not a one did ... Undoubtedly because seller did not know it was a Tipp & Co piece and indeed an early one from the late teens to 20s . I firmly believe if he had done his dilligence and put that name in the title I never would have ended up with it .

Anyway enough of the "Tell" and now to the "Show" part of the post

Any idea yet ?

OK Heres the money shot !

Its a 19?? to 1925 Tipp & Co Blechspielzeugkran ( Tin Toy Crane ) and the reason I have thrown in the XX in the date is I am unsure as to its original dating ... I have only found 2 other references to this on the web . One at Historytoy has a much nicer one with a full crane platform and cabin rather than the wood block on mine .That Crane is attributed to 1925 and I am basing the earlier dating on the fact that in Phillip Ullmann's day Tipp & Co often put out a new idea in a "lesser" variant to judge orders and sales , and then when they showed promise he would invest in the more expensive things like castings and more lithography , such as in the 1925 model which has a fully lithographed cab, and cast alloy crank fittings , as opposed to the bent wire and sleeve on this one ...

Additional history ... Phillip Ullmann Owned Tipp & Co which he founded with the backing of Miss Tipp and Mr Carstens ( Hence Tipp & Co ) in 1912 and the firm quickly grew to join Marklin, Hess, Lehmann, Carette and Bing at the very pinnacle of the tin toy tree in the Golden Years of Nurnburg ( now known as Nuremburg) toy production ... In 1933 Ullmann was one of the first Jewish Toymakers in Germany to realise the writing was on the wall for Jews in Germany , and after the Reichstag Fire cemented Hitlers position and he began undoing all the checks and balances that were in place to hold the Chancellor's power that was all the proof needed for Ullmann of what was to come and he and Henry Ullmann fled to England, helped by Wenman Bassett Lowke who offered him space in his workshops , where Ullmann produced toys to raise funds for other Jewish refugees ! Arthur Katz his friend and manager from Tipp & Co also took up residence with B-L

In time that business started by Ullmann and Katz was  METTOY A brand very well known to many kids and that firm eventually became Corgi! Meanwhile back in Germany Tipp & co was taken over by Ernst Horn .. the ex-director of Bing ( again whose German Jewish founders the Bing's fled the Nazi's)

Ernst Horn went on to show the world what a good Nazi he was and Tipp & Co started producing amazing quality tin toys of various German vehicles right thru the early war years until 1942 ... These pieces attract UBER money now and are most prized by many collectors ...

However in an ending straight out of the Movies .... Phillip Ullman returned to Germany during the Nuremburg trials and regained his company and with his son and Katz in the UK ran both companies after the war

I find it quite cathartic and just, that for Tinplate Collectors, a man who did such evil ( Hitler) had SUCH an important part in the diversification and growth of the great European tin toy manufacturers ... So many toy companies were born out of Hitlers ambitions and grew again from the aftermath, where manufacturers fled and re-birthed their business's which went on to provide so much joy ... seemingly born out of hatred and persecution .... a legacy that defied the oppression that created them ....

@Fatman posted:

Crikey I love this thread ! where else would you see such marvellous stuff!

Loving the Bing and Schuco "trackside accessories"  and Mr JKE what can I say about that Boucher ripped from the grave .. such awesome work!

...

Mr. Fatman, when things return to normal (2022?), may I suggest that you consider making a pilgrimage to the TCA meet in York, PA?  You could join TCA for one year (a pittance compared to what you'll spend on airfare, etc.) or I'm sure that one of the TCA members who follow this thread would sponsor you as a guest.  (There was a member who attended from NZ a few years ago, so it can be done.)

There are always a lot of tin trains available in all range of condition. Further, I'm guessing that people would love to see a presentation about your collection and knowledge.

Just some food for thought...

A trip to York is a great thing to do once in a lifetime, there is so many things to look at and buy. Only problem is that it can be "a little" expensive... and it is hard to make a choice, when you find something you enjoy just buy it, if you return later it is gone.

As nothing new I just cleaned and checked some good old rheostats for JEP trains, they where prohibited around 1931 in France but where common use before, just have to be careful.

1923 to 1928 models

Have a nice weekend,  Daniel

@scott.smith posted:

Anyone for a train ride?

Third level ride.

Scott Smith

Scott, what camera are you using?  I tried a GoPro on my Christmas village but the focus was garbage.

Don

@dmestan posted:

Scott, what camera are you using?  I tried a GoPro on my Christmas village but the focus was garbage.

Don

I am using my new cellphone and placing it in a gondola. It's a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G

Scott Smith

@FRENCHTRAINS posted:

Love those old rheostats. Look like something out of Nikola Tesla's lab rather than a kid's toy.

Moving the contents from one storage facility to another is an arduous task, but the silver lining is I get to see stuff I haven't seen in years. Hmm what's in that big box over there..?..Hey it's that 140L tunnel I bought 20 years ago!

After seeing it again I decided to bring it home for a day and take a few pictures so I could contribute to the Tinplate Show and Tell. This is one of the few Standard Gage items I can say I "scored" on over the years. I spotted it as part of an antique doll and dollhouse auction and those folks had no interest in it at all. I don't recall exactly what I paid but I ended up getting it for the opening bid price which made it a real bargain.

