Yes, I see them Ed, on that center shelf, far right.
You know those little bit of paint left in cans can really accumulate sometimes and become quite the invasive nuisance in the garage. Nobody ever wants to keep them in the house and once they freeze they are done.
I think Hazmat should have a place you can bring old paint cans in at any time. It's kind of like recycling, they could take all the paint and make black paint out of it and resell it. That could perhaps pay for part of the service of reclaiming all the old paint.
The problem is with having nowhere to bring old cans of paint is, I have read people dump it down the toilet. This is not good. If they lived in the country and had their own septic tank they wouldn't be doing that, would they?
I was always painting something all the time and ended up with those darn paint cans accumulating in the garage and I hated it. We had what was called Earth Day once a year at the high school and I was always so glad to get rid of them. You could get rid of anything on that day but I always thought they should have had it twice a year.
I got a new MT Minneapolis & St Louis on Thursday last week.
TF
SeeYou190 Track fiddler Any of you have a funny car? I have included lots of funny things in my fleet of custom raodnames. None of them are new. Sorry. -Kevin
Track fiddler Any of you have a funny car?
I have included lots of funny things in my fleet of custom raodnames.
None of them are new.
Sorry.
-Kevin
I don't think I'd worry about it to much Kevin I don't post a thread very often but when I do I'm pretty easy-going. I see slight deviations from subject all over the Forum here. I think even the Moderators have a little tolerance just as long as things don't get too out of hand for too long.
Now you got me curious! It's kind of like dangling a carrot with a fishing pole, from a cart out in front of the donkeys nose
Track fiddlerEd, You organized your layout shelves already. I can't even get my shelves organized in my closets at home. I did notice the blue tarp rolled up on the second shelf.
Yeah, TF, but look at all those half-used cans of paint drying up on the middle shelf, far right I hate dealing with getting rid of old paint.
We have a haz-mat collection program near me but they only do it once a year now
Cheers, Ed
Congrats on expanding your tanker fleet Kevin. Sounds like you had fun with those kits. I checked out the Amtrak loco you got in the link
Ed, You organized your layout shelves already. I can't even get my shelves organized in my closets at home. I did notice the blue tarp rolled up on the second shelf. Appropriate, everyone has a blue tarp.
I guess you don't have to worry about any of those boxes getting wet and Soggy. There is no rain forecasted on your layout. Is that extra toilet paper on the forth shelf just in case people start hoarding it again
The clamshell bucket looks like it's working by the pile of dirt underneath it. The scenes look Great Ed ..... All in the details
They may be small but they're loaded with detail:
Stock-shelf by Edmund, on Flickr
A set of four utility shelves from Artitec. Almost too nice to hide inside a structure. Another recent find from Artitec is this clam-shell bucket:
Bucket1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Yes, it follows a European design but I'm willing to fit it in to a North American scene.
Prior to this past December, I only had one tank car on my layout, a Walthers UTLX anhydrous ammonia tanker. In December, I got an Athearn UTLX tanker. However, I was still needing to get more tankers since tankers are so common on the real railroads. This past May, I found several out of production Walthers tank car kits on Ebay, all still sealed in the boxes, for reasonable prices and got them. I ended up with four more anhydrous ammonia tankers (3 GATX, 1 UTLX), 2 LPG tankers (1 GATX, 1 UTLX), a Procor general purpose tanker, a Conoco general purpose tanker, a 40' GATX caustic soda tanker, and two "beer can" 30' tankers (1 GATX, 1 UTLX).
I started off going through all of the kits and gluing the two halves of the tanks together and then going back through and gluing on the ends. After a brief hiatis when I got my new Athearn SDP40F in June (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giMIdq8wakI), I then got back to work on the tankers, starting on the big tankers and working my way through to where I'm now down to finishing up the 40' tanker and just have the two small ones to go. Working from home has helped. Not having the drive to work every day, I have been going down to the basement for a little while after work to unwind and do little things here and there. Since getting the kits, I've been doing a little bit each day on whatever kit is in progress, getting 2 to 3 steps done a day on the weekends. By next weekend, I should have all 11 tank car kits completed, and then I'm going to go back through and paint the hand rails and grab irons to match the cars, which will complete my tank car fleet. :)
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
Track fiddlerAny of you have a funny car?
Living the dream.
Good evening
Model railroad telephone poles are not in my area of expertise in any way shape or form yet. But it was a nice find.
I didn't get this lately but it's a good goody.
It's my Pepe Le Pew car. I always did like Pepe, that's why I got it. Just one of those stupid decisions one late night on eBay. Maybe one beer short of a six-pack. And who said funny cars were just for drag racing.
Any of you have a funny car?
Thats good to hear that one box will span 8' as thats the whole lenght of my layout!
Ringo58Was planning on it being the final peice I add
Good plan. I had a single box string of them running along on the spare bedroom layout for about eight feet, and they looked good.
Mine were also near the backdrop, which worked out well for me.
SeeYou190 Unpacking them is a two person job, and you should not remove them from the box until they are ready to be put in place.
Unpacking them is a two person job, and you should not remove them from the box until they are ready to be put in place.
Was planning on it being the final peice I add
Ringo58Then at the local thrift store I came accross a set of Rapido "totally wired" pre wired utility poles still new in box
Those utility poles look great, and they are much easier to put in place than wiring your own.
My only iffy comment about them is that the lines do not sag. That is not a bad compromise.
Ringo58 I'm still sceptical on bachmann. I only have 2 locomotives ( gp38-2 and the 2-8-0 ) and I like them a lot! the only thing is the details. Compare the gp38 to my athearn RTR sd39, the athern blows it out of the water. bachmann still runs nice though and is a good test loco so I dont fry a genesis or proto!
I'm still sceptical on bachmann. I only have 2 locomotives ( gp38-2 and the 2-8-0 ) and I like them a lot! the only thing is the details. Compare the gp38 to my athearn RTR sd39, the athern blows it out of the water. bachmann still runs nice though and is a good test loco so I dont fry a genesis or proto!
I'm pretty sure that's because the Athearn R2R is much newer tooling than Bachmann. I don't know about the Bachmann GP38-2, but much of their base-level loco tooling is 20+ year old Spectrum/Plus tooling, albeit sometimes uprgraded. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. They're good running locos that are quite sturdy.
The Athearn RTR SD39 on the other hand dates (AFAIK) to 2018 and in terms of detail, it's about as good as it gets for what passes today as "affordable" diesel power. I'm a pretty hardcore budget railroader (most of my locos were around 20 bucks) but the current Athearn RTR Illinois Terminal SD39 and NW (ITC patch over) locos have got me reconsidering...
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
That is a heck of a deal Ringo, sometimes when it rains it pours.
I don't know about HO but in the 70s Bachmann in N scale had kind of a bad rap. They sure have improved over the years, that's all I can say. I have a couple of Bachmann Spectrum locomotives and would not hesitate to buy another one. One of them is my smoothest runner, the thing creeps like a snail.
Quite a while back I quit buying N scale Rolling Stock because I have so many and I was getting quite carried away with it. But I did bum-out when I didn't buy my second American Refrigerator Transit Co. wood-sided refer.
They are my all-time favorite wood-sided boxcar and are very hard to find in N scale.
And then there were two! Number 15301 came today. Happy with the set and will be keeping an eye out for a third. These cars have to have different road numbers as they are rather large.
I was browsing marketplace one day and came accross this Bachmann 2-8-0 listed for $75, talked him down to $50 and when I picked it up I realized it was a DCC with sound! Heck of a deal if you ask me!
Then at the local thrift store I came accross a set of Rapido "totally wired" pre wired utility poles still new in box and only paid $10. 2 great scores in 2 days!
Good morning
rrebell, Sounds like a good find on the Broadway limited SP NW 2. Hope you get the CV's revamped.
Michael, I felt your enthusiasm here. Hope you get your GP 40-2's soon and I wish you luck finding your D&RGW.
Dave, Repairing that FP9A sounds like a fun rainy day project. Looking forward to the update photo.
Charlie, Makes sence you went all CN. After all, you are CN Charlie! I will have to check out the Royal Hudson availability in N scale. It seems a lot of members have one here, ... Except me.
Have a good day everyone
Dave,
I had an Intermountain F7 in CP script with sound that was a nice, smooth runner but I sold it as I went to CN only. I paid $114 for it new from M.B. Klein. I think they made a mistake on the pricing as they only had one in stock. Detail was very nice too.
I did get myself something a couple of weeks ago. It is a VanHobbies Royal Hudson that was in the last run made for VanHobbies in the late '90s. It was a NIB model and it sure looks it. It was made by SR Co. not Samhongsa as were most VanHobbies locos. The detail on it is truly amazing, right down to the tiny red valves on the backhead in the cab. I did consider a Rapido model as they were a lot less expensive than this brass version but the detailing and overall finish on this one was a cut above. It runs well too.
