Stay Tuned....

Some interesting stuff is right around the corner.... Specifically interesting articles on this blog.

If you think the machine below is used for making standard gauge trains (and nice one's) you'd be guessing correctly! Writing is like making great toys; it can be rushed but is much better if a little bit of thought is put into it. Keep looking this week and you'll see some interesting stuff.

M

Memorial Day

One of the benefits I have over a static magazine is that I get to publish things as I see them. I see Memorial Day.

Stand up some of those Barclay soldiers on that standard gauge layout and remember some of the most important people in the world. The people that have perished so that we may live and have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

A favorite author of mine; Andy Rooney says it better than I can here.

M

June 2006 Stout Auction is up....

The June 2006 Stout Auction is up. This is one of the nicest sets I could find in the auction. There's a ton of MTH standard gauge in the auction.

If you want to check out some mind-numbing standard gauge, go look at the upcoming Maurer Auctions. I just wish I had the time and money to get out to PA. The next two are probably two of the best standard gauge auctions of the year, bar none.

Our hobby isn't just about spending money on toys but it is kind of fun to formulate (in your mind or on paper) what kind of motive power and rolling stock you'd like to have on your pike...... The NETTE auction should also be something to see (check out their website for some preview pics). Any thoughts on the upcoming Cal-Stewart meet? I just was invited and I am seriously considering saving up a couple of shekles and going!

Marc

Hints of another GG1...

Somehow I doubt these are still in stock. Oh how I wish these would get offered again. This is so much more fun than a Lionel remake.

Is this a Forney GG1? It sure doesn't look like a Willard Forney, the trucks aren't right.

The interesting part is that the pantographs are functional or can be made functional.

I know diddly about Dayton Industrial Motors but I'm willing to learn.

So I know Willard Forney made a standard gauge GG1 and so did JAD. So what's this?

M

A GG1 Article From the Past....

I was perusing some old TTOS Newsletters and I saw this really interesting article on John Daniel's GG1 creations.

What's interesting is that ANOTHER GG1 from another manufacturer was produced around this time. I'll show the advertisement in the next post.

This article mentions a GG1 that John made I didn't know about. I know about the Tuscan and the Brunswick flavors but Blackjack Silver? That's a new one. I'd love to see what that looks like!

Check out the article, it is tremendously interesting and makes you wonder what else is out there? The article is well over 27 years old, so please don't bug John for a GG1!

Does anyone have a picture of their GG1 they'd like to contribute? I have 'em in O gauge and standard. Guess which one I like better!?!?

M

NETTE Auction - June 17, 2006

Here it comes: NETTE's next auction! I have a very high opinion of these folks, you all know that. I would urge the folks in the West to check out NETTE's online bidding at Proxibid. Give them a call, buy a paper catalog and then watch or bid via Proxibid. I know many of you would like to come out to the East Coast and bid or buy but cash, time and travel preclude many of us from getting on a plane. I would urge you to check out their auctions, the prices are typically reasonable and Mark's commentary is usually spot on.

M

The 600E by HK Creswell

On with the mid-day refresh -

I've always thought there should be a standard gauge Hudson. I guess H.K. Creswell thought so as well. This is yet another article from a 31 year old TTOS Newsletter.

This Hudson is gorgeous, still retains its' toy like charm and (from what I have heard) is one of the best pullers anywhere.

You all can read the article, it is very interesting and it makes me wish I knew about these trains when Mr. Creswell was producing them (I was 10 years old so my Dad would have probably understood why I would want to acquire such an item but most likely would used the cash to pay for food for a family that seemed to grow larger weekly).

What really intrigued me after reading this article was the fact that this was not some hacked up 400E. Many repro parts and pieces were figured into the production of these units and they were done in different colors. However all of these were hand done and with new parts, nothing rehashed or baked from old loco's. The color schemes also intrigued me: gunmetal, black, Blue Comet colors and two tone green. The two tone green one's must be downright amazing.

So who has one of these with some color pics so I can post it for everyone to see? The funny thing is that I have heard about this loco for some time but I never had a chance to see one. Now that I know it is real, it's only a matter of time! I wish I could have met Mr. Creswell, his writing is a hoot and he really knew his way around metal!



