Today is a paid holiday for me from my employer, so I decided to make my rounds to the 2 antique malls here in town. First place, didn't find much. Second location is more "high end", so lots of beautiful antique stuff and things not so antique and always trains. But this time, the one display case that I always check had way more than the typical plastic stuff that doesn't really "float my boat". In the case were four brass trains. A Overland Models NKP S2 Berkshire for $177 with its original box. Then there was a 40' outside braced wood box car, also from OMI for $35, an OMI bay window caboose for $65 and a NJ Custom Brass NKP Dynometer car. None of the cars had boxes. I pondered the Berk and the boxcar while I walked the rest of the mall, I went home and pondered more, researched it and decided to buy both. I went back up, 9v battery in my pocket to see if the Berk would run. It would not run, but looked to have never been run, which leads to frozen motors and gear boxes from hardened grease. For the price, on a model that Brasstrains lists for $550 in the guide listings. I am thinking the box car is a NKP or Wabash prototype, but have yet to figure out what it is. Both railroads ran thru my area of Indiana. The Berk ended up with a frozen gear box due to rock hard grease. After a complete cleaning and relubrication, it runs smooth and quiet. This one will need a professional brass painter to finish out for me. For now, it will remain unpainted along with the boxcar. I am beyond happy to have stumbled on to these for such a killer price. I also picked up a late run Alco Models Alco RSD5, still a noisy KMT drive but with a factory can motor at the train show this past Saturday. I will probably flip that to put the money toward a OMI NKP caboose for the Berk. Just goes to show, you never know what will turn up at the antique mall!
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Nice. Great score.
If you so happen to run across a NJCB PRR CC2 0-8-8-0 for a good price, let me know..
Pete.
He shoots he SCORRRRRRES!
My experience with antique dealers and malls is that they wildly overvalue things like a Tyco Gerber Babyfood boxcar, but wildly undervalue most railroad collectibles like old Official Railroad Equipment Registers. Evidently brass is treated that way too.
Dave Nelson
Even at the local shows, brass has become a nice value since the price of everything else has shot way up. Been plenty to choose from as well as many collectors/modelers that bought it new are passing on and their estates are coming on the market, either online or at shows. There was a table at the show this past Saturday that was almost 100% Overland brass. Have not seen that much brass since I picked up a model in person at Broad Ripple Station in Indy in the late 1990's
My wife and I love to go through antique malls and have been in one's all over.. I would agree with the accessment that they overvalue stuff like tyco and often undervalue other things. I have found some interesting things in them. My best brass buy in one was a psc iron horse models tank car for 6. Found a con cor commuter coach for 20 recently at the factory antique mall in Verona va. They have two dealers there that do trains. Some antique malls have those where a booth is dedicated to trains and these are generally somewhat comparable to train shows on pricing. It is the oddball in a booth that is generally too high or a great deal.
Out of curiosity what antique mall did you find it at?
Its called The Treasure Mart, south side of Kokomo, Indiana near the Lowes home center. They have glass cases that line the outer perimeter wall(used to be a roller skating rink when I was a kid). There is also an excellent indoor mall in Edinburg Indiana(south of Indy a bit) at exit 76 that is huge, and usually has a fair amount of trains and lots of other toys and goodies. My wife and I go to that one a couple times a year.
emdmike A Overland Models NKP S2 Berkshire for $177 with its original box.
I have seen Tyco locomotives at that price point in some antique malls I have visited with my wife.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
So have I, and even at shows I have seen junk at brass prices. One has to be educated on brass to buy and when not to buy. I didn't buy it on the spot, but went home, researched the engine before pulling the trigger. She comes from the early years of Overland, when many different builders in S Korea were used. Some were decent, others not so much. JP Models is the builder for this engine and was imported in 1982. I was just a young boy when it was new. The box car was imported in 1992 and made by Ajin.
