I'm sorry Mel, I was very hopeful I could help. Hearing what you just said, I'm more sorry with the realization that I can't. I will put you in my prayers.
John
I've been slowly sorting through my freight car roster and "weeding out" or upgrading cars as I find them. A while back I bought a Trix B&O Time-Saver Service box car just to see what they were like.
Turns out they are very nicely detailed with freestanding ladders and grabs, see-through roofwalks and nice brake rigging and trucks.
Only drawback are the NEM couplers mounted on "wishbone" pivots. I have a method for filling in the die-cast floor and mounting a Kadee box and coupler on these underframes.
Trix_PS1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Trix_PS1e by Edmund, on Flickr
I bought a set of three PRR box cars from a seller in Germany. When the cars arrived I discovered that the die-cast floors had suffered zinc rot! The seller refunded my total purchase price and told me to keep the cars.
Trix1 by Edmund, on Flickr
I replaced the underframes on these cars with nearly identical underframes I had on hand from some MTH box cars. Worked out perfectly
Trix_MTH_PS1b by Edmund, on Flickr
As you can see, the MTH underframes are beautifully detailed, the carbodies (Bessemer & Burlington) not so much, BlueBox equivalent.
Recently I found a Florida seller offering a lot of six Trix cars. No one else bid and I got the six cars for under $45 including shipping. Seven-fifty a car? Deal!
Trix_HO1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Happy Shopping! Ed
During the last month I picked up the last 4 numbers of the Arrowhead D&RGW 3-bay "committee designed coal cars.
Also found an OOP Tangent NP "Lowey green" baby hi-cube applicance box car.
Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions. I rode it twice in the mid-1970's and have always wanted to model this train.
Here are the Amtrak passenger cars I have found so far:
-Walthers 73' Budd baggage - Phase 2-Walthers 73' P-S baggage - phase 1-Walthers AC&F baggage dorm - Phase 1-Walthers P-S 6-6-4 sleeper - Phase 1-Walthers AC&F 44 seat coach - Phase 1-Walthers Budd lounge - Phase 1 and Phase 2-Walthers Budd grill diner - Phase 1-Walthers P-S 12 double bedroom sleeper - Phase 1-Walthers Budd 10-6 sleeper - Phase 1-BLI ex-CZ Budd 6-5 sleeper - Phase 1-BLI ex-CZ Budd 10-6 sleeper - Phase 1It will be next year before the Genesis SFZ SDP40F's are out so I'll have time to hunt down a couple more appropriate coachs.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
OK, just got a goodie I think. Just starting into DCC and get a Zephyr Xtra with a wifi hook up and a MTH GP35 with proto 3 sound and remote couplers for $200, what you think.
I Just got a HOn30 Wiseman Model Services static C-16 kit in two days ago! i'm very excited to start working on it. I may convert mine to run on N gauge track
riogrande5761....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions.....
I don't know if it's suitable for your layout's timeframe, but Rapido has recently announced the D&RGW Ski TrainWayne
I may have mentioned this on other threads, but I recently found a nicely built and detailed P2K mathers stock car kit (that was built by a previous owner) for less than $10. Pretty good considering ready to run cars of similar detail go for over $30 today!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Well, I like to play with trains, and electronics! I recently found a $42 Variac, or variable output transformer.
(I hope the link shows up)
I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it, but if I want to make my Christmas tree brighter, then this is a good Idea!
OK OK, I'm also debating on whether or not to begin International Modeling, starting with the British Rail Class 66.
I found a N Scale Bardon Aggregates Class 66 on eBay for $93, DCC Ready.
(Again, I hope the link shows up)
If I were to list all of the things I found, this would take almost a year.
Midwest Northern R.R Well, I like to play with trains, and electronics! I recently found a $42 Variac, or variable output transformer. (I hope the link shows up) I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it, but if I want to make my Christmas tree brighter, then this is a good Idea! OK OK, I'm also debating on whether or not to begin International Modeling, starting with the British Rail Class 66. I found a N Scale Bardon Aggregates Class 66 on eBay for $93, DCC Ready. (Again, I hope the link shows up) If I were to list all of the things I found, this would take almost a year.
Midwest Northern R.R(Again, I hope the link shows up)
Links are a copy & paste thing, only before you paste, click on the little chain thing on the tool bar, and paste onto that, then click the "OK" button.
Mike.
My You Tube
I received a Great Goody in the mail last week. This has now become my favorite boxcar.
I wasn't able to say before, I have a box car with significant meaning. Now I can because I know the person that put all the time and effort into customizing this one of a kind piece of rolling stock.
Isn't She a Beauty! ..... a one-of-a-kind Treasure of mine.
Thanks again Kevin.
Track fiddlerThanks again Kevin.
.
You are quite welcome.
The STRATTON AND GILLETTE has a very long history of interchanging with other railroads all across the USA.
I am glad it is enjoyed.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
doctorwayne riogrande5761 ....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions..... I don't know if it's suitable for your layout's timeframe, but Rapido has recently announced the D&RGW Ski TrainWayne
riogrande5761 ....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions.....