M

Mid-Day Refresh

A couple of my readers wrote me and said they were bored out of their skulls at work and asked me to do something mid-day. As my wife says "Try listening for once!". Ok, I did.

Check the guy to the left out! This is from a 31 year old TTOS Newsletter. How cool is this?

He kitbashed, hashed and put together a couple of different loco's and parts to make one really cool American Flyer 4688. There is no 4688 officially cataloged by Flyer, yet there it is in his hands.






This guy's name was Ralph Pauly. He received parts for an AF #4000 frame and miscellaneous pilots. The effect is stunning and that's just in black and white.

This whole thing has to go into the "Where are they now????" discussion. All the charisma of American Flyer paint and color schemes, plus a reliable Flyer motor plus the "architecture" of an Ives 3245.

I gotta build something like this! Join TTOS, if for no other reason because it attracted a brilliant guy like Ralph Pauly!

M

Chief Jeremy on eBay

Been reading the O Gauge forums. The usual speculation about MTH making too much standard gauge, prices are falling, yada yada yada.

I work in the computer world where every price is scrutinized, argued over and then dropped anyway. Customers don't expect to give up one iota of quality and service eventhough they are paying less than the manufacturing cost of the product. If you look at trains, price vs. value doesn't seem to have the same impact, especially on items no longer available from key suppliers like McCoy.

Here's a current sale running on eBay. I'll be honest, I am not a nut for circus trains. I don't hate them or anything, matter of fact I would like to have at least one or maybe two in my collection. I just don't seek them out.

There are two right now out on eBay, both for well over $1500. Both McCoy, both recent. I know eBay is not indicitive of an entire market but it isn't a bad indicator. I can think of two different books on standard gauge that are in the works and friend's tell me of several more that I don't know about ;)

I hope our economy continues despite the seemingly never ending parade of variables designed to rock it or throw it off completely. Current standard gauge (well after WWII from the late 60's on) seems very hot, every bit as hot as a mint 392E or 400E. What's going on?

M

PS My own take that I will discuss later is that we need more suppliers.

Standard Gauge Inspection Car (Scratch Built)

I was browsing through some TTOS newsletters from 1975 and I came across this article on a really interesting track inspection car.

This gentleman, Larry Archer put together something unusual with readily available parts, even today!

You can blow the article and read it yourself. Purist standard collectors probably won't go for something like this but these kinds of trains are getting more and more interesting to me.

Remember that article I had on a huge standard gauge collection in the 1960's (E. Carl Pieper)? I saw a video of his collection called "C&E Lines". He had one really amazing collection, it was wild to see it in action. But what really caught my eye was the scratch built stuff this guy had on his layout. An interuban, a really interesting Cascade with custom cars and inpsection car and custom made track! I'll see if I can get some of this onto the blog. The quality is pretty bad but the collection is unreal.

PS I highly recommend joining TTOS. Yes, this is 31 years old but there are plenty of folks in TTOS that are every bit as innovative as the spirit shown here. Join the TTOS (the link above takes you to TTOS, it will be listed on the blog shortly).

M

The New TCA Directory

Not much to say here, I just liked the new TCA Directory.

Sorry, ya aint getting a look inside unless you are a TCA member! Join the TCA!

But I did really like the cover, it is one of the best I have ever seen.

It's funny, when I received this, it reminded me of the old movie "The Jerk" when Steve Martin raves "the new phonebook is here, the new phonebook is here". And when I saw the celebrating of standard gauge, I felt a little validation and I'm glad clubs like the TCA are around.

Standard gauge is alive and very well, even at 100.

M

PS I don't endorse selling these or parting with them, when you are done with them, destroy them. It re-enforces the privacy of the club.

A Toonerville Club!

You just gotta join this club. I got a hold of a couple of newsletters and they are awesome! Only twice a year but they are full color and they have rare offers of Toonerville toys. The focus of the club is not to sell toys, it's to trade info and act as an exchange for Toonerville information. It's a great clearinghouse for Toonerville info. After all these years, you'll be shocked at the following these wonderful comics have.