Nice finds emdmike! At those prices I might seriously consider buying some brass.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
emdmike Its called The Treasure Mart, south side of Kokomo, Indiana near the Lowes home center. They have glass cases that line the outer perimeter wall(used to be a roller skating rink when I was a kid). There is also an excellent indoor mall in Edinburg Indiana(south of Indy a bit) at exit 76 that is huge, and usually has a fair amount of trains and lots of other toys and goodies. My wife and I go to that one a couple times a year.
Trying to think if that was one we were in one time. (Used to live in New Castle and traveled all over Indiana) The 76 mall is one we were in a lot. Once upon a time there was a dealer in Centerville antique mall that carried trains but the last time we stopped there when we were up to visit family it was gone. The brass tank car I found at one in Cambridge City but that was a one time thing in that booth. Sanford and sons trains used to have a booth in an antique mall on Shadeland in indy but from what I heard the mall lost its lease.
You just have to shop around, now finding a OMI NKP Berk for that kind of $$ is a once in a lifetime find. But it really is a buyers market right now. Prices have stablized and even gone back up a bit with folks becoming more active while stuck at home during Covid. But prices are still much better than a decade ago. And with new models going sky high due to the demand for DCC/Sound and plastic details(super fragle) that rival brass. Actual brass models become something thats a bit more enticing. Just one piece of advise to those considering buying a brass locomotive. ALL importers/builders had duds. I highly recommend prior to purchase that you run your wishes past someone that is experienced in running brass models to see if thats a good engine or if its prone to issues that can make it a risky buy. One example is the Hallmark ICRR 2-8-0 built by Dong Jin. It has a Tyco open frame motor/worm gear setup and the driver centers(zinc die cast) are highly prone to zinc pest. Beautiful model, but not worth a dime to run on ones layout. Happy hunting!
emdmike So have I, and even at shows I have seen junk at brass prices. One has to be educated on brass to buy and when not to buy. I didn't buy it on the spot, but went home, researched the engine before pulling the trigger. She comes from the early years of Overland, when many different builders in S Korea were used. Some were decent, others not so much. JP Models is the builder for this engine and was imported in 1982. I was just a young boy when it was new. The box car was imported in 1992 and made by Ajin.
Sometimes you get lucky and find brass at junk prices at swap meets too too. Once at the Muncie train show I found a powerhouse pacific for 25. At Dayton I picked up a great Northern 4-6-0 for 40. Both needed a slight amount of work but you can't beat that. The powerhouse was at a Lionel dealers table and didn't run. He didn't want to mess with it.
emdmikeso I decided to make my rounds to the 2 antique malls here in town. First place, didn't find much. Second location is more "high end", so lots of beautiful antique stuff and things not so antique and always trains. But this time, the one display case that I always check had way more than the typical plastic stuff that doesn't really "float my boat".
You made me curious, so I searched for an antique mall around where I live in Pa. Found two reasonably close.
The way they were described they consist of many different booths that are rented by individuals who wish to dispose of their, ummm, antiques.
Is that what you have, or is it one big place where everything belongs to one owner?
Thanks
Around here they are all booths that folks rent month to month to sell their items. This glass display booth has always had trains, mostly NKP and Wabash but this is the first time I have seen brass there. I have found good deals on brass at the Urbana IL show at the Lincoln Sq mall, Muncie IN and many of the NMRA/CID shows held in various locations here. With so many estates popping up for sale as our older modeling generation passes on. One never knows what will turnup at these antique malls or the train shows.
Estate sales as mentioned are also places to check. Www.estatesales.net is probably the best listing. They vary widely and quite frankly most estate sale companies have no idea on trains although they do better with understanding Lionel pricing. Generally you can get very good deals but not always.
emdmikeAround here they are all booths that folks rent month to month to sell their items
Okay, thanks. Sounds like the same thing as advertised here. I'll have to stop at one and see what they have.