CN Charlie
Track fiddlerDave, Are you going to keep the CP FP9A anyway? What a mix-up. I hope you get your AB mess untangled
Hi TF,
The 'mess' has been sorted out. I returned the B unit which is still in transit. It was in good shape so I would have kept it except for the fact that I already have more 'B' units than I need.
I'll comment more once I have the FP9A unit in my possession. I know it will take some work. It is very dusty and the side grills are not all attached properly which is typical of the InterMountain F series locomotives. I know that InterMountain has worked very hard to solve the problem, but I'm not sure if they have succeeded yet.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
riogrande5761 Athearn recently released their latest run of Genesis D&RGW GP40-2's. They are real nice and the division of the D&RGW I plan to model relied more heavily on GP40-2's than other models so wanted to beef up my fleet. Interestingly, one of the versions offered #3113, (which piloted an Amtrak CZ train I road 30 years ago) comes from a group of 3 GP40-2's Rio Grande bought that were equippped with exhaused silencers on the roof. They were #3113, 3114 and 3115.
Athearn recently released their latest run of Genesis D&RGW GP40-2's. They are real nice and the division of the D&RGW I plan to model relied more heavily on GP40-2's than other models so wanted to beef up my fleet.
Interestingly, one of the versions offered #3113, (which piloted an Amtrak CZ train I road 30 years ago) comes from a group of 3 GP40-2's Rio Grande bought that were equippped with exhaused silencers on the roof. They were #3113, 3114 and 3115.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Track fiddler Don't worry about posting on the wrong thread,
i have done this qhite a bit myself. I usually find it pretty quickly and edit the mistake, and no one needs to know!
It looks like I got behind on being an attentive host. I feel that's important on the Forum here. You'll have to forgive me as yesterday was such a beautiful day after this mean streak of heat. It had to be enjoyed.
Tin Can, I'm not familiar with the M160. But good for you on getting yourself your own Father's Day present You have to treat yourself once in awhile. I hope you get the work done on it soon so you can really enjoy it.
Wolf, So you're a Tim the Toolman Taylor fan too I like Tim Allen. Congrats on your FEF-3. I love getting something in the mail from eBay. It's like opening your own Christmas present. And when they run smooth as silk
Rick, The GP-40-2 is my favorite diesel locomotive hands down. I look forward to seeing the picture of yours.
Dave, Are you going to keep the CP FP9A anyway? What a mix-up. I hope you get your AB mess untangled
REO, Another GP-40-2, ... Love-em. I would like to see those Denver Rio Grande railroad exhaust silencers. That's a new one on me and sparks up my curiosity.
Charles, That ATSF 2-8-2 is sweeeet! and the fact that you Won It, ... even better
Ulrich, I hope you do eventually get back into model railroading when you get into your new home. I know that you really enjoy it. I always like looking at the different locomotives over the pond. That one you posted reminds me of a Contraption off Dr. Seuss or something
Ed, Don't worry about posting on the wrong thread, I have done that before. We're all human and make mistakes. I enjoyed the video anyway so it's all good.
Picked up a Broadway limited nw2 in Southern Pacific with dcc sound for about $100 out the door, looks new but someone did fiddle with the CV's.
[My apologies — wrong thread ]
Speaking of museums, how'd you like to wander round this collection?
I love the British phraseology you get from these films,
"Piston-packing, infernal machine" — "Whirling rags look like Christmas trees on the roundabout" — " "It leaves that trench clean as a guard's whistle".
Lots of neat stuff in this little episode. Enjoy!
Congratulations, Charles! That is an awesome catch!
I am in the exist phase of being a model railroader, but giving up a hobby, which has give me fun, entertainment and joy for nearly 6 decades is impossible. While not being able to be actively building alayout, I got me the following to keepme busy:
Unfortunately, I have to wait for another month to get started on assemblinge the Lego set!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I won this $900 Westside Brass O Scale ATSF 2-8-2 for $265(with free shipping that costed $40!)
Instead of listing it as "Westside O ATSF Santa Fe 2-8-2 Steam Locomotive Engine", it was listed as "SAMHONGSA Oscale Brass Locomotive and Tinder", AND placed in the "HO Scale" section of Ebay. The lights(including markers) and motor all work fine.
I dont model O scale, but this was too good of a deal to pass up. And gosh, I am so tempted to model proto 48 now...It looks stunning!
I'll probably sell it one day, but in the meantime, It's gonna be a display queen
Charles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I bought an InterMountain CP FP9A for a really great price on eBay. The parcel showed up very quickly. Unfortunately the locomotive in the parcel was an F7B. Fortunately the seller still had the A unit so he will ship it to me as soon as he receives the B unit. All's well that ends well!
Just received my Athearn GP40-2's last week, will have pictures in the near future.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Track fiddler Don't forget Tim the Toolman Taylor. "More Power! Ahh-Ahh-Ahh!"
Don't forget Tim the Toolman Taylor. "More Power! Ahh-Ahh-Ahh!"
Now that is funny! I was thinking the same thing, but you beat me to it!
Getting back to the subject at hand, I got a very nice Rivarossi FEF-3 (engine 843) in the mail yesterday that I had bought on ebay. Beautiful engine, runs smooth as silk.
Track fiddlerI can hardly wait to see how many cars these GN F7's pull.
If the track is level, and the freight cars all have Micro-Trains trucks, probably ALL of them!
I have been looking for an accurate model of a Santa Fe motorcar on eBay. Picked up a HO scale M160; as a Father's Day gift for myself. It needs some work, but it will fit in perfectly on my Santa Fe San Saba sub layout (in a perpetual planning stage).
BATMAN I would like to buy two "B" units but my layout is not big enough to need all that power.
I would like to buy two "B" units but my layout is not big enough to need all that power.
Key words Brent "I would like". Come on now! Saying I don't need all that power is like saying I don't need all that air. Don't forget Tim the Toolman Taylor. "More Power! Ahh-Ahh-Ahh!"
Nothing wrong with a Cow, Calf and a Cow. They look good together. It may be different in N scale than HO. In N scale I had no choice, I had to purchase the full meal deal, AB & CD.
I can hardly wait to see how many cars these GN F7's pull.
Larry, Trades are always a hard choice to make. If you are saying you don't know what to do you are probably having some apprehension.
If you know you will like that custom paint SF 2-8-2 better, Go for it. But if your Ohio Central GP7 is like an old friend that you may miss, I would say don't do it. I have regretted getting rid of some of my favorite things over the years. The memories sometimes come back and haunt me
And 6 undecorated Intermountain 40 ft box cars. NICE! I guess we all know what Kevin's going to be doing for a while. Back to his fine tuned craft he's so good at
I just scored six Intermountain Undecorated 12 Panel 40 foot Steel Boxcar kits. These are pretty had to find, and these are very old early run kits when the grab iron molds were still in good shape.
I paid about $15.00 each for them, so the price was right as well.
I am happy with these.
While I haven't closed the deal I can trade my P2K Ohio Central GP7 for a custom painted SunSet Models Santa Fe 2-8-2.
I'm not sure what to do.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
My newest stuff are the two FP7s and a little earlier were the two Hudsons. I am just waiting for a "B" unit to show up to stick between the "A" units. I would like to buy two "B" units but my layout is not big enough to need all that power.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I thought I'd dig up an old bone to see if you guys have gotten any cool train stuff lately.
I really like my stainless steel Silver Streak.
I know Dave got a Hudson I haven't seen yet and I think Brent got a couple of Canadian F units of some kind recently.
Show us your newer train stuff
I got a great goodie in the mail today.
.
This is the "Master Basing Kit" by Gale Force 9. It is intended for wargaming, but is a great thing for model railroaders, especially with smaller layouts.
It contains 20 small plastic "tins" with different scenic textures. This is perfect for adding variety and textures to small scenes.
I just stole this on on eBay for about 15% of the list price. Three of the tins have been opened already, but you cannot tell if any contents are missing. It was listed as "used", and no one bid against me. It is 100% in like-new condition.
I cannot wait to use some of these flockings on my layout segment I am working on.
Very nice work Wayne.
Thanks for posting. I always do enjoy your examples of fine craftsmanship. Perfect amount of weathering in my opinion. Not overdone and not under done
I tried to take a well-deserved nap with Judy before planning anything else today in Nevada. That didn't fly.
I looked up something to do Railroad orientated and found the NNR. Nevada Northern Railway. Unfortunately it's 245 miles north of here in Ely Nevada. That would be my good goody for this trip down here but not 500 miles of traveling round trip for a train ride.
My Judy is so supportive she was all with me, willing to rent a car and go do it. She had fun at the last train ride in Osceola Wisconsin.
After reading further, the sight continued to say it's on the most lonely Highway in North America.
115° on the most loneliest Highway in North America. Ahhh No. I don't think that would be such a good idea. I learned my last lesson, late in life in the Ozark Mountains on Christmas Day. Maybe some other time in the winter months.
Still no good goodies for me lately..... one will come round.
Track fiddlerAre Athearn Blue Box undecorated boxcars pretty decent?
