I find that I have a pilot truck which was used on the 257, 258, 261 and 262. It is in really good shape--no rust, no zinc pest, tires shiny, spokes red. I will be happy to send it to anyone who can use it.
Bob Nelson
Bob, I do not have a use for it, but I do applaud the spirit that you and others here have shared knowledge and items. One reason I really enjoy this group, thanks.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
I may know somebody who could use it. I'll call him today to find out.
Re 257 pilot truck
I have been trying for weeks to locate this truck. How much do you request and shipping to Phila.Pa.
It's free. There's a way to send me your address in Philadelphia through the forum without publishing it here. Do that, and I'll mail it to you.
On some of the other forums for guys who restore full size vintage cars I have seen threads called
"Pay it foward" where it basically works like is did here, guys post unwanted stuff free to the person who claims it and people can request parts as well, catch is if you claim something you should also offer something up for some one else, and at least send the shipping costs to the guy with the part.
I'd love to see that type of thing done here for the train guys....dont know if Kalmbach would allow it on their site or not. Might be seen as undercutting their paid advertisers for spare partsIf its allowed I'll gladly go through my parts box for spare "junk"
I hate scanning eBay ads, finding a part for $2.00 but with $8.00 shipping added.
-Jason
I have a lot of spare parts laying around, mainly and freight car trucks and shells. As long as it's allowed, I would definitely be a contributor to this type of thread. I don't see why Kalmbach would disapprove, because their advertisers don't sell used parts (as far as I know). This kind of thing goes on with me and a few other train repair people in my area.
I'm what's known as a "floor rat", the name used by dealers in my area for the people that are always hunting out junk boxes under the tables. The trains that some people I know call "poor condition" and too much work are usually far better than what I fix up. I can turn a $20 steamer into a sparkling show piece that runs like it just came off the store shelf when it was brand-new. Funny thing is, I almost never repaint them. One has to have the ability to see through 50 years of dirt and dust to decide if it will clean up or not though. Sometimes they're just too far gone, so I tend to end up with a pile of parts.
Trevor
The truck is in the mail.
People who know that I am into toy trains often give me the old trains that they have no use for. I accept anything offered, even if it is mostly junk or stuff that I can't use, because I know that there are others that can use it, and occasionally are desperate to find some part, like this truck.
But I don't think we need any kind of formal procedure to do this. I have found homes for numerous parts and pieces just by posting here on the forum and by responding to the posts of others who are trying to find something. I'm pretty confident that this in no way violates the forum policy against selling, especially if it is clear that there is no obligation on the part of the receiver (except perhaps postage), which might be the case if we make this sort of thing too structured.
I'm glad the part went to somebody since I never heard back from my friend.
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