Will have to see about prices. A couple of the reviews I read about them pertained to pricing. Since the local ones are located in tourist areas, the comments referred to the fact that overpriced items were being offerred to the unwary.
Just like everything else I guess.
I'm green with envy! What a result.
maxman emdmike Around here they are all booths that folks rent month to month to sell their items Okay, thanks. Sounds like the same thing as advertised here. I'll have to stop at one and see what they have. Will have to see about prices. A couple of the reviews I read about them pertained to pricing. Since the local ones are located in tourist areas, the comments referred to the fact that overpriced items were being offerred to the unwary. Just like everything else I guess.
emdmike Around here they are all booths that folks rent month to month to sell their items
The thing about antique malls is that you never know what you will find. (Except our son says that there is a random Garfield somewhere in every antique mall ) There are some that have a train booth in and naturally those are more reliable. Other times you find one or two items and sometimes nothing but the next time may find a treasure. You can often find railroadiana too if you look. I have quite a few within a two hour drive and perhaps a third I will find something rail related it. It may not always be something I am interested in though.
I enjoy most all the aspects of going to antique malls. I enjoy most all antiques and have many in my house. Next to my where I am typing this is a 1939 Airline console radio that is fully restored and operational. Many antiques from my grandmother are thru out the house. When I find trains at the mall, its just a bonus. Finding brass is unusual in my area, this is the first time for me to find trains like that locally. I will be watching that booth much more often right now. And yes, there is a random Garfield in every antique mall, sometimes several.
I know of one Antique Mall in Oviedo, Florida that always has trains at reasonable prices. It is mostly Lionel, but there are always good HO finds too.
Blue Ox Antiques, located just North of Atlanta, Georgia, has a massive train section that is more like a small hobby shop than an Antique Mall train booth.
I miss checking out all the Lindy's locations in Antique Malls when I was travelling for work.
It has been rumored for years that BrassTrainsDotCom/Dan's Trains had a liquidation outlet in a Antique Mall in Ocala, Florida, but I have never found it.
Holy cow! What a find haha
None of the thrift/antique shops around me have any sort of models beyond overpriced ancient lionel and tyco stuff.
Charles
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SeeYou190 I know of one Antique Mall in Oviedo, Florida that always has trains at reasonable prices. It is mostly Lionel, but there are always good HO finds too. Blue Ox Antiques, located just North of Atlanta, Georgia, has a massive train section that is more like a small hobby shop than an Antique Mall train booth. I miss checking out all the Lindy's locations in Antique Malls when I was travelling for work. It has been rumored for years that BrassTrainsDotCom/Dan's Trains had a liquidation outlet in a Antique Mall in Ocala, Florida, but I have never found it. -Kevin
Lindys has one outside Charlotte that I have occasionally went to. That one gets less compared to what I see in the photos of other locations.
I wonder on the Dan's trains rumor if that might have started with people confusing that with the retail store he used to have in Ocala years ago?? That was one of the best train stores of all time. Took our eldest to Disney years ago and went in there. I think that was more fun than the theme parks. Prices were more reasonable too....
drgwcsI wonder on the Dan's trains rumor if that might have started with people confusing that with the retail store he used to have in Ocala years ago?? That was one of the best train stores of all time.
Yes, the retail outlet of Dan's Trains was one of the best places to visit of all time.
Back then Florida had Orange Blossom Hobbies, Colonial Photo & Hobby, and The Happy Hobo. Hobby shopping was so much fun.
SeeYou190 Yes, the retail outlet of Dan's Trains was one of the best places to visit of all time. Back then Florida had Orange Blossom Hobbies, Colonial Photo & Hobby, and The Happy Hobo. Hobby shopping was so much fun.
Despite growing up in Hollywood, I only made it to Orange Blossom once, and because I was into 1/35th military modeling, didn't give the trains any look. I usually went to Warrick Custom Hobbies in Davie.
Good score Mike.
I shop the online auctions when I am bored and got this for $35.00. I figure I will use it for my first attempt at painting brass.