The toys are not inexpensive but they are done right. The articles are excellent and they have some writing you wouldn't expect to see. There's one article from Fontaine Fox on being in Pre WWII Europe (and some of his adventures with drawings included).

For a donation of $10 a year, this is just plain old worth it.

M

PS My apologies if your browser/computer renders some of these articles strangely. I can't figure out why but sometimes it just throws a curveball and the pages are rendered strangely. Please don't email me, I quit my IT job long ago....

The Great Steam Company

You have got to check out this website. The focus is live steam but they have some amazing train gear on there as well.

I always liked all those cool train stations they sold at the Ward Kimball auction but there was no way I could afford the $10k plus prices. Yes, I know they are predominantly inspired from European cities. Who cares?

They are tin, they are bright, shiny and they look great and they aren't expensive. Variety is the spice of life. Why shouldn't we have some interesting and different items on the layout besides the usual Ives and Lionel stuff?

Go check out the website, I am going to get some live steam going as well!

Marc

Rare Books on eBay

I'm putting up some rare books on eBay. Tons of Lucius Beebe photo books. This isn't me trying to pump up any of my eBay sales. If you all know anyone that is interested in this stuff, let me know. I'd rather see a train person get it.

M

Just an update: I have decided to donate the books to the TCA. I know they'll probably get sold in some TCA booksale. I figure they'll end up in good hands and benefit an organization I care about. Cheers!

I like Copper Too...

Ok, I like Copper as well. Does anyone know of any other trains in Copper besides this one? I haven't seen much standard gauge in Copper. Any thoughts?

M

Joe's Coal Train II

Joe F. made this really cool coal train. This is one heck of a nice train! Joe, I know it isn't prototypical Carlisle and Finch but it looks amazing.

How much work was that paintjob? The colors are excellent. Perhaps once the SGMA gets their modules up we get some mining done on their modular mine.

Seriously Joe, you should send these pics to MTH or Lionel. I would imagine that this isn't expensive to produce en masse and it looks way cool. Are those wheels from a 33?

M

Joe's At It Again....

Joe F. is making some more mining cars. So Joe, when can I go to my train store and get a couple of these? I like your ideas! Who says the Lonestar State doesn't have some great trains?!?!

M

Brouhaha!

I saw this picture; it's titled "Oh Yeah!" It reminds me of some of the spirited discussion I have seen in the Yahoo Groups and in some of the emails I have seen lately.

I've seen some animated wrangling about taking pictures at York, design and build of standard gauge modules and on and on....

It's good to see the discussion. Let me weigh in and then I'll be quiet.

I think cameras and the like should be allowed at York. Check this out:

Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Note:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Being that I write a blog, as do a whole bunch of other people, not being able to take pictures of amazing toys and trains inhibits my 4th ammendment right to freedom of the press. There's also this nagging First Ammendment, something about "freedom of expression" and the fact that our congress can not stop or inhibit freedom of expression. If the Congress of the United States can't stop me from freedom of expression, who is anyone else to tell me different?

One more thing; whenever I have shown pictures of train shows on my blog, the hits go up substantially. Not everyone has the funds, time or physical health to always travel. Some people just enjoy seeing the trains (hence my blog). Maybe it's the reason everyone in our hobby NOT taking pictures at York is over 50 years old.

By the way, I understand the rationale for the no-fly zone for digital cams and the like; pictures can be taken out of context and I'd rather not have yet another fight with my wife with photographic evidence to back it up.

However, First and Fourth ammendments notwithstanding, we lose part of our history by not having a reasonable photographic journal of what we love and why we love it. Just some food for thought; losing history is far worse than a few short term hassles. We should be capturing our history before eBay and time takes a dump on the camraderie and insight our hobby offers.

The mild skirmish going on in the SGMA reminds me of the above picture. I'll bet these guys grew up to be better men because they stood their ground or at least had the chance to get in each others faces. Sometimes friends and colleagues should be able to yell, stomp and still express themselves and be respected for it. Eventually the organization grows up, has important meetings and has nice carpeting on big layouts with lots of trains.

Choo choo.

Marc

New MTH Catalog

I'm not going to jabber too much about the new catalog. It has been posted online at the MTH website and my blogging colleagues have done an admirable job covering the introduction.

