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Have you found any Good Goodies for Yourself Lately?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, January 29, 2024 8:30 PM

I just received a box full of Canadian Pacific and other transport trucks and trailers. I got three Herpa CP cab over tractor trailers, one White CP tractor trailer, one Hunt trailer, two unmarked trailers with removable canvas tops and one White unmarked tractor. All appear to be brand new. The price was about $33.00 Cdn. for each truck which is reasonable. I will have to change my layout plans slightly to make room for a terminal.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 7:27 AM

Latest items to arrive have all come from ScaleTrains.

- ExactRail HO FMC 5277 Combo Door Railbox ABOX (those sold out fast)

- ExactRail HO Gunderson 5200 Double-Door SP boxcar - Rubber Service

- ExactRail HO PC&F 7633 Applicance boxcar as delivered WP

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by Autonerd on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 9:14 PM

I have not been buying a lot lately -- too many projects to build, like my NYC/PRR/PC/CR coal train and some lovely PRR cars acquired from Edmund that are awaiting PC-ing.

But...

Today I talked to a friend, and he offered to sell me a passenger train I've always admired. The price is close to my (largely imaginary) yearly train budget, but for what it is, very very reasonable.

I mentioned this to a mutual friend -- and he said he always wanted to buy that train! We discussed some options, like joint custody...

Anyway, I called Friend A to tell him about this very amusing reaction -- and then he said that Friend B had just texted, and was calling on the other line. As far as I know they are discussing it as I type this!

Not much competition; we're all friends and will come to an amicable solution. I know Friend B would let me run the train whenever I wanted, and I'm happy for him to own it (with the proviso that if he ever sells, I have first right of refusal). I do worry a bit abotu him spending the large chunk of money, but I'm thinking maybe I'll chip in a little bit as my permanent rental and resale option. (Also, I'd been thinking about another expensive-for-me train, and this kind of makes that decision.)

Friend A is happy because he knows the train will find a loving home!

Aaron

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Posted by semcg on Monday, January 8, 2024 12:08 PM

I found a copy of Model Railroading with John Allen at a local train show. I've always wanted to read through it, so am finally able to. Such a fantastic layout, and I wish here were more with a similar imaginitive look and feel while also incorporating in the operating style.

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Posted by wjstix on Thursday, January 4, 2024 1:09 PM

Ken Patterson recently had something in one of his YouTube posts about inexpensive LED light strips that are available from Walmart. 100 ft (2 50' strips, power connects in the middle of them). It comes with the power supply and a remote for changing colors and brightness. Just happened our local store had them on sale for 1/2 price, so I got two. Not really bright enough to use for daylight lighting, but the blue shades look great for nighttime operations.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monster-LED-100ft-Multicolor-Light-Strip-Indoor-Locations-Bedrooms-Remote-Control/1679772492?athbdg=L1102&from=/search

 

Stix
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Posted by Southgate 2 on Thursday, January 4, 2024 12:06 PM

Welp, with a layout set in the late '60s, and a healthy fascination for, and collection 1800s 4-4-0s, how to combine these fairly plausibly? 

Excursion trains. THUS, I picked up some vintage passenger cars on the 'bay. I'll post pix on WPF. Dan

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  • From: Douglas AZ.
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Posted by Little Timmy on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 8:36 PM

ok,...

I havent been able to post, or even look at any of the threads here since Dec 25.

But now I can show you what I got for Christmas.

I got Two of the gondolas, and one is already built. ( what? ... I was supposed to wait untill after I could post... No way ! )

I also got 10 sets of Andrews trucks. ( also started.... what ??? ... keep up... )

not pictured: decals for Southern pacific boxcars, pickle tank cars,  and a "pile" of nut-bolt-washers.

Whew, I had a lot of pent up posts trapped in me. 

Whos next ?    Show us what you got. 

 

Rust...... It's a good thing !

