Your Oldest Equipment

[cats think well of me]

A Sunset Prestige PRR "Modern" K4s from, I think, the early 1980s. I've only owned it since February when I needed a K4s to salvage for parts to make my model of K4s 1361. Otherwise, my PRR N5 cabin cars, though purchased within the last year, I don't think have changed much since Bowser first made them in the early '90s. My decorated Red Caboose X29s are from the late '90s according to the instructions sheets. 

Alvie

[hon30critter]

S. Connor:

Just curious, what voltage does the engine use?

I've heard that some of the early train sets operated on house voltage. That would have been really interesting if something derailed. I'll bet it kept the cat off the tracks!

Dave

[GP-9_Man11786]

My oldest equipment would be my Minitrix steamers. All three have been custom painted and heavily modified.

The K4 Pacific was remotored by Max Magliaro and now sports a Faulhaber 1319 coreless motor, Bachmann teder trucks and chassis and an LED headlight. I then converted it to DCC using a digitrax DZ123. This engine only sees ocasional use since Bachmann introduced a far supierior model last year.

My I1sa is a complete Frankenstien but it started out as a Minitrix 2-10-0. I slid the shell back  so the steam pipe lined up with te cylinders, replaced the stock tender with a Bachman, which looks closer to the prototype and provides all-wheel pickup and converted it to DCC. It's not much of a puller so I don't often run this one either.

Lastly is my B6sb. this is largely stock except for DCC and tender pickup.

[Darth Santa Fe]

My oldest piece fits more in the CTT forum, but here it is:

It's a Standard Gauge dual motor Lionel #42 made between '21 and '23. Got it all restored, and it still runs great after almost 100 years! It has an interesting AC/DC power selection switch that you don't see on much of anything, because at the time, Edison and Tesla were still competing on America's power system!

As for my oldest HO piece, I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's my Mantua Shark from 1953.

The 1953 version didn't have any extra weight over the rear truck, and traction was very poor as a result. I added lead in back, powered up the motor with a neodymium cube (with a spring to hold it down from the steel plate frame), rewheeled with PSC nickel silver wheelsets, and added wipers for all wheel pickup. It's a little noisy, but it sure runs nice!

[Uncle_Bob]

gmpullman

 

 

riogrande5761

With all the old codgers on this forum, I'm sure you've picked a topic that will thrill them and not be disappointed. 

 

 

Hey! I Represent That!!

Still, as far as the layout goes I'm with Rio Grande in that I have weeded most of the Athearn Blue Box et al out and replaced them with cars having a slightly higher level of detailing.

This LMB, New York central H-10a represents what is probably my oldest locomotive, 1962 era.

I already replaced the open frame motor with a can motor, then tested with a keep-alive decoder. After I update a few of the details it will be a pretty handsome addition to the roster.

Regards, Ed

 

I bought one of these engines used from a hobby shop about 10-12 years ago, but they didn't know the manufacturer. My next-oldest is an Athearn F7a with an all-metal chassis and a PRR Tuscan red paint job, circa 1977.

[LensCapOn]

The oldest in terms of personal ownership and likelihood of still being used are these. Old, cheap, early Bachmanns bought 1969-70. (Have some older HO as recent pickups) Did fill in the roofwalk holes in the last 4 years on 3 of them.

 

[rogerhensley]

I have an engine so old that I don't know how old it is. Here is a Varney 4-6-0. It no longer runs, but I have it on display.

[SilverSpike]

Most likely this pulpwood car that my grandfather had on his HO layout back in the 1950's and 1960's, only known remaining piece of rolling stock left. I did a little update on it a couple years back, but it still needs some work. 

Used to be the Rock Island road name on it, I need to find some RI decals.