A few observations:

At some point, I'd like to see a larger discussion on the channel, specifically hobby stores and resellers. I am going to save this for another post because I have some strong feelings about it. My strong feelings percolated up again when MTH withheld the catalog from the website to drive retail business. I understand the business goal MTH is trying to achieve, I'd like to hash out our feelings on toy train resellers a little bit. One of the very interesting things is that I know some dealers have read my blog yet I've only heard from one of them (and that is because he has a McCoy Carousel). I'd be interested in hearing from them....

I think that MTH did a great job of walking the line in this catalog. I like the PDF release on the web by the way, I think it is a good way to get a solid catalog out in an electronic format that is safe, printable and secure.

As to "walking the line", the line I am referring to is old standard gauge versus new standard gauge. Lots of people perceive new standard gauge as anything that doesn't have a prewar Lionel counterpart to represent it. I'm ok with that. Old standard gauge is stuff that was produced prior to WWII and is reflected by mass manufacturing of the time (IE: Lionel 392, 400e, 390E, 200 and 500 series boxcars and so on).

As far as I can tell, most everything in the new catalog has been reproduced in the modern era (meaning in the last 35 years) at some point in time or another with a few exceptions like the monorail. I like the Chrome 1134 (I'm a male of the species, I like shiny toys and things that make sparks). What caught my eye was the Civil Defense searchlight car and the graphics on the 200 and 500 series cars. This is really taking something old and making it their own. I like it because we can take that creative impulse and do things with it: IE a Civil Defense train or a Beer Train or whatever.

The same with the 1694's pictured above. Three different engines and three different sets of cars. It's somewhat linear but it does give us a substantial set of choices that we didn't have before and for product that costs an arm and a leg for originals.

Why should you care? Couple of reasons:

1) Because it is a strong product strategy in a small market segment.

Sounds like gibberish because it is. But the logic behind the gibberish is a reality; the standard gauge and O gauge items are profitable, modular and can be produced in large enough quantities to satisfy us nuts that buy this stuff. But not get produced so much that the stuff is being given away on eBay for diddly. I recently sold an old MTH caboose on ebay for 12 bucks. The caboose was great, there were just tons out there that were in the box, like new. Most of the eBay MTH out there now is from dealers speculating or with left over stock. That's actually good for us.

2) Because MTH really does care about us as a segment.

I like the fact that MTH's founder knows ALOT about prewar trains. That wins huge kudos in my book. I also like the fact that he tries new paint schemes on old favorites and has the guts to try some new things like the Leland Monorail and the 101 bridges. The 101 bridge is tough; in my experience you can't run trains over that bridge with any kind of speed without suffering a derailment and something going airborne. That bridge is best set up in slow areas and in places where no speed is needed. It looks kind of silly leading up to a Hellgate. The point is that it's a neat item nonetheless and one I sought after for a long time before I found an original that wasn't banged up.

I could provide quite a few additional reasons why I like the new catalog. The bottom line is that I hope the catalogs keep coming and that Mike Wolf and Team get access to more ideas and different trains. I've heard quite a few people that don't like MTH (they usually email me after I write something like this). One more thought: the more standard gauge track that gets put out, put down on a layout (modular or non-modular (KIRK IS DA MAN!!!)) the better it is for us as a hobby and for manufacturers everywhere here in the United States. The numbers for our hobby aren't exactly flying up. They may get better as the 78 million baby boomers fly to Florida and get rec-rooms with something besides ping pong tables and plasma screen TV's. I'm not going to stake any of my savings on that though. So the more exposure that is out there for standard gauge, the better off we'll be.

15 years from now when my house is bucking under the weight of tinplate I don't want to have to go out of state to get a lock on (or make one myself) for my standard gauge track. Just my 2 cents.

M

Trains Newswire....

I am blogging from many miles away (actually in an airport). I thought that this was worth paying an ridiculous amount of money and jumping on broadband (ok, I just wanted to look at eBay as well).

Trains Magazine has a neat newswire service that tracks major stories related to all trains big and small. Kind of cool for us nuts that can't get enough of wheels rolling on metal.