Offered from 1927-1932, Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains describes the 140L as follows: Standard or O Gage, steel construction 90 degree curve with embossed stone portals. Hand painted to represent wooded mountain with seven chalet-style houses, waterfall passing under fence, road and snow capped peak in shades of gray, green, red and yellow. 37" by 24-1/2" by 20" high, illuminated with one bulb inside each portal.

I've said this before but I'm completely taken with the way the artisans at Lionel formed this scenery out of sheet steel and decorated it. This mountain is huge with folds, kinks, wrinkles and crevices everywhere. Since the the finish metalwork and painting was all done by hand no two were exactly alike and while I love the vibrant colors commonly seen with tinplate, I really like the muted colors on this particular tunnel.

The little chalets are soldered on as is the fence that crosses the stream. I wish I could go back in time and watch the people that worked at the Lionel factory make one of these from start to finish. I don't know why , but the wrinkled sheet metal just fascinates me.

This little guy has lost his chimney. Maybe someday I'll solder one back on.

A light fixture is installed at each portal entrance (hence the "L" in 140L) and it looks like it retains it's original cloth covered wire. A set of terminals at the base with knurled finger nuts facilitate the power hook-up.

I still haven't given up that lifelong dream of someday having a large permanent layout comprised entirely of original pre-war scenery, structures and accessories that I've collected over the years. Until then the 140L waits patiently for the day it will finally find it's place alongside the others and Grandpas 390E can roll through it all pulling it's passenger cars along the tarnished tubular rails.

@Mallard4468  Very Flattering However sadly my days of long international air travel are pretty much behind me these days , although something like York would probably be the very thing to tempt me

However due to a particularly nasty motorcycle Vs Semi-trailer event at over 100 kph over a decade ago I am now of limited funds and limited physical mobility , So while a trip like that would be amazing on the intellectual and mental side of things, it would be pretty debilitating for the physical side Not to mention 24 hours in a plane seat with limited options for physical adjustment etc would pretty much put me in bed for a week after getting there LOL!!

I am actually a Disability Pensioner eeking a living out of a meagre pension, I am extremely fortunate however to have had the means prior to my accident to have been able to buy my home outright ( downsizing and becoming far more rural from the home I was paying off at the time of my accident ) and no there was no huge settlement ( bugger!)

I live fairly frugally however so I do manage to have a few $$'s now and then to indulge my collecting So it is not all doom and gloom

This might also explain why I get excited over rusty pieces of crap that most serious collectors wouldnt even think of buying LOL! ... Its cos I can afford those ones! And the History is the same for each piece , just not the commercial resale value ,.... in fact the beat up one tells me it was loved and used as intended , so for the joy it brought several generations it is all that much richer in my eye

Anyway I think Frenchy ( @FRENCHTRAINS) The "Tinman-ator" ( @Arne ) Mr Kelly Evans ( @Jim Kelly-Evans )   or Fantastic Fred ( @sncf231e ) and half a dozen more I havent listed would give a far better talk than I would !

( and probably MUCH better looking doing it ! )

Oh and P.S. Daniel ... I hate you for having such gorgeous rheostats and trains to go with them !

@G-Man24 posted:

Moving the contents from one storage facility to another is an arduous task, but the silver lining is I get to see stuff I haven't seen in years. Hmm what's in that big box over there..?..Hey it's that 140L tunnel I bought 20 years ago!

After seeing it again I decided to bring it home for a day and take a few pictures so I could contribute to the Tinplate Show and Tell. This is one of the few Standard Gage items I can say I "scored" on over the years. I spotted it as part of an antique doll and dollhouse auction and those folks had no interest in it at all. I don't recall exactly what I paid but I ended up getting it for the opening bid price which made it a real bargain.

Offered from 1927-1932, Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains describes the 140L as follows: Standard or O Gage, steel construction 90 degree curve with embossed stone portals. Hand painted to represent wooded mountain with seven chalet-style houses, waterfall passing under fence, road and snow capped peak in shades of gray, green, red and yellow. 37" by 24-1/2" by 20" high, illuminated with one bulb inside each portal.

I've said this before but I'm completely taken with the way the artisans at Lionel formed this scenery out of sheet steel and decorated it. This mountain is huge with folds, kinks, wrinkles and crevices everywhere. Since the the finish metalwork and painting was all done by hand no two were exactly alike and while I love the vibrant colors commonly seen with tinplate, I really like the muted colors on this particular tunnel.

The little chalets are soldered on as is the fence that crosses the stream. I wish I could go back in time and watch the people that worked at the Lionel factory make one of these from start to finish. I don't know why , but the wrinkled sheet metal just fascinates me.

This little guy has lost his chimney. Maybe someday I'll solder one back on.

A light fixture is installed at each portal entrance (hence the "L" in 140L) and it looks like it retains it's original cloth covered wire. A set of terminals at the base with knurled finger nuts facilitate the power hook-up.

I still haven't given up that lifelong dream of someday having a large permanent layout comprised entirely of original pre-war scenery, structures and accessories that I've collected over the years. Until then the 140L waits patiently for the day it will finally find it's place alongside the others and Grandpas 390E can roll through it all pulling it's passenger cars along the tarnished tubular rails.

WOW