I think that they're at least a good starting point. Here are a couple that I did for friends (decals are from Speedwitch Media, done for the Seaboard Historical Society)...
This one (and seven others) started out as Athearn Blue Box boxcars...
...but all got new ends and doors (Tichy), new underbodies (Central Valley), new roofs (Des Plaines Hobbies), and I removed about 1' (HO) of height from just below the rivet strip at the cars' eaves, also adding the drop-type sidesills.I also removed the cast-on ladders and grabirons, replacing them with free-standing parts. Oh, yeah, and the National B-1 trucks are from Walthers. Custom lettering is C-D-S dry transfers.
This 50' automobile car, with dry transfer lettering from C-D-S, is also Athearn Blue Box...
...but with a little modification...
...and new paint and lettering...
...turned into a pretty-decent representation of a prototype built by General American in 1936.
Lots of those shake-the-box kits provide a good starting point for kitbashing into cars representing actual prototypes, like these re-worked Train Miniature cars. All were done to match photos of real cars. Lettering is mostly C-D-S dry tranfers, but with some decals from Champ, too...
This one's from MDC/Roundhouse, and with a modified underbody and scratchbuilt Hutchins ends, is a good representation of Southern's SU class boxcars...
...there were almost 15,000 of the real ones built.
Another of my favourites from MDC is their covered hopper. While these cars were a little on the clunky side as far as detailing was concerned, replacing the round roof hatches and outlet gates on the hoppers with ones from Bowser, along with the roofwalk and overly-thick moulded-on grabirons, can yield a pretty decent-looking car, even when it doesn't necessarily represent an actual prototype...
Wayne
Gotcha
I don't have any yet (Athearn Blue box undecorated) but I know where they are. I'll send a couple your way next time I get over there. I think these would be more useful to you than just sitting where they are. I know you're a giving sort of guy and could put them to better use.
For my own layout, my freight cars all must have high detail, and for the most part, be fully assembled by me. These resin kits from Yarmouth, Westerfield, Smokey Valley, Funaro & Camerlengo, etc, all supply me with hours of enjoyment. I get unique cars, like the VALLEY TERMINAL boxcar, and have fun along the way.
I have built dozens of Blue Box Athearn cars to test paint schemes and to give away to other hobbiests.
Old Athearn kits have decent detail and are reliable runners with Kadee couplers, trucks, and wheels installed.
Nice..... I don't know anyting about those kits you Illustrated but they look decent. It's always nice to have a project to look forward to sitting on the back burner waiting for you.
Are Athearn Blue Box undecorated boxcars pretty decent?
Track fiddlerThis was priceless. I always laughed at the Jack Link's beef jerky commercials with the Sasquatch. He was always mean on TV. He was nice at the Menards train show in Eau Claire Wisconsin this last weekend.
Somwhere I have a picture of myself with JJ Hightail from the Direct Insurance Ads. Cool picture.
FINALLY, my two boxcar kits from Yarmouth Model Works arrived! These are beautiful resin kits that I cannot wait to assemble... I really need more time.
This is what the final kits will look like. Of course, mine will have different roadnames and paint schemes.
Ed. I have a detail sander sander that I use a lot in the construction business. I like it. Let me know how the micro one works.
Dave Those lipped drill bits do a really decent job, not quite as precision as a forstner bit but they definitely drill a faster hole.
I have bought something really good lately at the recent train show but I can't post it tonight. I will catch up with you guys later.
This was priceless. I always laughed at the Jack Link's beef jerky commercials with the Sasquatch. He was always mean on TV. He was nice at the Menards train show in Eau Claire Wisconsin this last weekend.
I had to get my picture taken with him........ this is my new good goody lately.
This guy was huge, those are his real eyes. He was bending over to accommodate me with a picture.
Don't Mess With Sasquatch
My latest "must-have" power tool
I have a few cars that will need to have the ladders and grab irons removed. In anticipation of this I decided that I needed a "pen sander" to get into tight areas. Haven't tried it yet but it looks promising:
Pen-sander1 by Edmund, on Flickr
It came with a few sheets of die-cut sticky-back abrasive. I'll make my own sanding pads as those wear out.
Pen-sander2 by Edmund, on Flickr
I did not buy the Proxon power supply as I have a plentiful supply of DC power sources. I'll fit it with a more universal plug.
Pen-sander by Edmund, on Flickr
I wonder if anyone has used an apparatus like this and has any hints?
Got a Samhongsa brass NP coach out of their 1870s era “William Crooks” set on eBay for $35. Hard to believe how low the brass prices are going online these days.
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California.
Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California.
I have been kind of doing the same thing. Only it's been front range or Mckean kits boxcarsand their 2 and three bay center flows. But again only if the price and the shipping costs make sense. Still lots of folks padding the price with shipping on ebay ( enough of this rant ) The neatest goody I have found lately was one of the Athearn bluebox limited run V&O boxcars .
Rob
Yes, I have recently found something 'special', or at least 'useful'. I just bought some specialized brad point drill bits. These are referred to as "lipped" bits.
I needed something to cut clean holes in the masonite control panels that I am building for the club layout. The panels have the track pattern glued onto them using regular printer paper and spray adhesive. Using regular twist drills caused a lot of tearing and damage. The lipped brad point drills cut the holes very cleanly.
Here are the holes drilled with regular twist drills. The drills were sharp:
Here is a sample hole using the lipped brad point drill:
Here is what the bit looks like:
Not cheap, but very effective!
I'm just happier with brass diesels, so...
I bought an Overland C-630M f/p CN.
Also, at the local train store, I picked out a brand new in box, Atlas/Kato yellow box BN C-424 (they still have 4 other brand new yellowbox Atlas Kato C424's), and I'm selling a bunch of other plastic diesels on Ebay.
Although I only had a few fleeting glimpses of Alco Centuries as a child...there's just something about them I think is fascinating, even as compared to much more mechanically successful later motive power.
John
@Track Fiddler, just wait and check on Ebay every once in a while...something will pop up!
PS you can buy a dirty corroded brass engine. Just soak the disassembled parts in salt and vinegar solution for 1 minute, and the brass shines like new!
Good evening.
Honestly, I have no recent purchases to share here. I see some of you guys do though
I had a good Father's Day but I have yet to find my own Father's Day present.
I tried. All this talk of affordable brass got me looking. It seems HO deals are out there you speak of..... N scale..... not so much
This is the only feasible N scale brass locomotive I found. It is a Northern Pacific A5 4-8-4. Oriental Limited is the company that makes it. Unused, undecorated. It is currently on eBay right now.
All this talk of brass, I really want one. If I had one I would not paint or decorate it. I would run it around the track like a gold piece of jewelry on an occasion to enjoy..... but not for $1,000. Ah No.
Kevin, I'm glad you found a good deal on the code 83 buyout you did. I finally decided on my track. ME code 55 with number 6 turnouts where they can be used and fast tracks where they can't. I like the way the Flex track holds its shape.
Another member said they had a good find on some free, old Model Railroader magazines from a Railroad Club. I can relate to that. I got a boatload of them from the Minneapolis Model Railroad Club that moved.
This is my favorite yearly collection. The millennium. I have many more others and my wife said what are you going to do with all these magazines. I asked her what are you going to do with all your collection of your Mardi Gras faces. She smiled and that was the end of that conversation
Thanks TF
rrebell Brass deals are becoming common now, but those prices are below the low end.
Brass deals are becoming common now, but those prices are below the low end.
Of course what I need, DRGW 01400 series cabooses what I need continue to buck that trend.
Last month I was given several complete years of old Model Railroader magazines that were being thrown out by a Model Railroad Club. I consider that a score.
I've won an item or two because the title made eluded common searches.
I finally found a couple of coaches for my Amtrak Sanfrancisco Zephyr. Coaches have been one of the harder item to find. Sleepers seem to be more common for some reason.
SeeYou190 The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
Yeah, the guy clearly didn't know much about model train value - he wanted $90 for a MDC Roundhouse 2-8-0!
That's the trick; you go through seller's items who generally have no idea what they're selling and every once in a blue moon, you'll find something drastically underpriced!
Trainman440I JUST GOT A SUNSET BRASS SANTA FE 2-8-2 #4000 class FOR $150!!
Great find on that one. The title line was very poorly written. I did not find it in my searches, or it would have been mine!
Congratulations.
I JUST GOT A SUNSET BRASS SANTA FE 2-8-2 #4000 class FOR $150!! Runs buttery smooth :DListing
Oh and a dead Hallmark Models MKT 2-8-2 for $50!
Listing.
Sellers who don't know the value of their products on Ebay are the best!
I just stopped in Riverdale Trains in Atlanta, and all his Walthers Code 83 track was half price in clearance.
I scooped all the bridge track pieces.
Not a bad buy $325 is going rate without a bargin buy, got me to looking for a new purchase myself.
Well, as a Father's Day present I bought myself a GEM. Yep, A GEM C&O J-3a 4-8-4 in rough shape. No box, disassembled tender & trucks, trailing & lead trucks loose, pilot and ladders loose and no motor. For a mere $150 I think I can afford a new motor and some screwdriver time and have a pretty nice engine.
oldline1
For Father's Day I ordered myself the last two cars for my IHC Rocky Mountain Rocket set, the Sleeper and Vista Dome.
Might not all be proto, but with my ABA Mantua F7 set it's shaping up to be a pretty good looking budget consist.
I'd buy some triple trucks from micro trains and leave that Center one out of course
Now it's off to wxxk
Track fiddlerThat sinister-looking tender is as long as the locomotive. Good thing they don't have one of those in N scale
You could always kit-bash one of these???
Tender_BnO_crop by Edmund, on Flickr
Look out for that first curve
Good Morning
That Loco is bad-ass Ed. That sinister-looking tender is as long as the locomotive. I guess It isn't running out of energy any time too soon like we all do...... Too Cool
Good thing they don't have one of those in N scale
Do I need another brass engine? Do I already have enough engines? Well, there's no intervention groups in my area so...
BnO_T3t by Edmund, on Flickr
A couple weeks ago there was a discussion here about B&O's T-3t with the l-o-n-g Vanderbilt tender. Darn that Google, if one didn't come up on eBay
BnO_T3tender by Edmund, on Flickr
Still, that tender is a beaut! I just had to have it
Regards, Ed
It's nice to see everyone's finding a lot of good stuff for their layout.
I haven't been the most attentive host lately. Saying I've been busy at work is true but not a good enough excuse, not to make a little bit of time here and there.
I got to admit I'm not real familiar with all the new electronic features available for model railroading today. Always trying to learn.
Glad I paid attention to my Brother when I was young and know how to wire up a layout old school.
Congrats on all your good finds.
doctorwayne riogrande5761 ....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions..... I don't know if it's suitable for your layout's timeframe, but Rapido has recently announced the D&RGW Ski TrainWayne
riogrande5761 ....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions.....
I don't know if it's suitable for your layout's timeframe, but Rapido has recently announced the D&RGW Ski TrainWayne
I'd have to really be living under a rock to not be aware of Jason Shrons big announcement of the Ski Train. I've settled on the 1977-1983 period to focus on, for a number of reasons including freight trains don't look right to me without cabooses. So the I've dodged the Ski Train bullet, as cool as it is.
But part of that annoucement include the later phase F40PH which I've been wanting a high fidelity version so I'm planning on getting at least a pair of them to pull the 1983 Amtrak California Zephyr.
The ex-NP heavyweight coaches that were used during the 1960's and right up to 1988 would be nice to see offered. A company would only have to tool one body to do all 8 heavy weight skit train cars. I have the P-S combine already, and the train was most often pulled by freight diesels.
Track fiddlerThanks again Kevin.
You are quite welcome.
The STRATTON AND GILLETTE has a very long history of interchanging with other railroads all across the USA.
I am glad it is enjoyed.
I received a Great Goody in the mail last week. This has now become my favorite boxcar.
I wasn't able to say before, I have a box car with significant meaning. Now I can because I know the person that put all the time and effort into customizing this one of a kind piece of rolling stock.
Isn't She a Beauty! ..... a one-of-a-kind Treasure of mine.
Thanks again Kevin.
Midwest Northern R.R(Again, I hope the link shows up)
Links are a copy & paste thing, only before you paste, click on the little chain thing on the tool bar, and paste onto that, then click the "OK" button.
Mike.
My You Tube
Midwest Northern R.R Well, I like to play with trains, and electronics! I recently found a $42 Variac, or variable output transformer. (I hope the link shows up) I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it, but if I want to make my Christmas tree brighter, then this is a good Idea! OK OK, I'm also debating on whether or not to begin International Modeling, starting with the British Rail Class 66. I found a N Scale Bardon Aggregates Class 66 on eBay for $93, DCC Ready. (Again, I hope the link shows up) If I were to list all of the things I found, this would take almost a year.
Well, I like to play with trains, and electronics! I recently found a $42 Variac, or variable output transformer.
(I hope the link shows up)
I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it, but if I want to make my Christmas tree brighter, then this is a good Idea!
OK OK, I'm also debating on whether or not to begin International Modeling, starting with the British Rail Class 66.
I found a N Scale Bardon Aggregates Class 66 on eBay for $93, DCC Ready.
(Again, I hope the link shows up)
If I were to list all of the things I found, this would take almost a year.
I may have mentioned this on other threads, but I recently found a nicely built and detailed P2K mathers stock car kit (that was built by a previous owner) for less than $10. Pretty good considering ready to run cars of similar detail go for over $30 today!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
riogrande5761....Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions.....
I Just got a HOn30 Wiseman Model Services static C-16 kit in two days ago! i'm very excited to start working on it. I may convert mine to run on N gauge track
OK, just got a goodie I think. Just starting into DCC and get a Zephyr Xtra with a wifi hook up and a MTH GP35 with proto 3 sound and remote couplers for $200, what you think.
During the last month I picked up the last 4 numbers of the Arrowhead D&RGW 3-bay "committee designed coal cars.
Also found an OOP Tangent NP "Lowey green" baby hi-cube applicance box car.
Since Athearn has now announced the San Francisco Zephyr version of their Genesis Amtrak SDP40F's, I decided I better hunt down some appropriate Amtrak heritage passenger cars in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions. I rode it twice in the mid-1970's and have always wanted to model this train.
Here are the Amtrak passenger cars I have found so far:
-Walthers 73' Budd baggage - Phase 2-Walthers 73' P-S baggage - phase 1-Walthers AC&F baggage dorm - Phase 1-Walthers P-S 6-6-4 sleeper - Phase 1-Walthers AC&F 44 seat coach - Phase 1-Walthers Budd lounge - Phase 1 and Phase 2-Walthers Budd grill diner - Phase 1-Walthers P-S 12 double bedroom sleeper - Phase 1-Walthers Budd 10-6 sleeper - Phase 1-BLI ex-CZ Budd 6-5 sleeper - Phase 1-BLI ex-CZ Budd 10-6 sleeper - Phase 1It will be next year before the Genesis SFZ SDP40F's are out so I'll have time to hunt down a couple more appropriate coachs.
I've been slowly sorting through my freight car roster and "weeding out" or upgrading cars as I find them. A while back I bought a Trix B&O Time-Saver Service box car just to see what they were like.
Turns out they are very nicely detailed with freestanding ladders and grabs, see-through roofwalks and nice brake rigging and trucks.
Only drawback are the NEM couplers mounted on "wishbone" pivots. I have a method for filling in the die-cast floor and mounting a Kadee box and coupler on these underframes.
Trix_PS1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Trix_PS1e by Edmund, on Flickr
I bought a set of three PRR box cars from a seller in Germany. When the cars arrived I discovered that the die-cast floors had suffered zinc rot! The seller refunded my total purchase price and told me to keep the cars.
Trix1 by Edmund, on Flickr
I replaced the underframes on these cars with nearly identical underframes I had on hand from some MTH box cars. Worked out perfectly
Trix_MTH_PS1b by Edmund, on Flickr
As you can see, the MTH underframes are beautifully detailed, the carbodies (Bessemer & Burlington) not so much, BlueBox equivalent.
Recently I found a Florida seller offering a lot of six Trix cars. No one else bid and I got the six cars for under $45 including shipping. Seven-fifty a car? Deal!
Trix_HO1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Happy Shopping! Ed
I'm sorry Mel, I was very hopeful I could help. Hearing what you just said, I'm more sorry with the realization that I can't. I will put you in my prayers.
Kevin it really looks like you made out on those WS figures, what a steal.
If I know you.... will you will be touching up and repainting those. Well hmmm how did I know that?
ATSFGuy I really like the Johnny lightning stuff, your post really takes me back. I had a lot of that stuff in the 70s. I wonder what ever happened to them. I'm glad you could find some.
RR Mel I'm glad you found something that makes your wiring easier. I definitely like easier.
I'm going to go
I read a while ago, your back is giving you a lot of problems. I would like to share something with you if I could Mel.
After 36 years in the construction business, my back being a problem for a lot of years was nothing new.
Besides physical abuse, dehydration has a lot to do with the underlying factors. As we get older we do not have the thirst and do not drink enough water in a day. Coffee, tea, beers, whatever.... does not help this dehydration factor that somehow progresses. Sometimes we never catch up.
When dehydrated your body actually draws fluid from your spinal column to re-direct it where it is needed.
What helped me immensely, about a year ago. I started drinking Pedialyte three times a week. My back pain has gone from painful to somewhat unrecognizable anymore. Sometimes I have an occasional flare up and then I just drink another Pedialyte.
Check it out Mel.... it won't hurt. I just hope it can work for you, like it worked for me.
Back on subject. I haven't got anything new lately it's still fun seeing somebody else getting new things though
I found some more items on evilbay;
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Johnny Lightning 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Classic Gold Release 1 1998
Johnny Lightning 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Classic Gold Release 3 1998
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HO Scale Red Caboose Boxcar Wooden Airbrake 27 (T&P had cabooses like this)
I call these "Homebuilt Cabooses" since they appear to have been converted from a boxcar.