By the way, I love the new carpet colors the SGMA picked for the modules. I'll be interested to see how this looks in concert with all of the color prewar trains have to offer. I also think the colors they picked will lend themselves nicely to other gauges like O gauge and 2 7/8. Any thoughts?

M

Modules, Catalogs and other stuff...

I think I'm going to lay off the module pics, Kirk posted them on the forums and I don't really want to replicate the bandwidth plus work that has already been done.

This new MTH catalog is driving me nuts. I'd love to know where the post is where I can see its' contents. I wish I understood MTH's method to their madness with this "sort of" weekend release/York/After York showing.

I am kicking myself as I would really like to go to York next weekend. I always get stuck with one thing or another. Last year it was a wedding, this year it is family in town. I am beginning to think there is a family conspiracy to deprive me of trains that I can't afford! In the spirit of Passover I implore my family: Let my people go!

Wouldn't you just love to see that red (or maybe orange) engine on the left produced in standard gauge? Heck I might even settle for O gauge! If I see one more rendition of the GG1 I think I am going to yak up a hairball that looks like Raymond Loewy. I wish I had a little voodoo doll of the train manufacturer's management. I wouldn't hurt them or anything but I would travel into New York City or Boston once a week and prop up the dolls in historical stations where they could soak up the creativity and history that went along with amazing trains. Maybe then they'd stop recreating the same stuff over and over again.

Speaking of some cool new trains, I was leaving a meeting the other day on Hudson Street in Jersey City, NJ and saw quite a few New Jersey Light Rail Trolleys rolling along. I know this was a difficult project for New Jersey but this is a really nice line. Check out their website at:
http://world.nycsubway.org/us/hudson-bergen/. I'll tell you what caught my eye - they just created a new paint scheme. I didn't have my camera but the trolleys look really nice. Definitely a strong candidate for a standard gauge model. There are some strict rules about taking pics of the trolleys but I will see if there are any ways I can snap a few without getting a ticket or worse.

While on the subject of trolleys: one of my readers put me on to a Toonerville collectors club. I wrote the editor and he sent me a couple of newsletters. I am mailing my dues to him next week. The newsletter is really very sharp and there are some special offers on Toonerville toys. These are really nice toys (not junk). I will post the whole brochure for the club in the next few days. I am excited about joining this club, I've already learned some things about Fontaine Fox I definitely didn't know. It makes collecting and learning about these items very, very interesting. As soon as I can get near a scanner and an SD card (without pictures on it), I will get the info posted.

I hope you and your families have a wonderful Easter and Passover!

M

Standard Gauge Modules Cont

Assembled tops completed 12:15 pm

Tops and Legs ready to use 1:00 pm

Completed 36 x 48" module

More posts from Kirk shortly. This is some very cool stuff. Glad I have been procrastinating with that benchwork!

M

Standard Gauge Modules

Here is one of Kirk's recent posts on the Modules. I liked it so I posted it. Have fun at York!!

Hi Guys-

This is what it is all about! I assembled three prototype modules using Sievers Benchwork for the frame and legs. This establishes the critical dimensions but does NOT prevent anyone from building compatible modules using good quality lumber. I would suggest we all paint the frames and legs the same color (flat black?).

The Sievers Benchwork is constructed of clear nominal 1x4 boards (actually 3/4" x 3 1/2"). There are 1/4" holes every 4" (measured from the front edge), and 1/4" holes every 4" on the front and back. These will be used to connect the modules to each other and the legs to the frames with 1/4" bolts, fender washers and wing nuts. They could also be used to attach a decorative skirt or plexiglass shield if desired. There are also 3/4" holes centered between the 1/4" holes on both ends and in the cross braces that can be used for wire conduits. All holes are exactly in the center of the 1 x 4 boards.

For a flat top carpeted module of the kind shown here, 1/2" plywood was glued to the top of the frame and commonly available commercial carpeting was glued to the plywood top. Completely covering the plywood is Baylink Varsity brand Emerald Green (#3788) carpet, with strips of Baylink Varsity brand Smoke Grey (#3830) carpet representing ballast. In my opinion it looks great! A careful look at the picture labeled Vertical dimensions shows the 1/4" bolt holes centered 2 1/4" below the top of the plywood, and 3 1/4" below the top of the rail ( the combined height of the two layers of carpet and the track is 1"). Modules with full scenery can be made to mate easily with the flat top modules if desired. With the leg levelers in the middle of their adjustment range, the top of the track is at 42 1/2".

