Good evening
The spirit of giving is giving, and I'm sure you all already have, or will. Lately is this last year, as they go by so quickly.
Did you find any Good Goodies for yourself this last year?
I'll catch up with you guys a bit later, after a few of Your shares of show and tell here...Thanks
TF
Not trains, but we now have a connection to a really good fishing boat that brings us extremely fresh right off the boat scallops. Best we've ever had. These come from the ocean right off shore. Our senior cat Snowflake takes a great interest in these.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Everyday is like goodie day for me. I'm thankful for all that I'm given (and work for!).
Hard to choose just one but one of the 'neat' things I picked up this year was this Broadway Limited Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson:
NYC_Commodore-3 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Too many to list, but have added a number of Tangent models during the past year, the latest are the Southern Pacific modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors. The SP rebuilt thousands in the late 1960's for lumber service and only when they bought substantial new 50' double door FMC boxcars, as well as PC&F boxcars, did that fleet of 40' boxcars begin to quickly dwindle by the close of the 1970's. Been wanting a few of them for a long time and Tangent finally delivered.
https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/23060-3.4-1200-logo.jpg
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Track fiddlerDid you find any Good Goodies for yourself this last year?
Hi TF,
I didn't buy very much in the way of rolling stock but I sure did indulge myself!
1. I signed a contract with professional model railway builder Peter Lloyd-Lee to help me do the track laying and the wiring on my layout. I may get him to do the benchwork for the yard too because I am becoming more and more incapable of doing things like that every day.
2. I started the process of turning my junk filled garage into a proper train room with a new epoxy floor, all new storage cabinets and a new three part lighting scheme.
3. I started the process of replacing all my non-LokSound decoders with LokSound V5s. Currently I have about 15 decoders awaiting installation, and I will need at least that many more to complete the task.
That's a lot of money, but I hate having it sit in investments that I don't need the income from. I'm going to enjoy it while I can!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
At a swap meet in October I found these two GN chip cars and this SP&S MOW tool car (the rich green outside-braced box behind them) to go with them on a work train. Like I need any more rolling stock, sheesh.
EDIT: Oh, also, that canoe-themed NP RS-3 whose nose you can just see sticking into the picture on the right? That's a yellow-box Atlas Kato RS-3, practically new, that I picked up for $15 at the same show. The guy just wanted to get rid of stuff. I almost always haggle, but it was such a crazy good price I didn't even try to talk him down further.
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
riogrande5761modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors
-Matt
hon30critter 1. I signed a contract with professional model railway builder Peter Lloyd-Lee to help me do the track laying and the wiring on my layout. Dave
1. I signed a contract with professional model railway builder Peter Lloyd-Lee to help me do the track laying and the wiring on my layout.
Have you found a way to smuggle him into the country yet?
I "found" a several pieces of rolling stock I've wanted for a long time. Thank goodness for favorited searches on Ebay. These were custom run items for a model railroad club that are basically impossible to find.
Mike
Hi maxman,
Yes. It only cost me about $900 for lawyer's fees! I still don't know if he needs a work permit or not. If he does, the deal is off. A work permit would cost around $4000.
For me it was a PK2 S3 switcher in CNR livery. I had been looking for one for several years and finally scored for $75 US. I don't think it had ever been run but after a lubrication and decoder install it looks and runs great.
CN Charlie
I've had my one-and-only BL-2, a Life-Like Proto engine, for about twenty years now. I receltly gave it an overhaul plus a sound decoder and SSS speaker.
Finally, I picked up a companion caboose, one of the new Rapido NE cabooses to pair with it:
WM_NE GN XM-Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr
Why not throw in a colorful GN box car, too. Especially one with a goat on it!
GN_XM Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr
The caboose is a very well done model:
WM_NE-Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr
Thank you, Ed
Last month's goodie was the Brekina 'Striped Tomato'
month before was the Artitec hot rod
Thanks & regards, Peter
riogrande5761Southern Pacific modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors
Tangent models are at the top of my fav list, also picked up one of those SP 40' boxcars, nice, can't wait to make it look like it's been in service for 17 years.
Btw, hope the Tangent NP PS-1 Hy cube you bought from me on the HO Swap is still riding your rails. Still kinda kick myself on that one, but the next best thing to enjoying a nice boxcar is knowing a fellow modeler is enjoying it.
Regards, Peter
crossthedog riogrande5761 modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors Rio, did the stripe indicate "modernized" or did it indicate "lumber service" or something else? I've never seen this. -Matt
riogrande5761 modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors
Rio, did the stripe indicate "modernized" or did it indicate "lumber service" or something else? I've never seen this.
