I know the spirit of things is giving. I do that. I buy flowers for the wife frequently and get her the things she needs. I get her the things she wants.... usually
Our hobby provides many things.... at a pretty penny. This buying things on eBay can get somewhat addicting. I have a lot of Rolling Stock already from this addiction. I have already noticed I have many of the brown box cars that you do need. It's kind of like slate tile, you need a splash of color periodically in between the gray ones. Getting these things in the mail and opening the box is kind of like opening your own Christmas present.
I am trying to tighten up the belt so to speak. When I am lazy and bored with nothing else to do, I can't help but going on and looking. I have done really well not buying anything for almost 2 months. Now I find myself looking for something colorful, unique or at a price you just can't refuse.
I found these three striped Great Northerns, all three for $22 brand new in the jewel cases. How can you refuse that?
I will try to refrain and behave myself now. Do you think this last purchase will do it
Whether it's from eBay, a hobby store or a train show. Have you found yourself any good goodies lately?
Show us what you got.
TF
That definitely counts Mel. Like I said, this hobby has a lot to offer. Sometimes finding something you've been looking for is a heck of a score
My local shop has a 'freebies' box and since they aren't exclusively trains, a lot of stuff ends up in there when people bring by old hobby items.
However I had gotten pretty lucky a few weeks ago, there were several HO Tichy train group water columns (and an oil column), several detail parts including some cast metal portable generators, shop parts and a workers cart, a loco wash rack with tools, all things I will incorporate into a roundhouse and service facility. Some other stuff just catches my eye even if I'm not sure if I could use it right away - like some cast metal skunks, or an unused sheet of microscale decals for UP E series diesels. Sometimes its an old issue of MRR or MRC.
I always make a point to make a purchase if anything from the box comes home with me, a few frieght cars or some paint or styrene. Its a cool little system for them to get rid of old stock or stuff they don't want to deal with when collections of things come in.
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
Track fiddlerI found these three striped Great Northerns, all three for $22 brand new in the jewel cases. How can you refuse that?
That's a great find TF! I would have trouble getting a single Athearn BB freight car for that much because I'm in Canada!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
We just had a train show in the area last weekend and I found a couple things I have wanted. First was a GEM Ma&Pa #62 gas-electric for $80. Second find was an Alexander Haunted House kit for $5.
oldline1
In a recent accquisition of an HO vehicle collection for Boothbay Railway Village, I found 2 old Jordan 1951 Jeep kits - one a station wagon and the other a panel delivery version. No pics yet, one is ready to paint and the other in primer; maybe in the upcomming WPF.
I also found a resin kit of a late 50s Alpha Romero that I completed a couple of weeks ago
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
hon30critter That's a great find TF! I would have trouble getting a single Athearn BB freight car for that much because I'm in Canada! Dave
I go fishing in Canada once a year, sometimes twice. I always hate to leave because of the kind people and how nice I am treated.
If you have any good fishing lakes up there where you're at, maybe I could smuggle your Athearn cars up to you.
Really though, I really do love Canada. My Grandfather was a resident at one time. I've been going there since I was a little boy.
OK-OK Here's a great hobby store find, two trips.
If anyone has it in their means, they should at least schedule one fishing trip to Canada in their lifetime.
For sure, yes. There is a topic like this on another forum but I hardly ever post because usually I'm not a place where it is conventient to take pictures and display the goodies.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
This might sound odd ... but my finds were in my own house.
In the last couple of weeks I have been doing some long-deferred structure kitbashing and was getting frustrated trying to find a box of various Grandt Line and Tichy details parts (doors, windows, chimneys) that I just knew I had, and in some prior frenzy of neatness had evidently very securely put away. Somewhere.
Eventually I found it but not before finding and opening a large number of other boxes with yet more detail parts, including some for rolling stock or industrial buildings and one dedicated to gas stations. I basically remembered (if only dimly) acquiring most of this stuff but there were some genuine surprises, and many pleasant ones.
Stuff I had not looked at in years - decades. The original prices were a pleasant surprise.
Anyway. My project list has just expanded again. I'll never reach dry land!
I also found some rolling stock in original boxes. In one case to secure the car from moving around in the box I had crumpled up a receipt from Walthers Terminal Hobby Shop (the old name for their showroom retail outlet here in Milwaukee). It went on for three pages. Bag after bag of detail parts for rolling stock. And bottom line: I spent $16 and probably felt like I'd been taken to the cleaners.
Dave Nelson
I didn't find the goodies this time, but my wife, who barely tolerates the trains in the basement, did, at the local charity-run thrift store here in town...
...with the original price sticker...
...and the re-sale price...
However, it was 50% off on "toys", so cost only a quarter!
She also picked up a toy for the grandkids, for a buck. Our daughter looked it up on-line, and it's apparently a rare version of an otherwise ordinary battery-operated toy - $135.00 retail.
Wayne
Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California.
Well I just got a Kato, HO scale SD40-2, at just the price I like.
Like this one, only the one I got is painted for the UP. The price was so good, I'm getting this cab, from Kaslo,
https://www.kasloshops.com/products/hc-03 (picture is copyrighted)
Getting out the saw, and turning it all into an SD40-2W. (Tuff to find a picture of one that isn't copyrighted, geez)
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=839574
I don't think I'll paint it for the CN, probably my own road, as my road accuired it from the CN. BUT, just maybe I'll do the CN, and "patch" it for my road, as I've done so many already.
Mike.
My You Tube
It was back in January... but stilll... SCORE!
.