Sievers Benchwork Arrives at 11:00 am

Sievers Parts Sorted 11:15 am

More in the next post....

M

Some Ancient Brass

Here's an original 54. I know, it needs a dusting and a polishing. It's a gorgeous engine that is probably pushing 100 years old.

I have to dust about 300 to 400 trains and pry some goo off my floor.

Dirt aside, what's interesting about this brass is that you can see some of the copper peaking out in the lower left of the corner. No, it isn't blantantly copper but you can see the coloring moving more towards copper and less towards brass.

This engine is a pet project of mine, I am going to get it running. Any ideas on the best way to shine it up without destroying the patina in the long run?

Here is something a little newer:


It's a prototype B&O #5. You can see quite a few of the weld spots on it. Even with a little dirt and a pantload of fingerprints, the brass looks really nice.

Next up: some Nickle Plated gear!

My point in these little blurbs is that natural colors or the colors of nature are frequently just as exquisite as the variety of colors that find their way onto old toys and specifically toy trains. Metallurgy is a science that works with nature to create some stunning effects, wouldn't you say?

M

New Haven Commuter Train

I was just standing around in Bethel, CT today and I lucked out. Camera, an empty memory card and two crossing gates closing. Can't ask for much better than that.

Also, check out the neat little station in this town. It's a Prewar station.....

It still is the Metro North (not the New Haven) but I love seeing the colors and seeing this thing go flying by on a Sunday. It was two cars and a loco but it was cruising at about 45 MPH and it could have been brand new (the whole consist wasn't).

When I think of postwar trains, this is what I think of! M

Ode to Brass III

This is a 30 year old Cohen #7. I have a real #7 as well and it looks identical, almost no different.

My point is how the metal ages. I am going to go into Nickle Plating at some point.

Couple of questions: How many people polish their brass and/or nickle engines? Can the brass handle repeated polishings or is it just better to leave it unpolished?

I live in an area where many people used brass and copper for cooking utensils. The stuff seems to look great, even after 200 years.

I've also heard quite a few people coating brass engines with sealant to avoid the tarnish. I don't personally think that this is a great idea but I've spoken to one or two collectors that swear by it.
This car was produced in brass. There really is no comparable Lionel counterpart. It does match the 1912 and or #7 beautifully. I find the coloring almost timeless. I wonder if the copper and zinc mix could be changed to make the coloring darker or lighter?

One thing I don't like about brass though (and this is a cautionary note to collectors); brass can be aged quickly by exposing it to amonia fumes. This can age an engine or car very fast that really isn't old at all. How do I know? Well, I had a "trusted seller" that I bought a substantial number of trains from do exactly the above. He weathered some new items and sold them to me as original. This was about 15 years ago before I knew the difference and knew what to look for.

M

Ode to Brass II

This is a typical Cohen 1912. Check out the rivet detail. My apologies on the flash kickback.

Not exactly prototypical but between the rivet detail, the door detail and the nice red paint, this is one classy looking engine.

Hold on, there are more pics...

Say it ain't so...

Paul Wasserman saw this on eBay and I just had to post it. Everyone on the Yahoo Groups is getting a decent chuckle (and rightfully so). The seller is claiming it is a nice set in good condition and is calling it by the incorrect naming/nomenclature.

As per usual, a seller that knows exactly zero about toys and trains is yet again implying that this "rare" set in excellent condition is worth millions (I am exaggerating but the concept is the same). I won't dwell on this too long because we already know that 1) the set sucks. 2) it is in rancid condition and is not worth what they are asking. 3) it is highly probable the seller knows nothing about trains. It might be a fun restoration project and the whole set is probably worth $75 to $100 at most.

Ok, having said that, there has to be some amazing new Java based technology that corrects silly eBay posts. Come on, enough knowledgable folks have posted on eBay, there has to be a knowledge base out there to know what really sucks and what doesn't. There has to be some software that will look at all of the descriptions based on similar wording and can optically compare the pics and make some judgement calls.