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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, December 25, 2023 8:16 AM

Merry Christmas

It did it againAngry...Bang HeadBang HeadBang Head

About a half hour into it, and Ah Swap, the page is GONE!!!  This site is going to make me go "Cuckoo For Cocoa Pops".

 

TF

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    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 24, 2023 1:19 PM

Hello gentlemen

Looks and sounds like you've all found some good stuff this year, enjoy!  Thanks for sharing.

Had almost finished up another attempt to catch up with this thread again, commenting to everyone individually, and posting a picture of one of my more recent finds.  The "Aw Swap!  Something Went Wrong" message came up, and the whole page was lost again.  This has been typical for me on this thread this year, and was guilty of throwing in the towel awhile back.

The screen is still glitching, fluttering, changing frames, and freeze framing, with pop-up-ads taking over the whole page, also making things even more difficult. 

The Diner has been having the same Flukes while posting, but not near as wicked. 

I'll give her another try a bit later, after this pissed off Scotsman cools down a bitLaugh...Wink

 

Thanks for postingYes

 

TF

PS   I'll figure out a way to get this neglected site to work somehow.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 24, 2023 1:43 AM

Hi TF,

It has been a long time since I searched eBay for any goodies but I decided to have a look a couple of weeks ago. I found two items close to my heart. They are both old Athearn metal 40' boxcar kits with wood floors. One is in the Canadian National maple leaf livery and the other is a Santa Fe in the 'Scout' livery. For some reason, I love the old kits. I'd rather have them than newer RTR stuff.

With a couple of minor exceptions, they are in really great condition! One of the kits has a couple broken white metal (Zamac maybe?) castings. The roof walks on both cars are no longer straight, and my very gentle attempt to straighten one of them resulted in it breaking immediately. I would like to keep the cars as original as possible, but if I can't straighten the white metal roof walks then I have some etched roof walks which I can substitute.

I am amazed by the number of parts in the kits. They will be fun to assemble.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    February 2003
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Posted by MidlandPacific on Saturday, December 23, 2023 3:55 PM

Got a three car Beaver Creek Yosemite Valley combine/coach/obs set for about half what they've been going for on eBay: slight tarnish, someone had removed the vestibules, which I never cared much for and would replace, anyway.  Felt like a deal to me!

http://mprailway.blogspot.com

"The first transition era - wood to steel!"

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Sunday, December 17, 2023 9:13 PM

I picked up a Cary Pittsburgh 4-4-0 boiler on the 'bay, for a Tyco General I got a while back for that purpose. I'll post pix on WPF when it's interesting enough to do so. Dan

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  • From: Frankfort, Indiana
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Posted by Morpar on Sunday, December 17, 2023 8:31 PM

So about a month and a half ago I scored an MTH Rio Grande Challenger, MTH cab-forward, and a Rivarossi Allegheny for a nice price. The cab-forward is missing some parts and has wires loose, but the other 2 locos just have wires loose. I gutted the MTH electronics on the Challenger and put in a Tsunami 2 decoder. Today was final testing and programming. This thing runs and sounds nice! 

Good Luck, Morpar

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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, December 17, 2023 3:47 PM

I browse the site of an online retailer based in Maryland on occasion. They recently had some items listed with sale prices. These Rapido RS-11s were 60% off! I bought the pair for just a little more than the decoders alone would have cost. Couldn't say no Whistling


 NYC RS-11 Rapido pair by Edmund, on Flickr

 NYC RS-11 Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr

 NYC RS-11 Rapido hood by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Lazers on Sunday, December 17, 2023 10:52 AM

Looking thru a UK Booksellers list, I found a copy of 'Guide to Freight Yards' by the late Andy Sperandeo, for £25.00 ($31.50) including P&P

Received it on Saturday 16th Dec. It is in almost as new condition.

I had seen favourable references on this forum about this book and starting to read thru - I feel that I have made a worthy purchase and also it shows one of the  reasons why Mr. Sperandeo is so revered.

