Lena, IL train show, new aquisition

[stebbycentral]

Hi all,

Just got back from the annual train show in Lena, IL this afternoon.  This is a show I just discovered last year, it's about 2 hours drive time away from where I live.  One of the reasons I like it as that it seems to attract the most vintage train vendors of any of the local shows I've been to.  The show fills both gymnasiums and the cafeteria of the local JR/SR High complex.  They have a goodly number of display layouts in addition to vendors.  In fact the Sr High gym is devoted entirely to display layous, no vendors at all.  I saw practically every scale display possible, except Z.  I am sure that's an oversight they wil correct next year.

Anyway, I spent all of my money and came back with everything I was looking for (as well as one item that was not on my shopping list).  Here is the big score:

The work caboose was $15, with an additional $6 outlay at another table to obtain the missing side fences.  The Browhoist was the unanticipated expenditure.  This guy had two in fully restored condition that he was selling for $60 a piece.  But he also had two unrestored in a box under the table that were only $20 each!   So I grabbed one of the cheap ones.  The missing parts are are the hoist hooks, and I know I can get those on ebay.  The balance of my cash I spent on other repair parts.

If you are in the area, the show runs through Sunday.  Lena is located just north of HWY 20, west of Freeport, IL, and east of Dubuque, IA.   Admission and parking are both FREE, but you can make a donation at the door.