Or are some buyers and some sellers just destined to be clueless forever?

M

Ode to Brass

Color got me thinking about brass. Brass is used substantially in HO trains, especially imports. It's easy to articulate parts in brass, the metal is soft and it has tremendous flexibility.

But it's the color that really stands out. I know it isn't necessarily prototypical but for some reason shined up brass and nickle look really classy on a toy train.

Now the above is an opinion and it's a subjective one at that. This stuff is all in the eye of the behoder.

Where this gets kind of interesting is when we get to the next few pics I put up. But before I do that, I wanted to cut in these engines from the Lionel catalog.

These are easily two of the nicest standard gauge engines ever made. Come on everyone, you can't tell me you don't look twice when you see these. There's something about the color of a metal without paint that is naturally nice to look at.

The real topic for discussion though is why quite a few of the early train manufacturers opted for a metal like brass? It is very easy on the eyes and is easy to grip. Plus it doesn't seem to scratch deeply or damage easily. It does tarnish and need polishing. But it looks mighty good when plied in the right hands.

More pics coming to get some thought going around brass trains....

M

#199 Layout

Why did I put this layout out there? There's one on eBay right now. Yes, I know the pictured isn't the same as the one on eBay. I still like it.

This proves that standard gauge packs a punch even in a small space.

Since I have seen so much benchwork discussion on the groups, I also thought that I would show off the simplest benchwork that also gets some of the nicest results.

A few other things that have been on my mind: Check out the new Tinplate Times. I loved Mike Isenberg's article on the 114 station. The patience that man has! The station is absolutely glorious; I wish there was a comparable model of the first Grand Central. I am referring to the one Commodore Vanderbilt built when steam was still allowed in New York City. The only station I have seen that is close is one of those old Marklin one's that go for $40,000 everytime they are auctioned.

I also really, really enjoyed the Orange Show Model trains. Yes, I know they aren't standard gauge but what a find they are! I was wondering about the mechanics of reverse engineering them? They were made before the age of plastic and I would be very interested to see their inner workings.

I've also been looking at the O Gauge Watch Blog. Really a nice job. To be honest, much of the O gauge world is like hitting snooze for me at 5 am. I know I'll see and hear it again in 15 minutes and I'll still be annoyed. But this guy has a talent for writing and a knack for putting links in the right places. He also hones in on some really nice train related items. Honestly, it's a brilliant site and I often think that if CTT were doing their job, this would be what their site should look like.

Ok, now to my site; I've been slacking off lately. Actually, the computer world and my job has kept me pretty busy lately but it has also given me some time to daydream. Typically this is done in any one of many important meetings.

I also bought (with my meager paycheck) a couple of neat Cohen 2 7/8 gauge pieces. I say this because of the story around them. My wife knows my paycheck has been sucking wind lately so when a box showed up, she was naturally irritated and curious. After she left for work I quickly unpacked the items and precariously placed them along with the other loads of stuff on my desk. A small inventory of my desk:

CD's with data on them.
CD's with music on them.
5 2 7/8 gauge trains.
10 PDA's.
1 Flat Panel.
100 pieces of paper with really important things on them.
50 unopended bills.
Catalogs, advertisements and general standard gauge stuff.
Parts and pieces to trains, computers and so on.
A mickey mouse clock.
More Lionel advertising from the 20's and 30's.
A Dept. 56 Train Store.
A Tiffany lamp
Dust
Stuff from my job and bills I plan to look at in 2007.

Ok, with that said, the trains were safely upstairs, my wife came home from work and my wife said "What was in the box?" Think Marc, think....

"Porn I bought on eBay." It just popped out. I had no excuse she hasn't heard before.

I thought that would disgust her and make her want to run in the other direction. She gave me a face and came back 10 minutes later; "Nobody sends you porn in a heavily packed box with $30 worth of postage on it." "This was rare Indian porn." The hole was dug and I was driving my leased vehicle straight down to hell.

"Ok, I bought a train". "That's what I thought" she said. "By the way, can you pay my Macy's bill?" said my wife. The road to hell is paved with 2 7/8 gauge track, not good intentions.

