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Looking To Buy A Williams E.L. Alco FB-1 Non-Powered :

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  • Member since
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Looking To Buy A Williams E.L. Alco FB-1 Non-Powered :
Posted by Train-O on Friday, January 29, 2010 8:47 PM

To All Forum Members,

I want to complete my Erie Lackawanna, ALCO FA-1 Twin 'A', 3001, 1:48 Scale, Williams 2004 Set, My wife ordered from Santa Claus this past Christmas, for me.
The problem is that Pittston Train Shop only had the two 'A' units, but no 'B' unit and will not be getting in a 'B' unit.  Everyone, I contacted, including Bachmann/Williams-(won't answer whether they have, or not, the 'B' unit, when asked), they only say that they don't sell to the general public.
I've tried most Northeastern and some Southeastern hobby shops, but to no avail.

Please, I am now asking for your help, as I would like to buy the Non-Powered 'B' Unit, which is shown in  the 2004 Williams catalog on page 5.  I was told to be sure the 'B' Unit is from the 2004 lot, as the color-scheme could vary.

I appreciate any advice anyone has, or if anyone has the same 'B' Unit for sale.

Thank You,

Ralph

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, January 29, 2010 9:54 PM

no guarantees but try Marty at http://www.mapajunction.com/

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

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Posted by Train-O on Saturday, January 30, 2010 1:43 AM

RT,

Thank You,

I'll give Marty a try.

It's amazing how many of these here hobby shops are out of stock and what's worse is the manufacturers, themselves, whether they have the item in stock, or not, won't sell to the general public, even old items.

The only manufacturer which gave me some outside help was M. T. H., though a young lady could not sell directly to me, she was kind and checked her computer to locate a hobby shop which had a M.T.H. item I wanted, of which the shop had it.
I wish, I remembered her name and title, so, that I could commend her, to her superiors.

If, these here manufacturers can sell, at least older items, to the general public they would continue to make a profit.  A lot of hobby shops, magically, don't have older items in stock, I know they need shelf space for newer, more in demand items.  BULL!

I worked in retail, so I know where the older, unsold items go, either to a small spare room, or back to the manufacturer and more magic, because some of those older, unwanted, in store, or back to the manufacturer items become collector's items.
You know, supply and demand!

Enough, of my B.S.!

Again, thank you, RT,

I'll call Marty later this day.

Take Care,

Ralph 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Pottstown, PA
  • 21 posts
Posted by coalcracker on Saturday, January 30, 2010 10:05 PM

A store called "The Western Depot" says they bought up alot of old pre-Bachmann Williams stock.  They list an EL B-unit on their website, on SALE!  I have ordered from them a few times with good experiences.  Give em a look, 530-673-6776, or on web.  Good luck.

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Posted by Train-O on Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:03 AM

coalcracker,

I will call them, this Mon.

What is the origin of your C.T.T. handle, there aren't anymore Breaker Boys, are there?

Thank You,

Ralph

 

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 1,320 posts
Posted by Train-O on Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:39 PM

coalcracker,

Your suggestion of "The Western Depot" worked and now my E.L. RR. ALCO two FA-1's & one FB-1, motive roster will be complete, thanks to you.  And all from the 2004 stock so's the colors will all match.

Thank You,

Ralph

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Pottstown, PA
  • 21 posts
Posted by coalcracker on Monday, February 1, 2010 8:26 PM

Ralph, I'm glad you found what you were looking for.  I grew up in Hazleton PA, in the heart of the anthacite coal region.  When I moved to southeastern PA, people said oh, you're a coalcracker.  It seemed fitting.  You must know some coal region lore if you heard of breaker boys.  Thanks for asking, and enjoy that A-B-A.

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 1,320 posts
Posted by Train-O on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:49 PM

coalcracker,

Thank you, again, for the info.of "The Western Depot" and yes, I will enjoy the Erie Lackawanna RR. ALCO, FA-1's & FB-1, especially that they are now complete.

I want to model a coalmine, to pay homage to my Wife's Maternal Grandfather who was a coal miner in Nantickoe, Penna. and in order to have the model correct I read some literature regarding coal mines, various related jobs, etc..

I never met, my Wife's, Grandfather, as he passed long before I met my Wife, but I was told that in addition to mining he was used to retrieve trapped miners, after cave ins, due to his slight build.

Thanks, to my Wife's, Mother's family, I now, truly know the value of coal, as we have many pieces and lumps of coal, in our house. 

Take Care and thanks for the info. and asking,

Ralph

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