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.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
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.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
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
Thanks TF
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".
Mike.
My You Tube
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.
Trix_HO1 by Edmund, on Flickr
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.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
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
TF
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.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
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.
Wayne
riogrande5761They look like map cabinets from my days working at the geologic survey.
Print (drawing) Files.