Mornin' guys and gals. Good soaking rain along the Allegheny front range. Middle Princess, baby, and fam are all back home. He's little, but cute. We shall keep him. Will post a pic when I get to my PC. Big brother was very loving to the new kid in town. Had us all in tears.
Made the mistake to poke around eBay for a few days. I ended up spying a lot that looked rather tempting. It was an auction with a 'make an offer', and a little negotiating later I was shocked to find that my upper limit was the right price in the end.
I'm not planning to keep all of it, but there's a number of treasures in it- a Santa Fe F3 A-A (looks like a 2333 or 2343), a 2332 GG-1 (definitely going to be a keeper), two 'madison' heavyweights that look to be in pretty good shape, and an aluminum coach. The rest was some misc '40s freight cars, everything looked like it was fairly light on the play wear, just dusty. Hope everything is packed well.All told I think I'm a bit over $180, but I figure I'll overhaul everything and part with as much as I can bear to let go, to make back some of the cost.
Life is seldom dull now everybody's back from college. Life's been relatively good with plenty of train repair work coming my way, mostly from one customer. It's nice to have a little disposable income... though perhaps next time I should learn to keep off of eBay as soon as I have a little spare change to play with!
-Ellie
That sounds like a pretty good haul for $180 Ellie!
Keep this up and it might be worth your while to rent a table at a local train show and see if you can turn a profit on some of the things you're getting and working on.
A modest profit maybe, but it's always handy to have cash you can turn into something else.
(I don't go anywhere near e-bay myself, I hold off until we've got a show. I don't need new stuff THAT badly and besides I want to see it before I put the cash down.)
I wish I had a local show to go to.
smokey1 I wish I had a local show to go to.
I'm not sure where you live Smokey (or if you've mentioned it I've fogotten) but here's two reliable sources for train shows. Mind you most of these are club-sponsored shows, the bigger shows like Greenbergs or "The Great American Train Show" may not be listed as they advertise in other places.
Never pass up a club-sponsored show, you never know what you'll find.
https://railfan.com/timetable/
https://www.railserve.com/events/
Wayne, eBay definitely isn't the best place for buying trains. In my experience, train shows are the best place to buy trains. eBay prices are usually ridiculous, and you never know if a seller knows how to safely pack up the stuff you're buying. I don't have a ton of local shows, and flea market prices (when I've been to them) aren't always much better, sometimes much worse than what I might be able to find at a show.
Still... sometimes I get the 'itch' to get another train, and it's all too easy to pull up a web page and start scrolling.
I'd have problems with buying too much stuff, if I weren't so picky about what I'll buy. I have some strong ideas about how much is too much, and often my limits mean there's nothing much out there I'd care to buy. Maybe I still buy too much stuff, but it's hardly worse than how much I spend at a show.
Definitely going to be a modest profit if I turn one at all. I have to sell something... the question is, which do I need less- a pair of 2600 series heavyweights, or a second pair of Santa Fe F3s? Currently I'm leaning towards the latter, but I haven't even tasted the stuff yet. It's far too early to say what'll come next. All I know is if the pictures can be trusted, the paint on those 2600s look pretty damn good... and the GG-1 has most of it's stripes. At least the side they show!
Mornin' guys and gals. Occasional rain and 60's in the Potomac Highlands. Spent yesterday at the Chapter caboose up at the WM Station, in Cumberland. If you see CRR 1072's doors open on VR, it will be me sanding away inside. Hope to finish project by next Thursday.
Ellie - Nice collection. I use ebay like the old "Wish Book", when I was a Fifeling. It also makes it easy for my kids to shop for Dad's Day.
Ellie, if that GG1 cleans up (Carefully!) and if it's still a good runner or can be made to be it's worth close to the $180 you paid for the whole lot. You can flip all the other things you don't need and still make a tidy profit if they clean up as well.
I wouldn't be put off by the wear on the "cats whisker" striping on the G, the striping wasn't all that durable on the post-wars and typically was the first thing to go if the engine saw a lot of use.
I've always thought the GG1 was one cool-lookin' engine, I remember seeing the Conrail ones in the 1970s, but never had the urge to own one. Maybe one of these days, and even then it might be a good used Williams or K-Line example, if I can "steal" it!
I DO know someone who sells on eBay, he's 100% reliable and stands behind what he sells. Since he's local here I've bought things from him at our club shows and don't bother with his eBay site. His prices are VERY reasonable but he doesn't give the stuff away, if you know what I mean. His sources are usually collections that come his way by TCA referrals or word of mouth. If you're interested e-mail me and I'll give you his information.
He does other shows besides our own but the furthest north he's gone (to my knowledge) is the TCA York show and the Kutztown PA "Flash Train Meet" so he's not likely to come up to Massachusetts.
Fife, I've done the same sometimes... can work out nicely.
Wayne, as far as I understand it's extremely rare to find a 2332 with intact, complete 'cat whiskers'- the rubber stamping simply wears off from handling. My impression was the GG-1 in the lot is pretty good as far as they go, relatively little worn away. I think later models had somewhat more durable lettering.
My plan right now (though it may change) is to keep the 2332, the passenger cars, and the N5c, and to part with the rest. The F3s are getting a full service before they go, and everything is getting a good dusting. But again... I don't even have the stuff yet. It's a bit early to have it all planned out.
As far as buying... Wayne, I imagine your guy is great, but probably upper end if not higher than my budget. I buy inexpensive projects and fix them up- for me, the ideal is always going to be junk bins and cardboard boxes going for cheap. I complain about prices, but really what I mean is "it's tough to find a box of trains fresh out of someone's garage, goin for cheap". Sometimes frustrating, but in the end, it makes it all the more thrilling when I do score a find. And for me, a lot of the pleasure is in getting to work on the stuff. It's not half as fun if stuff already works flawlessly when I buy it! But by that token, I expect to buy stuff that doesn't work, at "train that doesn't work" prices.
Sadly I have stop buying O gauge trains, I still have more than I will probably ever run. I have been buying off of eBay when I do, but I
I'm usually careful when I do. I feel basically safe doing so as ebay has buyers back. I have yet seen where ebay has backed a seller. (Which is sad as been burnt a couple times by bad buyers but ebay believes them before they believe you it's rare I sell on ebay anymore so I really don't have a good way to sell items) Because of my PTSD shows are out for me, crowds and I do not mix.
Anyway my latest purchase is 4 standard gauge passenger cars production sample 418, 419, 431, & 490 in Mojave. This is from a seller I have bought from a few times and is actually a model railroad hobby shop out in CA. So I feel safe doing so and normally his asking price is not out of line on stuff. These are the 18" cars again but MTH version remakes of prewar cars.
I normally would not been able to buy 2 of the prewar cars of these for what I paid for these. So I'm happy.
Here's Grandmom and the new grandson...
Oh, he's adorable!
(Grandmom looks pretty good too!)
cute as a button. Congratulation again
Congratulations Fife!
Slow on The North Bluff and dry as toast. Farmers are freaking out at this point. We spent 2 hours at the money manager today,,why do they want me to keep gaining money and never let me spend it? They act like I am going to be around another 30 years. Not! As long as the wifey is covered the kids can get the leftovers. I am all for letting my kids earn their own.
Later,
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Congratulations Fife on your new little angel!
Same me, different spelling!
Congratulations, Grampa Fife!
Mornin' guys and gals. in the Alleghenies. FifeMax not happy. Intended to primer the caboose ceiling today, but not sure as Oldest Princess and the grandsons arrived last night. She can't wait to hold the new kid... The curly top wanted to run trains, and had his CP diesels on the carpet loop. He was overjoyed when we got the layout rolling.
Thanks for the congrats, everyone.
Oh, saw where CSX introduced its Chessie heritage diesel. BUUUUUTTT, the memes have been entertaining.
Congratulations to all in fifedom.
Not trying to compete; I just wanted to share some proud Papa photos.
Meet Eden:
Here she is at one week when we were out in Maine,
And here she is yesterday.
These tiny humans are real miracles.
Northwoods Flyer
Greg
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Northwoods - What a pretty girl!
El Fixes ThingsAs far as buying... Wayne, I imagine your guy is great, but probably upper end if not higher than my budget.
Very understandable. I've got to work with a budget myself, in fact I'm holding off buying anything for the next few months, I've had some expenses (not train-related) that made me dip into the cash reserves. So I've got to exercise some self-discipline and keep the wallet in the pocket.