I'd have to really be living under a rock to not be aware of Jason Shrons big announcement of the Ski Train. I've settled on the 1977-1983 period to focus on, for a number of reasons including freight trains don't look right to me without cabooses. So the I've dodged the Ski Train bullet, as cool as it is.
But part of that annoucement include the later phase F40PH which I've been wanting a high fidelity version so I'm planning on getting at least a pair of them to pull the 1983 Amtrak California Zephyr.
The ex-NP heavyweight coaches that were used during the 1960's and right up to 1988 would be nice to see offered. A company would only have to tool one body to do all 8 heavy weight skit train cars. I have the P-S combine already, and the train was most often pulled by freight diesels.
It's nice to see everyone's finding a lot of good stuff for their layout.
I haven't been the most attentive host lately. Saying I've been busy at work is true but not a good enough excuse, not to make a little bit of time here and there.
I got to admit I'm not real familiar with all the new electronic features available for model railroading today. Always trying to learn.
Glad I paid attention to my Brother when I was young and know how to wire up a layout old school.
Congrats on all your good finds.
TF
Do I need another brass engine? Do I already have enough engines? Well, there's no intervention groups in my area so...
BnO_T3t by Edmund, on Flickr
A couple weeks ago there was a discussion here about B&O's T-3t with the l-o-n-g Vanderbilt tender. Darn that Google, if one didn't come up on eBay
BnO_T3tender by Edmund, on Flickr
Still, that tender is a beaut! I just had to have it
Regards, Ed
Good Morning
That Loco is bad-ass Ed. That sinister-looking tender is as long as the locomotive. I guess It isn't running out of energy any time too soon like we all do...... Too Cool
Good thing they don't have one of those in N scale
Track fiddlerThat sinister-looking tender is as long as the locomotive. Good thing they don't have one of those in N scale
You could always kit-bash one of these???
Tender_BnO_crop by Edmund, on Flickr
Look out for that first curve
Cheers, Ed
I'd buy some triple trucks from micro trains and leave that Center one out of course
Now it's off to wxxk
For Father's Day I ordered myself the last two cars for my IHC Rocky Mountain Rocket set, the Sleeper and Vista Dome.
Might not all be proto, but with my ABA Mantua F7 set it's shaping up to be a pretty good looking budget consist.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
Well, as a Father's Day present I bought myself a GEM. Yep, A GEM C&O J-3a 4-8-4 in rough shape. No box, disassembled tender & trucks, trailing & lead trucks loose, pilot and ladders loose and no motor. For a mere $150 I think I can afford a new motor and some screwdriver time and have a pretty nice engine.
oldline1
Not a bad buy $325 is going rate without a bargin buy, got me to looking for a new purchase myself.
I just stopped in Riverdale Trains in Atlanta, and all his Walthers Code 83 track was half price in clearance.
I scooped all the bridge track pieces.
I JUST GOT A SUNSET BRASS SANTA FE 2-8-2 #4000 class FOR $150!! Runs buttery smooth :DListing
Oh and a dead Hallmark Models MKT 2-8-2 for $50!
Listing.
Sellers who don't know the value of their products on Ebay are the best!
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Trainman440I JUST GOT A SUNSET BRASS SANTA FE 2-8-2 #4000 class FOR $150!!
Great find on that one. The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
Congratulations.
SeeYou190 The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
Yeah, the guy clearly didn't know much about model train value - he wanted $90 for a MDC Roundhouse 2-8-0!
That's the trick; you go through seller's items who generally have no idea what they're selling and every once in a blue moon, you'll find something drastically underpriced!
I've won an item or two because the title made eluded common searches.
I finally found a couple of coaches for my Amtrak Sanfrancisco Zephyr. Coaches have been one of the harder item to find. Sleepers seem to be more common for some reason.
Brass deals are becoming common now, but those prices are below the low end.
Last month I was given several complete years of old Model Railroader magazines that were being thrown out by a Model Railroad Club. I consider that a score.
rrebell Brass deals are becoming common now, but those prices are below the low end.
Of course what I need, DRGW 01400 series cabooses what I need continue to buck that trend.
Good evening.
Honestly, I have no recent purchases to share here. I see some of you guys do though
I had a good Father's Day but I have yet to find my own Father's Day present.
I tried. All this talk of affordable brass got me looking. It seems HO deals are out there you speak of..... N scale..... not so much
This is the only feasible N scale brass locomotive I found. It is a Northern Pacific A5 4-8-4. Oriental Limited is the company that makes it. Unused, undecorated. It is currently on eBay right now.
All this talk of brass, I really want one. If I had one I would not paint or decorate it. I would run it around the track like a gold piece of jewelry on an occasion to enjoy..... but not for $1,000. Ah No.
Kevin, I'm glad you found a good deal on the code 83 buyout you did. I finally decided on my track. ME code 55 with number 6 turnouts where they can be used and fast tracks where they can't. I like the way the Flex track holds its shape.
Another member said they had a good find on some free, old Model Railroader magazines from a Railroad Club. I can relate to that. I got a boatload of them from the Minneapolis Model Railroad Club that moved.
This is my favorite yearly collection. The millennium. I have many more others and my wife said what are you going to do with all these magazines. I asked her what are you going to do with all your collection of your Mardi Gras faces. She smiled and that was the end of that conversation
Thanks TF