Just got in a while ago from the Allentown show. Mixed feelings about it-the junk was outrageously priced & the nicer stuff was reasonable unless u wanted DCS/TMCC which was up there with insane. Picked up my first MTH cars today & so far im impressed, they'r as nice if not nicer than Lionel. Talked to a few dealers & the guys @ the O guage display & got some good info for track. Most anywhere u have train lovers congregating u can have excellent conversations & an overall great time which is my feeling on today's outing. Looking fwd to Hamburg, Pa next month & Leesport, Pa in April. Also-I found 2 guys today that do remember the train show at Knoebel's Grove. We all agreed that was atleast 20 years back but now I know 1 of 2 things: either my memory is intact or all 3 of us are losing our main bearings.....
HighOnDieselFumes,
I have to agree with you regarding M.T.H. cars.I'm basically a Lionel fan, but I've noticed that certain cars that I wanted, made by Lionel, either weren't made, or the car's markings were inaccurate.
I checked M.T.H. and found the cars that I wanted, their markings were most accurate and the quality of the cars, were as good, or better, than Lionel's.
A few of the C.T.T. Forum members have suggested to me for model railroad items having more prototypical proportions and markings, I should try either Weaver Models, or Atlas 'O,' there are others, but those come to mind right now.
I hate when manufacturers put on the market their conceptual items, which they feel might sell, due to them looking better, than the prototypes.
That's the way I feel, right, wrong, or indifferent.
Ralph
If ur looking for more nice cars try Weaver. I have some of their cars & they ride well & look good. Plus if u like buying american, their facility is just down the road from me in Northumberland, Pa. I stated in another post that like MTH, Lionel, Williams, etc that Weaver products are made across the big pond BUT some of the assembly, silk screening/painting & other tasks takes place right here in Pa. Thats one reason why I buy their stuff.
I don't have many Weaver products, but the few that I have are so much more prototypical in scale proportions, markings, other details, quality and their prices are mostly right, than most other BIG manufacturers.
Especially, that most of their product's processes are made here in the good ole U.S. of A. and also, they're located down a long road apiece from my Mother-in-law's home in Nanticoke, is, more, than enough, reason for me to buy more of Weaver's products.
Thank You,
Is there any train shows planned for the later part of June of this year near Hamburg or Allentown PA?
I might be going up north this summer and stopping by Reading and Lancaster. Had grandparents who lived near Dauberville, Centerville was close by as well as Shartlesville.
Lee F.
Sunday June 6th is the meet in Hamburg. Thats the only one I know of in June Up this way. I got a mess of flyers for shows & meets this year @ the Allentown show but most are b4 June or in the fall. If you want the other dates let me know. There is a meet in Leesport at the farm market but thats in April.
Check out the Atlas Trainman line, full scale size and reasonbly accurate to the prototype and excellent pricing.Yes, some of the "detailing" is molded in but for the quality of build, appearance and operation . Oh, forgot to mention that they can be found on E-Bay NIB starting at about $20.
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Hey you mentioned a show in Hamburg next month, when exactly is it????
I didnt say there was a meet in Hamburg in April, but there is on June 6th. The show next month in April is at the Leesport Farmer's Market. The date is April 11th, sponsored by the Reading Company Tech & Historical Society.
Hi GUYZ,
Don't know if you GUYZ realize there ias a train GREENBURG show in the Lancaster Convention Center this weekend March 6th and 7th. There is suppose to be between 200-300 tables. Admission I think is 7 bucks. It is in the last CTT. I'm not going but though if you GUYZ are interested heres a show. It's the first one at the Lancaster Center.
laz57
I think I have smthg else going on this weekend, doubt I'll head to Lancaster. I knew about it but thanks for the reminder, im sure these other fellas appreciate it. I would like to hit Lancaster sometime, think its the closest Greensberg show to me & Iv never been to one of their shows. Hear its really a good time.
Is the Reading Company Tech & Historical Society still in Leesport on Center St. by the Schykill River? Also do you have their website available to post?
Thank you,
A bout 2 years ago the RCT&HS moved from Leesport to Hamburg. They have their equipment on display as well as a new museum which is located on the other side of HWY 61 from the station in Hamburg. 1 of the kickers tho is RBMN abandoned the tracks from the station south to the NS connection @ Temple, so its unlikely that the RCT&HS will run any more passenger excursions from the museum. Went to the museum when they had the grand opening, if u get the chance to come up make sure u get there. Im not sure what the web addy is but try "readingcompanytechnical&historicalsociety.org" or "RCT&HS.org", 1 of those should set u up.
Just a little FYI, the tracks from Hamburg to temple are out of service, not abandoned, they are being used to store NS unused center flow hopper cars. It's strange to see about 10 miles of them as you drive up and down Rt 61. All we can do is hope that they will be back in service some day. And thanks for the update on the Hamburg show in Jun.
dougdagrump Check out the Atlas Trainman line, full scale size and reasonbly accurate to the prototype and excellent pricing.Yes, some of the "detailing" is molded in but for the quality of build, appearance and operation . Oh, forgot to mention that they can be found on E-Bay NIB starting at about $20.
Are you positive that section of track isnt abandoned? Id swear on a bible I read that in an issue of Trains from a year or two ago that RBMN abandoned that stretch. I know they'v been using it as storage track for some time now.
trainguy2 Just a little FYI, the tracks from Hamburg to temple are out of service, not abandoned, they are being used to store NS unused center flow hopper cars. It's strange to see about 10 miles of them as you drive up and down Rt 61. All we can do is hope that they will be back in service some day. And thanks for the update on the Hamburg show in Jun.
The line you mention is the old Pennsylvania Railroad line from Reading going north. At one time after the Pennsy went under there was a passenger service on that line from Temple at Tuckerton Road to Hamburg on route 61, Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad used some of the Reading Company passenger cars that were left over from the Reading Railroad. The tracks might be owned by the Reading & Northern Railroad, the regional railroad that was started up after the Reading went in to Conrail. Also the founder of the Reading & Northern owns one of the Reading T-1 steam locomotives, his name is Andy Mueller.
The other tracks north from Reading that almost parallel the Pennsy tracks were the Reading Lines freight service tracks north of Reading. At one time I remember there were four tracks going north from north Reading near Laureldale and went down to two tracks be the time they got to Leesport.
Thanks for the update on the Reading Company Historical Society.
Ole Timer,
How are you?
I agree with you regarding Atlas 'O' Trainman and their other Main Line, models.
I've recently bought Weaver and Atlas 'O' Trainman and Atlas has, what I was told, a more highly detailed line called 'Main Line'.
Both companies have 'FULL;' '1/4";' '1:48;' 'Standard-O', Scales, most prototypical: proportions,high detailing, accurate color-paint-schemes, lettering, markings and numerals.
You can look at one manufacturers version and see variations, then research and find prototypes similar to the variations. Then, there are manufacturers concepts which are absolutely not prototypical, at all!
So, far I'll stick with Weaver Models, Williams Full 1/4", some Lionel Standard 'O' and some of M.T.H. Premier Full 1/4", as these have mostly close to prototypical models, as much, as possible and their construction and durability has been great lately.
Take Care,
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