First Post/Introduction

[phaze1todd]

Hello, my name is Todd and I just started in the hobby this week.

Every year I've intended to do a Christmas layout and was about to bite on a Bachman set at Ace Hardware when a close friend who was also shopping at Ace recommended I go to the nearby Grzybowski Trains.

Wound up leaving with a Lionel Scout set. . . and the next day a Lionel tunnel.

After becoming frustrated with the fact that the tunnel lets light in AND out, I take it to spray the inside with Flex Seal to discover the "Made In China" stamp. Yep, as you already know, it's on everything else, too. Still enjoying it, thou.

Returned to Grzbowski's and upgraded the transformer to an 80W, picked up a D&H Boxcar manufactured in the 70's, a fixer upper 6465 two dome Sunoco tanker with coil couplers (whose frame is now drying from a coat of fresh paint), and a fixer upper SP 3B die caboose.

I've found my interests to be with my local railroads such as D&H which ran thru my hometown of Waymart, PA on the Gravity Line (it ran 100 yards from my house and as a youth I collected many spikes from the trails), Lackawaxen & Stourbridge in nearby Honesdale and Delaware, Lackawanna and Western near where I'm now living in the Scranton area.

Which brings me to my first question:

What refinishing and decaling ideas do you recommend  for my Sunoco tanker so it will tie in with one of the above rail lines?

If you were wondering if I should repaint a late 40's tanker, Grzbowski's was selling it for $5 for a reason

Thanks!

[fifedog]

P1T ---> First off, .

Pretty cool that Grzybowski's is in your back yard.  They are a favorite of many YORK attendees.

As for your tank car, I'd suggest a MOW (Maintainance of Way) scheme for one of your favorite lines.  Simple paint and simple lettering (dry transfer) should fit the bill.

[phillyreading]

Try Microscale decals as they have many O scale decals. If you are near Scranton maybe you could stencil it for the Reading & Northern RR, a regional RR, out of Port Clinton or Jim Thorpe PA.

[nickaix]

Welcome to the hobby! It's a rewarding one!

You can sometimes still find CHAMP (out of business) decals at older hobby shops or on the internet. Clover House sells dry transfer sets for a number of railroad cars (mostly designed for boxcars, but you might be able to re-purpose them.) They have a couple for DL&W cloverhouse.com

Re: Made in China, it is one reason I favor older Lionel (up to 2000). About your only option for USA made trains in O is Weaver's Ultra Line offerings (their Gold Line, which includes most of their engines, is imported.) http://weavermodels.com  Weaver's stuff is full O scale, though, so it won't necessarily look right with more 'traditionally' sized trains.

[phaze1todd]

First of all, thank you all! You definitely take good care of your newbies. I come from another hobby (vintage BMX) and there I would expect flames of "search function!", "Google is your friend!" and "why would you refinish that!". 

I already spent plenty of time researching the lines and couldn't find specific info on what tanker they would pull. Will go with MOW, I'm thinking in red oxide.

Also interested in the rail line that supported Tobyhanna Army Depot during 1950's and Laurel Line since Rocky Glen is also in my back yard.

Thanks to all!

Yea, Grzybowski's is walking distance.   This could be a problem.

[Firelock76]

You're within walking distance of Grzybowski's?  You're DOOMED all right, just like the rest of us lost souls!

[cheapclassics]

To all,

P1T, walking distance to a hobby shop.  That is not a problem, that is heaven.  Welcome to the forum and the hobby.  If you have a chance, make sure you drop the coffeepot, where a fresh brew is always going and the conversations will be lively, entertaining and occasionally educational.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[rtraincollector]

Firelock76

You're within walking distance of Grzybowski's?  You're DOOMED all right, just like the rest of us lost souls!

First welcome

the only thing that could be worst I would inmagin would be walking distance to charlie roe lol.

You will find that 99% in here are more than willing to help you and even give you info you really didn't want to hear at times but it will be what you asked for and a honest answer.

[Hudson#685]

Todd,

Welcome! The bug has bit you! Like mike Said, Drop by the Cofee Pot.

 

John

[ChiefEagles]

fifedog

P1T ---> First off, .

 

 

See, you already have a nickname.  Enjoy and come to visit us a lot.  Very knowledgable folks on this forum.  Welcome.

[RockIsland52]

Todd.......welcome to the forum.

BTW, if you can't find what you need at Grzybowski's, Charles Ro in Malden MA is only 19 miles from me.  RT....eat your heart out.

And Northeast Trains in Peabody MA is just 7 miles from me.

Jack

[phaze1todd]

Thanks, All!

[Penny Trains]

Welcome aboard!  There's always a seat available on our train!

Don't worry too much about repaints and refurbishments.  Anything with a $5 pricetag was produced in such great numbers it's highly unlikely even the hardcore purists would give you guff for altering it.    Strip down a mint condition Lionel 700E hudson from 1937 however and you may just find your circle of friends shrinking. 

Becky

[phillyreading]

Welcome Todd! You are lucky living that near to a major hobby shop. For the tank car lettering or others you may try using Philadelphia & Reading Railways as that was the oldest and largest railroad in Pennsylvania and New york area for many years, from 1834 to 1918, sometime after 1916 the P&RR was busted up by J.D. Rockafeller. Then became three seperate comanies; Reading Lines(freight), Reading Company(passenger service), and Philadelphia Mining corp. Pennsylvania RR and NYC are more well known today.