There is a mass of useful info. especially all the things that need to be considered and taken into account when designing and operating a Yard. Quite a few I hadn't given too much thought to!

I'm really pleased to have been able to 'treat' myself to this little 'Goodie'. It is another on the list of books that I wished I had been aware of and had read - before starting to build my MR. Paul.

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Friday, November 24, 2023 10:44 AM

I recently got an amazing deal on an EP-2 Bipolar from NJ Custom Brass (early run by KMT), which is a model I've been on and off wanting to get for a while.  It's currently disassembled because the owner was trying to install what look like Sagami motors and then gave up, and it's been sitting in a bin ever since.  Aside from a missing gear cover plate (which is easy enough to replace), it looks like it's all there, and all for only about $200!  The cheapest I've ever seen one of these going for was around $350, so considering the quality motor upgrade included, I think this is about the best deal I'm ever going to see on one of these!

_________________________________________________________________

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 5:29 PM

Thanks Peter

Wishing you a good Turkey Day to you and yours and everyone here as well!

 

TF

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 4:57 PM

TF,  Thanks for starting a great thread, like seeing and hearing about everyone's 'goodies', along with the pleasure of having Jeff B open my eyes to the talents of the late Richard Steinheimer.  Also enjoyed your Torino story, the 'Striped Tomato' was a 76'.  Not sure if the Artitec Model A roadster is year specific.  Floor jack is from a JL Innovative Design gas station interior detail set.  

Wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.  Regards, Peter

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Posted by CNCharlie on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 2:04 PM

TF, my S3 is an Alco Diesel switcher. It is in '54 livery which means it is black with a gold band containing " Canadian National'.  

CN Charlie

 

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 1:47 PM

Now that there are Black Friday and Thankgiving Deals, ScaleTrains has a 15% off deal with a code so I ordered several models including the ExactRail PC&F MP Applicance boxcar and ExactRail PC depressed center flatcar (my first depressed center car) and an N scale carbon black and got free shipping to-boot!

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
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  • From: Folsom, CA (eh, outside the slammer)
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Posted by groundeffects on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 3:02 PM

Probably the best "goodie" of the year i found was at a west coast trainshow earlier this year.  It was there that I found a autographed copy of photographer Richard Steinheimer's book "A Passion For Trains".  The book itself was in mint condition and I was able to buy the first edition book at a much cheaper cost from the vendor than I thought it would be.  

I've been a fan of Richard Steinheimer since I met him by chance at the Sacramento Railfair (I think it was in 1991).  While I was talking to him about what to do about the collection of B&W negatives I had inherited from my grandfather, he asked me who my grandfather was.  When I told him, he surprised me when he said he knew my grandfather, who also liked to railfan/photograph the same places such as Cajon Pass and elsewhere in Southern California!

It is really cool I now have a book with Mr. Steinheimer's autograph.  Definitely my best find of the year!

Thanks,

Jeff B

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    September 2023
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Posted by Werl on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 11:49 AM

Hi TF, I ordered a Atlas N code 80 Custom line switch to replace one i tried to solder to the connecting track but ruined because I did not remove two ties and use a heat sink. To my great suprise, the new Custom switch came with "Continouous Point rails" rather than mechanical hinges. This switch is at the throat of an industrial yard and should perform and hold up well. Consldering ordering more like this.

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Posted by PRR8259 on Friday, November 17, 2023 11:57 PM

Lately I've been collecting mostly new old stock HO Atlas C-420's.  Got 2 Lehigh Valley units off ebay, one red and one yellow and grey.  Got an Erie Mining unit and a Lehigh and Hudson River unit last Sunday at the Allentown Train Show. 

I just don't need some of the more recent and higher-end (more expensive) models.  They are great, but I just prefer the Atlas C-420's over most other HO Alcos due to the assembly quality and the way they run.  I can take an 18-year old Atlas unit out of the box, put it on the track, and it runs great with no issues...