It was better than described or expected. Pristine condition and runs so fine.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
An Atlas Classic RS3 in EL paint for $75.00- - a reasonably good deal!
I found some things on ebay;
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Johnny Lightning 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup 2002 Yesterday and Today
Johnny Lightning 1960's Hot Rods Ramblr 2000 Surf Rods Release 1
Johnny Lightning 1971 Buick Riviera Poker Release 1
The bronze car came out in 2005
Some nice-looking finds here.
George The cars look pretty realistic in their setting. Great job.
The road name on that orange boxcar is a new one on me Lone Wolf. I always wondered how they loaded and unloaded the bundled stacks of lumber in and out of double door boxcars. They're heavy and I don't imagine they slide to the ends of the cars very well.
Mike, I never seen a bird of prey on a Chicago Northwestern locomotive.... Cool!
That brass steam locomotive is a beauty Kevin. Are you going to do your Stratton and Gillette magic to it?
I like the cars ATSF. The rear window on the Riviera was always one of the most unique features that sticks out in my head on old cars. I really liked building car models when I was young. Among my favorites was the 1969 Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet, the 1970 440 Cuda, and my all-time favorite the Red Baron. I even had the details on the dash painted on that one.
I always wondered what happened to those. Probably the roommate thing when we were young. Or one of the roommates lovely friends. Someone must have liked them better than I did I guess.
My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 series cabooses cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics.
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California.
Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as the Lake Tahoe box car.
or the Atlas version of the Prineville car above, and McLoud River and similar cars.
Track fiddlerMike, I never seen a bird of prey on a Chicago Northwestern locomotive.... Cool!
Not sure what that's about, C&NW had something, I believe called the Falcon Service? I dunno. That's the only picture I could find without stepping on someones precious copyright. (I think it's all gone to far) As if I'm going to make money posting a picture.
That's not what I got, mine is painted for the UP, but that will change. Shell will get striped of paint.
It arrived today, by the way, and it runs perfect, just like a Kato should. And for the price I scored at at, WOW.
Now I can order the Kaslo "4 window" cab, and let the bashing and hacking begin!
mbinsewiC&NW had something, I believe called the Falcon Service?
Russell
riogrande5761 My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 box cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics. Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California. Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as this Lake Tahoe box car: or the Atlas version of the Prineville car above, and McLoud River and similar cars.
My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 box cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics.
Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as this Lake Tahoe box car:
The newer cars are nice. I already had several of the blue box cars in my collection. I was just adding to it. I have been collecting them since the 90s and wanted more before they all disappear.
Lone wolf, I live in Bend OR, just a few miles from Prineville. As it says right on the boxcar, the City of Prineville owns it's own railroad. I see those cars around here.
My goodie? Well, the "falling price of brass" thread made me take a gander on ebay. Yup, I fell into the trap. a "Brand new" RS 1, but it "will not run". That tells me the lube in the gears is probably thick gum or worse. Motor is probably the same. I deliberated, and watched a couple RSD 4s to see what they'd close for. Not the same creature, but close enough for comparisons.
When they went pretty high, I decided to pull the trigger. I got it for 2/3 the retail price still marked on the box, plus shipping.
I took the risk, figuring a good cleaning and lube should do it. And, if it can't be made to run well enough, I have a sweet running Kato RS 1 I got CHEAP cuz it was missing a few deatil parts. I'll swap that in if needed. Dan
Track fiddlerThat brass steam locomotive is a beauty Kevin. Are you going to do your Stratton and Gillette magic to it?
Yes, but not for a few years.
I am working on the freight car fleet right now, layout comes next, then all the locomotiove projects.
I hope you get that running Dan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you
This was one of my better finds at the Great Railroad Show in Shakopee, last November 3rd.
I was helping Gary (our railroad club host) run his booth. Of course I take periodic breaks and go buy a bunch of rolling stock. When I return, I always sport what I found.
Towards the end of the show I come back with one of these.
Gary says where did you find that. I said, that booth right over there. He says, that is the number one Great Northern circus car which is the most rare. What did you pay for it. I said $8 and they had another one. He said you better go get that one too. I went back over there at a high speed pace, like a dog playing fetch.
Since then, I've seen these cars go for $69.95 as a pretty usual price, when you are lucky enough to find one. I have seen bidding wars where they have gone for $170.
Right now there is one selling for $44. It's worth it. I was tempted but I have two. I'm not one to get too greedy.
SeeYou190 Yes, but not for a few years. . -Kevin .
I'm patient. I'll be here to see that one down the road. The infamous back burner I call it.
It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and my wife gave me money to buy a loco, as she does every year. I found the following Mike on Ebay, a loco I have been looking for to complete my roster. It's an Oriental Powerhouse, and it runs like silk. I knew I had to change the tender, based on the reviews I had read. Found one only a few days later on Ebay for a very reasonable cost. I put a decoder and a LED headlamp in it, it just needs a new coat of paint, and the CN logo... Simon
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A new house with a big train room? We were looking at real estate today and are down to two.
I haven't seen my trains for a year and a half. Can't wait.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley A new house with a big train room? We were looking at real estate today and are down to two. I haven't seen my trains for a year and a half. Can't wait.
Hit some big jackpots at the train show at the Urbana, IL Lincoln Square Mall today. First up was a unrun, factory painted/lighted Overland Models IC SD70 for $200! Then, a couple hours later(our large scale group was running G scale live steam there so I was there all day) I found this PFM/GOM DRGW Caboose for $18!!! Right at the end of the show, this book covering the first 10 years of Overland Models for $40. Combined with running my live steam locomotives today, it was a wonderful day! Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome