Rent a wreck

[FJ and G]

It's always fun to look for modeling ideas. Often, humor is a big part of layouts. I was rather surprised to see a business called “Rent a Wreck” (1st photo) near my work. Sounds like would be a good modeling area for some of your wrecked or not-so-good cars on the layout.

The second photo has nothing to do with the first. I threw it in to show that real RRs often do funny things to get their turnouts to function correctly, similar to model RRs. If you notice the track on the right. The curved stock rail bows outward to allow the point rail to engage. Just thought it interesting.

The second photo was taken by railfan Bill Browder on Saturday in North Carolina somewhere between Piedmont and Greensboro on a train excursion.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Dave... I have heard of a Rent a Wreck up here in Ohio someplace.
They rent used cars.
That rail is very interesting. They will have to go very slow thru that one.

Chuck

[lionelsoni]

That looks like gauntlet track to me. My guess is that there was no room to install the switch machine on what looks like a short bridge.

[laz 57]

We have a place down here in PA called "HARRYS YOU PULL IT".
It is a junk yard that you go into to get your own parts off the wrecked cars. People come from all over especially from NYC to get parts.
laz57

[FJ and G]

I got myself 4 new Jeep wheels for my 94 wrangler at a cool junkyard on Saturday. There's something about junkyards that makes me want to model them.

There was a sign up inside near the cash register that said something like this: "Price increases due to too much customer demand."

[csxt30]

Dave : I just love Junk Yards ! [:D] I remember going with my cousins & pulling out the old dashboard light harnesses to put in buildings on my train set when I was a kid ! We always used to go & get our parts ourselves. Now, mostly, they get the parts for you ! Thanks, John

[daan]

Junk yards are great! Piles of interesting things, lots of funny old car's and cheap parts..

[Anonymous]

One of the few things I'll be looking for at York will be a car that is a "wreck". I remember seeing a dealer with some in April. I have a "used car lot" on my layout, and want to include this with a sign saying, "today's special". Sure, I could make one, but have about 4 other projects lined-up. Plus, the ones he was selling were really well done...smashed windows, dents, rust, etc. Joe

[tmcc man]

what was going through the track installers that day. I guess the switch is hardly used. Well at least there were two trains in the photo.

[lionelsoni]

They needed a switch there and had no room for the switch machine. Why wouldn't the switch be used?

[Anonymous]

How about a local radiator shop ad

"Shorty's Radiator, a great place to take leak"

Charlie

[FJ and G]

Near the rent-a-wreck is an actual wreck sitting on railroad tracks covered by dirt, next to an abandoned warehouse now used as an actor's playhouse (note the props including the wooden duck on the dock). This whole area will be demolished in 6 months for a stadium I was told.

Now, there are some big mysteries I was hoping you might assist me with.

The next 2 photos show a house nearby the rent a wreck that's about 6 feet tall by 6 long and 3 or 4 feet wide. It sits land that used to be a RF&P yard and is now part of Crystal City.

The last photo has nothing to do with trains but rather with my job at www.army.mil. I want to use the photo but the caption info is incomplete. I'm wondering why these Soldiers are turning the propellers by hand. The caption as it stands reads:

Chief Warrant Officer Randal Watkins and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Green, pilot, C-26 Fairchild Metro-Liner, Detachment 17, Operational Support Airlift Agency, turn the propellers before heading to the brief room at Addis National Airport, Ethiopia, Oct. 7, 2005. (RELEASED) (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall)

[eZAK]

I seen a sign today out side a dry cleaner.

It read simply "Drop Your Pants Here"[^]

[Big_Boy_4005]

A bakery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming had a sign outside that read "Get your buns in here".

Dave, Rent a Wreck has actually been around for quite some time.

Bob is right about the switch in the second photo. Gauntlet switches were commonly used in urban street railroading situations where they didn't want to have the points and in the street. I have actually seen normal switches in pavement, where the throw is hidden under a steel plate.

Dave, my guess on the photo of the plane is they are doing a pre flight inspection.

[mackb4]

They have the rent a wrecks in Huntington,WVa also.I've heard that phrase reffed to the lease motors on the railroad before.Thing is,most of them are pretty desent motors,just to old for the RR's to justify maintaining.

[dougdagrump]

Either a "Preflight Inspection" or they're winding the rubber bands. [:o)]
Wish I still had my ticket, I mean it's not like I would be flying by braille. [|(]
Rent-A-Wreck is a relatively small but a national chain.