I've recently gotten (some have not arrived in the mail yet!) a Bachmann F9 a Model Power 40' Santa Fe Boxcar and a ConCor Grain Hopper, (the latter 3 are N scale) boguht at a Hobby Shop in my area plus I am getting a few Tri-ang items in the mail, coming from the UK a Tri-ang Hornby R.159 Double eneded Victorian Railways Diesel in shabby condition completly re-painted by the previous owner, an observation car and a caboose (Also by Tri-ang, but before they bought out Hornby Dublo) from the 1950s...
I really got lucky with this one.
On eBay I found a guy selling "12 Woodland Scenics Figures", but his picture only showed one pack of figures. The text description said there were twelve packs of figures.
No one bid, so I bid 9.99 and won the auction with 5.00 shipping.
When they arrived, it was 12 unopened packs of figures, all for 15.00 total. This was a good score.
I had fun at the train show yesterday. Looks like you found some nice scores rrebell and irishRR.
Dave I had a similar find. A Micro-Trains Empire Builder 83' heavyweight 5 car set with an 83-foot Glacier add-on. All body mount couplers
Not a very good picture, the plastic cover is cloudy, brand-new though. I also found a sister DWP with different numbers. These are hard to find, I've been looking a long time. I really like the American Transit car and I found a DMIR for my grain elevator.
Thanks for looking. TF
Oops I need to learn my Hopper discharge gates. After researching a little bit, maybe only 4 Bay Hoppers were used for grain.
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
I get more good deals and rairly a bad one. Just got a partial case of encased 1" speakers (87) and 4 sound decoders (soundtraxx), two cheap decoders and a bunch of other stuff (all new) for around $50. Looks like leftovers from someone who installed for others due to the mix.
I too must admit I have a bit of an addiction.... a guilty pleasure if you will. Even though I do not need any more locomotives or rolling stock at this time, I find myself surfing Ebay looking for a rare opportunity.
Today I was scanning and came across an auction that was ending in a few minutes. The bids were few and it seemed too good to be true. So at the last minute I threw out a number (yes, I am that guy... a bid sniper), and I could not believe I won. I landed an N scale Kato EMD F40PH phase 3 Amtrak with factory installed DCC brand new and unopened... for $76.00! Retail on this puppy is $185! Score! I can't wait to get it introduced to the fleet and have her running passenger service.
I have had some bad purchases on Ebay, but I think I finally found a diamond in the rough. Cheers!
I thought Shinnohara was making code 83 under their own label also untill closing shop.
rrebellYou know I wouldn't have beleive how much the old code 83 go for as I use code 70 and can alway find them for under $10, new in box even, but I looked them up, rare and pricey.
It is especially difficult for me because I am insisting on using the old solid metal "non-DCC" switches. These have been out of production for around 20 years.
Finding a stash of #4s mint in the box was astounding.
mbinsewi It does seem like anything painted for the "J" gets a good price.
It really does. I have a theory that there's enough affordable rolling stock to get someone started, but when you want to diversify or get an engine there's alot less to be had at the mid-lower end of the market.
A buddy is building an SD38 for me now (Athearn parts and RPP shell). When he's done he'll send it to me and I'll paint and decal it for the "J". With an SD38 and an SD9 I figure I'll have two of the more iconic EJ&E locos of types that ran through my era.
gmpullman Always on the lookout for a deal. I came across this lot of six Trix HO cars on the eBay. I think many modelers don't consider them worthwhile. I remove the NEM coupler system and enjoy them on my layout. I was ready to go up to $20/car. There were only four or five other bids and I was pleasantly surprised when the whole lot went for $30.00 + $15 shipping $7.50 per car! Trix cars are not quite up to Kadee standards but are in the class of, say Intermountain or Proto 2000.
Always on the lookout for a deal. I came across this lot of six Trix HO cars on the eBay. I think many modelers don't consider them worthwhile. I remove the NEM coupler system and enjoy them on my layout.
I was ready to go up to $20/car. There were only four or five other bids and I was pleasantly surprised when the whole lot went for $30.00 + $15 shipping
$7.50 per car! Trix cars are not quite up to Kadee standards but are in the class of, say Intermountain or Proto 2000.
I do that too Ed. I used to avoid subpar rolling stock like the plague. I would only buy micro-trains and sometimes Atlas.
At times, there's such a good deal or you find one that is so rare you will never find it anywhere else.
I figure why not, just switch out the trucks with MTL and then you have a car that performs like a champion as well as micro-trains
I really like this Great Northern and have never seen it anywhere else under any other brand. $8 free shipping.
It's Model Power. After the new MTL truck's installed, it won't be Model Power anymore
It does seem like anything painted for the "J" gets a good price.
I've watched a few, too. Since I have the WC, CN, I've wanted at least one loco for the "J".
My latest deal just arrived.
A blue box SD9 that someone had painted and lettered for EJ&E. Nothing fancy, but nicely done. These seem to shoot out of my price range whenever they go up for sale, so getting this one for near opening price was quite a surprise.
As I mentioned earlier I grew up a few blocks from the EJ&E line and though I've got a fair number of cars, this is my first EJ&E loco. It's got a bit of the BB growl, but no grinding and it's the later dual brass flywheel mechanism so it moves quite smooth.
They were just shipped this morning. Here's another photo of Trix car before I reconfigured the coupler:
Trix_PS1e by Edmund, on Flicker
As far as flat files, my ex is an architect. When she moved out I took over the "studio" for my model workroom. I had hand-built some print drawers that are perfect for rolling stock! What a bonus! She left me her big, heavy drafting table for my work bench, too
The GE plant I retired from closed shortly after I left. There were dozens of huge flat files there in the engineering/drafting department. I brought two home and since gave them away. The rest went into the scrap dumpster . What a waste.
Thank You, Ed
You know I wouldn't have beleive how much the old code 83 go for as I use code 70 and can alway find them for under $10, new in box even, but I looked them up, rare and pricey.
Woo Hoo! I am on a roll!
I just nailed down four Shinohara #4 code 83 turnouts with the old style solid metal frogs! These treasures are factory mint and in perfect condition. I have been hoping to find these for a couple of years, and they are just about impossible to locate. I previously bought the only one that has showed up on eBay in a long time.
I found these four at Blue Ox Trains in Roswell, Georgia today.
Crazy... I also found these four neat flat car loads for $6.00 each.
SeeYou190 Those are just "flat files" for storage of artist prints or blueprints. They are really not very well suited for model trains, unless you just want to store your collection. I would never use one for my equipment. I have a friend that has two of them filled with BATTLEFOAM custom cut foam trays for storing his wargaming figures, and THAT is impressive, but way out of my price range. Wargamers love flat files because not only are they good for protectingthe collection, but they also make a sturdy foundation for your gaming table. I cannot justify $1,000.00 in custom cut foam for my army men. My army men are stored in plastic boxes, poor guys. Flat files are too deep front to back to fit under most layouts. They are usually 36 to 42 inches front to back. Also, the shallow drawer height forces you to store HO equipment on the side, which is bad for well detailed equipment. Flat files also rarely have roller slides, unless you are willing to spend over $1,000.00 per base unit. This means your equipment is getting jostled everytime you open of close a drawer. Also, the drawers are so shallow that you cannot even put a foam liner on the bottom of the drawer. The flat files I have seen will barely clear an HO car on the side. If your equipment rocks when you open the drawer, it could jamb against the drawer above. Ouch. I will build inserts for my cabinet to hold the equipment on a 15 degree angle to one side to allow easy loading and unloading, less rolling, and reduced potential for equipment damage. . If you have room for flat files (remember, it also requires over 36" in front clearance to also get the drawer open), and you just run freight cars with molded on detail, then they might work OK for you. . Used flat files tend to sell really cheap. Since no one stores paper blue prints any longer, there sure is a glut in the market. There was an industrial building in Tallahassee that must have had 100 of them and sold them for $300.00 each last year.
Those are just "flat files" for storage of artist prints or blueprints. They are really not very well suited for model trains, unless you just want to store your collection. I would never use one for my equipment.
I have a friend that has two of them filled with BATTLEFOAM custom cut foam trays for storing his wargaming figures, and THAT is impressive, but way out of my price range. Wargamers love flat files because not only are they good for protectingthe collection, but they also make a sturdy foundation for your gaming table. I cannot justify $1,000.00 in custom cut foam for my army men. My army men are stored in plastic boxes, poor guys.
Flat files are too deep front to back to fit under most layouts. They are usually 36 to 42 inches front to back. Also, the shallow drawer height forces you to store HO equipment on the side, which is bad for well detailed equipment.
Flat files also rarely have roller slides, unless you are willing to spend over $1,000.00 per base unit. This means your equipment is getting jostled everytime you open of close a drawer.
