I try to avoid adding 4 wheel cars to the collection. I like the realism of 8 wheel cars. ( What a joke, this is tinplate we are talking about.) However every once in a while a 4 wheel car sneaks its way in. Such is the case with this No. 803 hopper by Lionel.
Here it is with its cousin the No. 653 8 wheel hopper.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Here are examples of the #129 - #132 passenger cars in orange by Ives.
As many collectors know it can be difficult to collect complete sets in pre war tinplate. I have found this to be true when collecting Ives. In this case I have found the 4 cars with brass journals from different sources.
I like the Ives #1122 steam engine, which can be very difficult to find in good condition. So in order to make up a set to run I added a #25 Ives tender that was paired with the #1122 and substituted a #423 steam engine from American Flyer that has a few modifications.
Its great fun playing with trains.
EDIT:
On closer examination I realize that the photos of the "set" are missing a car. It should have the
No. 129 Saratoga
No. 130 Buffet
No. 131 Baggage - Express
and the No. 132 Observation.
pennytrains JonEddy it's so dang heavy a kid would drop and break it or thier foot. Break the locomotive? Doubtful. Break the foot? Undoubtedly!
JonEddy it's so dang heavy a kid would drop and break it or thier foot.
Break the locomotive? Doubtful. Break the foot? Undoubtedly!
True, my dad used to ride around on the floor on his wide gauge engine when he was a few years old. They're tough engines!
Jon
JonEddyit's so dang heavy a kid would drop and break it or thier foot.
Same me, different spelling!
Flintlock76 I got to handle one of those last year. THIS one seemed to weigh as much as an M-1 Garand! How did kids ever pick one of those things up?
I got to handle one of those last year. THIS one seemed to weigh as much as an M-1 Garand! How did kids ever pick one of those things up?
Maybe that is one of the reasons you don't find too many in nice shape, it's so dang heavy a kid would drop and break it or thier foot.
Northwoods Flyer #4696 Wide Gauge Brass Piper Locomotive and Tender by American Flyer Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby Northwoods Fyer
#4696 Wide Gauge Brass Piper Locomotive and Tender by American Flyer
Northwoods Fyer
I love the Brass Piper, it maybe my favorite Flyer wide gauge engine. Someday I will find one! I did find a restored 263e with what appears to be original 263w tender. The tender has a couple of holes drilled in the frame that are not original but other than that looks in great shape. I just need to rewire the tender and clean it up just a little.
Here is a vignette of the recent acquisitions and posting from Marx.
Thanks Northwoods!
As one who's been a student of history and collector of historic artifacts for years let me tell you, the best of those artifacts are the ones that grab you and pull you back into their own era, and sometimes before you even realize they're doing it!
They all don't do that, but that 226e sure did!
Today we have the #620 spotlight car by Lionel
Flintlock76 ... First off, it was a lot bigger than I thought it would be,.... Secondly, in an odd way I could almost feel the power of American pre-war industry by holding that toy. .... Amazing, toy train and American history wrapped up in one package. In a real way, there's a lot more to toy trains than the trains themselves.
... First off, it was a lot bigger than I thought it would be,.... Secondly, in an odd way I could almost feel the power of American pre-war industry by holding that toy. .... Amazing, toy train and American history wrapped up in one package. In a real way, there's a lot more to toy trains than the trains themselves.
Flintlock,
You have pretty well summed up my fascination with collecting pre war trains. They preserve the history of industry, the political climate of the world, the social structure of our country and the family during the time of their manufacture. Add to all of that the "thrill of the hunt" , the camaraderie with other collectors and a sense of nostalgia and you have the reasons that I have been at this collecting hobby for 30+ years.
Flintlock76About a year ago I was lucky enough to handle a 226e the owner was dropping off at the local train shop for some repair work. To say I was awestruck by the experience was putting it mildly. First off, it was a lot bigger than I thought it would be, photos don't do it justice. Secondly, in an odd way I could almost feel the power of American pre-war industry by holding that toy. Toy indeed, it seemed to weigh as much an an M-1 Carbine! And soon that power would be unleashed on the Axis. Amazing, toy train and American history wrapped up in one package. In a real way, there's a lot more to toy trains than the trains themselves.
And soon that power would be unleashed on the Axis. Amazing, toy train and American history wrapped up in one package. In a real way, there's a lot more to toy trains than the trains themselves.
Northwoods, I will definitely be videoing the comet set headed by the 226e along with a few other sets I have acquired this year under the Christmas tree. I won't have an elaborate layout but they will get to stretch thier drive wheels.
JonEddyI got the 226e and tender
About a year ago I was lucky enough to handle a 226e the owner was dropping off at the local train shop for some repair work. To say I was awestruck by the experience was putting it mildly. First off, it was a lot bigger than I thought it would be, photos don't do it justice. Secondly, in an odd way I could almost feel the power of American pre-war industry by holding that toy. Toy indeed, it seemed to weigh as much an an M-1 Carbine!
Here are some examples of the #3261 by Ives. 1929 - 1930
pennytrains Can you imagine being lucky enough to find that beauty under the tree?
Can you imagine being lucky enough to find that beauty under the tree?
Penny,
I have often wondered what the scene was like when items in my collection were received by their original owners. I have a feeling it didn't matter what their original cost was, I'm sure their original owners were delighted.
Jon,
The 226 looks great heading up those cars. Please post some photos when you have them running around the tree.
I got the 226e and tender I mentioned earlier to pull my Comet set until I can find a 263 and tender. The tender is a late version with the white heat stamp instead of silver but I think it looks great with the cars. I can't wait to get her running on some track.
That is a beautiful set!
Set #1469 Frontier Town by American Flyer
This set did not come to me with all of the components. I assembled them over 20 years of collecting.
#550 New York Central Wrecker by Marx.
JonEddy
Beautiful set in beautiful condition Jon. They will look splendid being pulled by a 226E.
My set is the 6xx series cars.
My Lionel offering for today is the #659 Dump Car.
Great find! Well done!
I don't have much Lionel tinplate but I did acquire these beauties from a train shop near me. Unfortunately they didn't have the matching engine but I couldn't pass up this consist in this nice of shape. Prewar O-gauge two-tone blue Lionel pullman car 2613 x 2, Observation car 2614, and Baggage car 2615. I plan on running them with a nice 226e until I can find a suitable two tone 263e and tender.
#3260 by Ives
#417 Locomotive by American Flyer 1939
#412 Gantry Crane - New York Central by Marx
Ready to play.
#657 Caboose by Lionel
And to you too!
#3252 by Ives
And a Happy Thanksgiving to All.
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