They were lumber cars for sure. Here is the info from Tangent's website on those cars:
"In the early 1960s, Southern Pacific faced a boxcar shortage from one of their most important customer constituencies: online lumber shippers. These shippers demanded a larger car supply plus improved cars with wider doors to ease the loading process using forklifts. In 1963, Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops embarked on an ambitious program to rebuild existing 40-foot boxcars with 7’ doors to cars with larger 10’” door openings. The program continued until 1970, and by the end of the program Sacramento Shops had amassed a fleet of more than 7000 rebuilt cars."
HO-Velo riogrande5761 Southern Pacific modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors Tangent models are at the top of my fav list, also picked up one of those SP 40' boxcars, nice, can't wait to make it look like it's been in service for 17 years. Btw, hope the Tangent NP PS-1 Hy cube you bought from me on the HO Swap is still riding your rails. Still kinda kick myself on that one, but the next best thing to enjoying a nice boxcar is knowing a fellow modeler is enjoying it. Regards, Peter
riogrande5761 Southern Pacific modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors
As some of you know I model my steam locomotives in the timeframe 1914/1919 n the area of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. I saw some L&YR gunpowder wagons for sale. Two were purchased. I also saw some North British Railway gunpowder wagons for sale. I had to have one.
IMG_2867 by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Yes, quite a few good goodies were found this year to keep me happy. A few diesels (two SD70s that I run at the club), and a few steamers. Here's a Bachmann I found at a good price:
IMG_20230221_103543 on Flickr
Simon
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
I don't know why, but ever since I saw this, I have always admired and wanted to weather/model this rolling stock on my layout:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2969123
I could never find an appropriate model of this boxcar. However, waiting has appeared to pay off. Atlas released a model of this:
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-65314-ho-cncf-5000-box-car-columbus-greenville-21514.aspx
To make this even better, I was able to find these on ebay, for $18 less than listed on Atlas and Walthers, plus free shipping. Due to that, I even purchased one with the FerroMex roadname.
Thanks, Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Howdy
Well, ..."He who's tardy, pays for the party". Free boxcars for everyone...
This could be long-winded, but after all the posting problems, I'd like to catch up with everybody here.
Those fresh scallops off the boat sound delightful Mister B. Nothing better than scallops in a good seafood dish, and a couple racks of king crab legs on the side. Give me that, and I'm happy as a Lark. I'll bet Snowflake likes those as well. We have no scallop boats in Bloomington here, and you are a lucky man
That Hudson reminds me of a fine taylored dress coat over a nice tailored suit Ed. If I'd ever see one of those at a train show in N scale, my pocketbook could be in trouble. I've always admired those colorful GN cars, with Rocky the railroad mascot on them, and have a handful of those myself. Wilson would make a good railroad mascot for the Chessie System That WM is one handsome Caboose, painted in boxcar red with the yellow handrails, Sweet!
Like the Tangent SP diagonal stripe Lumber car Rio.Posted the picture here for reference, as I've always wondered how they loaded 16 ft Lumber through the door. Maybe a motorized crate lift, twisting through the door, but sure would be interesting to see.
Glad to hear you're going to get help with your layout Dave. If you lived down the block, or a few miles down the road, I'd be more than willing to help you. Sure hope you don't have a work permit imposed.
I've never seen those GN wood chip cars Matt. They sure are neat, the way the exoskeleton frame only angles in one direction. I've never seen that either, Too Cool.
I'd like to see the impossible to find Rolling Stock you found, If you get a chance to post them Mike. I'm almost always outbidded, when the hard to find stuff comes up on eBay.
Glad to hear you found that switcher you been looking for Charlie. I've had good luck lubing up new Old Stock that's been sitting in the box forever myself.This could be way out in left field here, but does your switcher look something like this?
Have always loved the Starsky and Hutch Grand Torino Peter. Was that car a 74? There was a guy across Highway 7 out the window of our Junior High School that was the Envy of the whole school. He had one painted identical. Love the Roadster, is that a 32? And tell your little layout Dude, to block the back wheels while using that big red floor jack. Safety First Did you make that floor jack? Otherwise I'd have no idea where you found something like that?
Was Sorry to hear about your Mom Rio. You're a good son taking care of her, as a year is a long haul. I'm hopeful she's much better these days. Great job on the Helix, and that was a great idea curving the scenery cardboard, so the trains don't fall off It would be a shame to see your favorite locomotive hit that beautiful plank floor
Love the new gunpowder wagons David. I've always enjoyed the uniqueness of your layout through the years here. It's fun to see the difference in style from here compared to across the pond.
That's one handsome CN 2-6-0 Simon. My Bachmann Spectrums are among my two most smooth running locomotives.
Those sound like some great Walthers kits Lazers. I'm sure those will be fun to build, and make sure you show us the finished product as you get them done
Liked the Columbus and Greenville boxcar Terry. I've seen some of those more modern box cars at the State Fair grounds train show a few months ago.