Also, the drawers are so shallow that you cannot even put a foam liner on the bottom of the drawer. The flat files I have seen will barely clear an HO car on the side. If your equipment rocks when you open the drawer, it could jamb against the drawer above. Ouch.
I will build inserts for my cabinet to hold the equipment on a 15 degree angle to one side to allow easy loading and unloading, less rolling, and reduced potential for equipment damage.
If you have room for flat files (remember, it also requires over 36" in front clearance to also get the drawer open), and you just run freight cars with molded on detail, then they might work OK for you.
Used flat files tend to sell really cheap. Since no one stores paper blue prints any longer, there sure is a glut in the market. There was an industrial building in Tallahassee that must have had 100 of them and sold them for $300.00 each last year.
I recently picked up a Bowser Bluffalo Creek 40' boxcar and a West India Fruit & Steamship 40' boxcar with car ferry logo.
These have always been among my favorite 40' boxcar road names.
mbinsewiI've come up with my own version of the true sander, by using adhesive spray to stick a sheet of sandpaper on to a flat piece of plywood, and then by using a piece of 2x4 for a "fence" or a guide for holding pieces you want to sand, at 90 degrees to the sandpaper.
I also have been using a home made version for quite a long time. The NWSL tool offers a lot of versatility, and I wanted to get one before they became too difficult to source.
I've come up with my own version of the true sander, by using adhesive spray to stick a sheet of sandpaper on to a flat piece of plywood, and then by using a piece of 2x4 for a "fence" or a guide for holding pieces you want to sand, at 90 degrees to the sandpaper.
I put together a few DPM kits, and they reccomend that to square up the edges, as they are on a slight bevel, from the factory.
I've used it on other projects, as well, to get as close to a square matting surface, or edge, as I can.
I also have a block of 2x4 with a 45 degree angle, and I use it the same way as the 90 degree, for making mitered corners.
SeeYou190 I scored two NWSL tools I have been wanting yesterday, the Puller and the True Sander. . I also picked up a few miscellaneous metric bolts and such. . These will only get harder to find. . . -Kevin .
I scored two NWSL tools I have been wanting yesterday, the Puller and the True Sander.
I also picked up a few miscellaneous metric bolts and such.
These will only get harder to find.
Just came in today. eBay again. I'm not in denial, I do seem to have a little bit of an over buying problem.
How can you find a more handsome boxcar than this. This is the problem with me, I keep finding more favorites.
Again repainted after the transformation era.
I am going to have to get the Burlington Northern's that ran a block down from where I grew up. They will do a great job pulling these fine looking box cars that are out of my transitional era
riogrande5761 I prefer to try to get models that match the real thing wherever possible, especially since I don't have unlimited funds.
I prefer to try to get models that match the real thing wherever possible, especially since I don't have unlimited funds.
I have quite a few online resources that I use to check for authenticity. I have found too many cars over the years that weren't right. However, I did find a model that I had never seen before that is accurate and I bought it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-Athearn-NP-dbl-dr-40-boxcar-NIB-Northern-Pacific/254172836927?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 While I couldn't find any online pictures of this car series, I did find two in a book that I have (NP Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment by Todd Sullivan published by Morning Sun Books in 1995.). I do plan to renumber the car as the number on the car was a car that was returned off lease enough before the era I model that it wouldn't work.
About a year ago or so, I also found two sets of three heavy duty shelf units for a very cheap price. ($5 per set or something like that. I was able to turn those 2 3-shelf units into 3 2-shelf units and use them to store all my rolling stock on underneath my new layout. (Makes them a lot easier to find.)
Your problem is a good one Kevin. I wish I had your problem. I don't believe your files of abundance will ever be a problem to you.
They are of good use, in good hands. I have seen the work you do. I always appreciate a Craftsman
mbinsewiI guess Kevin is really offended by "flat files", and that's as far "psychological" as we need to get.
I am surely not offended by flat files!
They are the A+ #1 solution for holding mass amounts of wargaming figures, drawings, machinist tools, etc.
I just was pointing out that are not perfectly practical for HO scale freight car storage, especially if they are going to be underneath the layout. Before hunting one down, be aware that there might be better options.
mbinsewiI made some "built-in" drawers under my lay out for storage.
That looks like a well built better solution right there.
rrebellthis is just normal banter. We always say someone has a problem when someone has too much of something logicly speaking,
I have too many decals, way past the 2,000 point already. Yes, I have a problem!
Thanks!
nice work
Nope, nope nope, we don't need any more "psychological reason" for a thread on finding stuff you think is cool.
It's already turned in that direction, don't need any more.
I guess Kevin is really offended by "flat files", and that's as far "psychological" as we need to get.
I made some "built-in" drawers under my lay out for storage.
But I digress, back to finding cool stuff for your lay out.
riogrande5761 SeeYou190 Those are just "flat files" for storage of artist prints or blueprints. They are really not very well suited for model trains, unless you just want to store your collection. I would never use one for my equipment. Hello. That is what he is using them for; store his collection. I guess you can agree to disagree with Mr. 12bridge on these. They sure look good to me. If you need to store 2,000 freight cars in flat files, you probably have a problem. Who are you to be judge and jury for someone if they want to store 2000 cars? I'd say the problem lies elsewhere - ahem. Gotta love this hobby. Topic is gone "south" and I don't mean geographically.
SeeYou190 Those are just "flat files" for storage of artist prints or blueprints. They are really not very well suited for model trains, unless you just want to store your collection. I would never use one for my equipment.
Hello. That is what he is using them for; store his collection. I guess you can agree to disagree with Mr. 12bridge on these. They sure look good to me.
If you need to store 2,000 freight cars in flat files, you probably have a problem.
Who are you to be judge and jury for someone if they want to store 2000 cars? I'd say the problem lies elsewhere - ahem.
Gotta love this hobby. Topic is gone "south" and I don't mean geographically.
SeeYou190Those are just "flat files" for storage of artist prints or blueprints. They are really not very well suited for model trains, unless you just want to store your collection. I would never use one for my equipment.
riogrande5761Speaking of drawer cabinets, check out the metal cabinets this guy posted in the Sunday Photo Fun topic in the link below! Makes everything else look like child's play.
The cabinet I found is absolutely perfect for my needs. It will fit nicely into the space available, and will hold my treasured custom detailed/painted equipment safely for going on and off of the car float.
Nice scores, guys! Helps to know I'm not the only one who gets this stoked.
Well, I just picked off a "lot" sale of MEW (Model Engineering Works) 44 tonners on the 'bay. 44 tonners are my fave loco! Many of these are unassembled brand new still. Maybe I should hold off saying how many or how much. You'll think I'm nuts. I REALLY wanted this bunch and bid accordingly.
Watching it close in the last minutes, I was more nervous than usual on these things, and hiding it. I was sitting there quiet in a chair, but inside I was jumping all up and down. So, it's sitting there, way cheap... Finally, Five seconds. 4, 3, 2--- then, predictably, the snipers hit; Bam-BAM!!! BOY did it Jack! But, my number was higher. I Won, and by a safe margin. (I Hope it wasn't any of you guys)
Only THEN did I go grovelling to my wife about-what-I-done, after the fact. Something I don't do. "Hi Hun-ney"...
She was pretty OK actually, but said please do check with her beforehand on things like this. (She keeps the books in order)
But, Hey, final price per unit is about what ya pay for an old BB Athearn freight car. They're OLD school. I'll enjoy tinkering with them. They're all metal construction except electric insulation. I saw no signs of Zinc rot. Dan
Similar to some blueprint storage cabinets, too.
riogrande5761They look like map cabinets from my days working at the geologic survey.
Print (drawing) Files.
Speaking of drawer cabinets, check out the metal cabinets this guy posted in the Sunday Photo Fun topic in the link below! Makes everything else look like child's play. He estimates between the three of the can store 2000 train cars. That's serious storage! They look like map cabinets from my days working at the geologic survey.
http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/7458/sunday-photo-fun-april-2019
I wasn't sure what he was talking about. Maybe your freight cars? I donno! ?
"What make are they"
Since he didn't quote to anything, he could have been talking about anything in this thread.
Both Kevin's file cabinet and your chest of drawers are great!
dh28473 What make are they
What make are they
Comment on something earlier but forgot to state I picked up a Westside Model class A climax, vertical boiler for $225 out the door, they ussually go for alot more, mint in box by the way.
SeeYou190 I just nailed down one of the ultimate finds for myself. . I found this cabinet in an "antique" store in Monroe, Georgia today. . It has six drawers that are divided into five sections. It is 34 inches tall, 30 inches deep, and 26 inches wide. It is the perfect size to fit under my layout beneath the waterfront section. I am going to use it to rotate out the cars to and from the car float. Each drawer is the perfect size to hold one set of cars for the car float. . All I need to do is add appropriate foam cradles to the drawers. . This cabinet is seriously overbuilt and heavy, just the way I like things. The whole assembly weighs a little over 300 pounds. Each drawer weighs 25 pounds. The rollers are actual steel ball bearings. It will surely last forever. . It even has those great double-extension drawer slides so you can use 100% of the drawer depth from front to back. . What a score! Perfection! . . . -Kevin .