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 17, 2023 12:44 PM

Howdy

Well, ..."He who's tardy, pays for the party".  Free boxcars for everyoneLaugh...Whistling

This could be long-winded, but after all the posting problems, I'd like to catch up with everybody here.

 

Those fresh scallops off the boat sound delightful Mister B.  Nothing better than scallops in a good seafood dish, and a couple racks of king crab legs on the side.  Give me that, and I'm happy as a Lark.  I'll bet Snowflake likes those as well.  We have no scallop boats in Bloomington here, and you are a lucky manWink

That Hudson reminds me of a fine taylored dress coat over a nice tailored suit Ed.  If I'd ever see one of those at a train show in N scale, my pocketbook could be in trouble.  I've always admired those colorful GN cars, with Rocky the railroad mascot on them, and have a handful of those myself.  Wilson would make a good railroad mascot for the Chessie SystemWink  That WM is one handsome Caboose, painted in boxcar red with the yellow handrails, Sweet!

Like the Tangent SP diagonal stripe Lumber car Rio. Posted the picture here for reference, as I've always wondered how they loaded 16 ft Lumber through the door.  Maybe a motorized crate lift, twisting through the door, but sure would be interesting to see.

Glad to hear you're going to get help with your layout Dave.  If you lived down the block, or a few miles down the road, I'd be more than willing to help you. Sure hope you don't have a work permit imposed.

I've never seen those GN wood chip cars Matt.  They sure are neat, the way the exoskeleton frame only angles in one direction.  I've never seen that either, Too Cool.

I'd like to see the impossible to find Rolling Stock you found, If you get a chance to post them Mike.  I'm almost always outbidded, when the hard to find stuff comes up on eBay.

Glad to hear you found that switcher you been looking for Charlie.  I've had good luck lubing up new Old Stock that's been sitting in the box forever myself. This could be way out in left field here, but does your switcher look something like this?

Have always loved the Starsky and Hutch Grand Torino Peter.  Was that car a 74?  There was a guy across Highway 7 out the window of our Junior High School that was the Envy of the whole school.  He had one painted identical.  Love the Roadster, is that a 32?  And tell your little layout Dude, to block the back wheels while using that big red floor jack.  Safety FirstWink  Did you make that floor jack?  Otherwise I'd have no idea where you found something like that?

Was Sorry to hear about your Mom Rio.  You're a good son taking care of her, as a year is a long haul.  I'm hopeful she's much better these days.  Great job on the Helix, and that was a great idea curving the scenery cardboard, so the trains don't fall offBow  It would be a shame to see your favorite locomotive hit that beautiful plank floorTongue Tied

Love the new gunpowder wagons David.  I've always enjoyed the uniqueness of your layout through the years here.  It's fun to see the difference in style from here compared to across the pond.

That's one handsome CN 2-6-0 Simon.  My Bachmann Spectrums are among my two most smooth running locomotives.

Those sound like some great Walthers kits Lazers.  I'm sure those will be fun to build, and make sure you show us the finished product as you get them doneYes

Liked the Columbus and Greenville boxcar Terry.  I've seen some of those more modern box cars at the State Fair grounds train show a few months ago.

 

My all time favorites are steam of course, but always had a fancy for F7's and SD 40-2's. 

I've been looking for some CN bloody nose zebra F7's for quite some time now eh.

Found 2 cows and a calf, an ABA set at the Canterbury Horse Track train show a few weeks ago.  They are InterMountains and actually have raised grab bars in N scale.  I'm going to be sharing a table with the guy Jeff that sold them to me, at an upcoming train show this winter.

