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Did You Get Any Good Goodies For Yourself Lately 2O21

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Did You Get Any Good Goodies For Yourself Lately 2O21
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, February 8, 2021 7:23 PM

I know the spirit of giving is giving but It was a really long and stressful year last year and you deserved some good goodies for yourself!  So if you didn't get any,  I suggest it's about time that you do so!

 

I'll start.

Two twin, Twin Cities & Western locomotives for my Brother.  First time available in N scale.

I'm positive he will appreciate these for his birthday and I will find two more for myself before they're sold out. 

They are a limited edition, Don't you know?

 

Show us your Good Goodies you've got for yourself lately because we would very much like to see themYes

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • From: Sacramento, California
  • 98 posts
Posted by L. Zhou on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:09 PM

Track Fiddler, those are some nice engines with crisp lettering. Love it! Smile

I ordered a toy (or toylike) HO scale China Railway P70 boxcar off Amazon for about 14 USD, black version. 

Believe it or not, after a bit of careful cross examination I found that these cars are made using old Bachmann China tooling! The shell and the underside match the Bachmann China examples right on. My theory is that some mystery factory bought the the tooling needed and cut corners on costs by putting in junk trucks and couplers, which looks like it could be easily replaced and upgraded.

I plan on also adding weathering and weight. Inexpensive Chinese prototype rolling stock! That's something rare. 

Shipping is going to take a while, however, it's taking the slow boat across the big wide Pacific. 

Show us more good things that you got, or have on order lately.

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang

-

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:17 PM

Hi TF

I bought an Athearn HO Heavy Weight Diner for my Christmas present.  I finally finished the interior last week and while I liked how it turned out I think I can do better so I ordered a second kit this evening.

I’m going to kitbash the shell (add more large windows) this time to end up with a larger lounge area and reduce the staff area.

I’m really digging in this time, I ordered some more Shapeway figures so more mold and casting time too.

 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:19 PM

I didn't need another engine. But, since I'm a firefighter AND part of the proceeds go to charity.....

ScaleTrains HO Scale ES44AH, with LokSound DCC/Sound. This is spot on and I'm impressed. It was scheduled to ship around thanksgiving, but didn't ship until after the new year.

Terry

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

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Posted by micktropolis on Monday, February 8, 2021 11:18 PM

I recently picked up an old Athearn blue box SW1500 in a NASA livery and I'm now in the process of hunting some Walthers heavy duty 4-truck flat cars for this to pull but they don't seem to come up often (if anyone has a lead let me know...).

The previous seller hardwired the trucks to the motor and it runs nice and smooth at low speeds, if not a little noisy. I replaced the old 42" iron sintered wheels with NWSL 40" nickel silver wheels and will be sending it off for a professional DCC and sound install. I don't trust myself with something this small.

NASA#2

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Posted by selector on Monday, February 8, 2021 11:37 PM

I have things on order, but not arrived yet.  A CMX track cleaning car, which I believe is at the post office awaiting pickup, and a Genesis TB&H GP-9, and a Genesis Canadian Army motif SD-70ACu, both on pre-order. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:25 AM

I had a few things come in a Bachmann Hi Railer and some Atlas plate girders. Also my trolley poles and a Heinz Pickle car from eBay.

Joe Staten Island West 

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Posted by caldreamer on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:52 AM

I purchased the new Walthers HO blast furnace with stairways and ladders for my N scale steel mill.  I am slowly and carefully in the process of painting each part as I assemble the kit.  

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Posted by kasskaboose on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:57 AM

For my b-day on the 23rd of Jan, I got three Athearn builkhead flatcars.  They are perfect for my lumberyard and to create a lumberload.

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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:34 AM

My winter 'project' has been once a month or so to buy and install a sound decoder. I still have some very nice engines that I hardly ever use because they don't have sound yet - plus a couple of older engines that haven't been converted to DCC at all yet. 

We'll see what happens if/when the next stimulus check comes. Since I'm doing OK (working from home) I'd like to use some of the money to help out local small businesses...like the local hobby shop. 

Wink

Stix
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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:09 AM

Bought a few decoders and some other Digitrax stuff, think I bought just a bit too many UP5's.

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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:11 AM

I've got a penchant for oddball electric locomotives. A while ago one of these "Big Liz" PRR ff1s popped up on eBay. I had my price "ceiling" in mind and it was passed by several hundred dollars.

