I just figured someone might enjoy this little story from today.
well, truth be told, it started yesterday. I was in Palmer, Mass, visiting an antique store where I like to frequent, since there’s a lot of unmarked “junk” sitting in bins, which I tend to get good deals on. Great way to find projects, and stock up on this and that and so on. Anyhow, there’s a Marx freight terminal building (just the structure, missing the rest of the set, rhe accesories, trucks, and all the ramps), in rather rough shape, with a $55 price tag on it. I admire te building every time I’m there, wishing it wasn’t so darn expensive, considering the condition (rusty, dusty, and a bit beaten). But the price is a stiff one, and the item doubtless will remain there a long long time. I bought a few things, and did quite well as per the usual.
The following day, today, I visited the transfer station (for those unawares of the system, it’s like a dump, but they don’t bury stuff, they just haul it off from the site). There’s little rooms where people can leave stuff that they think other people might want. I walked into the main one. The first thing that caught my eye, was the very same Marx freight terminal, shiny, glossy, and albiet bent up in a few spots, it looked simply perfect. I wasted no time. In an instant, it was in my arms, and I was looking around for signs of anything simmilar. It was an orphan, I could see nothing else of its kind in the room. I thanked my lucky stars, and walked my prize over to the car, and returned to keep looking for things of interest.
I made short work of the repairs, and everything was trued up and looking fine by the time afternoon rolled ‘round. There’s hardly a blemish on the lithography, certainly no noteworthy scratches. There’s scarcely a trace of rust. The structure looks right now, and all that’s left is for me to add some lighting to it, before I put the roofing back on. First time I’ve found something like it at the transfer station in years. Stuff like this doesn’t show up often. But boy oh boy does it feel good when this stuff turns out right for you!
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
Isn't it nice when the stars align just right for you?
By the way, we've been to Palmer, last time was probably ten years ago. Ate at "The Steaming Tender" and stopped in an antique store there, don't remember the name of the place but if I remember correctly it was a turn of the 20th Century three story white house. I came away with a Boston and Maine railroad lantern and a State of Massachusetts World War One Victory medal.
There's an oh-so-cool 30's diner in town, a breakfast and lunch place, that we unfortunately missed, it was closed by the time we got there. Maybe next time...
Yup! Happens once in a blue moon, but sure feels good.
Ah yes, the steaming tender’s a fine place! Never been to the antique building you speak of, wonder if it‘s still about! Every nook and cranny is worth scouting out, or else you never know what’s there!
a lot of the old stores I used to go into as a kid, have begun to dissapear, it’s very sad. I miss going to the 5 & 10 antiques place in South Deerfield. They just.. dissapeared one day. They were gone. Poof! That was a cornsertone of my childhood, off in a puff of smoke. Haven’t been on this earth long, and things already feel like they’re moving too fast for me.
palmer’s been a good place to go, but already some of my places have begun to downsize and close up.
I am envious! The freight station is on my radar to go with my Glendale
Congrats on your find
Jim
glad you were there to save it. I saw one at the last I was at for $50 in nice shape...thought about it but I'd wipe out Plasticville to make room for it.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
I couldn't let it go, so I did some searching, and found that "...cool old diner..." I mentioned in a previous post.
Here it is...
http://retroroadmap.com/spot/day-and-night-diner-palmer-ma-vintage-downtown-diner/
Now is that cool, or what? This is the place we missed the open hour, it's breakfast and lunch only, but maybe one day...
It was supposedly built in 1944, but I'd swear it's older than that considering the architechture, but no matter, it's hardly changed at all, inside and out. Diner fans like the wife and I live for this stuff!
A model of the same would look good on a layout, wouldn't it?
Good evening all,
Great find! I have seen a few from time to time but never pulled the trigger on one. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Great story. Fun find. See them all the time at York in the $50-$75 range. I have no place for one but I tend to treat York as a museum where one can enjoy things up close!
Regards, Roy
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