Who was Tioga Pass RR?

[Anonymous]

I bought a locomotive on Ebay that is from the old Tioga Pass railroad. I can't remember who modeled this road. Anyone remember? Ebay #3141128982. I was surprised to find a set of old painted Baker couplers under the foam in the box. This confirmed that it is a piece of model railroad history. Happy Railroading, Keith

[Anonymous]

I bought a locomotive on Ebay that is from the old Tioga Pass railroad. I can't remember who modeled this road. Anyone remember? Ebay #3141128982. I was surprised to find a set of old painted Baker couplers under the foam in the box. This confirmed that it is a piece of model railroad history. Happy Railroading, Keith

[Anonymous]

The Tioga Pass was Jim Findley's HO scale model railroad, and was featured in MR. Jim was a longtime friend of John Allen, and helped construct areas of the famed Gorre & Daphetid.

The roadname would seem to indicate this 2-10-0 locomotive was one of Jim Findley's originals; that it's PFM brass from the era when Jim likely would have acquired it lends even more credence. The Baker couplers are good evidence, too. If you can get a back issue of the MR article on his layout, you might spot the locomotive in a photo.

I'd say you have a jewel there.

Paul Schmidt

[Anonymous]

The Tioga Pass was Jim Findley's HO scale model railroad, and was featured in MR. Jim was a longtime friend of John Allen, and helped construct areas of the famed Gorre & Daphetid.

The roadname would seem to indicate this 2-10-0 locomotive was one of Jim Findley's originals; that it's PFM brass from the era when Jim likely would have acquired it lends even more credence. The Baker couplers are good evidence, too. If you can get a back issue of the MR article on his layout, you might spot the locomotive in a photo.

I'd say you have a jewel there.

Paul Schmidt

[Anonymous]

Thank you Paul. I suspected that it was. I bought it by accident. Was going to re-letter for the Pine Canyon RR, but now it will be left alone. It is right at home sitting next to John's #43. I will post it on the Pine Canyon Scale Models web site just below John's surviving artifacts. Happy Railroading, Keith

[Anonymous]

Thank you Paul. I suspected that it was. I bought it by accident. Was going to re-letter for the Pine Canyon RR, but now it will be left alone. It is right at home sitting next to John's #43. I will post it on the Pine Canyon Scale Models web site just below John's surviving artifacts. Happy Railroading, Keith

[dknelson]

If you can find old MRs from the 60s or 70s try to read the "Letters from Jim" about building his Tioga Pass while living in Korea. Paul is right, somewhere there might even be a photo of the engine you have acquired -- genuine model railroading history I'd say. Jim Findley wrote a lot of articles and also submitted lots of photos to trackside photos. I think he also sent stuff to RMC (is mentioning RMC allowed here?)
I had a few cars with Baker couplers when I started out -- gifts from an older modeler. Eventually I converted them to horn hooks (!?!?!) and now to Kadees of course. Some of them had paper sides.
Foolishly I tossed the Bakers away. They were very reliable and when backing up the cars stayed on the track way better than with hornhooks. It hink John Allen used Bakers to the very end.
Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

If you can find old MRs from the 60s or 70s try to read the "Letters from Jim" about building his Tioga Pass while living in Korea. Paul is right, somewhere there might even be a photo of the engine you have acquired -- genuine model railroading history I'd say. Jim Findley wrote a lot of articles and also submitted lots of photos to trackside photos. I think he also sent stuff to RMC (is mentioning RMC allowed here?)
I had a few cars with Baker couplers when I started out -- gifts from an older modeler. Eventually I converted them to horn hooks (!?!?!) and now to Kadees of course. Some of them had paper sides.
Foolishly I tossed the Bakers away. They were very reliable and when backing up the cars stayed on the track way better than with hornhooks. It hink John Allen used Bakers to the very end.
Dave Nelson

[BR60103]

Is Jim Findley still alive? I don't remember hearing otherwise.
I received a letter from him about 40 years ago, in response to a letter of mine that MR published.

[BR60103]

Is Jim Findley still alive? I don't remember hearing otherwise.
I received a letter from him about 40 years ago, in response to a letter of mine that MR published.

[Anonymous]

Thank you guys. Yes, we have confirmed that this loco was used on the G&D during Jim's visits. It was used as a pedeler freight to Andrews. It is mentioned in the book "Model Railroading With John Allen" on page 115, as a Tioga Pass 2-10-0. We have posted pics and history on our G&D Memorial page on the Pine Canyon Scale Models web site. It is right at home here with John's surviving #43 and rolling stock. The previous owner got it from the late Jim Findley's estate and did not use it. It is just as Jim left it. Jim had a residence in the Fort Worth Texas area and that is where the loco was purchased from. I wonder where the 2-8-0 mentioned went to? Happy Railroading, Keith Blanchard

[Anonymous]

Thank you guys. Yes, we have confirmed that this loco was used on the G&D during Jim's visits. It was used as a pedeler freight to Andrews. It is mentioned in the book "Model Railroading With John Allen" on page 115, as a Tioga Pass 2-10-0. We have posted pics and history on our G&D Memorial page on the Pine Canyon Scale Models web site. It is right at home here with John's surviving #43 and rolling stock. The previous owner got it from the late Jim Findley's estate and did not use it. It is just as Jim left it. Jim had a residence in the Fort Worth Texas area and that is where the loco was purchased from. I wonder where the 2-8-0 mentioned went to? Happy Railroading, Keith Blanchard