 PRR_FF1_3931 by Edmund, on Flickr

I sort of had regrets "should have just raised my top bid" but, oh well. Lo and behold, the seller relisted it and explained that both the winner and second bidder backed out and it was relisted. This is an omen, I thought.

 PRR_FF1_3931a by Edmund, on Flickr

As it turns out I won the auction at a lower price than what I was in for on the first go-around Yes

This is a smooth-running machine with a pair of Swiss-made motor gearboxes. Only 75 were made. It makes a nice addition to my PRR motor stable Smile

 PRR_under-wire_2k by Edmund, on Flickr

Any time now the new DD1 electric from GHB Models should be available. More juice-jacks for the roster Cool

Thank you, Ed

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Posted by Trainman440 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:12 AM

Im so jealous Ed! I saw that auction, glad it went to a fellow forum member. I couldnt ever afford one of those...

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:46 AM
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Posted by CNCharlie on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 11:23 AM

Nothing for me. I bought 2 brass engines last year. 

CN Charlie

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:18 PM

L. Zhou
I ordered a toy (or toylike) HO scale China Railway P70 boxcar off Amazon for about 14 USD, black version. 

Can you provide an Amazon link, or a description I could use to find it?

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2007
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:22 PM

Too many to list here, but some of the new items are Tangent models, mostly from the new run of 4750 covered hoppers.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:42 PM

I love hearing about and seeing all the goodies here.

I am no stranger to the feeling of anticipation and the excitement you guys felt when the doorbell rings and the dog starts barking or the cat runs to hide under the couchLaugh  The UPS truck is running in the driveway and you know by now your package is hereBig Smile

Thanks for posting.  I enjoyed reading about and looking at all the good stuff you guys have got recentlyYes

 

L. Zhou.  The Bachmann stuff, yesYes  Interesting reading your post about how you discovered the same Bachmann tooling on your cars.  I found that exact same thing to my surprise with an Aurora Postage Stamp car and a Minitrix car with the exact same tooling.

It was my 9th birthday and my Grandfather gave me the Bachmann Spirit of 76 train set.  I can't remember a better gift and I can still feel the excitement of that day to this day.

I still cherish that locamotive with sentimental value as it sits under the TV on the fireplace mantel.

It has been replaced with Brand New Old Stock that I found on eBay.  A young 9 year old runs his trains as fast as they can go.  Overtime I wrecked them allWhistling but now I'm replacing everything piece by piece.

Three left on the list.  A silver Southern gondola, a brown Western Pacific boxcar and a Penn Salt three dome tanker.

These locomotives and rolling stock are approximately 50 years old.  Primitive and toy like in appearance.  But they hold so much sentimental value to me from that 9 year old kid.  I still think they're Great!

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 1:40 PM

In Dec of 2019 I pre-ordered two Athearn GP-9's.  Thiey came just about Christmas, about as advertised, called them my Christmas presant. I got them out, they look great, ran them for break in performance, but have put them back in their boxes due to construction in the trainroom, a safety measure.

They run great, sound great, though will probably lower the volume.  I haven't reset any sounds yet.  Saw there are several features I will set when they come out of their boxes again.  Only thing I'd like to see different is that they are faster than I am  used to in slow speeds.  My Proto GP-9 has to be in step 2 to even move, several Atlas RS-3's are nice and slow in step 1.  I've got another Athearn, an RS-3 stashed away for safety, will have to check its's slow speed, it's been awhile.

Have fun, stay safe,

Richard

  • Member since
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  • From: Sacramento, California
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Posted by L. Zhou on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:04 PM

SeeYou190
Can you provide an Amazon link, or a description I could use to find it? -Kevin

Hi Kevin, the Amazon link is here: https://www.amazon.com/Scale-Simulation-Train-Carriage-Vehicle/dp/B08JK9ZZVT, but you can also find it on ebay for a little bit cheaper by typing in "1/87 simulation train" into the search bar.

 

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang

-

  • Member since
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Posted by BRVRR on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:12 PM

In addition to a bunch of small light bulbs and 200 passenger seats from Palace, the biggy  was my new Zephyr Express:

Tags: BRVRR

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

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    December 2008
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Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:28 PM

micktropolis

I recently picked up an old Athearn blue box SW1500 in a NASA livery and I'm now in the process of hunting some Walthers heavy duty 4-truck flat cars for this to pull but they don't seem to come up often (if anyone has a lead let me know...).

