A little off topic; was over at the Smithsonian last week in Washington, DC and they have the original Enterprise model from the series. When you see what these guys made with the materials they had at the time, it is inspiring. We all bellyache about MTH not making this or Lionel not making that. Yet these modelers (who weren't really modelers) came up with one of the most memorable icons in history. It's worth the trip (this is in the Smithsonian Air and Space museum).
Aristo-Craft/Polk Hobbies is just plain great stuff. No, it isn't standard gauge. But if you think that I'm not putting away some pennies for these new PCC Streetcars and maybe and RDC Budd car, you would be wrong.
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Here's a very high quality 400e at the upcoming NETTE auction. Original 400e's drive some high prices. I have two and I can say they were both worth it..JPG)
New England Toy Train Exchange has an exciting auction coming up with some classic Voltamp like this. I've seen about a dozen questions in the last week; "What is Voltamp?". In a very small nutshell, some of the earliest and most innovative electric toy trains.
Debating about what trains I'm going to run next. I hate pulling off this Ives Prosperity Special. It's special. I just can't stop looking at the damn thing.
Check out how nice these prewar boxes are for the 9E. I'm not a box person however these boxes do tell an interesting story. Those 400 series cars don't look yellow to me!
I wish the auto manufacturers still made cars like this. One could argue that modern amenities and electronics make current automobiles much more exciting. But these are still around and well, still simply like modern works of art in metal. I hope my country can produce items like this again....
Was hanging out last weekend at the Connecticut Air Museum; check out this B-29. You have to see this plane up close to understand how incredible it is. Nope, it isn't a standard gauge train but if you want to have a great time and see some real WW II planes, this is one great stop on the travel roster!
Ok, this collection isn't the biggest but it is probably one of the best I have ever seen. Add the 199 layout and I am just blown away. Thanks again Martin for sharing these!
original, not refurbished, best of the best prewar trains. My living room floor sucks compared to Martin's! 
Martin also sent me a pic of his 199 Dealer layout. Good things come in small packages. I love these little layouts. I can only imagine the personality of their creators. Damn this is great innovation packed into a small space!
Martin sent me this awesome pics of his 400e's. Yes, the top is an original crackle black 400e. It in fact does exist. Wouldn't you have just loved to been in the Lionel factory when the guy figured out how to do this crackle black paint? I would have really loved to see this technique on some other trains of the time as well as rolling stock. I have a crackle black MTH 400e and it is really nice, I can't imagine how nice an original prewar Lionel flavor is.
I love model planes as well. I took this pic yesterday at the CT Air Museum outside of Hartford. I do really like having little planes on my layout. However I do think planes belong in the air....
How about a real Trolley barn? Makes me wish there was one in standard gauge!
Hi All, was just hanging out this weekend at the Connecticut Air Museum and I hopped over to the Trolley Museum for a quick stop. I've seen this in standard gauge from Bob McCoy Sr. and Jr.. Very cool little switcher. I'll post some pics of the trolleys as well.