I just nailed down one of the ultimate finds for myself.
I found this cabinet in an "antique" store in Monroe, Georgia today.
It has six drawers that are divided into five sections. It is 34 inches tall, 30 inches deep, and 26 inches wide. It is the perfect size to fit under my layout beneath the waterfront section. I am going to use it to rotate out the cars to and from the car float. Each drawer is the perfect size to hold one set of cars for the car float.
All I need to do is add appropriate foam cradles to the drawers.
This cabinet is seriously overbuilt and heavy, just the way I like things. The whole assembly weighs a little over 300 pounds. Each drawer weighs 25 pounds. The rollers are actual steel ball bearings. It will surely last forever.
It even has those great double-extension drawer slides so you can use 100% of the drawer depth from front to back.
What a score! Perfection!
That is a fantastic find! I found a map/art chest on our valentines weekend in Kalamazoo. It's not nearly as sturdy or impressive as that one, but the drawers are perfect for HO stuff stored on it's side.
Blogged it here: https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/2019/02/organization-architects-cabinet-for.html
As purchasing "for myself" in general, I'm a bargain basement buyer so while I do mostly stick to my lines and era nearly all my railroading purchases are something "colorful, unique or at a price you just can't refuse."
Timonium MD spring show was over last weekend. Picked up the following:
- Tangent blue Rock Island 4750 hopper, long OOP.
- Accurail 40' green Penn Central boxcar with ACI and COTS added nicely
- 40' Athearn PFE trailer, apparently the only paint scheme actually correct for it
- Atlas Georgia Pacific 50' plug door box car (when visiting nearby MBK; they only charged me $16 show day discount).
- Green cutting board
Now that I work at the hobby shop, I see many great items come and go each week. Picked up this lovely brass Overland CP wide-vision caboose. great detail!
jk10 A local artist who does drawings of local depots had prints for a few towns I've lived in and where I grew up, those I'm looking forward to getting framed and hung on the wall sometime in the future.
A local artist who does drawings of local depots had prints for a few towns I've lived in and where I grew up, those I'm looking forward to getting framed and hung on the wall sometime in the future.
Nice jk 10.... If your local to my neck of the woods, I could pretty safely venture to say you bought art from John Cartwright. I know John Cartwright well.
We talk at the shows all the time. Great guy. I am waiting for him to finish the Orr Depot, Orr Minnesota. Anticipation is going on a couple years here
I went to the Decatur Train Fair yesterday with a few years worth of bonus cash saved, and came out with some good stuff! What I brought home this time:
Rivarossi GN 2-8-2, near mint in the boxRivarossi GN passenger carsTenshodo GP7Hobbytown chassis kitMantua USRA 4-6-2 kit (original all metal with "power drive")P2K SW9 shellKato N gauge Unitrack kitKato N scale EF57Athearn 89' high cube boxcarLionel type V transformer20 pair box of Kadee #5s
I have a few N scale trains, so I thought I'd put together a small 2' x 4' layout with a simple loop of track. I'm also working on a 3-track 4' x 8' O gauge layout, which will be collapsable into two sections for storage, so the type V transformer with 4 separate controls will do great for that! And I'll of course have some work to do with those other kits, but that Rivarossi 2-8-2 was smooth as silk with nothing more than a little fresh oil!
_________________________________________________________________
emdmike Hit some big jackpots at the train show ... I found this PFM/GOM DRGW Caboose for $18!!! Mike the Aspie
Hit some big jackpots at the train show ... I found this PFM/GOM DRGW Caboose for $18!!! Mike the Aspie
Eighteen is a good price for a brass caboose but an educated guess, it was so cheap because unforunately the GOM D&RGW caboose is a bit of a foobie.
I owned one once and discovered they got the windows completely wrong on once side - which should be off-set from the other side rather than mirror image. Since, for me anyway, the holy grail was to have correct D&RGW cabooses so I sold mine and shopped for the Overland version, doesn't have that same major mistake with the side windows.
riogrande I appreciate the data table you provided for the gold and silver Rio Grande boxcar I posted. I can see the data on what you're saying is true.
The thing I like about micro-trains is they give information on each car they sell. Rio Grande repainted this car in 1959 according to MTL. The first two numbers coincide with the bottom numbers on the chart you provided.
The same car could have fit into the transformation era I'm modeling before it was repainted, but it doesn't now I got to admit I end up with a few of these.
Beware of Rio Grande box cars on Ebay. Many models don't match any the D&RGW actually had. Every now and then I buy stuff on impulse because they are shiney and sometimes I end up with foobies that way.
According to Jim Eagers book and the RGM&HS (see link below), D&RGW leased 350 second hand (ex-NH?) PS-1 40 box cars in 1966. They were all painted brown as far as I can tell:
https://www.rgmhs.org/data/freight/1993/boxcars.html
All the photo's on RR-fallenflags are brown. I prefer to try to get models that match the real thing wherever possible, especially since I don't have unlimited funds. Of course Of course YMMV.
I didn't have the right word terminology when I have tried to look this boxcar thing up in the past. Thanks Mike
A new boxcar recruit came in on Saturday. This is the problem with me and eBay sometimes. I keep finding new favorites This one doesn't come around very often and when it does they try to charge way too much. So it took me awhile to finally get this one.
Simon, that's a great undecorated steamer for your birthday on the turntable. What road name are you eventually going to put on it?
Mike, I like the Illinois Central Loco and the Rio Grande caboose.
Lone Wolf. I did find your box cars, most of them on eBay in N-Scale. Some unique boxcars. A more modern era than I am modeling but still cool though.
There's videos out there, and there is a guide to loading and unloading "closed car lumber loads", and the lumber is not stacked in the staggered configuration that Lone Wolf's box cars are.
The forks have complete access to stacks just inside the doors. Do a search for closed car lumber loading", you'll see what I mean.
Banded stacks of lumber loaded and unloaded from boxcars is a huge subject of Interest to me. I hope one day someone here posts pictures or a video on how they did it.
For years I have often wondered but have not had a clue on how this is done. Sure would be interesting.
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe
I'd like to see a prototype photo of lumber loaded that way. Looks impossible to me.
My friend found me Intermountain autoracks for $25.00. They
are selling on Ebay for $125.00. I could only buy two. I think they
might be on Ebay as I write this post for $116.00.
SouthgateLone wolf, I live in Bend OR, just a few miles from Prineville. As it says right on the boxcar, the City of Prineville owns it's own railroad. I see those cars around here.
That's cool you get to see those cars. I love them because I used to live in Portland when I was a kid and it reminds me of it. They also give a distinct feel of where they come from and what is loaded in them. When I see them on my southern California layout I know that they are full of lumber from Oregon or northern California.
Off topic: A girl I knew from school lives in Bend and she loves it there. Also I just read that the only remaining Blockbuster Video store is in Bend.
Last month at the Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club's show, my best find was an Overland Models C&O G-9 2-8-0 that the owner was selling for well under $200-- probably less than he'd paid for it in 1979, or about a quarter to one third of what they've been going for on eBay recently.
I've always thought that the G-9 had character, even if it was never used on the line I model in Michigan-- it is one of those models I've liked, but couldn't justify spending the going rate on. For the asking price, however, it went home with me. Now it's in line for a paint job and a sound decoder, behind the power I'm working on for the home road.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
Hit some big jackpots at the train show at the Urbana, IL Lincoln Square Mall today. First up was a unrun, factory painted/lighted Overland Models IC SD70 for $200! Then, a couple hours later(our large scale group was running G scale live steam there so I was there all day) I found this PFM/GOM DRGW Caboose for $18!!! Right at the end of the show, this book covering the first 10 years of Overland Models for $40. Combined with running my live steam locomotives today, it was a wonderful day! Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
MisterBeasley A new house with a big train room? We were looking at real estate today and are down to two. I haven't seen my trains for a year and a half. Can't wait.
A new house with a big train room? We were looking at real estate today and are down to two.
I haven't seen my trains for a year and a half. Can't wait.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and my wife gave me money to buy a loco, as she does every year. I found the following Mike on Ebay, a loco I have been looking for to complete my roster. It's an Oriental Powerhouse, and it runs like silk. I knew I had to change the tender, based on the reviews I had read. Found one only a few days later on Ebay for a very reasonable cost. I put a decoder and a LED headlamp in it, it just needs a new coat of paint, and the CN logo... Simon
20190330_115910 by Flickr" alt="" />
SeeYou190 Yes, but not for a few years. . -Kevin .
Yes, but not for a few years.
I'm patient. I'll be here to see that one down the road. The infamous back burner I call it.
I hope you get that running Dan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you
This was one of my better finds at the Great Railroad Show in Shakopee, last November 3rd.
I was helping Gary (our railroad club host) run his booth. Of course I take periodic breaks and go buy a bunch of rolling stock. When I return, I always sport what I found.
Towards the end of the show I come back with one of these.