 

Thanks for sharing your new finds this year, and hope to see some more.  Alot of great stuff here gentlemanSmile

 

TF

 

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Friday, November 17, 2023 10:06 AM

I don't know why, but ever since I saw this, I have always admired and wanted to weather/model this rolling stock on my layout:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2969123

I could never find an appropriate model of this boxcar. However, waiting has appeared to pay off. Atlas released a model of this:

https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-65314-ho-cncf-5000-box-car-columbus-greenville-21514.aspx

To make this even better, I was able to find these on ebay, for $18 less than listed on Atlas and Walthers, plus free shipping. Due to that, I even purchased one with the FerroMex roadname.

Thanks, Terry

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

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Posted by Lazers on Thursday, November 16, 2023 4:56 PM


 

 

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

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Posted by snjroy on Thursday, November 16, 2023 1:30 PM

Yes, quite a few good goodies were found this year to keep me happy. A few diesels (two SD70s that I run at the club), and a few steamers. Here's a Bachmann I found at a good price:

 IMG_20230221_103543 on Flickr

Simon

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, November 16, 2023 10:37 AM

As some of you know I model my steam locomotives in the timeframe 1914/1919 n the area of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.   I saw some  L&YR gunpowder wagons for sale.  Two were purchased.   I also saw  some North British Railway gunpowder wagons for sale.  I had to have one.

 

 IMG_2867 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

David

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, November 16, 2023 7:35 AM

crossthedog
 
 
riogrande5761
modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors

 

Rio, did the stripe indicate "modernized" or did it indicate "lumber service" or something else? I've never seen this.

 -Matt

 

They were lumber cars for sure.  Here is the info from Tangent's website on those cars:

"In the early 1960s, Southern Pacific faced a boxcar shortage from one of their most important customer constituencies: online lumber shippers. These shippers demanded a larger car supply plus improved cars with wider doors to ease the loading process using forklifts. In 1963, Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops embarked on an ambitious program to rebuild existing 40-foot boxcars with 7’ doors to cars with larger 10’” door openings. The program continued until 1970, and by the end of the program Sacramento Shops had amassed a fleet of more than 7000 rebuilt cars."

 

HO-Velo
 
riogrande5761
Southern Pacific modernized 40' boxcars with the yellow diagonal stripe doors

Tangent models are at the top of my fav list, also picked up one of those SP 40' boxcars, nice, can't wait to make it look like it's been in service for 17 years.

Btw, hope the Tangent NP PS-1 Hy cube you bought from me on the HO Swap is still riding your rails.  Still kinda kick myself on that one, but the next best thing to enjoying a nice boxcar is knowing a fellow modeler is enjoying it. 

Regards, Peter  

 
Even though there were more than 7000 of these lumber boxcars, after SP purchased large numbers of 50' double door boxcars, many from FMC, the fleet of 40' boxcars dwindled so that by 1975 the numbers listed in the ORER were 281 cars.  The ORER only listed 25 left in service by Jan 1980.  
 
Yes, I wanted a Tangent NP baby hi-cube to add to the fleet and was happy to find one at the time.  Not long ago, Tangent finally came out with more, duplicating the numbers offered before and adding 3 numbers.  I thought about adding another but figured one was enough - all the NP are sold out again on Tangents website.  As far as running ...
 
I lost a full year of progress on my layout when my elderly mother got COVID last year and I had to take care of her from April 2022 - April 2023.  I've been taking PTO time off work on some Fridays past summer and this fall to push things forward since moving back home last spring so I can finally get trains on the rails!  The mainline finally got fully connected in September (golden spike?!) after adding a 34"R 2 2/3 turn 1.73% grade helix to connect the staging yard to the upper level main yard. 
 
 
Right now I'm putting in some cardboard strips with hot glue to start the scenery sub-base and also allow me to start running some test trains with something to keep any errant rolling stock from going over the edge.
 
 
 
I've also added a luan base for a river that will run inside the end of the penninsula and under an ExactRail girder deck bridge.  So far I've coated it with a layer of drywall mud to privide a smooth surface to paint on a river bed before adding "water".  I'll be following Rob Spanglers acrylic paint method to similate depth of water:
 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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