Oh, that friend of mine DOES have high-end stuff but it's all the contemporary "gee-whiz" products I dont' have any interest in. It's when he latches onto old classics I give what he's got a look. He'll tell me "Wayne, it doesnt have (blank) and it doesn't have (blank) or (blank.)" "Does it have smoke and a whistle?" I ask. "Oh, sure!" "Good, that's ALL I need!"
Very nice Northwoods!!!! They are miracles.
I am at seven grand kids and one great grandson. Damn I am getting old.
Dad of the great grandson is now out by Don (AKA) Shake & Bake at MCRD in San Diego learning how to be a better man as a Marine.
Happy Father's Day
Happy Fathers day to all the dads.
72 and going to 86* calling for high UV stating at 1 P.M. No real plans for today. Need to goto Lidl for a few things. So need to get moving. Hope all have a good day.
Mornin' Dads, Grandads, Paps, Pops, etc.... It's been a noisy weekend with all the grandsons. The 5 year old made my day by making this statement, "I want to live next to you, so I can visit all the time..."
Hey allCongrats on the kids- they're too cute! I hope there's lots of smiles and toy trains in their futures.
Past few days have been unpleasant for me, I got something nasty from one of my brothers (still wondering where he got it from, since he hasn't really been out of the house much), and it's put me out of comission pretty good since Thursday night.
Yesterday morning, to my delight, my new goodies arrived. Thankfully everything was packed well and nothing got wrecked making the trip out here. Unfortunately, the 2343P has battery damage (looks like the old battery is probably still in there, yikes!). That's going to be fun to fix!
I'm having a harder time convincing myself I can pass anything on to another home, but I have to keep my resolve! Something's gotta go.
I'm still feeling pretty under the weather, but I have a few repair jobs in that I'd like to get started on (as well as one I was already working on when I got sick). If I can't manage anything today, maybe tomorrow will be better.
Morning all.
72* going to 78* for a high, calling for heavy rain today and for rain most of the week.Cut the grass yesterday in prep for today and rest of week, needing cutting, but knew if I waited I would have to do it in two cuts and have to put the bagger back on. May have to anyway.My production samples (418, 419, & 490) is suppose to be here today. We will see. Not sure but may look at the one they already had unwrapped then put back in it's styrofoam box and put the lot of them under the table. As I already have to much up on the table in preparation of getting table to the size I want and ceiling tile down. ( which I have to buy, cut, and paint yet. ) So much to do so little time I can give to it. I tire out easy since my open heart 5 years ago, never regained my strength. Other wise not much going on here. Probably get more trains put up on shelves today in prep of taking up the track to get ready for the next portion of the build. Hope all have a good day
P.S. on what to keep ( not trying to tell you what to keep just what I would) the GG1, the tuscan red passenger cars, the hopper, tank car, gondola, and caboose, Maybe one of the boxcars. The santa-fe, would clean up the battery compartment ( hello baking soda with a touch of coca-cola ) let it go along with the aluminum passenger car and the other boxcar)
Evenin' guys and gals. Hazy and 84 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Spent 4 hours at the caboose, masking, wiping down, then starting painting. Youngest Princess helped me, as part of my Father's Day gift. Gonna take at least three gallons, and two coats, me thinks.
Ellie - I'd try to get those Santa Fe's up and running. Pretty easy to work on, from my recent experience.
Smokey - Nice pick up on the MTH varnish.
GOOD MORNING !!!!
I did it,,I scored a new Menards Beta 4.5 test engine. Senta Fe, War Bonnet Diesel.
Been trying for a long time but they are always sold out before I get to one. So I am pumped! Looked at my e-mail and they had just sent out the message that they had a batch to sell for testing. Good price too. $149.99 after rebate. So why not?
Other than that hot, and dry here. Everything is burning down. Yard is brown like mid Aug.
best get.
Mornin' guys and gals. Damp and 64 in the Potomac Highlands. The skies opened up just before the local rodeo event, so skipped that at the fairgrounds.
Youngest Princess and I were back at the caboose yesterday, and quickly went through 2 gallons of SW Reclining Green. Gonna take 2 more. Everything with two coats looks sharp. Chapter meeting tonight at the museum (last one there)...
My gift from Oldest Princess arrived yesterday. It's an Allis Chalmers motor grader, by First Gear. It will make a good looking flat car load.
KRM - good score on that Menards locomotive. I hope you can post pictures and a performance report when you get a hold of it.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month