Someday.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good solid model to start with and a steal at that price. PFM imported some of the most bulletproof models of that era in the brass industry. I am old enough to remember many excellent hobby shops, especially in the Indianapolis area that are now long gone. Les Gordons, Big 4 Hobby, Metzlers, Watts Train Shop(G scale + high end Christmas decorations) and many others. Sadly, many times the owners kids had no interest in keeping the shop open after dad retired or nobody had the $$ at the time to buy out the shop. All we have are the fond memories and many times in the case of brass, the decal or ink stamping inside the box lid or on the bottom from the shop it was sold from. Sometimes we get lucky and the sales receipt is still in the box. I save all of those things and keep them with the model as its part of its history.
emdmike Good solid model to start with and a steal at that price. PFM imported some of the most bulletproof models of that era in the brass industry. I am old enough to remember many excellent hobby shops, especially in the Indianapolis area that are now long gone. Les Gordons, Big 4 Hobby, Metzlers, Watts Train Shop(G scale + high end Christmas decorations) and many others. Sadly, many times the owners kids had no interest in keeping the shop open after dad retired or nobody had the $$ at the time to buy out the shop. All we have are the fond memories and many times in the case of brass, the decal or ink stamping inside the box lid or on the bottom from the shop it was sold from. Sometimes we get lucky and the sales receipt is still in the box. I save all of those things and keep them with the model as its part of its history.
Loved Metzlers and big 4. There was another short lived one on east Washington in a shopping center near Washington Square. There was Sanford and Son in an antique store on Shadeland too. Did they reopen anywhere else when the mall closed? So many shops do not go beyond one owner. Train Central has been through three owners and locations. It was Varey trains pretty far east on us 40 then moved with change of owner. Wayne had it for a few years and sadly passed away. Then the Wayne (forgetting last names though) that owns it now bought it and later moved.
I forget the first Wayne's last name, I first discovered the show when he owned it. Current owner is Wayne Maple. I fear it may pass into history when its his time to go to the big roundhouse in the sky. I do not know if Sanford & Son reopened anywhere else. There is Zionsville Train Dept, which is the remains of the once really nice Watts Train Shop up on 106th st in Zionsville. Not the best selection but excellent repair dept if you have better quality G scale needing repairs, service/sound/DCC or onboard battery power needs. They do have all scale of trains now. From there you have to head north to Atlanta for Mr Muffins trains, spectatular layout in one building, shop in another building. He is all O scale trains. Then further north to just east of my to Norms Train N Connection near Greentown. HO, N and O scale trains, excellent shop if your looking for the newest stuff on the market and Kato Unitrak. Indy used to also have Casey Jones Trains and Train Express that have passed into history.
emdmike I forget the first Wayne's last name, I first discovered the show when he owned it. Current owner is Wayne Maple. I fear it may pass into history when its his time to go to the big roundhouse in the sky. I do not know if Sanford & Son reopened anywhere else. There is Zionsville Train Dept, which is the remains of the once really nice Watts Train Shop up on 106th st in Zionsville. Not the best selection but excellent repair dept if you have better quality G scale needing repairs, service/sound/DCC or onboard battery power needs. They do have all scale of trains now. From there you have to head north to Atlanta for Mr Muffins trains, spectatular layout in one building, shop in another building. He is all O scale trains. Then further north to just east of my to Norms Train N Connection near Greentown. HO, N and O scale trains, excellent shop if your looking for the newest stuff on the market and Kato Unitrak. Indy used to also have Casey Jones Trains and Train Express that have passed into history.
Where was Casey Jones? That wasn't the one over near Washington Square was it? I can not remember that shops name for the life of me. The north side hobby town used to be really great till the last move. Last time I was in there was two years ago when we were up visiting relatives and I was disappointed although I got a couple of good deals. There was another one in Greenwood that was in a couple of different locations for brick and mortar and closed but he always did shows.