Gary says where did you find that. I said, that booth right over there. He says, that is the number one Great Northern circus car which is the most rare. What did you pay for it. I said $8 and they had another one. He said you better go get that one too. I went back over there at a high speed pace, like a dog playing fetch.
Since then, I've seen these cars go for $69.95 as a pretty usual price, when you are lucky enough to find one. I have seen bidding wars where they have gone for $170.
Right now there is one selling for $44. It's worth it. I was tempted but I have two. I'm not one to get too greedy.
Track fiddlerThat brass steam locomotive is a beauty Kevin. Are you going to do your Stratton and Gillette magic to it?
I am working on the freight car fleet right now, layout comes next, then all the locomotiove projects.
Lone wolf, I live in Bend OR, just a few miles from Prineville. As it says right on the boxcar, the City of Prineville owns it's own railroad. I see those cars around here.
My goodie? Well, the "falling price of brass" thread made me take a gander on ebay. Yup, I fell into the trap. a "Brand new" RS 1, but it "will not run". That tells me the lube in the gears is probably thick gum or worse. Motor is probably the same. I deliberated, and watched a couple RSD 4s to see what they'd close for. Not the same creature, but close enough for comparisons.
When they went pretty high, I decided to pull the trigger. I got it for 2/3 the retail price still marked on the box, plus shipping.
I took the risk, figuring a good cleaning and lube should do it. And, if it can't be made to run well enough, I have a sweet running Kato RS 1 I got CHEAP cuz it was missing a few deatil parts. I'll swap that in if needed. Dan
riogrande5761 My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 box cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics. Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Lately I have been hoarding all of the Athearn blue box modern 50 double door box cars I find at affordable prices on eBay. I have bought nine this month. They are mostly shortlines from northern California and Oregon, also Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Burlington Northern. I use them to haul lumber from the Pacific northwest down to southern California. Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as this Lake Tahoe box car: or the Atlas version of the Prineville car above, and McLoud River and similar cars.
My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 box cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics.
Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as this Lake Tahoe box car:
or the Atlas version of the Prineville car above, and McLoud River and similar cars.
The newer cars are nice. I already had several of the blue box cars in my collection. I was just adding to it. I have been collecting them since the 90s and wanted more before they all disappear.
mbinsewiC&NW had something, I believe called the Falcon Service?
Russell
Track fiddlerMike, I never seen a bird of prey on a Chicago Northwestern locomotive.... Cool!
Not sure what that's about, C&NW had something, I believe called the Falcon Service? I dunno. That's the only picture I could find without stepping on someones precious copyright. (I think it's all gone to far) As if I'm going to make money posting a picture.
That's not what I got, mine is painted for the UP, but that will change. Shell will get striped of paint.
It arrived today, by the way, and it runs perfect, just like a Kato should. And for the price I scored at at, WOW.
Now I can order the Kaslo "4 window" cab, and let the bashing and hacking begin!
My latest find is an Overland brass D&RGW 1500 International Extended Vision caboose for $95. I was surprised I didn't get any competition for it on Ebay as those and the 01400 series cabooses cars usually sell at minimum for $160 and up. I ships out Monday so don't have it for pics.
Since I model late 1970's I have also been collecting the short line per diem box cars and lumber cars but since I've been spoiled by the newer more detailed versions they've been either the Athearn upgraded RTR versions such as the Lake Tahoe box car.
Some nice-looking finds here.
George The cars look pretty realistic in their setting. Great job.
The road name on that orange boxcar is a new one on me Lone Wolf. I always wondered how they loaded and unloaded the bundled stacks of lumber in and out of double door boxcars. They're heavy and I don't imagine they slide to the ends of the cars very well.
Mike, I never seen a bird of prey on a Chicago Northwestern locomotive.... Cool!
That brass steam locomotive is a beauty Kevin. Are you going to do your Stratton and Gillette magic to it?
I like the cars ATSF. The rear window on the Riviera was always one of the most unique features that sticks out in my head on old cars. I really liked building car models when I was young. Among my favorites was the 1969 Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet, the 1970 440 Cuda, and my all-time favorite the Red Baron. I even had the details on the dash painted on that one.
I always wondered what happened to those. Probably the roommate thing when we were young. Or one of the roommates lovely friends. Someone must have liked them better than I did I guess.
The bronze car came out in 2005
I found some things on ebay;
Johnny Lightning 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup 2002 Yesterday and Today
Johnny Lightning 1960's Hot Rods Ramblr 2000 Surf Rods Release 1
Johnny Lightning 1971 Buick Riviera Poker Release 1
An Atlas Classic RS3 in EL paint for $75.00- - a reasonably good deal!
It was back in January... but stilll... SCORE!
It was better than described or expected. Pristine condition and runs so fine.
Well I just got a Kato, HO scale SD40-2, at just the price I like.
Like this one, only the one I got is painted for the UP. The price was so good, I'm getting this cab, from Kaslo,
https://www.kasloshops.com/products/hc-03 (picture is copyrighted)
Getting out the saw, and turning it all into an SD40-2W. (Tuff to find a picture of one that isn't copyrighted, geez)
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=839574
I don't think I'll paint it for the CN, probably my own road, as my road accuired it from the CN. BUT, just maybe I'll do the CN, and "patch" it for my road, as I've done so many already.
I didn't find the goodies this time, but my wife, who barely tolerates the trains in the basement, did, at the local charity-run thrift store here in town...
...with the original price sticker...
...and the re-sale price...
However, it was 50% off on "toys", so cost only a quarter!
She also picked up a toy for the grandkids, for a buck. Our daughter looked it up on-line, and it's apparently a rare version of an otherwise ordinary battery-operated toy - $135.00 retail.
This might sound odd ... but my finds were in my own house.
In the last couple of weeks I have been doing some long-deferred structure kitbashing and was getting frustrated trying to find a box of various Grandt Line and Tichy details parts (doors, windows, chimneys) that I just knew I had, and in some prior frenzy of neatness had evidently very securely put away. Somewhere.
Eventually I found it but not before finding and opening a large number of other boxes with yet more detail parts, including some for rolling stock or industrial buildings and one dedicated to gas stations. I basically remembered (if only dimly) acquiring most of this stuff but there were some genuine surprises, and many pleasant ones.
Stuff I had not looked at in years - decades. The original prices were a pleasant surprise.
Anyway. My project list has just expanded again. I'll never reach dry land!
I also found some rolling stock in original boxes. In one case to secure the car from moving around in the box I had crumpled up a receipt from Walthers Terminal Hobby Shop (the old name for their showroom retail outlet here in Milwaukee). It went on for three pages. Bag after bag of detail parts for rolling stock. And bottom line: I spent $16 and probably felt like I'd been taken to the cleaners.
Dave Nelson
For sure, yes. There is a topic like this on another forum but I hardly ever post because usually I'm not a place where it is conventient to take pictures and display the goodies.
hon30critter That's a great find TF! I would have trouble getting a single Athearn BB freight car for that much because I'm in Canada! Dave
That's a great find TF! I would have trouble getting a single Athearn BB freight car for that much because I'm in Canada!
I go fishing in Canada once a year, sometimes twice. I always hate to leave because of the kind people and how nice I am treated.
If you have any good fishing lakes up there where you're at, maybe I could smuggle your Athearn cars up to you.
Really though, I really do love Canada. My Grandfather was a resident at one time. I've been going there since I was a little boy.
OK-OK Here's a great hobby store find, two trips.
If anyone has it in their means, they should at least schedule one fishing trip to Canada in their lifetime.
In a recent accquisition of an HO vehicle collection for Boothbay Railway Village, I found 2 old Jordan 1951 Jeep kits - one a station wagon and the other a panel delivery version. No pics yet, one is ready to paint and the other in primer; maybe in the upcomming WPF.
I also found a resin kit of a late 50s Alpha Romero that I completed a couple of weeks ago
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
We just had a train show in the area last weekend and I found a couple things I have wanted. First was a GEM Ma&Pa #62 gas-electric for $80. Second find was an Alexander Haunted House kit for $5.
Track fiddlerI found these three striped Great Northerns, all three for $22 brand new in the jewel cases. How can you refuse that?
My local shop has a 'freebies' box and since they aren't exclusively trains, a lot of stuff ends up in there when people bring by old hobby items.
However I had gotten pretty lucky a few weeks ago, there were several HO Tichy train group water columns (and an oil column), several detail parts including some cast metal portable generators, shop parts and a workers cart, a loco wash rack with tools, all things I will incorporate into a roundhouse and service facility. Some other stuff just catches my eye even if I'm not sure if I could use it right away - like some cast metal skunks, or an unused sheet of microscale decals for UP E series diesels. Sometimes its an old issue of MRR or MRC.
I always make a point to make a purchase if anything from the box comes home with me, a few frieght cars or some paint or styrene. Its a cool little system for them to get rid of old stock or stuff they don't want to deal with when collections of things come in.
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
That definitely counts Mel. Like I said, this hobby has a lot to offer. Sometimes finding something you've been looking for is a heck of a score