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Don't know anything.. What "size" is railcar FM Trainmaster

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Don't know anything.. What "size" is railcar FM Trainmaster
Posted by TULL on Saturday, September 26, 2009 10:25 PM

 I have this railcar that I think was bought in the 1970's but I can't be sure.  It is in a styrofoam container with a cardboard sleeve around it.  The sleeve is messed up but it says FM TRAINMASTER.  The car is pretty heavy and big. I don't know what "scale" it is which is what I am trying to find out. The car is 16 x 4 H x 2.5 wide approx. I want to sell it on Ebay but I don't know what "scale" to list it under. Says Milwaukee Road.  Brand new still in original packaging. I would put a picture on but can't seem to figure it out

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Posted by AgentKid on Sunday, September 27, 2009 1:15 AM

First off it would not be described as a railcar, it is a "locomotive" or "engine".

And it would appear to be "O" scale. I wouldn't know what the price should be.

AgentKid

 

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Posted by Great Western on Sunday, September 27, 2009 5:56 AM

 Hi Tull,

 You might get answers on one of the other Kalmbach Fora such as Classic Toy Trains or Garden Railways.  This place tend to focus on the big 1:1 locos. Smile

 

 

 

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Posted by sir james I on Sunday, September 27, 2009 10:14 AM

It probably is a trainmaster but to help we need the engine number and RR name would help. Also what condition is it in?

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Posted by lionelsoni on Sunday, September 27, 2009 11:55 AM

The dimensions are correct for an O-scale model of the Fairbanks-Morse Train Master.  As others have said, the color(s), railroad name, and especially the cab number are important in identifying it.  Does the box mention any manufacturer?  It will also be important to know whether it is meant for 2-rail or 3-rail track.  Are there pickup rollers between the wheels?

Here is a picture of a Lionel Train Master:

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Train-O on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 11:54 AM

Bob,

Are you the original owner of that scarce 'MAROON' roof, first run Train Master, which has the prototypical color scheme?

Ralph

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 2:32 PM

Train-O
Are you the original owner of that scarce 'MAROON' roof, first run Train Master, which has the prototypical color scheme?

 

postwarlionel.com

Rob

Rob

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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 3:06 PM

Even if I were, I wouldn't know how to post a picture!  As Rob realized, that's just the picture from the Postwar Lionel website.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Train-O on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:39 PM

Gentlemen,

Thank you, I didn't recognize the picture as being from the "Lionel Postwar Library", due to the cropping of its frame.

Beside that fact, is the postwar and newer Lionel T.M.C.C. FM the same length?

Ralph

Ralph

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 7:24 AM

Train-O
...is the postwar and newer Lionel T.M.C.C. FM the same length?

 

Yes.

Rob

Rob

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Posted by Train-O on Thursday, October 1, 2009 9:32 AM

Thank You, Rob,
Ralph

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Posted by sir james I on Thursday, October 1, 2009 10:12 AM

Well Tull never responded so we still don't know what engine he/she has. A TM probably, but which one?

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Posted by TULL on Thursday, October 1, 2009 10:46 AM

 OLDER FM TRAINMASTER LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN MILWAUKEE ROAD. I  just listed it on Ebay under that title.  I couldn't get back right away and I couldn't get any pictures to load on to the site correctly. I just described it the best I could as I figured train people would know what it was anyway.  I do want to thank you for your interest and attempts to help. Sincerely, Karen

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Posted by Bob Keller on Thursday, October 1, 2009 10:51 AM
I think from the packaging that this was part of a batch that Jerry Williams ordered ages ago, but was liquidated for the Korean manufacturer by Mike's Train House (the hobby shop) and NOT sold as a Williams train. I believe they were sold under the "Custom Trains" banner. There was an advert on p102 of the May 93 issue, and several other issues around that time.

Bob Keller

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Posted by Kooljock1 on Thursday, October 1, 2009 12:07 PM

 Karen,

 

     You may want to change the scale from H.O. to "O".  Your engine is twice the width of an H.O. scale train, runs on AC instead of DC, and runs on 3-rail track instead of 2-rail track.  It will also sell for a lot more!

Jon Cool

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Posted by TULL on Thursday, October 1, 2009 1:41 PM

 Thank you Jon. I just added that category to the search on my listing. Karen

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Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, October 1, 2009 4:00 PM

Can you restart the auction?  You're liable to miss bidders who want O and see your "HO" line, if you don't sell it to an HO-scaler who will want his money back.

It's a 3-rail O-scale model of a Fairbanks-Morse H-24-66 "Train Master" locomotive (not a railcar), painted in the colors of the Milwaukee Road railroad.  The hand holding the weight is the Fairbanks-Morse trademark.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by TULL on Thursday, October 1, 2009 4:53 PM

 It has that metal piece in the middle of the wheels. Is that what makes it a 3 rail? Anyway, It is now listed under O and HO.  I left another revision telling bidders what you said.  Now it will come up in both searches but with your information now on there people will know what they are buying.  Thanks, Karen

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Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, October 1, 2009 5:21 PM

Yes.  Most model trains are powered through the track and require two connections to their power source.  Two-rail trains, including most HO, use the two individual rails for those connections.  Three-rail trains, which are mostly O, use both outside rails together for one connection and a third rail in the center of the track for the other connection. 

Bob Nelson

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