M

Amazing Maurer Auction

Use the link on the right and check out the upcoming auctions. If you are shopping for some nice Lionel gear, you should take a gander at some of these auctions.

April 14 (right before York).

M

Steeltoys

A cute little station from Steeltoys. All of Mr. Fusco's items are very reasonably priced as well.

I've included the link to his website.

PS I like the elevated gear!

PSS Ok, I've seen a ton of posts and discussion on Standard Gauge Modules. I'd like to get some pictures from Kirk than I will post his letter as well as some supporting documentation. The modules are a good idea. They've never been done before and standard gauge needs strong benchwork support (mostly to support all that metal) and also for convenience. The point is that the discussion hasn't gone un-noticed. I have been waiting for it to work itself out and start to come to some conclusions before posting on it.

So, look for the info in upcoming posts!

M

Very Cool Little Cityscapes

Click on the link above. I know it doesn't have much to do with Standard Gauge but you when you see these models, you'll definitely want to check them out.

I'd like to go see this park but it is two hours outside of Tokyo. As if I don't do enough traveling allready!

M

NETTE Auction - April 8, 2006

The April 8 auction is up on the web. Mark Tobias told me about this set a few weeks ago. I heard about it but dismissed it as yet another Lionel set I had seen before.

This is one gorgeous set. I have never put these colors together before. This is really a heck of a nice set. I hope MTH catches the bug and puts something together like this.

I know everyone is waiting for me to start posting again. I've been completely inundated by work lately. I have also been cleaning out the old train room and figuring out what computer junk I need versus what can make room for trains.

Funny, when I was younger I felt very nostalgic and collected quite a few computers and items from my old jobs. I can't wait to get this stuff out of my house! I know that hindsight is 20-20 and that 50 years from now, I might regret it but somehow I doubt it. I have about 20 old computers sitting in my closet and they just aren't that interesting.

Yet again, trains have been interesting to me since I was 4 (36 plus years ago). Computers; I am over them.

M

Fine Art Models on eBay

So I'm watching the new seaon of the Sopranos and I see this T-1 on eBay. I bid on it a little but it is up to $5k. A little too rich for my blood. I am curious about it, that's all.

The seller says that this originally was $6.5k. I seem to remember seeing these advertised. I also remember seeing a standard gauge Crocodile by the same maker.

Has anyone actually seen these things run? Maybe it is just me but even when I see these expensive models in standard gauge, all I can think of is the dumb pissing match that scale o-gauge has devolved into.

I have seen a couple really prototypical standard gauge products and I have several in o-gauge. Still, when I see this product I think of the masses of product Lionel and MTH, K-Line and the usual littany of O-Gauge scale manufacturers put out.

Someone tell me I'm wrong, they've seen these things run and they are like watching masterpieces/works of art chugging around a layout. For me, all I think of is yet another article or bit of recent literature waxing on about how amazing a scene looks from a layout and how the builder used actual dirt in his highrail layout to get a "real world" effect. Why am I not impressed?

Maybe because if I wanted realism I'd get an HO/N/Z layout from Marklin at a fraction of the price standard gauge costs that fits an entire West German City into my home office. Or I'd grab some G-Gauge and plow down my backyard and convert it to a massive freight empire.

If I'm spending $6.5k for anything, it better be something kissed by Joshua Lionel Cohen himself (yes, I know he changed his name to Cowen but I prefer to think of him by his real name). Don't sign me up at the scale train warrior clinic anytime soon.

Marc

March Stout Auction

Looks like the March Stout auction is up. It has some nice standard gauge (especially freights). The Ralston Auction has also been up for a few weeks as well (happening March 4).

The interesting thing is that while both are fairly nice, they also don't have too much that is remarkable. The last Stout Auction had a really nice Blue Comet set.

Has anyone seen any standard gauge out there lately that was really unusual?

Also, I want to run a little poll: how many folks out there have 2 7/8 gear in their collection? I just saw a Converse Trolley out on eBay for over $23k (asking price) and I was wondering how many folks were actually interested in this?

So the question is: How many of you have a 2 7/8 gauge circle of track (either from JL Cowen or MTH) and a DC transformer?

M