My all time favorites are steam of course, but always had a fancy for F7's and SD 40-2's.
I've been looking for some CN bloody nose zebra F7's for quite some time now eh.
Found 2 cows and a calf, an ABA set at the Canterbury Horse Track train show a few weeks ago. They are InterMountains and actually have raised grab bars in N scale. I'm going to be sharing a table with the guy Jeff that sold them to me, at an upcoming train show this winter.
Thanks for sharing your new finds this year, and hope to see some more. Alot of great stuff here gentleman
Lately I've been collecting mostly new old stock HO Atlas C-420's. Got 2 Lehigh Valley units off ebay, one red and one yellow and grey. Got an Erie Mining unit and a Lehigh and Hudson River unit last Sunday at the Allentown Train Show.
I just don't need some of the more recent and higher-end (more expensive) models. They are great, but I just prefer the Atlas C-420's over most other HO Alcos due to the assembly quality and the way they run. I can take an 18-year old Atlas unit out of the box, put it on the track, and it runs great with no issues...
Hi TF, I ordered a Atlas N code 80 Custom line switch to replace one i tried to solder to the connecting track but ruined because I did not remove two ties and use a heat sink. To my great suprise, the new Custom switch came with "Continouous Point rails" rather than mechanical hinges. This switch is at the throat of an industrial yard and should perform and hold up well. Consldering ordering more like this.
Probably the best "goodie" of the year i found was at a west coast trainshow earlier this year. It was there that I found a autographed copy of photographer Richard Steinheimer's book "A Passion For Trains". The book itself was in mint condition and I was able to buy the first edition book at a much cheaper cost from the vendor than I thought it would be.
I've been a fan of Richard Steinheimer since I met him by chance at the Sacramento Railfair (I think it was in 1991). While I was talking to him about what to do about the collection of B&W negatives I had inherited from my grandfather, he asked me who my grandfather was. When I told him, he surprised me when he said he knew my grandfather, who also liked to railfan/photograph the same places such as Cajon Pass and elsewhere in Southern California!
It is really cool I now have a book with Mr. Steinheimer's autograph. Definitely my best find of the year!
Thanks,
Jeff B
Now that there are Black Friday and Thankgiving Deals, ScaleTrains has a 15% off deal with a code so I ordered several models including the ExactRail PC&F MP Applicance boxcar and ExactRail PC depressed center flatcar (my first depressed center car) and an N scale carbon black and got free shipping to-boot!
TF, my S3 is an Alco Diesel switcher. It is in '54 livery which means it is black with a gold band containing " Canadian National'.
TF, Thanks for starting a great thread, like seeing and hearing about everyone's 'goodies', along with the pleasure of having Jeff B open my eyes to the talents of the late Richard Steinheimer. Also enjoyed your Torino story, the 'Striped Tomato' was a 76'. Not sure if the Artitec Model A roadster is year specific. Floor jack is from a JL Innovative Design gas station interior detail set.
Wish all a Happy Thanksgiving. Regards, Peter
Thanks Peter
Wishing you a good Turkey Day to you and yours and everyone here as well!
I recently got an amazing deal on an EP-2 Bipolar from NJ Custom Brass (early run by KMT), which is a model I've been on and off wanting to get for a while. It's currently disassembled because the owner was trying to install what look like Sagami motors and then gave up, and it's been sitting in a bin ever since. Aside from a missing gear cover plate (which is easy enough to replace), it looks like it's all there, and all for only about $200! The cheapest I've ever seen one of these going for was around $350, so considering the quality motor upgrade included, I think this is about the best deal I'm ever going to see on one of these!
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Looking thru a UK Booksellers list, I found a copy of 'Guide to Freight Yards' by the late Andy Sperandeo, for £25.00 ($31.50) including P&P
Received it on Saturday 16th Dec. It is in almost as new condition.
I had seen favourable references on this forum about this book and starting to read thru - I feel that I have made a worthy purchase and also it shows one of the reasons why Mr. Sperandeo is so revered.
There is a mass of useful info. especially all the things that need to be considered and taken into account when designing and operating a Yard. Quite a few I hadn't given too much thought to!
I'm really pleased to have been able to 'treat' myself to this little 'Goodie'. It is another on the list of books that I wished I had been aware of and had read - before starting to build my MR. Paul.
I browse the site of an online retailer based in Maryland on occasion. They recently had some items listed with sale prices. These Rapido RS-11s were 60% off! I bought the pair for just a little more than the decoders alone would have cost. Couldn't say no
NYC RS-11 Rapido pair by Edmund, on Flickr
NYC RS-11 Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr
NYC RS-11 Rapido hood by Edmund, on Flickr