The previous seller hardwired the trucks to the motor and it runs nice and smooth at low speeds, if not a little noisy. I replaced the old 42" iron sintered wheels with NWSL 40" nickel silver wheels and will be sending it off for a professional DCC and sound install. I don't trust myself with something this small.

NASA#2

 

When I got back into the hobby more vigorously 20 years ago, that was the very first loco I had purchased in about 25 years.  Got it at a train show.  

I destroyed the collector NASA possibilities when I rubbed out the emblem in preparation for my freelanced shortline rebadging.

Yes, wiring the trucks and replacing the wheels are upgrades that are worth the effort.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,406 posts
Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:33 PM

cowman

In Dec of 2019 I pre-ordered two Athearn GP-9's.  Thiey came just about Christmas, about as advertised, called them my Christmas presant. I got them out, they look great, ran them for break in performance, but have put them back in their boxes due to construction in the trainroom, a safety measure.

They run great, sound great, though will probably lower the volume.  I haven't reset any sounds yet.  Saw there are several features I will set when they come out of their boxes again.  Only thing I'd like to see different is that they are faster than I am  used to in slow speeds.  My Proto GP-9 has to be in step 2 to even move, several Atlas RS-3's are nice and slow in step 1.  I've got another Athearn, an RS-3 stashed away for safety, will have to check its's slow speed, it's been awhile.

Have fun, stay safe,

Richard

 

Slow speed setting for Athearn Genesis with Tsunami2: (also might work for Tsunami)

CV215 to 15......thats it! (actually anywhere from 5 to 40 depending upon how you like it)

Then for smoothness:

CV3 to 50 (acceleration momentum)

CV4 to 25 (deceleration momentum)

And get rid of that annoying fake clickitty clack:

CV153 to -0-

 

- Douglas

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:42 PM

L. Zhou
Hi Kevin, the Amazon link is here

Thank you. I just ordered one, and the side-door gondola too.

More projects for me! These have some serious potential to become great looking one-of-a-kind freight cars.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • From: Sacramento, California
  • 98 posts
Posted by L. Zhou on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:49 PM

SeeYou190
Thank you. I just ordered one, and the side-door gondola too. More projects for me! These have some serious potential to become great looking one-of-a-kind freight cars. -Kevin

I agree Kevin!

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang

-

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 5:50 PM

Huh!

"When it rains it pours"

Look what just came in the mail today!

I don't model HO scale,  I model N.  There must have been some alternate motive when I bought this.  I wonder what's in thereLaugh

HO, HO, HOLaugh  I suppose it may be a little late for that.  I wonder who I'm going to send this toWhistling  And I haven't even opened the package that came with behind it yetLaugh

 

 

 

IndifferentTF

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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:11 PM

Doug,

Thanks for the tips, will try them next time I get the locos ot to enjoy.  Will have to put a printed page in the box so I can find it when I'm ready.

Thanks again,

Richard

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:39 PM

I can't believe it got here already.  I only purchased it two days ago.  It was what was in the other box.

My favorite childhood flatcar when I was only 9 years old.  Brand New Old Stock from 50 years ago ends up on my kitchen tableYes

 

HappyStick out tongue

 

I will be so careful with these cars being replaced.  I have a second chance.  The big difference today from when I was 9 years old is I have respect now.

I'm buying my old train set back

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 1,034 posts
Posted by PM Railfan on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:34 PM

Mich's NASA SW1500 looks great, as does Ed's "Big Liz". Wouldnt mind having either one of those.

Though for myself, nothing yet so far. Hopefully - the year is still young. So we will see. I know what Id like to get. So my only anticipation is which item will i come across first.

 

PMR

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:08 PM

Seems like lots of new stuff going on the layouts these days. For me, January brought a Canadian Pacific F7B, a SW1200RS and a mid-train dome car. The first piece of my 16 car version of "The Canadian". 

On the horizon is maybe a second mid-train dome car along with two baggage-dormitory cars and a bunch of the Bud Manor Sleepers. I also have pre-ordered two of the Rapido 10 wheelers.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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